1.Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on functional brain activity in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A randomized controlled trial protocol using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography
Huan OUYANG ; Yifei WANG ; Ying HAN ; Jinling ZHANG ; Liang LI ; Chen XIN ; Jianghong HE ; Peijing RONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(2):181-187
Background: Advances in intensive care have markedly improved survival after severe brain injury, leading to a growing population of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). Current management of pDOC remains largely supportive, and evidence-based neuromodulatory interventions are limited; moreover, existing guidelines provide insufficiently explicit recommendations regarding mechanisms of action and objective biomarkers of treatment response. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive intervention; however, its modulatory effects on brain function in pDOC are not yet well characterized, and the paucity of integrative mechanistic evidence has constrained its translation into routine clinical practice. Objectives: Within a multimodal assessment framework, this study aims to systematically elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms by which taVNS modulates brain function and autonomic activity in patients with pDOC, and to evaluate its clinical potential to enhance levels of consciousness. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with vegetative state/minimally conscious state will be enrolled and randomly allocated to a taVNS group, a transcutaneous nonauricular vagus nerve stimulation group (sham), or a control group (n = 20 per group) for a 4-week intervention. The primary outcome will be changes in the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 of treatment. Secondary outcomes will include functional brain activity assessed by electroencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, as well as autonomic modulation indexed by heart rate variability. Functional prognosis will be evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at the end of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Safety will be assessed by continuous monitoring and documentation of adverse events throughout the study period. Results and discussion: By integrating electroencephalography–functional near-infrared spectroscopy with heart rate variability, this study will characterize the effects of taVNS on functional brain networks and consciousness recovery in pDOC across complementary behavioral, electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and autonomic domains, while interrogating potential sources of clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity. The findings are expected to provide a mechanistic and evidence-based foundation for the mechanism-driven clinical implementation of taVNS and the optimization of stimulation protocols in pDOC. Clinical trial registration: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR20250021041, https://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn.
2.Construction and in vitro osteogenic activity study of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen
WANG Meng ; SUN Yifei ; CAO Xiaoqing ; WEI Yiyuan ; CHEN Lei ; ZHANG Zhenglong ; MU Zhao ; ZHU Juanfang ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):15-28
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (MSHA/Col) in improving the bone repair microenvironment and enhancing bone regeneration capacity, providing a strategy to address the insufficient biomimetic composition and limited bioactivity of traditional hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (HA/Col) scaffolds.
Methods:
A high-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium magnesium strontium phosphate precursor (HPAA/ACMSP) was prepared. Its morphology and elemental distribution were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Recombinant collagen sponge blocks were immersed in the HPAA/ACMSP mineralization solution. Magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite was induced to deposit within collagen fibers (experimental group: MSHA/Col; control group: HA/Col). The morphological characteristics of MSHA/Col were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its crystal structure and chemical composition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The mineral phase content was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The scaffold's porosity, ion release, and in vitro degradation performance were also determined. For cytological experiments, CCK-8 assay, live/dead cell staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red S staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were used to evaluate the effects of the MSHA/Col scaffold on the proliferation, viability, early osteogenic differentiation activity, late mineralization capacity, and gene and protein expression levels of key osteogenic markers [runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ), osteopontin (Opn), and osteocalcin (Ocn)] in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1).
Results:
HPAA/ACMSP appeared as amorphous spherical nanoparticles under TEM, with energy spectrum analysis showing uniform distribution of carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and strontium elements. SEM results of MSHA/Col indicated successful complete intrafibrillar mineralization. Elemental analysis showed the mass fractions of magnesium and strontium were 0.72% (matching the magnesium content in natural bone) and 2.89%, respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite crystals (25.86°, 31°-34°). Infrared spectroscopy results showed characteristic absorption peaks for both collagen and hydroxyapatite. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a mineral phase content of 78.29% in the material. The scaffold porosity was 91.6% ± 1.1%, close to the level of natural bone tissue. Ion release curves demonstrated sustained release behavior for both magnesium and strontium ions. The in vitro degradation rate matched the ingrowth rate of new bone tissue. Cytological experiments showed that MSHA/Col significantly promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation (130% increase in activity at 72 h, P < 0.001). MSHA/Col exhibited excellent efficacy in promoting osteogenic differentiation, significantly upregulating the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins (Runx2, Col-Ⅰ, Opn, Ocn) (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
The MSHA/Col scaffold achieves dual biomimicry of natural bone in both composition and structure, and effectively promotes osteogenic differentiation at the genetic and protein levels, breaking through the functional limitations of pure hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen. This provides a new strategy for the development of functional bone repair materials
3.Origins, Applications, and Challenges of Factorial Design in Implementation Science
Jiangyun CHEN ; Chaoyue WANG ; Meng WANG ; Yeqing ZHAN ; Duqiao LI ; Yifei WANG ; Xueying CHEN ; Yuling CHEN ; Na REN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(4):1148-1157
Factorial design is an important method for optimizing complex strategies in implementation science. This paper systematically elucidates the origin, types, and core concepts of the factorial design, and then use a brief smoking cessation intervention project as an example to illustrate its specific applications in identifying key factors and testing interactions. Factorial design has the following typical advantages: it can test synergistic and antagonistic effects between factors, provide effect estimates that are broadly valid across the experimental conditions, and offer high statistical efficiency. At the same time, it also has certain limitations, including that its complexity is positively correlated with the number of factors, the need for large sample sizes to detect interactions, the potential for insufficient acceptability of some strategy combinations due to ethical concerns or participant burden, and the complexity of the analytical methods required. In future research, its application should be further optimized by appropriately controlling the number of factors, clearly defining research objectives, and evaluating intervention acceptability, in order to promote the development of precision implementation science.
4.Analysis of oral health status and knowledge, attitude and practice intervention effects among third grade primary school students in Guizhou Province
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(7):945-949
Objective:
To evaluate oral health status and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among third grade primary school students after the implementation of the Comprehensive Intervention Project for Childhood Oral Diseases in Guizhou Province, so as to provide evidence for program optimization.
Methods:
Using a multistage cluster sampling method, oral examinations and questionnaire surveys were conducted among third grade primary school students in schools covered by the Comprehensive Intervention Project for Childhood Oral Diseases in Guizhou Province (intervention group, n =1 030) and schools not covered by the program (control group, n =1 130) in November 2023. A follow up survey was conducted one year after the project s implementation (December 2024) to evaluate the differences in oral health status and KAP between the two groups. The t-test and χ 2 test were used to compare means and rates, respectively.
Results:
One year after implementation, the permanent caries prevalence, caries filling ratio, mean dmft/DMFT, and mean simplified debris index in the intervention group were 33.3%, 22.3 %, 3.44±3.10, 0.77±0.56, which were all better than those in the control group (39.8%, 17.3%, 3.89±2.85, and 0.87± 0.63 ) ( χ 2/ t =9.87, 8.78, -2.59, -3.91,all P <0.05). After intervention, the levels of oral health knowledge, attitude and behaviors in the intervention group were better than those in the control group ( Z =7.69, 2.35, 2.10, all P <0.05). Except for the item "fluoride has no protective effect on teeth", the correct response rates of other oral health knowledge items in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group ( χ 2=3.92-163.94, all P <0.05). The reported rates of tooth brushing related behaviors and sugary beverage consumption were higher in the intervention group than in the control group ( χ 2=4.02-11.42,all P <0.05).
Conclusions
The Comprehensive Intervention Project for Childhood Oral Diseases improves children s oral health status, oral health knowledge, and some oral health behaviors, but has limited effects on some behaviors and oral health attitudes. Future efforts should focus on the factors influencing the transformation of children s oral health attitudes and behaviors, along with strengthening long term follow up evaluations.
5.Research progress in machine learning-assisted individualized vancomycin medication
Mingyue CHEN ; Yifei LEI ; Xuewu SONG ; Jinqi LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(17):2310-2314
Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic widely used for severe infections caused by gram-positive bacteria. Nevertheless, its clinical application is limited by a narrow therapeutic window and inter-individual differences in pharmacokinetics. Conventional dosing regimens rely on clinical experience and population pharmacokinetic models, which make precise therapy difficult. The emergence of machine learning provides new insights into tackling the above challenges. By integrating multi-dimensional data including demographic characteristics, clinical indicators and combined medications, machine learning can assist individualized medication for patients and improve the capacity for vancomycin dose prediction, in vivo exposure assessment and renal toxicity risk warning. However, the application of machine learning still faces multiple challenges such as poor data quality, weak model generalization ability and insufficient interpretability. Its clinical value needs to be further confirmed by prospective studies and external validation. Future research may consider deep integration of machine learning and population pharmacokinetic models to better support vancomycin individualized medication.
6.TU Jinwen's Experience in the Staged Treatment of Oculomotor Nerve Palsy Based on the Theory of Qi Collaterals
Yifei CHEN ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Xiao XIAO ; Xiaolin TANG ; Beibei ZHANG ; Yanbing DING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):1941-1945
This paper summarizes the experience of Professor TU Jinwen in the staged treatment of oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) based on the theory of qi collaterals. In the acute onset stage, the key pathogenesis is triggered by wind toxin and disharmony of the qi collaterlas, for which the treatment should prioritize the elimination of pathogenic factors, with therapeutic principles of dispelling wind and eliminating toxin, boosting qi and harmonizing collaterals, using modified Qianzheng Powder (牵正散) plus Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (补中益气汤). In the remission and recovery stage, the key pathogenesis is stagnation of blood stasis and damage to the qi collaterals, it is recommended to treat the branch, with principles of boosting qi and activating blood, resolving stasis and unblocking collaterals, using the modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction (补阳还五汤). In the sequela and protracted stage, the key pathogenesis is depletion of the liver, spleen, and kidney with non-nourishment of the qi collaterals; the treatment should focus on addressing the root cause, with principles of fortifying the spleen and boosting qi, tonifying the liver and kidney, using the modified Sijunzi Decoction (四君子汤) combined with Qiju Dihuang Pill (杞菊地黄丸).
7.The construction of a hierarchical training curriculum system for neonatal nurses based on core competencies
Shangqing CUI ; Hongqing GUO ; Xiaoyu SHENG ; Qiugui HUO ; Peizhen CHEN ; Yifei YIN ; Yi ZHAO ; Han LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(11):1573-1584
Objective:To construct a hierarchical training course system for neonatal nurses based on core competencies, to provide a reference for meeting the training needs of neonatal nurses under the new situation.Methods:Through literature review, questionnaire survey on training needs, and focus group interviews, a preliminary hierarchical training curriculum system for neonatal nurses was developed. Two rounds of Delphi correspondence were conducted with 19 domestic experts to finalize the system.Results:The effective questionnaire recovery rates of the two rounds of expert consultation were 95.00% and 100.00%, and the expert authority coefficient was 0.916, the Kendall harmony coefficient of the first round of expert opinions was 0.351 ( P<0.001), and the Kendall harmony coefficient of the second round of expert opinions was 0.463 ( P<0.001). The hierarchical training course structure and course training content are formed, including N0: 3 first-level items, 9 second-level items, 80 third-level items, N1: 3 first-level items, 9 second-level items, 91 third-level items, N2: 3 first-level items, 9 second-level items, 86 third-level items, N3: 3 first-level items, 10 second-level items, 81 third-level items, N4: 3 first-level items, 10 second-level items, 76 third-level items. Conclusions:The hierarchical training course system for neonatal nurses based on the core competence of nurses is scientific and practical, which can provide a reference for the hierarchical training of neonatal nurses.
8.Relationship between intraoperative mechanical power and postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing long-duration neurosurgery
Lianhao JIANG ; Yifei WANG ; Lingling LIU ; Yuanyuan KANG ; Jun CHEN ; Hongtao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(10):1264-1268
Objective:To evaluate the relationship between intraoperative mechanical power and postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing long-duration neurosurgery.Methods:This was a case-control study. Based on the duration of mechanical ventilation>8 h, the clinical data(baseline characteristics, intraoperative information and hospitalization) of patients underwent first elective craniotomy under general anesthesia at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into pulmonary complication group (group P) and non-pulmonary complication group (group N) based on the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications. Ventilation-related risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications were identified by the multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the accuracy of intraoperative tidal volume, peak airway pressure, respiratory rate and mechanical power in predicting postoperative pulmonary complications was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results:A total of 555 patients were finally included, with 247 patients in group P and 308 patients in group N. The duration of mechanical ventilation, tidal volume, peak airway pressure, respiratory rate, mechanical power, length of hospitalization and mortality during hospitalization were significantly higher in group P than in group N ( P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that intraoperative peak airway pressure, respiratory rate and mechanical power were risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications ( P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% confidence interval) of intraoperative peak airway pressure, respiratory rate and mechanical power in predicting postoperative pulmonary complications was 0.726(0.572-0.666), 0.619(0.684-0.768) and 0.958(0.942-0.974)respectively. Conclusions:Intraoperative mechanical power is an independent risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications and an important ventilation parameter for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing long-duration neurosurgery.
9.Guideline for Adult Weight Management in China
Weiqing WANG ; Qin WAN ; Jianhua MA ; Guang WANG ; Yufan WANG ; Guixia WANG ; Yongquan SHI ; Tingjun YE ; Xiaoguang SHI ; Jian KUANG ; Bo FENG ; Xiuyan FENG ; Guang NING ; Yiming MU ; Hongyu KUANG ; Xiaoping XING ; Chunli PIAO ; Xingbo CHENG ; Zhifeng CHENG ; Yufang BI ; Yan BI ; Wenshan LYU ; Dalong ZHU ; Cuiyan ZHU ; Wei ZHU ; Fei HUA ; Fei XIANG ; Shuang YAN ; Zilin SUN ; Yadong SUN ; Liqin SUN ; Luying SUN ; Li YAN ; Yanbing LI ; Hong LI ; Shu LI ; Ling LI ; Yiming LI ; Chenzhong LI ; Hua YANG ; Jinkui YANG ; Ling YANG ; Ying YANG ; Tao YANG ; Xiao YANG ; Xinhua XIAO ; Dan WU ; Jinsong KUANG ; Lanjie HE ; Wei GU ; Jie SHEN ; Yongfeng SONG ; Qiao ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Yuwei ZHANG ; Junqing ZHANG ; Xianfeng ZHANG ; Miao ZHANG ; Yifei ZHANG ; Yingli LU ; Hong CHEN ; Li CHEN ; Bing CHEN ; Shihong CHEN ; Guiyan CHEN ; Haibing CHEN ; Lei CHEN ; Yanyan CHEN ; Genben CHEN ; Yikun ZHOU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Qiang ZHOU ; Jiaqiang ZHOU ; Hongting ZHENG ; Zhongyan SHAN ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Dong ZHAO ; Ji HU ; Jiang HU ; Xinguo HOU ; Bimin SHI ; Tianpei HONG ; Mingxia YUAN ; Weibo XIA ; Xuejiang GU ; Yong XU ; Shuguang PANG ; Tianshu GAO ; Zuhua GAO ; Xiaohui GUO ; Hongyi CAO ; Mingfeng CAO ; Xiaopei CAO ; Jing MA ; Bin LU ; Zhen LIANG ; Jun LIANG ; Min LONG ; Yongde PENG ; Jin LU ; Hongyun LU ; Yan LU ; Chunping ZENG ; Binhong WEN ; Xueyong LOU ; Qingbo GUAN ; Lin LIAO ; Xin LIAO ; Ping XIONG ; Yaoming XUE
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(11):891-907
Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.
10.Application of cell block technique in the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Yanpei WANG ; Haiyan CHEN ; Junhong LI ; Yifei LIU ; Wenyu ZHAO ; Liang HE ; Yanfang ZHANG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(25):41-44,60
Objective To explore the application of cell block(CB)technology in the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods A total of 86 patients with thyroid nodules who were treated at Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from February 2023 to December 2024 were retrospectively selected.Before the operation,all patients underwent ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy.After the biopsy,the specimens were respectively subjected to cell smear(CS)and CB pathological examinations.Using postoperative pathology as the gold standard,the clinical application value of CS,CB,BRAFV600E gene detection,and combined detection in the preoperative diagnosis of PTC was evaluated.Results A total of 86 patients were included.Among them,42 cases were diagnosed as PTC by postoperative pathology,and 44 cases were benign lesions.The sensitivity(73.81%),specificity(97.73%),positive predictive value(96.88%),negative predictive value(79.63%),and accuracy(86.05%)of CB in the preoperative diagnosis of PTC were significantly higher than those of CS.The Kappa consistency test results showed that the consistency between CB pathological results and postoperative pathological results was better than that of CS.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve(AUC)of CB was significantly higher than that of CS(0.858 vs.0.743,Z=2.391,P=0.017).Furthermore,the combination of CB and BRAFV600E gene detection further improved preoperative diagnostic performance,with a consistency with postoperative pathological results(Kappa=0.837)superior to other examination methods,and an AUC(0.918)significantly higher than other examination methods.Conclusion CB has significant clinical application value in the preoperative diagnosis of PTC,with diagnostic performance significantly superior to CS.Further combination with BRAFV600E gene detection can significantly improve preoperative diagnostic accuracy.


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