Objective To explore the correlation between the circuit qi endowment and the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)by studying the characteristics of five circuits and six qi at birth date and on the date of acute exacerbation of patients with COPD,so as to provide the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)circuit-qi thoughts for clinical prevention and treatment of diseases.Methods An epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out in 3 411 patients with COPD.The correlation of the prevalence of COPD with the circuit qi at birth date and on the date of acute exacerbation was retrospectively analyzed after time conversion according to the rules of five circuits and six qi in TCM.Results(1)The analysis of circuit qi at birth date showed that the dominant qi of COPD patients at birth date was predominated by yangming dry-gold,the joining of guest qi with dominant qi was predominated by taiyin damp-earth and yangming dry-gold,the three patterns of five circuits(the excess,deficiency and balanced state of yearly evolutive phase)were characterized by excess fire circuit with the maximum residual,and the comprehensive circuit qi was predominated by taizheng(excess fire circuit),shaoyang ministerial fire and jueyin wind-wood.There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of above circuit qi at birth date(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(2)The analysis circuit qi on the date of acute exacerbation showed that the suiyun(yearly evolutive phase)was predominated by taizheng(excess fire circuit)and shaogong(deficiency earth circuit),the sitian-zaiquan semiannual circuit qi was characterized by taiyang cold-water and taiyin damp-earth with the maximum residual;the guest qi was predominated by yangming dry-gold,the joining of guest qi with dominant qi was predominated by yangming dry-gold and shaoyin monarch fire,the three patterns of five circuits(the excess,deficiency and balanced state of yearly evolutive phase)were characterized by the balanced wood circuit with the maximum residual,and the comprehensive circuit qi was predominated by taizheng(excess fire circuit),taiyang cold-water,and taiyin damp-earth.There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of above circuit qi on the date of acute exacerbation of COPD(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion There is a certain correlation between the circuit qi endowment and the prevalence of COPD.The analysis of the five-circuit and six-qi characteristics of COPD patients at birth date and on the date of acute exacerbation will be helpful for the early identification of susceptible population and acute exacerbations,so as to perform early intervention and prevention before illness.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection posed a huge threat and burden to public healthcare in late 2022. Non-drug measures of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion, are commonly used as adjuncts in China to help in severe cases, but their effects remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical effect of TCM non-drug measures in improving respiratory function and symptoms among patients with severe COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This study was designed as a multicenter, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. The treatment group received individualized TCM non-drug measures in combination with prone position ventilation, while the control group received prone position ventilation only for 5 consecutive days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were the percentage of patients with improved oxygen saturation (SpO₂) at the end of the 5-day intervention, as well as changes of patients' respiratory rates. The secondary outcome measures included changes in SpO₂ and total score on the self-made respiratory symptom scale. The improvement rate, defined as a 3-day consecutive increase in SpO₂, the duration of prone positioning, and adverse events were recorded as well. RESULTS: Among the 198 patients included in the intention-to-treat analysis, 159 (80.3%) completed all assessments on day 5, and 39 (19.7%) patients withdrew from the study. At the end of the intervention, 71 (91%) patients in the treatment group had SpO₂ above 93%, while 61 (75.3%) in the control group reached this level. The proportion of participant with improved SpO₂ was significantly greater in the intervention group (mean difference [MD] = 15.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4, 27.1; P = 0.008). Compared to the baseline, with daily treatment there were significant daily decreases in respiratory rates in both groups, but no statistical differences between groups were found (all P ≥ 0.05). Compared to the control group, the respiratory-related symptoms score was lower among patients in the treatment group (MD = -1.7; 95% CI: -2.8, -0.5; P = 0.008) after day 3 of treatment. A gradual decrease in the total scores of both groups was also observed. Thirty-one adverse events occurred during the intervention, and 2 patients were transferred to the intensive care unit due to deterioration of their illness. CONCLUSION: TCM non-drug measures combined with prone positioning can effectively treat patients with severe COVID-19. The combined therapy significantly increased SpO₂ and improved symptom scores compared to prone positioning alone, thus improving the patients' respiratory function to help them recover. However, the improvement rate did not differ between the two groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300068319). Please cite this article as: Yin X, Jin Z, Li F, Huang L, Hu YM, Zhu BC, Wang ZQ, Li XY, Li JP, Lao LX, Mi YQ, Xu SF. Effectiveness and safety of adjunctive non-drug measures in improving respiratory symptoms among patients with severe COVID-19: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(6): 637-644.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; China ; COVID-19/complications* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Moxibustion/methods* ; Oxygen Saturation ; Prone Position ; Respiration, Artificial ; Treatment Outcome

ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis with acidosis. MethodsThe proband's medical history， clinical manifestations， laboratory examinations and imaging characteristics were retrospectively analyzed， and prevalence situation of family members was investigated in detail. Next generation sequencing technology was used to detect the pathogenic gene loci related to periodic paralysis， and the relevant literatures were summarized. ResultsThe proband was definitely diagnosed as familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis. There was a heterozygous mutation in the SCN4A gene of the proband， which was c.2006G>A， resulting in amino acid changes R669H.The proband's grandfather， father and uncle shared the same variation. ConclusionsFamilial hypokalemic periodic paralysis with paroxysmal acidosis is rare， which is easily misdiagnosed as renal tubular acidosis. c 2006G>A mutation in SCN4A gene is the molecular basis of the disease in this family. The clinical phenotypes of different gene mutations are different， and gene screening is helpful for diagnosis and treatment.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes， and its pathogenesis is complex. Its high morbidity can result in disability， teratogenesis， and death in diabetic patients. At present， the pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy has not been clearly elucidated， which may be related to oxidative stress， inflammatory response， microcirculation dysfunction， metabolic abnormalities， etc. Recent studies have found that apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The three pathways， i.e.， mitochondrial pathway， death receptor pathway， and endoplasmic reticulum pathway， jointly regulate the cell apoptosis in the body. Traditional Chinese medicine， with definite efficacies in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy， is advantageous in overall regulation and multi-target and multi-pathway treatment. As reported， the active ingredients in Chinese medicine and Chinese medicinal compounds can alleviate diabetic peripheral neuropathy by regulating apoptosis signaling pathways. Furthermore， apoptosis pathways are expected to be potential targets for new drugs against diabetic peripheral neuropathy following oxidative stress. Therefore， this paper， taking apoptosis as the entry point， reviewed the research progress on TCM intervention in diabetic peripheral neuropathy in recent years to provide references for the clinical prevention and treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the development of new drugs.

Primary hypomagnesemia with secondary hypocalcemia(HSH) is a rare cause of hypoparathyroidism. This article presents a case of a 26-year-old male with recurrent generalized weakness and tetany, and a literature review of diagnosis and treatment of primary HSH. The biochemical tests revealed the patient had severe hypomagnesemia, mild hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, and hypoparathyroidism. Transient receptor potential melastatin-6(TRPM6) gene mutation were detected by gene test, which confirmed the diagnosis of primary HSH. The patient had been treated with long term oral magnesium supplementation, who remained asymptomatic during the follow-up. Primary HSH is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder caused by mutations in the TRPM6 gene which encoding a magnesium permeable channel expressed in the intestine and the kidney. The primary defect is impaired intestinal absorption of magnesium with secondary renal excretion, leading to a series of clinical symptoms. The treatment is mainly through lifelong magnesium supplementation.

Objective: To study the infection rate of secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients, and assess the infection risk in the contacts. Methods: COVID-19 patients' close contacts (with a clear exposure time to index case) with negative nucleic acid test results and secondary close contacts were surveyed in continuous isolation and medical observation in this prospective study. The dynamic nucleic acid test results of the close contacts and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients were collected to assess their risk of infection. Results: A total of 4 533 close contacts were surveyed, in whom 14 were confirmed as COVID-19 patients with overall secondary attack rate of 0.31%, and 4 201 secondary contacts were tracked, in whom no subsequent infections occurred. Conclusion: Close contacts of COVID-19 patients entered in centralized isolation for medical observation with negative nucleic acid tese results,the secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients have no risk of infection.
COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Contact Tracing ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nucleic Acids ; Prospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2

Mori Cortex is sweet and pungent in taste， cold in nature， and has the tropism to the lung meridian. It has the functions of purging the lung and relieving asthma and can treat oliguria and edema， being one of the commonly used herbal medicines in clinical practice. The prescriptions with Mori Cortex， such as Sangbaipi Tang， Qingjin Huatanfang， and Qingfei Huatantang， are widely used in clinical practice. The main active components in Mori Cortex are the material basis for its efficacy. Owing to the mature methods for the identification of pharmacodynamic substances in Chinese herbal medicines， the research on the chemical components of Mori Cortex has been in-depth and systematic. This article reviews the recent studies about the chemical components and pharmacological effects of Mori Cortex， as well as the treatment of respiratory diseases by the prescriptions with Mori Cortex. On this basis， the effect and mechanism of Mori Cortex and related prescriptions in the treatment of respiratory diseases are summarized. Furthermore， this article analyzes the formulation compatibility and commonly used dosages of Mori Cortex-related prescriptions in clinical practice. It provides reference for the clinical application of Mori Cortex and related prescriptions in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

Objective To understand the situation of occupational health monitoring status of medical radiation workers in radiation diagnosis and treatment institutions, to provide reference for the evaluation of radiation protection measures as well as for the health supervision/inspection agencies, and to maximize the protection of occupational health rights of medical workers in radiation diagnosis and treatment. Methods Questionnaires were distributed then collected in the radiation diagnosis and treatment institutions in Qinzhou. The data were analyzed afterwards. Results A total of 850 medical radiation workers were recruited from 101 institutions that had obtained the radiation diagnosis and treatment license in Qinzhou. Among them, the physical examination rate of radiation diagnosis and treatment staff was 96.94%, the personal dosimeter monitoring rate was 93.41%, the training rate of radiation protection and legal knowledge was 94.12%, and the monitoring rate of equipment performance stability was 51.49%. Conclusion The occupational health monitoring of radiation workers in high-level institutions relatively meets the standard, and the management of occupational health monitoring in township hospitals, private hospitals and dental clinics is not satisfactory. The monitoring rate of radiation equipment performance in the whole city is generally low. Health supervision and law enforcement departments should strengthen law enforcement, urge the institutions to conduct radiation occupational health monitoring in an orderly manner according to law, and protect the health rights/interests of radiation diagnosis and treatment workers to the maximum extent.

Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes between modified percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and conventional PKP in the treatment of Kümmell disease.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted of the 57 patients with single level kummell disease who had undergone PKP between January 2015 and December 2017 at Department of Spinal Surgery, Jiangmen Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen Uni-versity.Of them, 36 received modified PKP and 21 conventional PKP.In the modified PKP group, there were 24 males and 12 females with an age of 73.9 years±9.4 years and a course of disease of 2.2 months±1.5 months; the disease was located at a thorocic vertebra in 20 cases and at a lumbar vertebra in 16.In the conventional PKP group, there were 15 males and 6 females with an age of 72.6 years±11.9 years and a course of disease of 1.8 months±1.1 months; the disease was located at a thorocic vertebra in 10 cases and at a lumbar vertebra in 11.The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, bone cement volume, cement leakage, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), anterior and middle heights and cobb angle of injured vertebra at postoperative 3 days, 1 and 3 months, and final follow-up.Results:There were no significant differences in the general clinical data between the 2 groups, showing compatibility between groups ( P>0.05).All the operations were accomplished uneventfully with no such serious complications as spinal cord nerve injury, wound infection, pulmonary embolism, bone cement poisoning reaction or death. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in operation time or bone cement volume ( P>0.05).The rate of cement leakage in the modified PKP group [33.3%(9/27)] was significantly lower than that [52.4%(11/21)] in the conventional PKP group ( P<0.05).There were no significant differences be-tween the 2 groups in VAS, ODI, anterior or middle height of injured vertebra or cobb angle at postoperative 3 days or one month ( P>0.05), but the postoperative values were improved compared to the preoperative ones.At postoperative 3 months and final follow-up, the modified PKP group was significantly better in all the indexes than the conventional PKP group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with conventional PKP, the modified PKP may lead to better outcomes for Kümmell disease.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and determinants of folic acid (FA) supplementation in Chinese couples planning for pregnancy and in women during early pregnancy. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on the Shanghai PreConception Cohort (SPCC) study. Data on FA supplementation and socio-demographic features were collected using questionnaires. Couples visiting clinics for pre-pregnancy examination and pregnant women at < 14 gestational weeks were recruited in Shanghai, China, between March 2016 and September 2018. Results: Among the pregnancy planners, 42.4% (4,710/11,099) women and 17.1% (1,377/8,045) men used FA supplements, while 93.4% (14,585/15,615) of the pregnant women used FA supplements. FA supplement use was higher in female pregnancy planners who were older ( : 1.13, 95% : 1.08-1.18), had higher education ( : 1.71, 95% : 1.53-1.92), and were residing in urban districts ( : 1.06, 95% : 1.01-1.11) of FA supplementation; female pregnancy planners with alcohol consumption ( : 0.95, 95% : 0.90-0.99) had lower odds of FA supplementation. In early pregnancy, women with higher educational level ( : 1.04, 95% : 1.03-1.06), who underwent pre-pregnancy examination ( : 1.02, 95% : 1.01-1.03) had higher odds of using an FA supplement; older aged ( : 0.99, 95% : 0.98-0.99), and multigravida ( : 0.97, 95% : 0.96-0.98) had lower odds of FA supplementation. Conclusion Although the majority of pregnant women took FA supplements, more than half of the women planning for pregnancy did not. Urgent strategies are needed to improve pre-conception FA supplementation.
Adult ; China ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements ; analysis ; Female ; Folic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vitamin B Complex ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult