[Objective] : To explore the clinical characteristics and methods for syndrome differentiation prediction, as well as to construct a predictive model for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). [Methods] : This study employed a retrospective case-control design to analyze patients with AIS who received inpatient treatment at the Neurology Department of The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022. AIS patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were stratified into case group, while those without Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were stratified into control group. The demographic characteristics (age and gender), clinical parameters [time from onset to admission, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and blood pressure], past medical history, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic characteristics (tongue and pulse), neurological symptoms and signs, imaging findings [magnetic resonance imaging-diffusion weighted imaging (MRI-DWI)], and biochemical indicators of the two groups were collected and compared. The indicators with statistical difference (P < 0.05) in univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate their predictive value for the diagnosis of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and the predictive model was constructed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. [Results] : The study included 1 035 AIS patients, with 404 cases in case group and 631 cases in control group. Compared with control group, patients in case group were significantly older, had extended onset-to-admission time, lower diastolic blood pressure, and lower NIHSS scores (P < 0.05). Case group showed lower incidence of hypertension history (P < 0.05). Regarding tongue and pulse characteristics, pale and dark tongue colors, white tongue coating, fine pulse, astringent pulse, and sinking pulse were more common in case group. Imaging examinations demonstrated higher proportions of centrum semiovale infarction, cerebral atrophy, and vertebral artery stenosis in case group (P < 0.05). Among biochemical indicators, case group showed higher proportions of elevated fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), while lower proportions of elevated white blood cell count, reduced hemoglobin, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome including: fine pulse [odds ratio (OR) = 4.38], astringent pulse (OR = 3.67), superficial sensory abnormalities (OR = 1.86), centrum semiovale infarction (OR = 1.57), cerebral atrophy (OR = 1.55), vertebral artery stenosis (OR = 1.62), and elevated HbA1c (OR = 3.52). The ROC curve analysis of the comprehensive prediction model yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.878 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.855 – 0.900]. [Conclusion] This study finds out that Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome represents one of the primary types of AIS. Fine pulse, astringent pulse, superficial sensory abnormalities, centrum semiovale infarction, cerebral atrophy, vertebral artery stenosis, elevated blood glucose, elevated HbA1c, pale and dark tongue colors, and white tongue coating are key objective diagnostic indicators for the syndrome differentiation of AIS with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. Based on these indicators, a syndrome differentiation prediction model has been developed, offering a more objective basis for clinical diagnosis, and help to rapidly identify this syndrome in clinical practice and reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.

Objective:To investigate variation of peripheral blood monocyte subtypes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA),to study variation of surface antigen expression intensity and plasma related cytokine content of monocytes of each subtype,and to discuss their clinical application value.Methods:Percentage of monocyte subtypes and mean fluorescence intensity(MFI)of monocyte surface markers(HLA-DR,CD64,CD11b)in peripheral blood of 38 patients with RA were detected by multi-parameter flow cytometry,and differences were statistically analyzed compared with 40 healthy controls(HV group).Plasma levels of five cyto-kines(IL-2,IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α and IFN-γ)were detected by flow fluorescence microsphere technology.Linear correlation analysis was performed to determine correlation between percentage of monocyte subtypes and MFI of their surface markers and expression of related cytokines in RA patients.Disease activity 28(DAS28)score was performed in RA patients to study its association with percent-age of monocyte subtypes and plasma cytokines.Results:Compared with control group,percentage of classical monocytes in RA pa-tients decreased significantly(P<0.05),while percentage of intermediate monocytes and non-classical monocytes increased signifi-cantly(P<0.01).HLA-DR expression(MFI)on monocyte subsets in RA group was significantly higher than HV group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CD64 expression(MFI)on intermediate monocytes and non-classical monocytes in RA group was significantly higher than HV group(P<0.01 or P<0.001).CD11b expression(MFI)on intermediate monocytes in RA group was significantly higher than HV group(P<0.001).In RA group,percentage of intermediate monocytes was positively correlated with contents of IL-6,TNF-α and IFN-γ(P<0.01).HLA-DR expression(MFI)on intermediate monocytes was positively correlated with TNF-α content(P<0.05);CD64 expres-sion(MFI)on non-classical monocytes was positively correlated with contents of IL-2 and IL-10(P<0.05).In RA group,percentage of intermediate monocytes was positively correlated with DAS28(P<0.001);plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels were positively correlated with DAS28(P<0.01).Conclusion:Characteristic expression of intermediate monocytes and their surface antigens are closely related to occurrence of RA,and related inflammation is triggered by secretion of related cytokines.Monocyte subtype detection can be a new experimental diagnostic index for RA.Dynamic monitoring of peripheral blood monocyte subtypes and plasma IL-6 and TNF-α in RA patients during treatment is helpful to guide clinical treatment of RA.

Objective:To investigate variation of peripheral blood monocyte subtypes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA),to study variation of surface antigen expression intensity and plasma related cytokine content of monocytes of each subtype,and to discuss their clinical application value.Methods:Percentage of monocyte subtypes and mean fluorescence intensity(MFI)of monocyte surface markers(HLA-DR,CD64,CD11b)in peripheral blood of 38 patients with RA were detected by multi-parameter flow cytometry,and differences were statistically analyzed compared with 40 healthy controls(HV group).Plasma levels of five cyto-kines(IL-2,IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α and IFN-γ)were detected by flow fluorescence microsphere technology.Linear correlation analysis was performed to determine correlation between percentage of monocyte subtypes and MFI of their surface markers and expression of related cytokines in RA patients.Disease activity 28(DAS28)score was performed in RA patients to study its association with percent-age of monocyte subtypes and plasma cytokines.Results:Compared with control group,percentage of classical monocytes in RA pa-tients decreased significantly(P<0.05),while percentage of intermediate monocytes and non-classical monocytes increased signifi-cantly(P<0.01).HLA-DR expression(MFI)on monocyte subsets in RA group was significantly higher than HV group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CD64 expression(MFI)on intermediate monocytes and non-classical monocytes in RA group was significantly higher than HV group(P<0.01 or P<0.001).CD11b expression(MFI)on intermediate monocytes in RA group was significantly higher than HV group(P<0.001).In RA group,percentage of intermediate monocytes was positively correlated with contents of IL-6,TNF-α and IFN-γ(P<0.01).HLA-DR expression(MFI)on intermediate monocytes was positively correlated with TNF-α content(P<0.05);CD64 expres-sion(MFI)on non-classical monocytes was positively correlated with contents of IL-2 and IL-10(P<0.05).In RA group,percentage of intermediate monocytes was positively correlated with DAS28(P<0.001);plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels were positively correlated with DAS28(P<0.01).Conclusion:Characteristic expression of intermediate monocytes and their surface antigens are closely related to occurrence of RA,and related inflammation is triggered by secretion of related cytokines.Monocyte subtype detection can be a new experimental diagnostic index for RA.Dynamic monitoring of peripheral blood monocyte subtypes and plasma IL-6 and TNF-α in RA patients during treatment is helpful to guide clinical treatment of RA.

Objective To explore the effect of case-based learning(CBL)combined with PICOS(population,interventions,compari-sons,outcomes,study design)framework in undergraduate occupational therapy(OT)education. Methods A total of 43 junior students majoring in OT from School of Rehabilitation Medicine,Nanjing Medical Univer-sity,were taught the core courses of OT using CBL combined with PICOS framework,from February,2023 to June,2024.The Evidence-based Practice Competency Assessment Scale was used to investigate the students at the beginning and the end of the semester,respectively. Results At the end of the semester,students'self-assessments improved in areas such as the quality evaluation of litera-ture,identifying the best scientific evidence,evaluating the quality of papers,conducting practical analysis of re-search,applying PICOS to formulate clinical questions,assessing the primary association measurement methods of research results,understanding different levels of evidence,and familiarity with commonly used evidence-based practice databases(χ2>4.778,P<0.05).Self-assessment regarding uncertainty about the decision-making process or the different recommendation strengths for health interventions(χ2=7.938,P<0.01)was lower.Atti-tudes toward evidence-based practice,skill levels,and knowledge all improved. Conclusion The combined application of CBL and PICOS framework could improve the effect of undergraduate OT ed-ucation and enhance the evidence-based practice ability of OT students.

AIM: Previous studies have suggested that big stick design (BSD) method can only be used in clinical trials of two treatments with equal proportion, which has good statistical performance and has become the recommended choice of randomized methods. This study expands BSD method, so that it can be applied to three groups, and provides more randomized methods for clinical trials. METHODS: On the basis of BSD method used in two treatments with equal proportion, the derivation conditional allocation probability of BSD method used in three treatments with equal proportion was carried out. BSD method was compared with simple randomization (SR) method, permuted block design (PBD) method and block urn design (BUD) method by Monte-Carlo simulation in balance and randomness. RESULTS: In terms of balance, PBD method was the best, followed by BUD method, BSD method, and SR method was the worst. In terms of randomness, SR method was the best, followed by BSD method, BUD method and PBD method. The comprehensive performance showed that BSD method was better than BUD method, PBD method and SR method. CONCLUSION: The expanded BSD method used in three treatments with equal proportion has good comprehensive performance, and it can be the recommended randomization method for clinical trials of three treatments with equal proportion.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of executive function and alterations in monoamine neurotransmitters in methamphetamine-dependent adolescents and to analyse the relationship between executive function and monoamine neurotransmitters.Methods:From January to March 2017, totally 50 female methamphetamine-dependent adolescents and 50 male methamphetamine-dependent adolescents were selected as the experimental group in two compulsory isolation drug rehabilitation centres in Sichuan Province, while normal adolescents (50 males and 50 females) matching the age and gender of the experimental group were recruited as the control group in a school.Executive function was tested by the N-back test, colour word interference test and Hanoita test, and serum levels of dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 21.0 software.The t-test was used to compare the differences of executive function between the experimental group and control group, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between executive functions and monoamine neurotransmitters in the experimental group. Results:The differences in the number of correct 0-back responses ((105.38±17.00) vs (114.05±5.29) ) and correct response time ((728.82±110.95) ms vs (652.24±89.88) ms), number of correct 2-back responses ((54.78±23.04) vs ( 74.01±12.01)) and correct response time ((585.74±245.35) ms vs (477.44±181.26) ms), the number of correct responses in the Stroop task ((29.68±7.19) vs (33.60±7.36)) and correct response time ((973.73±228.27) ms vs ( 916.11±98.54) ms), and the number of TOH movement steps ((99.42±32.83) vs (87.70±32.55)) were statistically significant in the experimental group compared to the control group(all P<0.05). In the experimental group, serum dopamine ((5.06±1.55) μg/mL vs (3.18±1.97) μg/mL), 5-hydroxytryptamine ((351.94±119.90) ng/mL vs (149.27±69.24) ng/mL), epinephrine ((555.66±225.55) ng/mL vs (129.20± 81.39) ng/mL), and norepinephrine ((3.63±0.96) ng/mL vs (2.03±0.64) ng/mL) were higher than those in the control group, all with statistically significant differences (all P<0.01). Correlation analysis of executive function with monoamine neurotransmitters showed that serum dopamine level in the experimental group was correlated significantly with the number of correct 0-back, 2-back responses, correct response time, and TOH movement steps ( r=-0.194, 0.170, -0.163, 0.198, 0.196, all P<0.05), 5-hydroxytryptamine level was negatively correlated with the number of correct 0-back, 2-back responses( r=-0.267, -0.375), and was positively correlated with correct response time ( r=0.243, 0.177). Adrenaline content was significantly correlated with the number of correct 0-back and 2-back responses, correct response time, and the number of correct Stroop test responses, correct response time ( r=-0.340, 0.212, -0.415, 0.170, -0.212, 0.178, all P<0.05). Norepinephrine level was correlated significantly with the number of correct 0-back responses, correct response times, correct 2-back responses, correct Stroop test responses, and TOH movement steps ( r=-0.245, 0.266, -0.291, -0.193, 0.226, all P<0.05). Conclusion:The executive function of methamphetamine-dependent adolescents is damaged to a certain extent and the content of monoamine neurotransmitter in serum is increased.There is a correlation between impairment in executive function and serum levels of monoamine neurotransmitters.

Objective To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of Qingxuan Jiangya decoction on patients with primary hypertension (PH) and its influence on their rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Methods A prospective study was conducted, including 178 patients with definite diagnosis of PH (Ⅰ-Ⅱ grade) who came from Guanggu district to the third Hospital of Wuhan City from April 2016 to March 2017, and they were divided into a control group and an observation group according to the method of taking medicine, each group 89 cases. The control group received 5 mg amlodipine besylate, orally once a day; the observation group on the basis of treatment in the control group, the Qingxuan Jiangya decoction (gastrodia rhizome 20 g, uncaria 20 g, ligusticum rhizome 15 g, salviae miltiorrhizae 10 g, puerarin 20 g, radix ophiopogonis 20 g, fructus lycii 25 g, chrysanthemum 10 g, root poria 15 g, poria cocos 10 g, radix glycyrrhizae 5 g) was added, a dose (400 mL) divided into two parts, one part taken twice daily, in the morning and in the evening after meals; the two groups took the treatment continuously for 4 weeks. The blood pressure dynamic changes and plasma levels of renin, angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), aldosterone (ALD) and clinical efficacy were observed, and the safety of the drugs was evaluated by measuring the changes of liver and kidney functions. Results After treatment in the two groups, the daytime systolic pressure (D-SBP) and diastolic pressure (D-DBP) and nighttime SBP (N-SBP) and DBP (N-DBP), the mean of 24 hours-SBP and 24 hours-DBP were all lower than those before treatment, and the D-DBP, N-SBP and 24 hours-DBP of the observation group were significantly lower than those of control group [D-DBP (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 78.24±5.35 vs. 81.56±6.23, N-SBP (mmHg):117.35±5.42 vs. 122.63±7.23, 24 hours-DBP (mmHg): 74.15±5.26 vs. 80.51±6.52, all P < 0.05]; after treatment, the levels of renin, Ang Ⅱ and ALD in two groups were also declined, and the degrees of decrease in the observation group were more significant than those in the control group [renin (ng/L): 5.46±0.41 vs. 7.82±0.36, ALD (ng/L):128.48±31.42 vs. 168.48±28.32, Ang Ⅱ (ng/L): 52.35±14.27 vs. 75.38±15.65, all P < 0.05]; there were no significant changes in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), urea and creatinine (Cr) before and after treatment in the two groups, showing that the treatment was safe. Conclusion Qingxuan Jiangya decoction can effectively and safely reduce the blood pressure in PH patients, and its mechanism is possibly related to its influence on RAAS.

Objective To explore the impact of iodine nutrition on pregnant women before and after adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt.Methods Twelve counties (areas,cities) in Hangzhou were divided into urban,suburban and rural areas before and after adjusting the iodine content of salt.One survey spot was selected in each district and one hundred pregnant women were selected;family salt and urinary samples of each pregnant woman were collected.The levels of salt and urinary iodine were measured by the methods of picric sodium thiosulfate titrimetric (GB 13025.7-2012) and spectrophotometer (WS/T 107-2006),respectively.Results One thousand two hundred and thirty-nine and one thousand two hundred and thirty-three household salt samples were collected before and after adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt.The median of salt iodine of pregnant women (23.30 mg/kg) before adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt was lower than that after adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt (30.09 mg/kg,x2 =-4.71,P ＜ 0.01).The iodine salt coverage rate and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt after adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt [93.92％ (1 158/1 233),93.84％ (1 157/1 233)] were higher than those before adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt [91.85％ (1 138/1 239),91.37％ (1 132/1 239),x2 =4.01,5.51,all P ＜ 0.05].The iodine salt coverage rate and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt in urban and suburb areas after adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt [99.42％ (510/513),100.00％ (203/203),97.86％ (5021513),100.00％ (203/203)] were higher than those before adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt [86.71％ (450/519),98.00％ (196/200),77.26％ (401/519),85.00％ (170/200)],but the iodine salt coverage rate and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt in rural area before adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt [94.62％ (492/520),86.92％ (452/520)] were higher than those after adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt [85.69％(443/517),76.98％ (398/517),x2=64.22,2.32,100.02,32.90,23.31,17.33,all P ＜ 0.05].One thousand two hundred and thirty-four and one thousand two hundred and thirty-one household urine samples were collected before and after adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt.The median of urinary iodine (MUI,114.80 μg/L) of pregnant women after adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt was lower than that before adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt (168.60 μg/L,x2 =36.92,P ＜ 0.01).The MUIs of pregnant women in urban,suburban,and rural areas (171.30,170.20 and 162.40 μg/L) before adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt were higher than those after adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt (101.00,149.48 and 119.90 μg/L,x2 =-7.78,-2.63,-6.28,all P ＜ 0.01).The differences of urinary iodine between groups were statistically significant in urban,suburban and rural areas after adjusting the iodine content in iodine salt (x2 =32.86,P ＜ 0.01),the MUI of pregnant women in urban areas was lower than those in the suburban and rural areas (x2 =6.70,8.13,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions After adjusting the iodine content of salt in Hangzhou,the iodine-nutrition level of pregnant women is decreased.But the consumption rates of qualified iodized salt and the MUIs in urban,suburb,rural areas are different,so the coverage of iodized salt at household level needs to be enhanced and the health education should be highlighted.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficiency of Huayu Xiaozhong Decoction (HXD) on preventing peri-operative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in lower limbs following artificial total hip replacement. Methods Ninety cases following artificial total hip replacement were randomized into blank control group, Rivaroxaban group and HXD group, 30 cases in each group, and were treated with brown sugar water, Rivaroxaban, HXD respectively. Before operation, and one, 3 and 14 days after operation, we monitored the changes of bleeding volume, DVT incidence, hemoglobin, prothrombin time ( PT) , activated partial thromboplastin time ( APTT) , international normalized ratio (INR), and D-dimer (DD) in the three groups. Results (1) Fifteen cases had DVT, with a total incidence rate of 16.67%. Of the 15 cases, 10 were from blank control group, 2 from Rivaroxaban group, and 3 from HXD group. ( 2) The amount of bleeding volume of Rivaroxaban group was larger than that of the blank control group and HXD group (P<0.05), but the bleeding was mild. (3) One, 3 and 14 days after operation, PT and APTT were shortened in blank control group (P<0.01 compared with those before operation). PT, APTT and INR were prolonged, and coagulation function was improved in Rivaroxaban group and HXD group, the differences being significant as compared with the blank control group ( P<0.05). HXD group had better effect on improving INR than Rivaroxaban group ( P<0.05). ( 4) In the three groups, hemoglobin level began to decrease on postoperative day one, arrived to the bottom on postoperative day 3 (P<0.05), and rose up near to the normal level on postoperative day 14; HXD group had higher hemoglobin level than blank control group and Rivaroxaban group on postoperative day 3 and 14 ( P<0.05). The 3 groups had higher plasma DD level than the normal level before the operation, arrived to the highest level on postoperative day one and 3 ( P<0.05) , and fell down near to the normal level on postoperative day 14. The inter-group comparison results showed that Rivaroxaban group and HXD group had lower DD level than the blank control group on postoperative day 3 and 14 ( P<0.05). Conclusion HXD is effective on preventing DVT in the peri-operation period through reducing bleeding, increasing hemoglobin level and improving postoperative anemia. The efficiency and safety of HXD are similar to Rivaroxaban.

Objective To explore the impact of iodine nutrition on children in areas with different iodized-salt covering rate after adjusting the iodine content in iodized salt in Hangzhou.Methods After adjusting the iodine content of salt,every county (area,city) of Hangzhou was divided into east,west,south,north and middle districts;one school was selected in each district,40 children aged 8-10 years old in each school were selected.The goiter rates of 8-10 years old students were examined (WS 276-2007).The family salt and urine samples of each student were collected.The levels of salt and urinary iodine were measured by picric sodium thiosulfate titrimetric (GB 13025.7-2012) and spectrophotometer method (WS/T 107-2006),respectively.Areas were classified according to the coverage rate of iodized salt ＜95％ and ≥95％,and their urinary iodine levels were compared.Results A total of 2 395 samples were collected with a median salt iodine concentration of 23.50 mg/kg and a urinary iodine level of 167.45 μg/L.The goiter rate of children 8-10 years old was 1.75％ (42/2 395).The total iodized-salt covering rate was 93.15％ (2 231/2 395) and the difference was statistically significant between different districts and towns (x2 =153.13,P ＜0.01),but the level was less than 95％ in 6 areas.The urinary median iodine was 151.00 μg/L in the areas where the iodized-salt covering rate was less than 95％,lower than 173.50 μg/L in the areas where the iodized-salt covering rate was more than or equal to 95％ (x2 =-5.28,P ＜0.01).Conclusions After adjusting the iodine content of salt in Hangzhou,the iodine-nutrition status of 8 to 10 years old students is optimal.But the urinary iodine levels are different in areas with different iodized-salt covering rates,so the coverage of iodized salt at household level need to be enhanced and the health education should be strengthen.