To summarize the clinical experience of Professor WANG Jie in treating palpitation using the method of tonifying the kidneys and invigorating blood. It is believed that kidney yang deficiency and heart vessel stasis are the key pathogenesis of palpitation， and it is advocated to treat palpitation by tonifying the kidney and invigorating the blood. Meanwhile，the methods of draining water， dissolving phlegm， and fortifying the spleen to supplement the blood should be applied. For palpitation with kidney yang deficiency and heart vessel stasis with upward water， the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Lishui Formula （补肾活血利水方）； for palpitation with phlegm obstruction in blood vessel， the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Huatan Formula （补肾活血化痰方）； for palpitation with spleen yang deficiency， the treatment could use self-prescribed Bushen Huoxue Jianpi Formula （补肾活血健脾方）.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics and clinical significance of anorectal manometry measurements in children with tethered cord syndrome (TCS) before and after surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 44 children with TCS treated at the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2022 to September 2023. These patients were divided into effective subgroup (n=34) and non-effective subgroup (n=10) based on postoperative symptom improvement. Additionally, 34 children with functional constipation were selected as a control group. Baseline data and manometry measurements were compared between the preoperative TCS group and the control group, as well as between the non-effective and effective subgroups. RESULTS: The TCS group had lower short contraction time and defecation relaxation rate compared to the control group (P<0.05), while defecation residual pressure and maximum rectal tolerable threshold were higher than the control group (P<0.05). The length of the anal canal in the high-pressure zone in the effective subgroup was greater postoperatively than preoperatively (P<0.05), and the initial rectal sensation threshold decreased postoperatively (P<0.05). The non-effective subgroup had lower preoperative maximum rectal expulsion pressure compared to the effective subgroup (P<0.05). Postoperative rectal anal inhibition reflex values in the effective subgroup were higher than those in the non-effective subgroup (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There are some differences in anorectal dynamics between children with TCS and those with functional constipation. Maximum rectal expulsion pressure may be a key predictor of surgical outcomes. Surgery can alter certain defecation functions in some children.
Humans ; Male ; Anal Canal/physiopathology* ; Female ; Rectum/physiopathology* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Manometry ; Neural Tube Defects/physiopathology* ; Infant ; Defecation ; Adolescent ; Constipation/physiopathology* ; Clinical Relevance

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly, and BuChE has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we reported the development of compound 8e, a selective reversible BuChE inhibitor (eqBuChE IC₅₀ = 0.049 μmol/L, huBuChE IC₅₀ = 0.066 μmol/L), identified through extensive virtual screening and lead optimization. Compound 8e demonstrated favorable blood-brain barrier permeability, good drug-likeness property and pronounced neuroprotective efficacy. Additionally, 8e exhibited significant therapeutic effects in zebrafish AD models and scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in mice. Further, 8e significantly improved cognitive function in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Proteomics analysis demonstrated that 8e markedly elevated the expression levels of very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), offering valuable insights into its potential modulation of the Reelin-mediated signaling pathway. Thus, compound 8e emerges as a novel and potent BuChE inhibitor for the treatment of AD, with significant implications for further exploration into its mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss, with few effective treatments currently available. The multifactorial nature of AD, shaped by genetic, environmental, and biological factors, complicates both research and clinical management. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and multi-omics technologies provide new opportunities to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of AD and identify early biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. AI-driven approaches such as machine learning, deep learning, and network-based models have enabled the integration of large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and microbiomic datasets. These efforts have facilitated the discovery of novel molecular signatures and therapeutic targets. Methods including deep belief networks and joint deep semi-non-negative matrix factorization have contributed to improvements in disease classification and patient stratification. However, ongoing challenges remain. These include data heterogeneity, limited interpretability of complex models, a lack of large and diverse datasets, and insufficient clinical validation. The absence of standardized multi-omics data processing methods further restricts progress. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in AI-driven multi-omics research in AD, highlighting achievements in early diagnosis and biomarker discovery while discussing limitations and future directions needed to advance these approaches toward clinical application.

OBJECTIVE: Varied acupoint selections represent a potential cause of the uncertainty surrounding the efficacy of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Skin temperature, a guiding factor for acupoint selection, may help to address this issue. This study explored thermal sensitization of acupoints used for the treatment of knee OA. METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study enrolled cases aged 45-75 years with symptomatic knee OA and age- and gender-matched non-knee OA controls in a 1:1 ratio. All participants underwent infrared thermographic imaging. The primary outcome was the relative skin temperature of acupoint (STA), and the secondary outcome was the absolute STA of 11 acupoints. The Z test was used to compare the relative and absolute STAs between the groups. Principal component analysis was used to extract the common factors (CFs, acupoint cluster) in the STAs. A general linear model was used to identify factors affecting the STA in the knee OA cases. For the group comparisons of relative STA, P < 0.0045 (adjusted for 11 acupoints through Bonferroni correction) was considered to indicate statistical significance. For other analyses, P < 0.05 was used as the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: The analysis included 308 participants, consisting of 151 cases (mean age: [64.58 ± 6.67] years; male: 25.83%; mean body mass index: [25.70 ± 3.16] kg/m²) and 157 controls (mean age: [63.37 ± 5.96] years; male: 26.11%; mean body mass index: [24.47 ± 2.84] kg/m²). The relative STAs of ST34 (P = 0.0001), EX-LE2 (P < 0.0001), EX-LE5 (P = 0.0006), SP10 (P < 0.0001), BL40 (P = 0.0012) and GB39 (P = 0.0037) were higher in the knee OA group. No difference was found in the STAs of ST35, ST36, SP9, GB33 and GB34. Four CFs were identified for relative STA in both groups. The acupoints within each CF were consistent between the groups. The mean values of the relative STAs across each CF were higher in the knee OA group. In the knee OA cases, no factors were observed to affect the relative STA, while age and gender were found to affect the absolute STA. CONCLUSION Among patients with knee OA, thermal sensitization occurs in the acupoints of the lower extremity, exhibiting localized and regional thermal consistencies. The thermally sensitized acupoints that we identified in this study, ST34, SP10, EX-LE2, EX-LE5, GB39 and BL40, may be good choices for the acupuncture treatment of knee OA. Please cite this article as: Tu JF, Wang XZ, Yan SY, Wang YR, Yang JW, Shi GX, Zhang WZ, Jing LN, Yang LS, Liu DH, Wang LQ, Mi BH. Thermal sensitization of acupoints in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional case-control study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 289-296.
Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology* ; Male ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Case-Control Studies ; Aged ; Skin Temperature ; Acupuncture Therapy

OBJECTIVE: The Asia-Pacific region has a high chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) burden, but studies on its trends are limited. Using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 data, we analyzed COPD trends in 36 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019 and predicted future incidence trends through 2034. METHODS: COPD data by age and sex from the GBD 2019 database were analyzed for incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rates from 1990 to 2019. Joinpoint regression identified significant annual trends, and age-standardized incidence rates were predicted through 2034 using age-period-cohort models. RESULTS: The incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disease burden of COPD have been decreasing, and the incidence rates will continue to decrease or remain stable until 2034 in most selected countries and territories, except for a few Southeastern Asian countries. The Lao People's Democratic Republic and Vietnam are projected to experience an increase in COPD incidence from 165.3 per 100,000 in 2019 to 177 per 100,000 in 2034 and from 179.9 per 100,000 in 2019 to 192.5 per 100,000 in 2034, respectively. Older males had a higher incidence than any other sex or age group. The sex gap in incidence rates continues to widen, though it is smaller and less significant in the younger age group than in those in the older one. CONCLUSION COPD rates are expected to decline until 2034 but remain a health risk, especially in countries with rising rates. Urgent action on tobacco control, air pollution, and public education is needed.
Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/mortality* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Incidence ; Asia/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Prevalence ; Cost of Illness ; Aged, 80 and over ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Young Adult ; Global Burden of Disease ; Adolescent

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of cenegermin in the treatment of neurotrophic keratitis (NK).Methods:An observational case series study was adopted.Twenty-two patients (26 eyes) with moderate and severe NK diagnosed in Xi'an No.1 Hospital from June to November 2021 were collected and locally treated with cenegermin eye drop.After the corneal epithelium of the affected eye healed, the treatment ended.Relevant index data of patients before and after treatment were obtained through eye examination.The main indicators were the fiber length of corneal sensation measured by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer, the morphological and quantitative indexes of corneal nerves by in vivo confocal microscopy, including the density of corneal nerve fibers and the number of nerve bifurcation points, and tear meniscus height measured by Keratograph Ocular Surface Analyzer.The secondary indicators were best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and adverse reactions.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Xi'an No.1 Hospital (No.2021-11). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject. Results:The average treatment duration of patients receiving cenegermin was (4.42±1.86) weeks.After treatment, the corneal epithelial defect of moderate and severe patients healed completely.After treatment, the fiber length of sensation of corneal epithelial defect area and superior defect area were improved, the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.45, -3.22; both at P<0.05). There was no significant difference in corneal sensation in inferior, nasal and temporal of corneal epithelial defect area between before and after treatment ( Z=-1.89, -0.31, -1.86; all at P>0.05). After treatment, the average corneal nerve fiber density and the number of corneal nerve fiber bifurcation points in the affected eyes were significantly increased ( Z=-3.95, -3.48; both at P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the tear meniscus height between before and after treatment ( Z=-1.58, P=0.11). After treatment, the BCVA (LogMAR) of patients was 0.22(0.10, 0.40), which was higher than 0.52(0.30, 0.70) at baseline, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-3.63, P<0.01). During the treatment of cenegermin eye drops, transient pain occurred in 3 eyes, and intraocular pressure increased in 1 eye, which all returned to normal after symptomatic treatment. Conclusions:Topical application of cenegermin can repair corneal nerve morphology and function in patients with NK.

Objective To explore the correlation between healthcare-associated infection(HAI)and partial inde-xes in the diagnosis-related groups(DRGs)of patients in thoracic surgery intensive care unit(ICU).Methods DRGs,case mix index(CMI),relative weight(RW),and HAI of patients in thoracic surgery ICU and four subspe-cialty departments(pulmonary surgery group,esophageal surgery group,mediastinum group[mainly thymic sur-gery],and trachea group)in a tertiary chest hospital in Shanghai from January to December 2022 were retrospec-tively analyzed and compared through DRGs index grouping.Results A total of 1 429 patients in the department of thoracic surgery ICU were analyzed,including 59 HAI cases,with a HAI rate of 4.13％.The incidences of HAI in pulmonary surgery group,esophageal surgery group,mediastinum group and trachea group were 3.74％(30/803),5.84％(25/428),1.27％(2/157)and 4.88％(2/41),respectively.There was no statistically significant differ-ence in the incidences of HAI among different subspecialty groups(P＞0.05).A total of 35 DRGs were involved,with CMI of 2.75,3.41,2.35 and 1.25 in pulmonary surgery group,esophageal surgery group,mediastinum group and trachea group,respectively,and RW ranged from 0.53 to 12.62.In the pulmonary surgery group,inci-dence of HAI in male patients was higher than that in female patients.Higher RW score level was associated with higher incidence of HAI.Differences were all statistically significant(all P 0.05).Among patients in the esophageal surgery group,the age of HAI group was higher than that of the non-HAI group(P＜0.05).Higher RW score level was associated with higher incidence of HAI(P＜0.05).Among patients in the mediastinum sur-gery group,the age of patients in the infected group was higher than that in the non-infected group(P＜0.05).Among the 59 HAI cases,31 were infected with MDROs.Conclusion Focusing on CMI and RW in the DRGs in-dex system,analyzing HAI from the perspectives of disease complexity and overall technical difficulties of medical services can provide reference for the precise management of HAI in the new era.

AIM:To observe the different effects of three intervention approaches on related biometric parameters in children diagnosed with latent myopia, and to investigate different control effects on children with latent myopia.METHODS:Prospective cohort concurrent controls trials. A total of 60 cases(120 eyes)of children who were initially diagnosed as latent myopia and untreated previously at ophthalmology clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University from December 2021 to May 2022 were recruited. They were randomly divided into three groups, with 20 cases(40 eyes)in group A treated with 0.01% Atropine eye drops, 20 cases(40 eyes)in group B treated with vision training with a flip chart, and 20 cases(40 eyes)in group C treated with esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops. They were followed-up for 12 mo, and the spherical equivalent(SE), axial length(AL), corneal curvature(CC), accommodative facility(AF), and macular retinal thickness of the three groups of children were compared at 6 and 12 mo post-intervention.RESULTS:Significant statistical differences were found in AL, SE and AF of the three groups of children at 6 and 12 mo(all P<0.05), and there were significant differences between 6 and 12 mo after the intervention(all P<0.05). SE and AF in the group B and C were higher than those in the group A(all P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in CC before and after the intervention(all P>0.05). The retinal thickness of the temporal, nasal, inferior and macular fovea of the outer ring at 6 and 12 mo after intervention in the three groups was significantly different from that at the initial diagnosis(all P<0.05), and there was significant difference between 6 mo and 12 mo after intervention(all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the retinal thickness of the other macular areas among the three groups before and after intervention(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:When it comes to preventing and controlling myopia, 0.01% Atropine is more effective than flip chart training and esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops. Therefore, the administration of 0.01% atropine and the implementation of flip chart training can effectively slow down the advancement of latent myopia.

Cystic echinococcosis, a zoonotic disease that poses a significant threat to human health and animal husbandry development, is prevalent across the world and predominantly occurs in agricultural and pastoral regions. However, cystic echinococcosis cases are rare in non-endemic areas, which is likely to cause misdiagnosis or missing diagnosis, resulting in delay in treatment. This report presents an overseas imported cystic echinococcosis case misdiagnosed as pulmonary and hepatic cysts, so as to provide insights into diagnosis and treatment of cystic echinococcosis in non-endemic areas.