ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the potential of different orders of magnitude single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus combinations for predicting distant kinship relationships. A high-density SNP locus set was constructed, and a comprehensive assessment of its inference capability was conducted. MethodsFirstly, we selected three commercial chip panels, CGA (Chinese genotyping array, Illumina), GSA (Global screening array, Illumina), Affy (23MF_V2 high-density SNP array, Affymetrix) and merged them after quality control, forming a high-density SNP locus panel(1 180 k). Secondly, we selected 161 samples and collected their peripheral blood samples by using whole-genome sequencing technology. Within this sample population, the levels of kinship relationships fully covered the range from level 1 to level 9, and the number of kinship pairs at each level was consistently maintained at over 50 pairs. From 161 samples data of whole-genome sequencing, the 1 180 k locus set was extracted, which is referred to as the high-density SNP locus set in the following text. The kinship inference was conducted using the identity-by-descent (IBD) algorithm with the selected optimal parameters. To comprehensively evaluate the performance of the high-density SNP locus set in kinship inference, we compared it with the three commercial chip panels, the intersection of these three chip loci, and the control sets constructed by randomly reducing the number of the high-density SNP locus set. Based on the changes in the IBD lengths, as well as the dynamic trends in prediction accuracy, we conducted a scientific assessment of the kinship inference capability of the high-density SNP locus set. ResultsAfter screening, a set of 1 184 334 autosomal SNPs was obtained. During the process of screening the optimal IBD length threshold, the result revealed that 0 cM, 1 cM, and 2 cM all demonstrated good applicability. However, to avoid the issue of a large amount of redundant information caused by setting a too low IBD length threshold, this study ultimately selected 2 cM as the optimal threshold. Compared with the average results of three chip panels, the high-density SNP locus set increased the total IBD length and the average IBD length across levels 1-9; the accuracy of the confidence interval for level 8 was 70.97%, which represented a 3.50% improvement; the average confidence interval accuracy for levels 1-8 was 91.39%, representing a 1.00% increase; and the false negative rates at levels 8 and 9 were reduced by 2.42% and 6.76%, respectively. The system efficacy of the high-density SNP locus set for kinship inference of first to eighth degree relationships reached 98.91%. Through random reduction of the high-density SNP locus set results, it is found that increasing the number of SNPs with the panel, the detection efficiency of IBD length showed a significant upward trend. At the same time, the overall trend in the accuracy of kinship relationship prediction as well as the confidence interval accuracy also indicated that both metrics steadily increased with the addition of more loci. ConclusionThe results show that the high-density SNPs panel significantly enhances the efficacy of distant kinship inference, accurately covering kinship degrees, with the average confidence interval accuracy for first to eighth degree relationships stably above 90%. The study finds that increasing the number of SNPs panel can improve the ability to predict distant kinship.

This paper outlines the development of artificial intelligence （AI） and its applications in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） research， and elucidates the roles and advantages of large language models， knowledge graphs， and natural language processing in advancing syndrome identification， prescription generation， and mechanism exploration. Using spleen-stomach diseases as an example， it demonstrates the empowering effects of AI in classical literature mining， precise clinical syndrome differentiation， efficacy and safety prediction， and intelligent education， highlighting an upgraded research paradigm that evolves from data-driven and knowledge-driven approaches to intelligence-driven models. To address challenges related to privacy protection and regulatory compliance in cross-institutional data collaboration， a "trusted federated evidence-based analysis platform for TCM spleen-stomach diseases" is proposed， integrating blockchain-based smart contracts， federated learning， and secure multi-party computation. The deep integration of AI with privacy-preserving computing is reshaping research and clinical practice in TCM spleen-stomach diseases， providing feasible pathways and a technical framework for building a high-quality， trustworthy TCM big-data ecosystem and achieving precision syndrome differentiation.

Irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） is a functional bowel disorder characterized primarily by abdominal pain and altered defecation habits. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has made progress in multiple aspects of IBS research and treatment， including syndrome distribution， development of TCM formulas， clinical efficacy evaluation， external therapies， and psychosocial regulation. However， it still faces challenges such as over-reliance on symptomatic manifestations rather than biomarkers for diagnostic criteria， and the lack of high-quality evidence-based data supporting the efficacy of TCM formulas in treating IBS. This paper proposed that TCM diagnosis and treatment of IBS should adhere to the strategy of integrating the holistic concept with syndrome differentiation and treatment， combining TCM external therapies such as acupuncture， moxibustion and acupoint application）， and emphasizing individualized diagnosis and treatment for psychosomatic abnormalities. Future research should integrate multi-omics technologies， artificial intelligence and other methods to deepen the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBS and the mechanisms of TCM formulas， so as to promote the standardization and internationalization of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of IBS.

Organoid technology， a rapidly advancing three-dimensional （3D） cell culture platform， can closely mimic the microarchitecture and functions of human digestive organs， effectively overcoming the limitations of conventional two-dimensional cell models and animal experiments. By systematically summarizing the distinctive strengths of organoid technology in simulating digestive physiological and pathological states， constructing digestive system disease models， enabling high-throughput drug screening， and facilitating personalized treatment， this review explored the potential applications of organoids in identifying active components of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） formulas， evaluating in vitro pharmacokinetics and toxicological parameters， and investigating multi-target synergistic mechanisms. By integrating cutting-edge engineering technologies， organoids are expected to provide a more scientific research platform for TCM， accelerate the modernization of its mechanistic studies， and enhance its scientific value and global impact.

Although symptomatic treatment is widely applied in clinical practice， it is often regarded as a relatively low-level therapeutic method. Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） state theory， the macroscopic， mesoscopic， and microscopic characterization parameters of TCM symptomatology are horizontally integrated， the full life cycle of states （pre-disease， incipient disease， manifest disease， post-disease） is vertically covered， and the cognitive system of "symptoms" is reconstructed from multiple dimensions. Accordingly， the application approach of symptomatic treatment at different state stages is proposed： implementing preventive intervention in the pre-disease state， strengthening the interception of disease progression in the incipient disease state， regulating dynamic development and treatment in the manifest disease state， and formulating a staged diagnosis and treatment strategy which focuses on functional rehabilitation in the post-disease state.

ObjectiveTo monitor the real-time changes in ammonia concentration in the laboratory animal facility environment before, during, and after the air conditioning system stops supplying air, so as to provide a basis and reference for developing emergency plans for the shutdown of the air conditioning system. MethodsThe laboratory animal facilities of the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products were used as the research object. Ammonia concentration detectors were used to monitor ammonia concentration continuously in the environment of conventional rabbit production facility, SPF hamster production facility, and SPF guinea pig experimental facility before and after the passive shutdown due to repairs and active maintenance shutdown of the air conditioning system, as well as the time for the ammonia concentration to return to daily levels after resuming air supply. ResultsUnder both shutdown modes of the air conditioning system, the trend of ammonia concentration changes in different laboratory animal facilities was consistent, showing a rapid increase after shutdown and a rapid decrease after resuming air supply. Under active maintenance shutdown, the maximum ammonia concentrations in the conventional rabbit production facilities, SPF hamster production facilities, and SPF guinea pig experimental facilities were 9.81 mg/m³, 14.27 mg/m³, and 6.98 mg/m³, respectively. Within 12 minutes after resuming air supply, ammonia concentration could return to normal daily levels. Under passive long-term shutdown, ammonia concentration value was positively correlated with the duration of air supply suspension. As the shutdown duration increased, ammonia concentration continued to increase. The maximum ammonia concentration values in the three facilities occurred at 88 minutes (38.06 mg/m³), 40 minutes (18.43 mg/m³), and 34 minutes (15.61 mg/m³) after air supply suspension, respectively.Within 11 minutes after resuming air supply, ammonia concentration could return to normal daily levels. ConclusionShutdown of the air conditioning system causes a rapid increase in ammonia concentration in laboratory animal facilities, and the rise in ammonia concentration is positively correlated with the duration of air supply suspension. Therefore, when an emergency shutdown of the air-conditioning system is required due to maintenance or other reasons, backup fans should be provided in accordance with the requirements of GB 50447-2008 "Architectural and Technical Code for Laboratory Animal Facilities". Older facilities should make adequate preparations and develop a scientifically sound emergency plan.

Objective To understand and grasp the status quo of resistance of Culex pipiens pallens to four commonly used insecticides in Hefei City, and to provide a scientific basis for the chemical control of mosquito larvae. Methods From June to July 2023, Cx. pipiens pallens larvae were collected from 9 counties (cities and districts) in Hefei City. The LC50 of late third-instar to early fourth-instar larvae of Cx. pipiens pallens to commonly used insecticides was determined by larval immersion method (sensitive baseline method). Results Cx.pipiens pallens larvae in Hefei City exhibited different degrees of resistance to four insecticides: permethrin, beta-cypermethrin, temephos, and propoxur. The relative resistance coefficients to permethrin and beta-cypermethrin were 26.96 and 21.17, respectively, indicating the moderate resistance level. The relative resistance coefficients to propoxur were 6.70, indicating a low resistance level. The relative resistance coefficient to temephos was 2.43, indicating a sensitivity level. Culex pipiens pallens against pyrethroids such as 0.25% permethrin, 0.025% deltamethrin and 0.025% cypermethrin in 1 h knockout rate and 24 h mortality rates were 3.25% (4/123) and 46.34% (57/123), 3.60% (5/139) and 35.97% (50/139), 3.85% (6/156) and 40.38% (63/156), respectively. For 5% malathion and 0.1% propoxur, the 1 h knockdown rate and 24 h mortality rate were 97.69% (127/130) and 99.23% (129/130), 94.48% (137/145) and 100.00% (145/145), respectively. It showed resistance to 0.25% permethrin, 0.025% deltamethrin and 0.025% cypermethrin, and sensitivity to 5% malathion and 0.1% propoxur. Conclusions Culex pipiens pallens in Hefei City have developed varying degrees of resistance to parathyroid and carbamate insecticides. In the control of mosquito vectors, it is essential to strengthen the scientific and rational use of chemical control in combination with environmental and physical control measures to form an integrated control strategy. This approach will improve the control efficiency while delaying the occurrence and development of insecticide resistance.

Objective To investigate the association between the Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension among elderly people in Hebei Province. Methods In 2020, a stratified multi-stage random sampling was used to conduct questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory detection among permanent residents of 10 monitoring sites in Hebei Province. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between CVAI and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive value of CVAI for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension. Results The detection rates of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension were 19.8%, 74.6%, 78.2%, and 16.2%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the lowest quartile of CVAI group Q1, the OR (95% CI) of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension in the highest quartile Q4 group were 3.55 (2.58~4.89), 2.52 (1.92~3.31), 3.09 (2.31~4.12), and 4.92 (3.40~7.12), respectively. The ROC curve results showed that CVAI had the best predictive value in the diagnosis of diabetes with hypertension, and the optimized critical values in males and females were 128.54 and 141.88, respectively. Conclusion The detection rates of diabetes mellitus and hypertension are high in the elderly population in Hebei Province. CVAI is positively associated with the risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension among the elderly in Hebei. CVAI has the strongest prediction ability for diabetes with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux for gastroesophageal reflux cough (GERC). METHODS: A total of 120 GERC patients were randomly assigned to an observation group (60 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (60 cases, 1 case was eliminated). The observation group received acupoint thread-embedding treatment at positive response points of governor vessel. If no such points were detected, the following acupoints were used: Dazhui (GV14), Fenghu (Extra), Shendao (GV11), Lingtai (GV10), and Zhiyang (GV9). Treatment was administered once every two weeks. The control group received oral rabeprazole enteric capsules at 20 mg twice daily. All the treatment was given for 6 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using cough symptom score, reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ) score, and Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ) score before and after treatment in the two groups. Clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, both groups showed decreased cough symptom scores and the each item scores and total scores of RDQ (P<0.001), and increased LCQ scores (P<0.001) compare with those before treatment. The observation group exhibited lower cough symptom score and chest pain, reflux and total score of RDQ, and higher LCQ score compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 94.9% (56/59), which was higher than 84.7% (50/59) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux could effectively alleviate cough and reflux symptoms in patients with GERC and improve their quality of life.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Cough/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Lung/physiopathology* ; Meridians