Objective To discuss the effect of Yifei Mixture (YFM) on quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at stable phase. Methods Sixty patients with COPD were randomly divided into the control group with small dose Aminophylline Sustained-release Tablets and inhaling Salbutamol or becotide (30 cases), and the observation group with YFM 100 mL, po, Bid (30 cases). Results There was significant statistical differences between the two groups, which shows that the observation group was superior to the control group in amelioration of syndrome, pulmonary function, the times of hospitalization yearlong days, single hospitalization and the integration of SGRQ. Conclusion YFM can slow down the progression of COPD, reduce the time of hospitalization and improve quality of life.

Objective To study the effects and techniques of microsurgical resection of giant hypervascular meningiomas. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of 32 cases of giant hypervascular meningiomas in this hospital from June 1999 to June 2002. Results The Simpson Grade 1 resection was achieved in 15 cases, Grade 2 in 9 cases, Grade 3 in 6 cases, and Grade 4, 2 cases. There were 2 fatal cases. Complications included 4 cases of intracranial hematoma, 6 cases of cerebral edema and infarction (re-operation of decompression was required in 4 cases), 1 case of mutism, 3 cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and 1 case of intracranial infection. The mental dysfunctions or symptoms became worse than before the operation in 7 cases. Follow-up checkups in 30 patients found no recurrence in Simpson Grade 1 resection, 4 cases of recurrence in Simpson Grade 2 resection, and 5 cases of recurrence in Grade 3 and 4. A re-operation was performed to remove the tumor in 6 cases. The size of tumor was unchanged during follow-up period in 7 cases undergoing radiotherapy. Postoperatively, assessments with activity of daily living (ADL) associated with mental dysfunctions revealed grade Ⅰ in 25 cases, grade Ⅱ in 5 cases, and grade Ⅲ in 2. No significant differences were seen in ADL assessments before and after operation (P=0.696). Conclusions Every effort should be made to complete the total resection of intracranial meningiomas. Sufficient preoperative preparation, adequate surgical exposure, efficient management of operative bleeding, and fractionated resection of tumor using microsurgical techniques are important factors to improve clinical outcomes.

Objective: : Blood-blister aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are challenging lesions with high morbidity and mortality rates. Although research on BBAs is well documented in different populations, the study of BBAs in the Tibetan population is extremely rare. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of BBAs and analyze the treatment modalities and long-term outcomes in the Tibetan population in comparison with the Han population. Methods: : The characteristics of patients with BBAs of the ICA from January 2009 to January 2021 at our institution were reviewed. The features of aneurysms, treatment modalities, complications, and follow-up outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: : A total of 130 patients (41 Tibetan and 89 Han patients) with BBAs of the ICA who underwent treatment were enrolled. Compared with the Han group, the Tibetan group significantly demonstrated a high ratio of BBAs among ICAs (8.6%, 41/477 vs. 1.6%, 89/5563; p<0.05), a high ratio of vasospasm (34.1%, 14/41 vs. 6.7%, 6/89; p=0.001), a high risk of ischemic events (43.9%, 18/41 vs. 22.5%, 20/89; p<0.05), and a low ratio of good outcomes (modified Rankin scale, 0–2) at the 1-year follow-up (51.2%, 21/41 vs. 74.2%, 66/89; p<0.05). The multivariate regression model showed that ischemic events significantly contributed to the prediction of outcomes at 1 year. Further analysis revealed that microsurgery and vasospasm were associated with ischemic events. Conclusion : In comparison with Han patients, the Tibetan population had a high ratio of BBA occurrence, a high incidence of ischemic events, and a high ratio of poor outcomes. The endovascular approach showed more benefits in BBA patients.

Lower extremity chronic total occlusion (CTO) is the most severe manifestation of peripheral artery disease (PAD), with high amputation and mortality rates. As a minimal invasive reconstruction therapy, endovascular therapy (EVT) plays an important role in limb salvage for CTO in current clinical practice. The complexity of CTO lesions leads to a high risk for complications and a low success rate of EVT. Therefore, establishing a grading or scoring system to predict the success rate of revascularization strategy will be helpful in developing appropriate treatment strategies and assessing benefits and risks. This paper summarizes the most popular CTO scoring systems, such as PACSS grading, PARC grading, TAC grading, CTOP classification, Infrapop-CTO scoring, and J-BTK CTO scoring. PACSS grading and PARC grading are suitable for evaluating the severity of vascular calcification including iliofemoral segment, femoral-popliteal segment, and below-the-knee artery segment. TAC grading is suitable for grading calcification below the knee lesions; with low intervention success rate in a high calcification grading. CTOP classification was developed by analyzing the effect of morphological characteristics of proximal and distal fibrous caps of lower extremity CTO lesions on the outcome of EVT. The success rate of antegrade intervention is lower in type IV. The Infrapop-CTO score and J-BTK CTO score can predict successful anterograde crossing of infrapopliteal CTO lesions, with low intervention success rate in high score. Both scoring systems use three variables, namely, shape of proximal stump, calcification, and occlusion length.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a severe cerebrovascular disease with a high incidence, mortality, and disability rate. The first-line treatment for IS is the use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA). Regrettably, numerous patients encounter delays in treatment due to the narrow therapeutic window and the associated risk of hemorrhage. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has exhibited distinct advantages in preventing and treating IS. TCM enhances cerebral microcirculation, alleviates neurological disorders, regulates energy metabolism, mitigates inflammation, reduces oxidative stress injuries, and inhibits apoptosis, thereby mitigating brain damage and preventing IS recurrence. This article summarizes the etiology, pathogenesis, therapeutic strategies, and relationship with modern biology of IS from the perspective of TCM, describes the advantages of TCM in the treatment of IS, and further reviews the pharmacodynamic characteristics and advantages of TCM in the acute and recovery phases of IS as well as in post-stroke complications. Additionally, it offers valuable insights and references for the clinical application of TCM in IS prevention and treatment, as well as for the development of novel drugs.