ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJDT） on cognitive function in mice with ischemic stroke （IS） and to elucidate whether its neuroprotective effects are mediated by inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway and subsequent suppression of NF-κB-regulated neuronal apoptosis. MethodsAn IS model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）. Sixty C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to five groups （n =12 per group）， i.e.， sham operation， model， HLJDT low-dose （3.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， HLJDT high-dose （7.8 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and Ginkgo biloba extract （GBE， 31.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Post-operatively， neurological deficit scores （Longa score）， cerebral infarct volume assessed by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining， and brain water content were evaluated. Learning and memory were assessed using new object recognition （NOR） and fear conditioning （FC） tests. Hippocampal pathology was examined via hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. Immunofluorescence detected expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP， astrocyte marker）， cellular oncogene Fos （c-Fos， neuronal activation marker）， and glutamate decarboxylase 65 （GAD65）. Western blot measured nuclear factor-κB inhibitor protein α （IκBα）， phosphorylated IκBα （p-IκBα）， NF-κB p65， phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65）， ionic calcium binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba-1）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-1β， and apoptosis-related proteins， such as cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 3 （Caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. Real-time quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） was used to assess mRNA levels of Iba-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， NF-κB p65， cleaved Caspase-3， Bax， and Bcl-2. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group exhibited significantly increased neurological deficit scores， brain water content， and cerebral infarct volume （P<0.01）. Hippocampal CA1 neurons were disorganized， showing nuclear pyknosis and karyolysis. NOR exploration time and FC freezing time were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. GFAP and c-Fos expression were increased， while GAD65 expression was decreased （P<0.01）. Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax were upregulated， Bcl-2 was downregulated， and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was elevated （P<0.01）. Expression levels of p-IκBα， p-NF-κB p65， IL-1β， TNF-α， and Iba-1 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， HLJDT high-dose， low-dose， and GBE groups showed significant improvements in all parameters （P<0.01）. Among them， the HLJDT high-dose group showed the most pronounced neuronal structural recovery and superior performance in NOR and FC tests （P<0.01）. In this group， GFAP and c-Fos decreased， GAD65 increased （P<0.01）， apoptosis-related protein expression was reversed， and NF-κB signaling and related inflammatory factor expression were suppressed （P<0.01）. ConclusionHLJDT ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in mice after IS， potentially by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway， thereby reducing neuroinflammation and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.

Quality control (QC) of biospecimens from oral and maxillofacial tumors patients constitutes a critical foundation for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and precision medicine research of these diseases. Biospecimen quality directly governs the discovery and validation of disease biomarkers, the elucidation of pathogenesis, and the efficacy of clinical translation. QC spans the entire biospecimen lifecycle—encompassing collection, processing, storage, transportation, and utilization. Its primary objectives are to ensure sample integrity, reliability, traceability, and consistency, thereby guaranteeing the robustness of research data; the accuracy of molecular subtyping, biomarker identification, and treatment response prediction; and the precision of clinical decision-making. However, current QC frameworks for these biospecimens remain underdeveloped. Drawing on domestic and international technical standards, regulatory guidelines, and recent research advances, this paper elaborates on the importance of implementing a QC management system throughout the biospecimen lifecycle. It focuses on QC methodologies tailored to diverse biospecimen types, examining how standardized sampling procedures, regulated preprocessing workflows, and optimized long-term storage conditions influence sample quality. We aim to provide concrete guidance and a transferable paradigm for establishing standardized QC protocols and an informatics-enabled traceability system specific to oral and maxillofacial tumors. Such efforts are intended to enhance the research value and clinical utility of these biospecimens, furnishing reliable sample resources and technical support for the development of precision diagnostics and therapeutics. Furthermore, we advocate for a dual-track “QC plus Ethics” management framework within biobanks. This approach would reinforce ethical and legal safeguards, establishing a robust barrier to support safe scientific innovation and clinical translation.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the predictive value of six surrogate indices of insulin resistance （IR） for cardiovascular disease （CVD） risk in adults with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome （CKM） stages 0-3. MethodsRelated data of 6 813 participants from the China health and retirement longitudinal study （CHARLS） were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline （RCS） analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between six insulin resistance surrogate indices （TyG， TyG-BMI， TyG-WC， TyG-WHtR， TyG-CVAI， CVAI） and CVD incidence. Predictive performance of 6 indices was comprehensively compared from 3 dimensionalities， using receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves for discriminative ability， net reclassification improvement （NRI） for incremental predictive value， and decision curve analysis （DCA） for clinical utility. ResultsAll six IR surrogate indices significantly predicted CVD in the CKM population. RCS analysis revealed linear associations between each index and CVD incidence. ROC analysis showed that CVAI had the highest AUC （0.628，95%CI： 0.611-0.646）， significantly outperforming the single TyG index （P=0.001 6）. NRI analysis indicated significant reclassification improvement for the event group with CVAI （event NRI=0.042 8）. DCA demonstrated that CVAI achieved the highest net benefit across most thresholds. Subgroup analysis confirmed stronger associations between CVAI and CVD risk in CKM stages 2-3. ConclusionsThese six IR surrogate indices serve as valuable tools for predicting CVD incidence in individuals with CKM stages 0-3. Among them， CVAI exhibits optimal predictive value for future CVD risk in adults with CKM stages 1-3.

BACKGROUND:Traditional treatments for corneal alkali burns are limited,especially in controlling inflammation,preventing neovascularization,and inhibiting corneal scarring.Natural,synthetic,or composite materials provide a wide range of treatment options.However,the mechanism by which biomaterials promote corneal alkali burn repair has not yet been systematically understood. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the current research on biomaterials in promoting corneal alkali burn repair in and outside China,and review the mechanism and application of biomaterials in repairing corneal alkali burn. METHODS:The first author searched"cornea,alkali burn,amniotic membrane,hyaluronic acid,collagen,chitosan,polymer materials"as Chinese keywords and"amniotic membrane,hyaluronic acid,collagen,chitosan,polymer,cornea,alkali burn"as English keywords in PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,and WanFang databases.According to inclusion and exclusion criteria,76 eligible articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the field of corneal alkali burn repair,biomaterials such as amniotic membrane,hyaluronic acid,collagen,chitosan,and degradable polymer materials have been widely studied and applied.Each of these biomaterials has its own characteristics,advantages,and disadvantages,and stands out in different aspects.(2)First and foremost,amniotic membranes are considered one of the most promising biomaterials due to their abundance of bioactive factors.They are biocompatible and can regulate the corneal inflammatory response.However,there are issues with donor shortages and susceptibility to infectious diseases.(3)Hyaluronic acid has good moisturizing properties and biocompatibility,and is able to improve the survival rate of corneal cells and increase corneal transparency.(4)The good biocompatibility and scaffold structure of collagen enable the promotion of corneal cell adhesion and proliferation,as well as the reconstruction of corneal tissue structure.(5)Chitosan is recognized for its good biocompatibility and degradability,making it suitable as a carrier for drug delivery and cell transplantation.(6)Degradable polymer materials have good controllability over degradation and can provide a good support and delivery platform for the repair of corneal alkali burns,but further research is needed on their stability and biocompatibility.(7)Overall,there is currently no single biomaterial that can completely address the repair problem of corneal alkali burns,and each biomaterial has its own specific application scenarios and limitations.(8)Future research directions should focus on further improving the properties and structure of biomaterials,exploring more effective combination applications,and deeply understanding the interaction mechanism between biomaterials and corneal tissue,in order to enhance the therapeutic effect of corneal alkali burns and the quality of life of patients.

ObjectiveTo clarify the graded quantitative diagnostic characteristics of lung qi deficiency syndrome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） based on latent class analysis combined with a hidden structure model. MethodsClinical data， including the four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， were collected from 745 COPD patients with lung qi deficiency syndrome. Latent class modeling was performed using R 4.1.2 software， and each patient was classified into one of three severity categories （mild， moderate， or severe） based on probabilistic parameterization， parameter estimation， and model fitting. A database was established for different severity levels of lung qi deficiency syndrome. Based on this， Lantern 5.0 software was used to construct hidden structure models for mild， moderate， and severe lung qi deficiency syndrome， and syndrome differentiation rules were developed through comprehensive clustering. ResultsA latent class model was constructed using 28 symptoms and signs with a frequency greater than 10%. Considering TCM theory and model simplicity， the optimal model was determined when the number of latent classes was three， categorizing lung qi deficiency syndrome into mild （298 cases）， moderate （164 cases）， and severe （283 cases）. Hidden structure models were separately developed for each severity level， and syndrome differentiation rules were established. A comparison of common symptoms in the syndrome differentiation rules for mild and moderate lung qi deficiency syndrome showed no statistically significant differences in diagnostic values and weights （P＞0.05）， leading to their combined analysis and the development of a unified syndrome differentiation rule. Value and weight of quantitative diagnosis of mild-to-moderate lung qi deficiency syndrome were as followed： shortness of breath （diagnostic value 9.3， diagnostic weight 86.92%）， dyspnea on exertion （8.2， 76.64%）， low voice and reluctance to speak （6.7， 62.62%）， poor appetite （4.0， 37.38%）， loose stools （4.0， 37.38%）， weak cough sound （2.9， 27.10%）， wheezing （2.3， 21.50%）， fatigue （1.8， 16.82%）， spontaneous sweating （1.7， 15.89%）， susceptibility to colds （1.6， 14.95%）， swollen tongue （1.4， 13.08%）， teeth marks on the tongue edge （1.2， 11.21%）， deep pulse （1.6， 14.95%）， with a diagnostic threshold of 10.3. Value and weight of quantitative diagnosis of severe lung qi deficiency syndrome were as followed： weak cough sound （15.1， 61.13%）， soreness and weakness of the waist and knees （12.6， 51.01%）， shortness of breath （11.1， 44.94%）， low voice and reluctance to speak （8.3， 33.60%）， frequent nocturia （6.1， 24.70%）， spontaneous sweating （3.7， 14.98%）， susceptibility to colds （3.5， 14.17%）， teeth marks on the tongue edge （7.8， 31.58%）， pale tongue body （1.9， 7.69%）， white tongue coating （5.5， 22.27%）， thin pulse （1.5， 6.07%）， with a diagnostic threshold of 23.7. ConclusionThe combination of latent class analysis and a hideen structure model effectively clarified the graded quantitative diagnostic characteristics of lung qi deficiency syndrome， providing a reference for the quantitative diagnosis of other fundamental syndromes in TCM.

Objective To explore the effect of positive ruminative thinking training(PRT)on negative emotions during modified electroconvulsive therapy(MECT)in depression patients.Method A total of 80 patients with depression who received MECT at Ganzhou Third People's Hospital from February 2024 to February 2025 were selected as subjects.Using a random number table method,they were divided into control group(n=40)and observation group(n=40).The control group received standard interventions,while the observation group received PRT in addition to control group's interventions.Both groups continued treatment until the completion of MECT,with all patients receiving 8-12 sessions of MECT.Negative emotions,self-efficacy,and the positive and negative ruminative thinking(PNR)scale were compared between two groups.Before and after intervention,adverse reactions were evaluated in both groups post-treatment.Results After intervention,the scores of anxiety,depression scale,and negative factor rumination thinking in observation group were lower than those in control group.The scores of general self-efficacy scale and positive factor rumination thinking were higher than those in control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The total incidence of adverse reactions in observation group was lower than that in control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion PRT can reduce negative emotions and negative rumination thinking in depression patients during MECT,improve positive rumination thinking and self-efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and risk factors for decreased aerobic capacity in children with non-acute asthma exacerbations, to assess their cardiopulmonary health and to provide a basis for improvement.Methods:A case-control study.Sixty-one children with non-acute asthma exacerbations treated at the Outpatient Department of Children′s Hospital of Soochow University from October 2022 to December 2023 and 22 control children during the same period were included.Binary Logistic regression was employed to assess risk factors for decreased aerobic capacity in children with asthma.Results:Among the included 61 children with non-acute asthma exacerbations, there were 33 cases in the chronic persistent phase (chronic persistent phase group) and 28 in the clinical remission phase(clinical remission group).There were 22 children in the control group.During the peak exercise phase of the cardiopulmonary exercise testing, the mean kilogram body weight oxygen uptake (VO 2/kg), the percentage of predicted kilogram body weight oxygen uptake, and metabolic equivalents (Met) in the chronic persistent phase group were lower than those in the control and clinical remission phase groups.The mean VO 2/kg recovery from the cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the first minute in the chronic persistent phase group was lower than that in the control and clinical remission phase groups.The median Met and ventilation per minute recovery in the chronic persistent phase group were lower than those in the control group.The median heart rate recovery in asthma children was lower than that in control children.The percentage of cardiopulmonary exercise testing abnormalities was higher in asthma children with symptoms after excise than that in asthma children without symptoms after excise.The percentage of decreased ventilation efficiency in asthma children with symptoms after excise was higher than that in asthma children without symptoms after excise.Multivariate regression analysis showed that a higher body mass index (BMI) ( OR=1.577, 95% CI: 1.113-2.235, P=0.010) and a higher peak respiratory reserve ( OR=1.103, 95% CI: 1.018-1.195, P=0.017) were risk factors of decreased aerobic capacity.The risk of decreased aerobic capacity in the chronic persistent phase was 7.949 times higher than that in the clinical remission phase ( OR=7.949, 95% CI: 1.290-48.996, P=0.025). Conclusions:The aerobic capacity is decreased and ventilatory recovery is slower in children with chronic persistent asthma than those in healthy children.The heart rate recovery in asthma children is slower than that in healthy children.A high BMI, a high peak respiratory reserve, and chronic persistence of asthma are independent risk factors for decreased aerobic capacity in children with non-acute asthma exacerbations.asthma.

Objective:To explore the application value of CT-guided percutaneous coaxial needle biopsy (CT-PTCB) in the diagnosis of malignant tumors.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 802 suspected malignant tumor patients who underwent CT-PTCB upon admission to Beijing Chaoyang District Huanxing Cancer Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023 were analyzed. All patients underwent imaging follow-up combined with CT-PTCB or surgical pathology to determine the final diagnosis. The CT-PTCB puncture effect, diagnosis effect and incidence of complications were recorded.Results:Among the 802 patients, 488 (60.8%) were male and 314 (39.2%) were female, with the age of (51±11) years. The puncture sites included 610 cases (76.1%) in the chest, 169 cases (21.1%) in the abdomen, 17 cases (2.1%) in the bones, and 6 cases (0.7%) in the pelvic cavity. The success rate of CT-PTCB puncture upon admission was 99.5% (798/802), the diagnostic accuracy was 96.5% (774/802), and the false negative rate was 3.5% (28/802). The incidence of pneumothorax and bleeding in patients undergoing pulmonary CT-PTCB was 13.0% (75/575) and 17.9% (103/575), respectively; the incidence of puncture bleeding in patients undergoing liver CT-PTCB was 0.8% (1/125), and the incidence of pain was 1.6% (2/125); the incidence of pneumothorax in patients undergoing mediastinal CT-PTCB was 8.7% (2/23); no obvious complications were observed in other puncture sites. All complications were cured through active treatment.Conclusions:The application of CT-PTCB for the diagnosis of malignant tumors has high success rate and diagnosis rate, and is safe and minimally invasive.

Objective:To evaluate preoperative high-resolution thin-layer cervical enhanced CT used to predict the venous route of the submental flap reflux vein and its relationship with adjacent structures in order to guide the anatomical understanding and protection of submental flap in pharyngeal cancer surgery.Methods:Sixty consecutive patients with pharyngeal cancer who underwent submental flap repair surgery in our department from March 2022 to December 2024, as well as 60 patients who were accepted neck dissection suffering other cancers, were selected. Before surgery, high-resolution cervical enhanced CT scans were performed, and the position of the transverse section of the facial vein in the venous phase horizontal image gradually variation tendency was focused layer by layer. The direction and adjacent relationship of the submental flap reflux veins were determined and recorded. Combined with 60 patients with other head and neck tumors who underwent neck dissection in our department during the same period (a total of 120 cases, 240 sides), the classification and management of the draining veins of Fang′s mental flap were conducted. Type Ⅰ mainly drains into the internal jugular vein; Type Ⅱ mainly drains into the external jugular vein and Type Ⅲ mainly drains into the anterior jugular vein (often accompanied by an external jugular draining branch). The status and proportion of venous drainage were analyzed.Results:Vascular predictive coincidence rate was 98.3% (59/60) among the 60 patients with pharyngeal cancer. Only one patient was predicted to have a simple return to the external jugular vein. However, during the operation, in addition to the main return to the external jugular vein, a small portion also returned to the internal jugular vein. Submental flap reflux vessels were classified into three types based on intraoperative submental flap venous return in 60 cases of laryngopharyngeal cancer, in conjunction with the analysis of venous return patterns from 240 cervical CT scans. Type Ⅰ mainly refluxed to the internal jugular vein, accounting for 42.1%. Type Ⅱ mainly refluxed to the external jugular vein (47.9%). Type Ⅲ mainly refluxed to the anterior jugular vein (10.0%). The total detection rate of CT reading of 240 venous reflux was 98.7% (237/240). Vascular predictive coincidence rate was 97.9%(235/240).Conclusion:The detailed analysis of submental venous return vessels can accurately predict the direction of reflux veins and its surrounding areas by preoperative high-resolution enhanced CT scan. This provides reliable guidance for the anatomy and protection of the submental flap reflux veins during surgery.

Objective:To compare the survival outcomes of different subsequent treatment regimens in patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) who achieved partial response (PR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on the gross tumor volume regression rate (GTVRR).Methods:This retrospective study included patients with locally advanced HPSCC treated at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, from January 2011 to December 2023. The cohort included 135 males and 3 females, aged from 35 to 77 years. All patients received 2-3 cycles of TPF regimen (paclitaxel+cisplatin+5-fluorouracil) neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Subsequent treatments included concurrent chemoradiotherapy or surgery combined with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. The impacts of different subsequent treatment modalities on the survivals and prognoses of patients were compared based on GTVRR thresholds of 50% and 70%. The χ 2 test was used to analyze influencing factors; survival analysis and intergroup comparisons were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test; prognostic factors were assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results:The 5-year OS and PFS rates were 56.5% and 47.9%, respectively, while, the 10-year OS and PFS rates were 25.8% and 21.2%, respectively. The median OS was 75 months, and the median PFS was 48 months. The laryngeal function preservation rate for the entire cohort was 83.3%. The patients who underwent surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy had significantly better OS and PFS outcomes than those treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy ( P<0.05). Stratification based on GTVRR revealed that the surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy regimen was particularly effective for PR patients with a GTVRR of 30%-70%, showing significantly better OS and PFS compared to the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The optimal subsequent treatment for PR-HPSCC may be surgery-based comprehensive treatment, particularly for patients with a GTVRR of 30%-70%. This study offers valuable insights for the stratified treatment of HPSCC, which could contribute to improving overall patient prognosis.