OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effect and mechanism of Shengmai powder on heart failure （HF） mice with qi-yin deficiency. METHODS The mice were randomly divided into blank group （water）， model group （water）， Shengmai powder low-， medium-， and high-dose groups [2.61， 5.22 and 10.44 g/kg （based on crude drug dosage）] and positive control group （metoprolol， 30 mg/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， all other groups were subcutaneously injected with D-galactose， and a qi-yin deficiency HF mice model was established by continuous food restriction and weight-bearing swimming. At the same time of modeling， the corresponding medicine/water was gavaged once a day for five weeks. The general state of mice was recorded and the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score was evaluated. Behavioral experiments were conducted to investigate the total distance of open field action， the percentage of immobility time， and the swimming exhaustion time of mice. The contents of aspartate transaminase （AST）， creatine kinase （CK） and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in the serum of mice were detected； cardiac function indexes [heart rate， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， left ventricular end systolic diameter （LVESD）， left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDD）， left ventricular mass index and whole heart mass index] were all detected； the histopathological morphology of mice myocardium was observed； the level of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in mice was detected； mRNA expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， and Cleaved-caspase-3 in myocardial tissue of mice were detected； the phosphorylation levels of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium regulatory related proteins [ryanodine receptor 2 （RyR2） and phospholamban （PLB）] in myocardial tissue of mice were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， the body weight， total distance of open field action， swimming exhaustion time， LVEF， LVEDD， Bcl-2 mRNA expression level in myocardial tissue and PLB protein phosphorylation level in the model group were significantly reduced/shortened （P＜0.05）； TCM syndrome score， the percentage of immobility time， heart rate， LVESD， left ventricular mass index， whole heart mass index， cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate， the contents of CK， LDH and AST in serum， mRNA expression levels of Cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax and the phosphorylation level of RyR2 protein in myocardial tissue were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； there were inflammatory cell infiltration， disordered cell arrangement and obvious myocardial interstitial fibrosis in myocardial tissue. After the intervention of Shengmai powder， most of the above quantitative indexes in mice were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）， the inflammatory cell infiltration in myocardial tissue was reduced， and the degree of fibrosis was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS Shengmai powder can improve cardiac function， reduce the level of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis in HF mice with qi-yin deficiency. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium regulation related proteins.

Objective: To analyze the regulatory effect of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract on the immune function of mice, so as to provide a reference for the study of the mechanism of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. regulating immune function. Methods: Forty-eight SPF healthy male ICR mice were randomly divided into control group and low (0.5 g/kg), medium (2.0 g/kg), and high (4.0 g/kg) dose groups, with 12 mice in each group. The mice in control group were given the pure water by gavage once a day, while the mice in each dose group were given the corresponding dose of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract by gavage once a day. The delayed allergy test was performed for 28 consecutive days. Sixty SPF healthy male ICR mice were randomly divided into a control group, polyinosinic acid injection group (model group), and low, medium, and high dose groups, with 12 mice in each group. The mice in control group were given the pure water by gavage once a day, while the mice in each dose group were given the corresponding dose of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. On days 13 and 14 of administration, the mice in the model group and each dose group were intraperitoneally injected with sterile polyinosinic acid solution to perform the immunosuppressive experiment induced by polyinosinic acid. The mouse ear pieces were weighed, and the thymus and spleen of the mice were weighed and stained with HE to calculate the pathological scores. Peripheral blood was collected for blood cell detection and T cell classification. Results: Mice in each group had normal feeding, activity, and growth status, and no abnormality was observed. In the delayed allergy test, compared with the control group, the degree and rate of ear swelling in the low, medium and high dose groups were higher, the white blood cell count in the medium dose group was higher, and the absolute values of lymphocytes in the low and medium dose groups were higher (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the pathological scores of the thymus and spleen in the model group were higher (both P<0.05). In the immunosuppressive experiments in mice induced by polyinosinic acid, compared with the model group, the pathological score of the thymus in the high dose group was lower (P<0.05), and the boundary between the thymus cortex and medulla was improved. Conclusions Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract can increase the degree of ear swelling and peripheral blood white blood cell count in mice. High dose of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. extract can improve the thymus injury induced by polyinosinic acid, and has an immunomodulatory effect.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a machine learning-based method for predicting the trajectories during manual acupuncture manipulation (MAM), aiming to improve the precision and consistency of acupuncture practitioner' operation and provide the real-time suggestions on MAM error correction. METHODS: Computer vision technology was used to analyze the hand micromotion when holding needle during acupuncture, and provide a three-dimensional coordinate description method of the index finger joints of the holding hand. Focusing on the 4 typical motions of MAM, a machine learning-based MAM trajectory predictive model was designed. By integrating the changes of phalangeal joint angle and hand skeletal information of acupuncture practitioner, the motion trajectory of the index finger joint was predicted accurately. Besides, the roles of machine learning-based MAM trajectory predictive model in the skill transmission of acupuncture manipulation were verified by stratified randomized controlled trial. RESULTS: The performance of MAM trajectory predictive model, based on the long short-term memory network (LSTM), obtained the highest stability and precision, up to 98%. The learning effect was improved when the model applied to the skill transmission of acupuncture manipulation. CONCLUSION The machine learning-based MAM predictive model provides acupuncture practitioner with precise action prediction and feedback. It is valuable and significant for the inheritance and error correction of manual operation of acupuncture.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Machine Learning ; Adult ; Male ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of manual acupuncture manipulations (MAMs) on subcutaneous muscle tissue, by developing quantitative models of "lifting and thrusting" and "twisting and rotating", based on machine learning techniques. METHODS: A depth camera was used to capture the acupuncture operator's hand movements during "lifting and thrusting" and "twisting and rotating" of needle. Simultaneously, the ultrasound imaging was employed to record the muscle tissue responses of the participants. Amplitude and angular features were extracted from the movement data of operators, and muscle fascicle slope features were derived from the data of ultrasound images. The dynamic time warping barycenter averaging algorithm was adopted to align the dual-source data. Various machine learning techniques were applied to build quantitative models, and the performance of each model was compared. The most optimal model was further analyzed for its interpretability. RESULTS: Among the quantitative models built for the two types of MAMs, the random forest model demonstrated the best performance. For the quantitative model of the "lifting and thrusting" technique, the coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.825. For the "twisting and rotating" technique, R² reached 0.872. CONCLUSION Machine learning can be used to effectively develop the models and quantify the effects of MAMs on subcutaneous muscle tissue. It provides a new perspective to understand the mechanism of acupuncture therapy and lays a foundation for optimizing acupuncture technology and designing personalized treatment regimen in the future.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Machine Learning ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Subcutaneous Tissue/diagnostic imaging* ; Young Adult

Based on the pharmacokinetics theory, this study investigated the pharmacokinetic characteristics of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, wogonoside, and wogonin in normal and febrile rats and summarized absorption and elimination rules of Dayuanyin in them to provide reference for further development and clinical application of Dayuanyin. Blood samples were taken from the fundus venous plexus of normal and model rats after intragastric administration of Dayuanyin at different time points. The concentration of each substance in blood was determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) technique at different time points. DAS 2.0, a piece of pharmacokinetics software, was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters of each component. The results show that the 4 components had good linear relationship in their respective ranges, and the results of methodological investigation met the requirements. The pharmacokinetic parameters of C_(max), T_(max), t_(1/2), AUC_(0-t), AUC_(0-∞), and MRT_(0-t) were calculated by the DAS 2.0 non-compartmental model. Compared with those in the normal group, C_(max) and AUC_(0-t) of the 4 components in the model group were significantly increased. There were significant differences in the pharmacokinetic characteristics between the normal and model groups, suggesting that the absorption and elimination of Dayuanyin may be affected by the changes of internal environment of the body in different physiological states.
Animals ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Fever/metabolism* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Glucosides/pharmacokinetics* ; Monoterpenes

Fermented traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has a long history of medicinal use, such as Sojae Semen Praeparatum, Arisaema Cum Bile, Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentata, red yeast rice, and Jianqu. Fermentation technology was recorded in the earliest TCM work, Shen Nong's Classic of the Materia Medica. Microorganisms are essential components of the fermentation process. However, the contamination of fermented TCM by toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins due to unstandardized fermentation processes seriously affects the quality of TCM and poses a threat to the life and health of consumers. In this paper, the characteristics, microbial composition, and mycotoxin profile of fermented TCM are systematically summarized to provide a theoretical basis for its quality and safety control.
Fermentation ; Mycotoxins/analysis* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Fungi/classification* ; Bacteria/genetics* ; Drug Contamination ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Based on the ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) technology, combined with related literature, databases, and reference material information, this study qualitatively analyzed the components of Dayuanyin in the tissue of rats after gavage and employed molecular docking technology to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind the antipyretic effect of the in vivo components in Dayuanyin. A total of 21, 26, 20, 21, 14, and 31 prototype components and 3, 16, 3, 7, 5, and 24 metabolites were identified from the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and hypothalamus of the rats, respectively, and the binding ability of key components and targets was further verified by molecular docking. The results showed that all components had good binding ability with targets. The established UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS could effectively and quickly identify the Dayuanyin components distributed in tissue and preliminarily identify their metabolites. Many components were identified in the hypothalamus, which suggested that the components delivered to the brain should be focused on in the study on Dayuanyin in the treatment of febrile diseases. The molecular docking technology was used to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind its antipyretic effect, which lays the foundation for the clarification of the material basis and action mechanism of Dayuanyin, the development of new preparations, and the prediction of quality markers.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Male ; Antipyretics/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Distribution ; Mass Spectrometry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Hypothalamus/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of lumbar spondylolysis (LS) and the proportion of spondylolytic spondylolisthesis (SS) in China, and to evaluate the musculoskeletal status of patients with LS and SS. METHODS: Spine Computed Tomography (CT) images were collected from community populations aged 40 and above in a nationwide multi-center project. LS was diagnosed, and SS was graded by an experienced radiologist. Bone mineral density (BMD) and paraspinal muscle parameters were quantified based on CT images. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen patients of a total of 3,317 individuals were diagnosed with LS, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 3.53%. 63 of the 1,214 males (5.18%) and 54 of the 2,103 females (2.57%) were diagnosed with LS. SS occurred in 64/121 vertebrae (52.89%). BMD was not associated with LS ( P = 0.341). The L5 extensor paraspinal muscle density was higher in the LS group than in the non-LS group. In the LS group, patients with SS had a smaller L5 paraspinal extensor muscle cross-sectional area than those without SS ( P = 0.003). CONCLUSION The prevalence of LS in Chinese adults was 3.53%, with prevalence rates of 5.18% in males and 2.57% in females. Patients with LS have higher muscle density, whereas those with SS have smaller muscle cross-sectional areas at the L5 level.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Adult ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Spondylolysis/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Aged, 80 and over ; Spondylolisthesis/epidemiology* ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: To investigate hypertension (HTN) trends, key risk factors, and gender disparities in rural China, and to propose targeted strategies for improving HTN control in resource-limited settings. METHODS: This longitudinal study used data from the Henan Rural Cohort Study, including baseline (2015-2017; n = 39,224) and follow-up (2018-2022; n = 28,621) participants. HTN was defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg, self-reported diagnosis, or use of antihypertensive medication. Severity was classified using a 7-tier blood pressure (BP) staging system (optimal, normal, high normal, and HTN stages 1-4). A generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) identified associated risk factors. RESULTS: HTN prevalence increased modestly from 32.7% (95% CI: 32.2-33.2) to 33.9% (95% CI: 33.3%-34.4%). Awareness and treatment improved from 20.1% to 25.3%, and from 18.8% to 24.4%, respectively, but control rates remained low (6.2% to 12.3%). After adjustment, women had a 1.53-fold higher HTN risk than men ( OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.43-1.63), revealing gender-specific trends. Key risk factors included alcohol use ( OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.27-1.47) and overweight status ( OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.66-1.86). BP staging showed an increase in optimal BP (42.3% to 45.8%), but stagnant management of advanced HTN stages. CONCLUSION Hypertension in rural China is shaped by behavioral risk factors and healthcare access gaps. Gender-sensitive, community-based interventions, including task-shifting models, are necessary to mitigate the growing burden of hypertension.
Humans ; Hypertension/etiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Longitudinal Studies ; Sex Factors ; Cohort Studies ; East Asian People