BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have indicated that Angong Niuhuang Pills (ANP) reduce cerebral infarct and edema volumes. This study aimed to investigate whether ANP safely reduces cerebral infarct and edema volumes in patients with moderate to severe acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial included patients with acute ischemic stroke with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ranging from 10 to 20 in 17 centers in China between April 2021 and July 2022. Patients were allocated within 36 h after onset via block randomization to receive ANP or placebo (3 g/day for 5 days). The primary outcomes were changes in cerebral infarct and edema volumes after 14 days of treatment. The primary safety outcome was severe adverse events (SAEs) for 90 days. RESULTS: There were 57 and 60 patients finally included in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively for modified intention-to-treat analysis. The median age was 66.0 years, and the median NIHSS score at baseline was 12.0. The changes in cerebral infarct volume at day 14 were 0.3 mL and 0.4 mL in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively (median difference: -7.1 mL; interquartile range [IQR]: -18.3 to 2.3 mL, P = 0.30). The changes in cerebral edema volume of the ANP and placebo groups on day 14 were 11.4 mL and 4.0 mL, respectively ( median difference: 3.0 mL, IQR: -1.3 to 9.9 mL, P = 0.15). The rates of SAE within 90 days were similar in the ANP (3/57, 5%) and placebo (7/60, 12%) groups ( P = 0.36). Changes in serum mercury and arsenic concentrations were comparable. In patients with large artery atherosclerosis, ANP reduced the cerebral infarct volume at 14 days (median difference: -12.3 mL; IQR: -27.7 to -0.3 mL, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: ANP showed a similar safety profile to placebo and non-significant tendency to reduce cerebral infarct volume in patients with moderate-to-severe stroke. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of ANP in reducing cerebral infarcts and improving clinical prognosis. TRAIL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov , No. NCT04475328.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy* ; Pilot Projects ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Humanistic caring for patients in the operating room refers to providing the whole process of caring medical services for patients in the operating room. In order to standardize humanistic caring services for patients in the operating room of medical institutions, improve the comprehensive service level of the operating room, and enhance the surgical experience of patients, the Chinese Association for Life Care released the group standard " Humanistic Caring Management Standards for Patients in the Operating Room" in December 2023. This article interpreted the basic requirements for humanistic caring of patients in the operating room, the environment and facilities for humanistic caring, the procedures and measures for humanistic caring, and the quality management framework, aiming to assist administrators and clinical practitioners across various levels of medical institutions in accurately understanding and effectively implementing the standard, and to provide essential textual reference and practical guidance for promoting the application of the standard.

Objective:To observe the effect of combining heat-sensitive moxibustion with action observation therapy in the treatment of spastic wrist and hand dysfunction post-stroke.Methods:Ninety stroke survivors with spasmodic wrist and hand dysfunction were randomly assigned to a heat-sensitive moxibustion group, an action observation group, or a combination group, each of 30. In addition to routine rehabilitation treatment, the groups received heat-sensitive moxibustion, action observation therapy or moxibustion followed by action observation therapy in 6 sessions a week over 6 weeks. Surface electromyography signals (iEMG and RMS) were recorded from the affected wrist and hand muscles before and after the treatment. All of the participants were also assessed using the Fugl-Meyer motor assessment for the upper extremities (FMA-UE).Results:After treatment, a significant improvement was observed in the average FMA-UE values, with that of the combination group (17.2±2.1) significantly higher than those of the other two groups. The average iEMG of the wrist flexors and extensors, the extensors of the fingers, and abductor pollicis brevis had increased significantly, with the combination group′s averages significantly higher than those of the other two groups. The average RMS values of those muscles had decreased significantly after the treatment, with those of the combination group significantly lower than the others.Conclusions:Combining heat-sensitive moxibustion and action observation therapy can significantly reduce muscle tension, and promote strength and better functioning of spastic wrist and hand muscles after a stroke. The combination is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Objective:To investigate the possible mechanism of Zaogong Erteng decoction (ZGETD) in the treatment of endometritis.Methods:Femal mice were injected 2.5 mg/mL lipopolysaccharide into uterine horn to induce endometritis model. After modelling, low-dose ZGETD, high-dose ZGETD or amoxicillin was given once a day for 7 d. The appearance of the uterus and pathological changes of uterine tissue were observed 7 d later, and the uterine index was calculated. The expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in mouse uterine tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in mouse uterine tissue was measured by redox reaction. The active ingredients of ZGETD and the target and signal pathway of treatment of endometritis were analyzed by network pharmacology. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), P65, p-P65, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and p-IRF3 proteins and chemokines CXCL5 and CXCL8 in the mouse uterus, respectively. Terminal dUTP nick end labeling detected endometrial cell apoptosis and endometrial thickness was measured. After treatment, the female rats were mated with the male rats, and the mating rate, the pregnancy rate and the number of implantation sits in the injected uterine horn on day 8 of gestation were counted. Results:Both ZGETD and amoxicillin have atherapeutic effect on endometritis, but compared with low-dose ZGETD and amoxicillin, high-dose ZGETD can significantly alleviate the edema and congestion of uterine tissue and reduce the uterine index (all P=0.001). After treatment, the uterine cavity epithelium of mice was smooth and complete, the uterine gland structure was normal, and no bleeding area and inflammatory cell aggregation were observed. Compared with amoxicillin, high-dose ZGETD significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and MPO activity (all P<0.001). The expression of chemokines ( CXCL5 and CXCL8) was significantly reduced (all P<0.05). The signaling pathways TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and TNF related to the treatment of endometritis by ZGETD were screened by network pharmacology, and their action targets (TLR4, NF-κB and IRF3) were verified. Quercetin, fisetin and luteolin were found to be the most active ingredients acting on these targets. High-dose ZGETD significantly inhibited the activation of TLR4/NF-κB and TLR4/IRF3 pathways ( P<0.05), decreased endometrial cell apoptosis ( P<0.05), and increased endometrial thickness ( P<0.001), mating rate ( P<0.001), pregnancy rate ( P<0.001) and implantation site number of uterine horn on the injection side of LPS after treatment ( P=0.001). Conclusion:High-dose ZGETD has a significant therapeutic effect on endometritis, which may be closely related to the down-regulation of TLR4 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the possible mechanism of Zaogong Erteng decoction (ZGETD) in the treatment of endometritis.Methods:Femal mice were injected 2.5 mg/mL lipopolysaccharide into uterine horn to induce endometritis model. After modelling, low-dose ZGETD, high-dose ZGETD or amoxicillin was given once a day for 7 d. The appearance of the uterus and pathological changes of uterine tissue were observed 7 d later, and the uterine index was calculated. The expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in mouse uterine tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in mouse uterine tissue was measured by redox reaction. The active ingredients of ZGETD and the target and signal pathway of treatment of endometritis were analyzed by network pharmacology. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), P65, p-P65, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and p-IRF3 proteins and chemokines CXCL5 and CXCL8 in the mouse uterus, respectively. Terminal dUTP nick end labeling detected endometrial cell apoptosis and endometrial thickness was measured. After treatment, the female rats were mated with the male rats, and the mating rate, the pregnancy rate and the number of implantation sits in the injected uterine horn on day 8 of gestation were counted. Results:Both ZGETD and amoxicillin have atherapeutic effect on endometritis, but compared with low-dose ZGETD and amoxicillin, high-dose ZGETD can significantly alleviate the edema and congestion of uterine tissue and reduce the uterine index (all P=0.001). After treatment, the uterine cavity epithelium of mice was smooth and complete, the uterine gland structure was normal, and no bleeding area and inflammatory cell aggregation were observed. Compared with amoxicillin, high-dose ZGETD significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and MPO activity (all P<0.001). The expression of chemokines ( CXCL5 and CXCL8) was significantly reduced (all P<0.05). The signaling pathways TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and TNF related to the treatment of endometritis by ZGETD were screened by network pharmacology, and their action targets (TLR4, NF-κB and IRF3) were verified. Quercetin, fisetin and luteolin were found to be the most active ingredients acting on these targets. High-dose ZGETD significantly inhibited the activation of TLR4/NF-κB and TLR4/IRF3 pathways ( P<0.05), decreased endometrial cell apoptosis ( P<0.05), and increased endometrial thickness ( P<0.001), mating rate ( P<0.001), pregnancy rate ( P<0.001) and implantation site number of uterine horn on the injection side of LPS after treatment ( P=0.001). Conclusion:High-dose ZGETD has a significant therapeutic effect on endometritis, which may be closely related to the down-regulation of TLR4 signaling pathway.

Stroke is characterized by a high disability rate. After stroke, patients will have different degrees of limb dysfunction, which seriously affects their quality of life. In recent years, fully immersive virtual technology has been gradually applied at home and abroad to promote limb function rehabilitation of stroke patients. This paper reviews the technical components, application forms, application effects, prospects and challenges of fully immersive virtual reality technology in limb function rehabilitation of stroke patients, in order to provide theoretical basis for the subsequent application of fully immersive virtual reality technology to improve the level of limb function rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Stroke is characterized by a high disability rate. After stroke, patients will have different degrees of limb dysfunction, which seriously affects their quality of life. In recent years, fully immersive virtual technology has been gradually applied at home and abroad to promote limb function rehabilitation of stroke patients. This paper reviews the technical components, application forms, application effects, prospects and challenges of fully immersive virtual reality technology in limb function rehabilitation of stroke patients, in order to provide theoretical basis for the subsequent application of fully immersive virtual reality technology to improve the level of limb function rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Objective:To observe the effect of combining heat-sensitive moxibustion with action observation therapy in the treatment of spastic wrist and hand dysfunction post-stroke.Methods:Ninety stroke survivors with spasmodic wrist and hand dysfunction were randomly assigned to a heat-sensitive moxibustion group, an action observation group, or a combination group, each of 30. In addition to routine rehabilitation treatment, the groups received heat-sensitive moxibustion, action observation therapy or moxibustion followed by action observation therapy in 6 sessions a week over 6 weeks. Surface electromyography signals (iEMG and RMS) were recorded from the affected wrist and hand muscles before and after the treatment. All of the participants were also assessed using the Fugl-Meyer motor assessment for the upper extremities (FMA-UE).Results:After treatment, a significant improvement was observed in the average FMA-UE values, with that of the combination group (17.2±2.1) significantly higher than those of the other two groups. The average iEMG of the wrist flexors and extensors, the extensors of the fingers, and abductor pollicis brevis had increased significantly, with the combination group′s averages significantly higher than those of the other two groups. The average RMS values of those muscles had decreased significantly after the treatment, with those of the combination group significantly lower than the others.Conclusions:Combining heat-sensitive moxibustion and action observation therapy can significantly reduce muscle tension, and promote strength and better functioning of spastic wrist and hand muscles after a stroke. The combination is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Humanistic caring for patients in the operating room refers to providing the whole process of caring medical services for patients in the operating room. In order to standardize humanistic caring services for patients in the operating room of medical institutions, improve the comprehensive service level of the operating room, and enhance the surgical experience of patients, the Chinese Association for Life Care released the group standard " Humanistic Caring Management Standards for Patients in the Operating Room" in December 2023. This article interpreted the basic requirements for humanistic caring of patients in the operating room, the environment and facilities for humanistic caring, the procedures and measures for humanistic caring, and the quality management framework, aiming to assist administrators and clinical practitioners across various levels of medical institutions in accurately understanding and effectively implementing the standard, and to provide essential textual reference and practical guidance for promoting the application of the standard.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.