1.Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on functional brain activity in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A randomized controlled trial protocol using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography
Huan OUYANG ; Yifei WANG ; Ying HAN ; Jinling ZHANG ; Liang LI ; Chen XIN ; Jianghong HE ; Peijing RONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(2):181-187
Background: Advances in intensive care have markedly improved survival after severe brain injury, leading to a growing population of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). Current management of pDOC remains largely supportive, and evidence-based neuromodulatory interventions are limited; moreover, existing guidelines provide insufficiently explicit recommendations regarding mechanisms of action and objective biomarkers of treatment response. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive intervention; however, its modulatory effects on brain function in pDOC are not yet well characterized, and the paucity of integrative mechanistic evidence has constrained its translation into routine clinical practice. Objectives: Within a multimodal assessment framework, this study aims to systematically elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms by which taVNS modulates brain function and autonomic activity in patients with pDOC, and to evaluate its clinical potential to enhance levels of consciousness. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with vegetative state/minimally conscious state will be enrolled and randomly allocated to a taVNS group, a transcutaneous nonauricular vagus nerve stimulation group (sham), or a control group (n = 20 per group) for a 4-week intervention. The primary outcome will be changes in the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 of treatment. Secondary outcomes will include functional brain activity assessed by electroencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, as well as autonomic modulation indexed by heart rate variability. Functional prognosis will be evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at the end of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Safety will be assessed by continuous monitoring and documentation of adverse events throughout the study period. Results and discussion: By integrating electroencephalography–functional near-infrared spectroscopy with heart rate variability, this study will characterize the effects of taVNS on functional brain networks and consciousness recovery in pDOC across complementary behavioral, electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and autonomic domains, while interrogating potential sources of clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity. The findings are expected to provide a mechanistic and evidence-based foundation for the mechanism-driven clinical implementation of taVNS and the optimization of stimulation protocols in pDOC. Clinical trial registration: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR20250021041, https://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn.
2.Epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of liver cancer in Guangdong Province
Ying ZHANG ; Yixuan CHEN ; Rong CAO ; Yue GAO ; Yutong HAN ; Ye WANG ; Ruilin MENG ; Xueyan ZHENG ; Yu LIAO ; Zhuanping ZENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):68-72
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of liver cancer in Guangdong Province in 2020, and to provide a scientific foundation for the development of regionalized prevention and control strategies for liver cancer. Methods According to the cancer registry data of Guangdong Province, the incidence, mortality and age-standardized rate by Chinese standard population in 2020 were calculated to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of liver cancer. The disability adjusted life years (DALYs), year of life loss (YLL), year of lived with disability (YLD), and cause-eliminated life expectancy were used to assess the disease burden of liver cancer. Results In 2020, the crude incidence rate and the age-standardized incidence rate of liver cancer in Guangdong Province were 27.79/100 000 and 20.84/100 000,respectively, and the crude mortality rate and the age-standardized mortality rate of liver cancer were 25.49/100,000 and 17.64/100 000, respectively. The total DALY and DALY rate of liver cancer in Guangdong Province were 515 311 person-years and 513.83/100 000, respectively. After eliminating the causes of death from liver cancer, the life expectancy in Guangdong Province increased from 84.60 years to 84.99 years. All indicators consistently demonstrated that the burden of liver cancer was higher in males than that in females, and the burden of liver cancer was higher in rural areas than that in urban areas. Conclusion Liver cancer in Guangdong Province exhibits a high incidence, mortality and disease burden level in 2020. There are obvious differences of gender, age and region in cancer burden. It is necessary to strengthen liver cancer screening and diagnosis and treatment in men, the elderly and those in rural areas to reduce the burden of liver cancer gradually in Guangdong Province.
3.Advances in perioperative nutritional management for patients with esophageal cancer
Zuyu ZHANG ; Bo YANG ; Rong NIU ; Jijun XUE ; Jian CHEN ; Dong LI ; Wentao ZHAO ; Wenfeng HAN ; Yue BAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(01):157-162
Esophageal cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive tract in China, and radical surgery remains the cornerstone of its comprehensive treatment. However, multifactorial challenges such as postoperative gastrointestinal tract reconstruction, traumatic stress, and tumor-related metabolic disturbances render esophageal cancer patients highly susceptible to malnutrition. Perioperative nutritional support therapy plays a crucial role in enhancing surgical safety, improving clinical outcomes, and elevating patients' quality of life by regulating metabolic homeostasis, preserving organ function, and optimizing the immune microenvironment. This article reviews the mechanisms underlying malnutrition in esophageal cancer, methods for nutritional status assessment, and precision intervention pathways based on multi-omics evaluations. The aim is to strengthen clinicians' awareness of standardized perioperative nutritional management for esophageal cancer patients and promote its clinical implementation, thereby facilitating postoperative recovery and improving long-term quality of life.
4.Impact of rapid antiviral therapy on HIV/AIDS mortality outcomes in Wuhan
Jie DING ; Xuejiao HU ; Han YAN ; Rong HU ; Pulin LIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):94-98
Objective To analyze the situation of rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) and death of HIV/AIDS in Wuhan from 1994 to 2023, and to provide a scientific basis for further rapid initiation of ART and reduction of mortality rate. Methods According to the case follow-up and treatment database of China AIDS Prevention and Control Information System, data were obtained from all the cases reported from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2023 with the current address in Wuhan City and the review status of the final review card. The data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. Results The total mortality rate of HIV/AIDS in Wuhan from 1994 to 2023 was 12.76%. The proportion of receiving antiretroviral therapy within 30 days increased year by year, and the mortality rate decreased year by year. After adjusting for sex, age, occupation, ethnicity, education level, mobile population, history of STD, route of infection, source of sample, and first CD4 value, receiving antiretroviral therapy within 30 days (HR=0.08, 95%CI: 0.07-0.10) was a protective factor for HIV/AIDS mortality. Conclusion Rapid antiretroviral therapy can significantly reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS death. A sustainable model of rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy should be further established to increase the proportion of rapid antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS in Wuhan.
5.Statistical analysis of vector monitoring in port areas of Shandong Province from 2017 to 2023
Huan-mei HAN ; Tao ZHANG ; Zhi-ping SU ; Rong-jun YAN ; Wei HUANG ; Wen-wen ZHANG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):121-127
Objective To provide a scientific basis for vector prevention and control in port areas, vector monitoring has been conducted continuously to characterize the composition, density, and seasonal fluctuations of vectors across 21 port-areas of Shandong province from 2017 to 2023. Methods In accordance with the Regional Vector Monitoring Plan for Frontier Ports, vector surveillance of mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, rodents, and other disease vectors was performed. Data were analyzed to describe vector community composition and identify seasonal fluctuations. Results A total of 601 rodents belonging to 1 family, 4 genera, and 4 species were captured. Three dominant rodent species inhabit port areas. In addition, 88 104 mosquitoes were captured and classified into 3 subfamilies, 4 genera, and 12 species; 38 959 flies were trapped and classified into 8 families,31 genera, and 51 species, including 9 dominant fly species in port-areas; and 54 672 captured cockroaches were classified into 2 families,4 genera, and 4 species, with Blattella germanica as the dominant species. Conclusions Significant vector community changes(P<0.005)have been identified after the epidemic. To improve the pertinence and efficacy of port health quarantine work, continuous and strong attention should be paid to vector compositions and population densities at Shandong ports.
6.Clinical practice guidelines for intraoperative cell salvage in patients with malignant tumors
Changtai ZHU ; Ling LI ; Zhiqiang LI ; Xinjian WAN ; Shiyao CHEN ; Jian PAN ; Yi ZHANG ; Xiang REN ; Kun HAN ; Feng ZOU ; Aiqing WEN ; Ruiming RONG ; Rong XIA ; Baohua QIAN ; Xin MA
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(2):149-167
Intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS) has been widely applied as an important blood conservation measure in surgical operations. However, there is currently a lack of clinical practice guidelines for the implementation of IOCS in patients with malignant tumors. This report aims to provide clinicians with recommendations on the use of IOCS in patients with malignant tumors based on the review and assessment of the existed evidence. Data were derived from databases such as PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Wanfang. The guideline development team formulated recommendations based on the quality of evidence, balance of benefits and harms, patient preferences, and health economic assessments. This study constructed seven major clinical questions. The main conclusions of this guideline are as follows: 1) Compared with no perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (NPABT), perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (PABT) leads to a more unfavorable prognosis in cancer patients (Recommended); 2) Compared with the transfusion of allogeneic blood or no transfusion, IOCS does not lead to a more unfavorable prognosis in cancer patients (Recommended); 3) The implementation of IOCS in cancer patients is economically feasible (Recommended); 4) Leukocyte depletion filters (LDF) should be used when implementing IOCS in cancer patients (Strongly Recommended); 5) Irradiation treatment of autologous blood to be reinfused can be used when implementing IOCS in cancer patients (Recommended); 6) A careful assessment of the condition of cancer patients (meeting indications and excluding contraindications) should be conducted before implementing IOCS (Strongly Recommended); 7) Informed consent from cancer patients should be obtained when implementing IOCS, with a thorough pre-assessment of the patient's condition and the likelihood of blood loss, adherence to standardized internally audited management procedures, meeting corresponding conditions, and obtaining corresponding qualifications (Recommended). In brief, current evidence indicates that IOCS can be implemented for some malignant tumor patients who need allogeneic blood transfusion after physician full evaluation, and LDF or irradiation should be used during the implementation process.
7.Establishment of a Gastrointestinal-Brain Inter-Organ Multimodal Characterization System Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory and Its Application in Refractory Diseases
Guanghui HAN ; Yan GUO ; Peijing RONG ; Bin CONG ; Shuangjiang LIU ; Shaoyuan LI ; Wei WEI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):561-568
The concept of holism is the core idea of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Various organs and tissues coordinate with each other to maintain the body's life activities, with a close and mutual influence between the spleen, stomach, and the central nervous system (brain). The gut-brain axis plays an important bridging role between the digestive system and the central nervous system, achieving bidirectional information exchange between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract through complex neuroendocrine and immune mechanisms. The theory of cross-organ interaction involves the mutual influence, coordination, and integration between different organs and systems; multimodality, on the other hand, utilizes multiple sensory modalities, such as vision, hearing, and touch, to convey information. By combining TCM theory with the gut-brain axis theory, a cross-organ multimodal characterization system is established to explore its mechanism and application value in refractory diseases such as functional gastrointestinal disorders, precancerous gastrointestinal diseases, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
8.Chemical constituents from Inula japonica and their anti-asthmatic activity
Yan ZHANG ; Yan-rong GUO ; Su-ping YU ; Shu-ling WANG ; Xiao-song CHEN ; Yu-xia HAN ; Ming-hao PENG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3283-3289
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Inula japonica Thunb.and their anti-asthmatic activity.METHODS Separation and purification were performed using silica gel and Sephadex LH-20,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The effect of compounds on the release rate of β-Hex was evaluated by substrate coloration method.RESULTS Twenty-three compounds were isolated and identified as dehydrodontic acid(1),vitexin(2),alternariol(3),globuxanthone(4),1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone(5),hydroxyhydrolapachol(6),isoscopoletin(7),elephanmollen(8),benzoylcholine(9),hoconobiflavone(10),clovandiol(11),hydroxydihydrobovolide(12),5,7-dihydroxycoumarin(13),scopoletin(14),orlichenol glucoside(15),urolignoside(16),9-angeloyloxythymol(17),6,3′,4′-trihydroxyaurone(18),flufuran(19),sweroside(20),guajadial(21),5,7,4′-trimethoxy-4-phenylcoumarin(22),dibutylphthalate(23).After intervention with compounds 9 and 16,the release rates of β-Hex were(56.64±2.37)%and(58.07±2.29)%,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-23 are isolated from Ⅰ.japonica for the first time.Compounds 9 and 16 have anti-asthmatic activity.
9.Embolization technique for precision superselective transarterial embolization in acute renal hemorrhage
Jian ZHANG ; Zhongbao TAN ; Zhenhai DI ; Xuequn MAO ; Rong ZOU ; Qingqing WANG ; Zhuang HAN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(4):660-663
Objective To explore the materials and embolization technique employed in precision superselective transarterial embolization for the treatment of acute renal hemorrhage.Methods The data of 50 patients with acute renal hemorrhage who underwent precision superselective transarterial embolization were retrospectively analyzed.The angiographic findings,embolic materials and embolization methods were collected.The main outcome measures were technical success rate,clinical efficacy and renal function.Results In this study,44 patients had positive angiographic findings.The clinical success rate was 90.9%(40/44)after first precision superselective transarterial embolization.In patients of failure of first embolization,3 patients underwent successful repeated embolization and 1 patient refused repeat embolization.Empirical embolization was carried out among the 6 patients with negative angiographic findings.In 32 patients with complete data for estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),there was no statistical difference before and those measured 7 d after precision superselective transarterial embolization.Conclusion Precision superselective transarterial embolization technique is an effective method for the treatment of acute renal hemorrhage,preserving renal function.
10.The effect of the out-of-plane shield on the tube current and radiation dose of CT examination
Juan ZHOU ; Yuxin HAN ; Peng QU ; Rong LÜ
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(4):669-672
Objective To explore the effect of different ways of out-of-plane shield on the tube current and cumulative radiation dose of CT scan.Methods The CT water membrane was scanned using Philips 128 row iCT scanner in different scanning methods:the 1-3 times,without the out-of-plane shield,the total length of localizer was 150 mm,270 mm,and 390 mm,respectively;the fourth time,the out-of-plane shield was used but was not present in the localizer;from the 5th to 7th pass,with out-of-plane shield and develop it in the localizer,with out-of-plane shield development lengths of 60 mm,180 mm,and 300 mm,respectively,and the out-of-plane shield was not within the formal scanning range.The tube current and cumulative radiation dose of various scanning methods were compared and a line graph of the tube current for scanning each layer was figured.Results(1)There was no statistically significant difference in tube current when there was no out-of-plane shield but the length of the localizer was different(P>0.05).(2)When the pitch was 0.8,1.0,and 1.15 respectively,with out-of-plane shield but no shield object in the localizer,the scanning tube current was lower than that without shield scanning(P<0.05).(3)When scanning with three different lengths of out-of-plane shield(60 mm,180 mm,300 mm)in the localizer,regardless of the pitch,the tube current was greater than that of unshield scanning(P<0.05).(4)When there was a shield in the localizer,the closer to the shield,the higher the tube current in the formal scan.(5)The cumulative dose of scans with out-of-plane shield but without the presence of shield in the localizer was smaller than that of unshield scanning.However,with shield and the presence of shield scanning in the localizer,the cumulative radiation dose was greater than that of unshield scanning.Conclusion The presence of out-of-plane shield in the localizer may increase the tube current and radiation dose for formal scanning,and the closer to the shield,the more significant the increase in tube current.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail