Objective To investigate the acoustic characteristics of speech in Parkinson's disease(PD)pa-tients compared to healthy individuals using smartphone-recorded speech,laying the foundation for future intelligent cloud-based PD detection.Methods A total of 81 PD patients and 63 healthy controls were randomly selected to re-cord their speech using Huawei,Xiao mi,and Apple smartphones through the"Active Health"screening app from the National Key R&D Program.Using the Praat library in Python,parameters such as mean fundamental frequen-cy(Mean F0),minimum fundamental frequency(Min F0),maximum fundamental frequency(Max F0),formants(F1,F2,F3,F4),shimmer,noise-to-harmonics ratio(NHR),and jitter were extracted and compared.Results In PD patients,jitter and shimmer were significantly higher in the/ba/,/bi/,/bu/,and/bo/vowels compared to the control group,while Mean F0 and Max F0 was significantly lower in/bi/and/bo/.Min F0 was significantly higher in/bi/and/bu/for PD patients.No significant differences were found in F1,F2,F3,or F4 between PD pa-tients and controls in/ba/,/bi/,/bo/and/bu/.Conclusion Quantitative analysis of smartphone-recorded speech can detect speech changes in PD patients,providing a solid foundation for the development of a cloud-based PD de-tection system.

Coptis chinensis Franch. and Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. are traditional herbal medicines with millennia of documented use and broad therapeutic applications, including anti-diabetic properties. However, the synergistic effect of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. The research demonstrated that the optimal ratio of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng was 4∶1, exhibiting maximal efficacy in improving insulin resistance and gluconeogenesis in primary mouse hepatocytes. This combination demonstrated significant synergistic effects in improving glucose tolerance, reducing fasting blood glucose (FBG), the weight ratio of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice. Subsequently, a T2DM liver-specific network was constructed based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments and public databases by integrating transcriptional properties of disease-associated proteins and protein-protein interactions (PPIs). The network recovery index (NRI) score of the combined treatment group with a 4∶1 ratio exceeded that of groups treated with individual components. The research identified that activated adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling in the liver played a crucial role in the synergistic treatment of T2DM, as verified by western blot experiment in db/db mice. These findings demonstrate that the 4∶1 combination of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng significantly improves insulin resistance and glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice, surpassing the efficacy of individual treatments. The synergistic mechanism correlates with enhanced AMPK/ACC signaling pathway activity.
Animals ; Panax/chemistry* ; Ginsenosides/administration & dosage* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism* ; Mice ; Male ; Alkaloids/pharmacology* ; Coptis/chemistry* ; Drug Synergism ; Insulin Resistance ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Transcriptome/drug effects* ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Hepatocytes/metabolism*

Background: Inhalation-based combination therapy has gained increasing attention for local treatments. However, a key challenge remains in ensuring the sustained pulmonary release of multiple active ingredients, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations. Objective: This study investigates a novel PulmoSphere-based inhalable carrier designed for the sustained pulmonary release of multiple active ingredients, using Shuang-Huang-Lian as a model TCM formulation containing three chemical markers. Materials and methods: The carrier was developed using PulmoSphere technology, incorporating phospholipid complexes of the chemical markers and hyaluronic acid (HA) into spray-dried microparticles. The aerodynamic properties, release characteristics, pulmonary distribution, and anti-inflammatory efficacy of different formulations were evaluated in vitro and in mice. Results: The microparticles retained the excellent aerodynamic properties of conventional PulmoSphere particles, with a mass median aerodynamic diameter of approximately 3.1 μm and a fine particle fraction of approximately 55%. Compared to free Shuang-Huang-Lian or phospholipid complex-loaded PulmoSphere particles, the HA-containing particles prolonged the retention of chemical markers in the lung epithelial lining fluid, demonstrating sustained release in vivo. Additionally, the HA-containing formulation enhanced the exposure of the three chemical markers to immune cells and lung tissues, leading to improved and prolonged anti-inflammatory effects, even at decreased doses. Conclusion: This novel inhalable particle system represents a promising approach for sustained pulmonary co-delivery of multiple active ingredients, offering enhanced and extended local therapeutic efficacy.

Objective To investigate the acoustic characteristics of speech in Parkinson's disease(PD)pa-tients compared to healthy individuals using smartphone-recorded speech,laying the foundation for future intelligent cloud-based PD detection.Methods A total of 81 PD patients and 63 healthy controls were randomly selected to re-cord their speech using Huawei,Xiao mi,and Apple smartphones through the"Active Health"screening app from the National Key R&D Program.Using the Praat library in Python,parameters such as mean fundamental frequen-cy(Mean F0),minimum fundamental frequency(Min F0),maximum fundamental frequency(Max F0),formants(F1,F2,F3,F4),shimmer,noise-to-harmonics ratio(NHR),and jitter were extracted and compared.Results In PD patients,jitter and shimmer were significantly higher in the/ba/,/bi/,/bu/,and/bo/vowels compared to the control group,while Mean F0 and Max F0 was significantly lower in/bi/and/bo/.Min F0 was significantly higher in/bi/and/bu/for PD patients.No significant differences were found in F1,F2,F3,or F4 between PD pa-tients and controls in/ba/,/bi/,/bo/and/bu/.Conclusion Quantitative analysis of smartphone-recorded speech can detect speech changes in PD patients,providing a solid foundation for the development of a cloud-based PD de-tection system.

Objective To explore the pharmacokinetic changes of single dose of fentanyl in rats in a simulated high-altitude and contributing factors.Methods Thirty-six healthy female SD rats(6～8 weeks old,250±20 g)were randomly divided into high-altitude-acute-exposure group(group A),high-altitude-chronic-exposure group(group S)and control group(group C)through random number table,with 12 rats in each group.The group A and S were housed in a low-pressure chamber simulating the high altitude of 5000 m above sea level for 3 and 30 d respectively,and the group C was housed out of the chamber(at an altitude of 300 m).A single dose of fentanyl was administered through the femoral vein to 6 rats randomly selected from each group.Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)was used to detect blood concentrations of fentanyl and WinNonlin 8.2 software was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters,while blood samples were taken through the femoral artery before and in 1,2,4,8,15,30,60,120 and 180 min after administration.The remaining 6 rats were ultrasonographically assessed for portal vein internal diameter(PVD),peak flow velocity(PVV)and blood flow(PVF),and liver tissues were collected for CYP3A1 protein content assay.Results The blood drug concentrations of fentanyl in the group A and group S were significantly lower than those in the group C at 60,120,and 180 min(P=0.002,P＜0.001,P= 0.001).Compared with the group C,the clearance rate(CL)of the group A was increased by 54.06%(P=0.021),and the mean residence time(MRTlast)was shortened by 24.21%(P=0.033);CL of the group S was increased by 50.10%(P=0.041),the area under the concentration-time curve(AUC0-t,AUC0-∞)and MRTlast were reduced by 18.92%(P=0.039),27.54%(P=0.018)and 33.61%(P= 0.004),respectively.PVD and PVF in the group S increased by 10.87%(P=0.006)and 42.50%(P= 0.006)when compared with the group C.The CYP3A1 protein content in the group A was 28.74%,which was higher than that in the group C(P=0.048).Conclusion Fentanyl is cleared significantly faster after a single dose in rats in simulated high-altitude,which may be related to the increased liver blood flow and increased CYP3A1 protein expression in liver.

Objective To explore the effect of Lee-Silverman voice treatment (LSVT) on language re-habilitation of dysarthria in Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods A total of 84 patients with PD dysarthria ad-mitted to our hospital from February 2019 to February 2022 were selected as the research objects.According to the random number table method,they were divided into observation group and control group,with 42 cases in each group.The control group received routine speech rehabilitation training,and the observation group re-ceived LSVT for four weeks.The scores of Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and Aphasia Quotient (AQ) be-fore and after intervention were compared between the two groups,and the differences of electroglottographic parameters such as jitter,F0,shimmer,normalized noise energy (NNE) and harmonic noise ratio (HNR) were compared between the two groups.Results Before intervention,there was no significant difference in WAB scores (listening comprehension,repetition,spontaneous speech,naming) and AQ scores between the two groups (P>0.05).After intervention,the above scores of the two groups were significantly improved,and the observation group was higher than the control group,the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Before intervention,the jitter,F0,shimmer,NNE,HNR of vowels "a""i""u" in the two groups were not sta-tistically significant (P>0.05).After intervention,the above-mentioned electroglottic parameters of the two groups were significantly improved.The jitter and NNE of vowels "a""i""u" in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,and the HNR was higher than that in the control group,the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion LSVT can improve the electroglottographic parameters and speech function of patients with PD dysarthria,and the language rehabilitation effect of PD dysarthria is obvious.

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical features and surgical treatment methods of primary parapharyngeal space tumors.METHODS The clinical data of 38 patients with primary parapharyngeal space tumors who were treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from June 2005 to April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,and their clinical manifestations,imaging data,surgical methods,postoperative complications,postoperative pathological types and prognosis were analyzed.RESULTS The clinical manifestations of 38 patients were mainly pharyngeal discomfort and pharyngeal distension.CT and MRI can determine the size,location,and relationship of the tumor to surrounding tissue.The surgical methods included transcervical approach in 17 cases,transoral approach in 15 cases,transcervical-transparotid approach in 4 cases,and transcervical-transmandibular approach in 2 cases.Postoperative pathology diagnosed 28 cases(73.7%)of benign tumors and 10 cases(26.3%)of malignant tumors.After the postoperative follow-up of 2 months-17 years,there was no recurrence of benign tumor patients,and patients with malignant tumors survived well after comprehensive treatment with surgery and radiotherapy and chemotherapy.CONCLUSION Most patients with primary parapharyngeal space tumors have no specific clinical symptoms,and the types of pathologies are diverse.Choosing the appropriate surgical approach to remove the tumor is key to treatment.Neurologic deficits are the most important postoperative complication.Patients with benign tumors have good long-term effects after surgery,and patients with malignant tumors have better efficacy in the combination of surgery and chemoradiotherapy.

Pharmacodynamics material basis and effective mechanisms are the two main issues to decipher the mechnisms of action of Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) for the treatment of diseases. TCMs, in "multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway" paradigm, show satisfactory clinical results in complex diseases. New ideas and methods are urgently needed to explain the complex interactions between TCMs and diseases. Network pharmacology (NP) provides a novel paradigm to uncover and visualize the underlying interaction networks of TCMs against multifactorial diseases. The development and application of NP has promoted the safety, efficacy, and mechanism investigations of TCMs, which then reinforces the credibility and popularity of TCMs. The current organ-centricity of medicine and the "one disease-one target-one drug" dogma obstruct the understanding of complex diseases and the development of effective drugs. Therefore, more attentions should be paid to shift from "phenotype and symptom" to "endotype and cause" in understanding and redefining current diseases. In the past two decades, with the advent of advanced and intelligent technologies (such as metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, single-cell omics, and artificial intelligence), NP has been improved and deeply implemented, and presented its great value and potential as the next drug-discovery paradigm. NP is developed to cure causal mechanisms instead of treating symptoms. This review briefly summarizes the recent research progress on NP application in TCMs for efficacy research, mechanism elucidation, target prediction, safety evaluation, drug repurposing, and drug design.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Network Pharmacology ; Artificial Intelligence ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolomics

Fel Ursi is a dried product obtained from the gallbladder of Ursidae animals, such as Selenarctos thibetanus or Ursus arctos, through gallbladder surgery for bile drainage. It is one of the rare animal medicinal materials in China and is known for its therapeutic effects, including clearing heat, removing toxins, extinguishing wind, relieving spasms, clearing the liver, and improving vision. Research has also found that Fel Ursi has pharmacological effects against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant stress properties. Recently, numerous studies have confirmed the close relationship between cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the gut microbiota as well as gut metabolites. Fel Ursi contains bile acid components that may have bidirectional regulatory effects on the gut microbiota and gut metabolites. This aspect could represent a potential therapeutic pathway for Fel Ursi in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This article comprehensively summarized relevant literature in China and abroad, reviewed the research progress on the pharmacological effects of Fel Ursi against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and explored the impact of Fel Ursi on gut microbiota and gut metabolites, thereby aiming to provide references for further in-depth research and clinical application of Fel Ursi.
Animals ; Cerebrovascular Disorders/drug therapy* ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Lung ; Liver ; Ursidae ; Cardiovascular Diseases/drug therapy*

Objective:To integrate qualitative research on the experience of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , to understand the experience of patients with pulmonary rehabilitation and its influencing factors, so as to provide evidence support for pulmonary rehabilitation.Methods:Qualitative research on pulmonary rehabilitation experience of COPD patients was retrieved by computer in 8 databases including the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang and VIP. The retrieval time limit was from the establishment of the database to August 20, 2021. The quality of the articles those met the requirements were evaluated by the quality evaluation criteria for qualitative research of the Australian Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center, and the results of each study were further integrated and analyzed.Results:A total of 12 articles were included, and 47 clear topics were extracted, and similar topics were summarized into 7 new categories. A total of 3 integrated results were synthesized, namely rehabilitation efficacy, pulmonary rehabilitation motivation, and pulmonary rehabilitation obstacles.Conclusions:COPD patients who can persist in training perceive the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation, and both the pulmonary rehabilitation environment and interpersonal support are factors that promote their pulmonary rehabilitation. The patients' own condition and transportation and economic difficulties are the main obstacles. Therefore, the patients' physical and economic status should be comprehensively evaluated during pulmonary rehabilitation, and the most suitable pulmonary rehabilitation program should be selected.