1.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Inulae Flos in Famous Classical Formulas
Caixia LIU ; Yue HAN ; Yanzhu MA ; Lei GAO ; Sheng WANG ; Yan YANG ; Wenchuan LUO ; Ling JIN ; Jing SHAO ; Zhijia CUI ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):210-221
In this paper, by referring to ancient and modern literature, the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name, origin, production area, quality evaluation, harvesting, processing and others, so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research, it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties, Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name, and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao, Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica, and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species, there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia, I. helianthus-aquatili, and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan, Hubei and other places, and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower, the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months, and dried in the sun, and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom, in order to remove impurities, dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition, the roots, whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times, there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos, and in modern times, it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure, small receptacles, large blooms, yellow petals, long filaments, many fluffs, no fragments, and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning, steaming, and sun-drying, supplemented by techniques such as boiling, roasting, burning, simmering, stir-frying, and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties, ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter, pungent, and salty in taste, with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras, including descending Qi, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results, it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos, either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements, where no processing instructions are specified, the raw products may be used after cleaning.
3.Compact Fundus Imaging System Using Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensing for High-speed Auto-focus
Zhe-Kai LIN ; Long CHEN ; Geng-Yong ZHENG ; Jin-Tian HUANG ; Jia-Xin DONG ; Shang-Pan YANG ; Wen-Zheng DING ; Ding-An HAN ; Xue-Hua WANG ; Ya-Guang ZENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1076-1086
ObjectiveThe widespread adoption of portable fundus cameras for primary care and community screening is hindered by limitations in current autofocus(AF) technologies. Image-based methods relying on sharpness evaluation require iterative searches, resulting in slow convergence, while projection-based techniques are susceptible to optical artifacts and calibration errors. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel AF system based on direct wavefront sensing, designed to deliver simultaneous high speed, high precision, and operational robustness within the compact form factor essential for portable ophthalmic devices. MethodsOur approach fundamentally reimagines the AF process by directly measuring the ocular wavefront aberration. We developed a custom portable fundus camera integrating a miniaturized Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS) into the optical path. An 850 nm laser diode projects a point source onto the retina via oblique illumination to minimize corneal reflections. Light scattered from this spot carries the eye’s refractive error through the imaging optics and is directed to the SHWS, positioned at a plane optically conjugate to the primary color CMOS imaging sensor. A microlens array within the SHWS samples the incident wavefront, generating a pattern of focal spots on a CCD. Real-time centroid analysis of these spots provides a map of local wavefront slopes. These measurements are processed through a singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithm to fit a Zernike polynomial basis set, enabling real-time reconstruction of the wavefront phase. The defocus component (S) is extracted from the second-order Zernike coefficients, providing a direct, quantitative measure of the refractive error in diopters. This value serves as a precise error signal in a closed-loop control system, which commands a voice-coil actuated focusing lens to its null position in a single, deterministic step, eliminating the need for iterative search algorithms. ResultsComprehensive evaluation demonstrated the system’s high performance. Testing on a calibrated model eye (OEMI-7) established a highly linear relationship between the computed defocus S and the focusing lens position across a ±20 Diopter (D) compensation range, achievable within a 5 mm mechanical travel. The system achieved a focusing precision of 0.08 D, corresponding to an 18-fold improvement over a conventional projection spot-size method tested under identical conditions. The total focus acquisition time, encompassing wavefront measurement, computation, and lens actuation, averaged under 0.5 s. Clinical validation with 25 human volunteers (50 eyes, refractive range -15 D to +10 D) confirmed practical efficacy. The wavefront-sensing AF succeeded in 92% of attempts with a mean time of 0.5 s, substantially outperforming a projection-based benchmark which achieved only a 32% success rate with an average time of 4.25 s. The system provided instantaneous directional guidance and maintained stability during minor ocular movements. Objective assessment of image quality, via amplitude contrast of retinal vasculature, showed consistent and significant enhancement following AF correction across the entire tested diopter range. ConclusionThis work successfully implements and validates a direct wavefront-sensing autofocus paradigm for portable fundus cameras. By directly quantifying and compensating for the optical defocus aberration, this method bypasses the fundamental limitations of image-processing and projection-based techniques, enabling rapid, precise, and deterministic diopter compensation. The developed system delivers an exceptional combination of a wide operational range (±20 D), high accuracy (0.08 D), fast convergence (0.5 s), and a compact physical footprint. This technology provides a practical and high-performance focusing solution capable of enhancing the reliability, throughput, and diagnostic utility of portable retinal imaging in large-scale screening applications. Future efforts will be directed towards system cost optimization and performance adaptation for diverse ocular conditions.
4.Current awareness and optimization recommendations regarding the pneumonia with unknown etiology surveillance system among healthcare professionals in Shanghai
Qiwen FANG ; Chenyan JIANG ; Xin CHEN ; Huanyu WU ; Bihong JIN ; Xiaohuan GONG ; Shenghua MAO ; Qi QIU ; Ruobing HAN ; Huilin SHI ; Wenbin DONG ; Xin HU ; Jian CHEN ; Yaxu ZHENG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(6):482-487
ObjectiveTo investigate the current awareness and optimization recommendations on pneumonia with unknown etiology (PUE) surveillance among Shanghai healthcare professionals, and to provide evidence for the improvement of the surveillance system. MethodsIn December 2024, healthcare professional participants from diverse medical and health institutions were randomly selected within each stratum using a stratified cluster sampling method in all 16 districts of Shanghai for questionnaire surveys on their knowledge and suggestions for optimization of the PUE surveillance system. Descriptive statistics analyses, multivariate logistic regressions, and content analyses were used for data analyses. ResultsA total of 385 survey subjects were involved in the study, including 119 professional staffs from disease prevention and control centers and 266 from medical institutions. Those who understood the case definition for PUE correctly accounted for 67.01% (258/385). Multivariate regression model analyses showed that female gender (aOR=2.22, 95%CI: 1.36‒3.66), professionals from disease control institutions (aOR=2.02, 95%CI: 1.12‒3.72), and those who self-assessed as being familiar with the monitoring system (aOR=2.18, 95%CI:1.23‒3.89) had better understanding of the definition. Overall, 89.61% (345/385) of the survey subjects acknowledged the necessity of the surveillance system. Small number of cases meeting the case definition (54.46%, 214/379), insufficient diagnostic awareness (39.84%, 151/379), and lack of incentives for case reporting (29.29%, 111/379) were major problems for the current surveillance system, with variations observed across different types of institutions. Suggested segments for optimizing the surveillance system included monitoring purpose, case definition, form of monitoring and reporting procedure, organization mechanism, and epidemiological investigation and response. ConclusionThe necessity of PUE surveillance is commonly recognized among healthcare workers. However, the existing system falls short in terms of mastery of case definition and overall surveillance adaptability. There is an urgent need for optimization and improvement to enhance the capacity for preventing and controlling emerging and sudden respiratory infectious diseases.
5.Differentiation and Treatment of Late-Stage Sequelae of Cerebrovascular Disease Through Unblocking and Supplementing Brain Collaterals Based on the Collateral Disease Theory
Zicheng ZHAO ; Yongkang SUN ; Yijun WU ; Yilong SUN ; Yanbo SONG ; Jin HAN ; Dan SONG ; Xinzhi WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(17):1899-1904
Based on the theory of collateral disease, the treatment of late-stage sequela of cerebrovascular disease is considered to be primarily associated with deficiency and obstruction of cerebral collaterals and dysfunction of the spirit mechanism. Therefore, the fundamental therapeutic principle is to unblock and supplement the brain collaterals. Clinically, the late-stage sequelae of cerebrovascular disease are classified into four patterns, which are malnourishment, deficiency-heat, stasis obstruction, and phlegm clouding of brain collaterals. These are treated respectively with Tiansui Tongqiao Decoction (填髓通窍汤) to supplement essence and nourish the brain through moistening, unblocking and supplementing, Qingnao Touluo Decoction (清脑透络汤) to enrich yin, regulate spirit, and unblock collaterals through clearing and penetrating, Yiqi Tongluo Decoction (益气通络汤) to tonify qi and resolve stasis while softening tendons and unblocking collaterals, and Xinrun Touqiao Beverage (辛润透窍饮) to unblock and tonify yin and yang while unblocking the collaterals through acrid-moistening medicinals. Flexible modification of prescriptions according to individual symptoms was applied, resulting in favorable therapeutic outcomes.
6.Clinical study on the application of Laennec membrane space in repeated liver transplantation
Yang YU ; Dazhi TIAN ; Han LIN ; Jiaming LIU ; Ye JIN ; Zhaoyang LU
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(5):765-771
Objective To explore the application value of Laennec's membrane space in dealing with complex anatomical variations and dense adhesions during repeated liver transplantation (Re-LT). Methods The clinical data of 8 cases of Re-LT recipients treated in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the First Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. During the operation, based on the Laennec's membrane anatomical concept, the remaining Laennec space and the free technique within the hepatic portal plate were flexibly applied for dissection. Specifically, the first hepatic portal main ducts (biliary and portal veins) were dissected by lowering the hepatic portal plate inside the Laennec's membrane space, and the second hepatic portal was exposed to perform the modified piggyback liver transplantation to avoid the injury to the right adrenal gland and right kidney caused by the free inferior vena cava below the liver. Moreover, the dense adhesions between the liver and hollow organs were separated by a combination of blunt and sharp dissection within the subcapsular space of the liver capsule (Glisson capsule). Results All 8 cases of recipients successfully completed the surgery. Among them, 7 cases underwent end-to-end biliary anastomosis with a T-tube left in place, and 1 underwent choledochoenteric anastomosis, 2 cases underwent modified piggyback reconstruction, 2 cases used the subcapsular dissection technique to handle organ adhesions. One recipient died of generalized drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection combined with septic shock after the operation, while the remaining 7 cases were discharged after the main complications (such as delayed graft function recovery, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, etc.) were cured or significantly improved. Two cases of recipients who used the subcapsular dissection technique effectively avoided the secondary injury of hollow organs, and no digestive tract leakage complications occurred after the operation. Conclusions By flexibly applying Laennec's membrane space and the intrahepatic portal plate free technique in Re-LT, it may effectively cope with the loss of anatomical layers and vascular dense adhesions, reducing the surgical difficulty and the risk of secondary injury, providing important technical support for improving the prognosis of recipients.
7.Exploring the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Somatic Symptom Disorder Based on the Correlation Among Spirit,Membrane-Striae-Three Jiao (焦) and the Five Zang (脏) Organs
Jin HAN ; Yongkang SUN ; Xinzhi WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(19):2077-2081
This study explores the pathogenesis characteristics and treatment of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) from the perspective of the mutual influence among mental activities, qi transformation within membrane-striae-three jiao (焦), and the functions of the five zang (脏) organs. It is proposed that the emotional, cognitive, and somatic perceptual abnormalities observed in SSD are closely associated with dysfunction of the spirit mechanism. Such dysfunction may disturb the ascent and descent of qi movement as well as the distribution of qi, blood, and body fluids, thereby leading to stagnation of membrane-striae-three jiao and disharmony of the five zang organs. Conversely, impaired membrane-striae and dysfunction of the five zang organs may further aggravate emotional abnormalities and somatic discomfort. These three aspects interact with one another and jointly contribute to the onset, progression, and persistence of SSD. Treatment should focus not only on calming the spirit, harmonizing the body, and regulating emotions, but also on unblocking membrane-striae and facilitating qi movement, and take into account the functional imbalances of the five zang organs. The ultimate goal is to achieve tranquility of the spirit, unobstructed membrane, and harmony of the zang organs, thereby addressing both the manifestations and the root causes of the disorder and reducing the risk of recurrence.
8.Mechanistic Study on IRF7-mediated Regulation of Learning and Memory Function by Aerobic Exercise in Aged Mice
Min-Yan ZHENG ; Xiao-Han HUANG ; Chang-Ling WEI ; Yuan-Ting ZHANG ; Yu JIN ; Xue LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(9):2449-2461
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which aerobic exercise improves hippocampal neuroinflammation and learning and memory ability in brain-aged mice via interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7). MethodsA total of 60 male specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6J mice were enrolled in the experiment, including 30 young mice (2 months old) and 30 naturally aging mice (12 months old). Young mice and old mice were respectively randomly assigned to four groups: young control group (group C, n=15), young exercise group (group CE, n=15), and aging control group (group A, n=15), aging exercise group (group AE, n=15). Mice in the exercise groups received an 8-week continuous treadmill aerobic exercise intervention, while control mice were kept under routine feeding without exercise intervention. After the intervention, Barnes maze and Y-maze behavioral tests were performed to comprehensively assess the learning and memory abilities of each group of mice. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructural morphological changes of hippocampal synapses. Western blot assay was utilized to detect the protein expression and phosphorylation levels of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), as well as the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95). Immunofluorescence staining was applied to quantify the fluorescence intensity of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1) in hippocampal tissues. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines including interferon-α (IFN-α), interferon-β (IFN-β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression level of IRF7, and DNA methylation assay was further conducted to analyze the methylation level of the IRF7 gene in mouse hippocampus. ResultsAt the molecular level, compared with group C, the protein expression levels of JAK1, STAT1, p‑JAK1, and p‑STAT1 in group A were significantly increased (P<0.05), whereas PSD95 expression was decreased (P<0.05). ELISA assays showed that the levels of IFN‑α, IFN‑β, TNF‑α, and IL‑1β were significantly elevated in group A (P<0.001). RT‑PCR analysis revealed that, compared with group C, the mRNA expression of IRF7 in group A was markedly upregulated (P<0.000 1), while the CpG methylation rate of the IRF7 promoter was significantly reduced (P<0.05). In contrast, all the above parameters in the AE group showed improvements relative to those in group A. Immunofluorescence staining indicated positive IBA1 expression in the brain tissues of group A mice. Exercise intervention reversed these abnormal changes. ConclusionIn aged mice, aerobic exercise induces hypermethylation of the IRF7 promoter region, suppresses IRF7 expression and activation of the downstream IFN‑I/JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway, accompanied by alleviated neuroinflammation, improved learning and memory, and ameliorated brain aging-related phenotypes.
9.Exploring the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Somatic Symptom Disorder Based on the Correlation Among Spirit,Membrane-Striae-Three Jiao (焦) and the Five Zang (脏) Organs
Jin HAN ; Yongkang SUN ; Xinzhi WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(19):2077-2081
This study explores the pathogenesis characteristics and treatment of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) from the perspective of the mutual influence among mental activities, qi transformation within membrane-striae-three jiao (焦), and the functions of the five zang (脏) organs. It is proposed that the emotional, cognitive, and somatic perceptual abnormalities observed in SSD are closely associated with dysfunction of the spirit mechanism. Such dysfunction may disturb the ascent and descent of qi movement as well as the distribution of qi, blood, and body fluids, thereby leading to stagnation of membrane-striae-three jiao and disharmony of the five zang organs. Conversely, impaired membrane-striae and dysfunction of the five zang organs may further aggravate emotional abnormalities and somatic discomfort. These three aspects interact with one another and jointly contribute to the onset, progression, and persistence of SSD. Treatment should focus not only on calming the spirit, harmonizing the body, and regulating emotions, but also on unblocking membrane-striae and facilitating qi movement, and take into account the functional imbalances of the five zang organs. The ultimate goal is to achieve tranquility of the spirit, unobstructed membrane, and harmony of the zang organs, thereby addressing both the manifestations and the root causes of the disorder and reducing the risk of recurrence.
10.Delayed Peripheral Facial Palsy after Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Territory of Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery
Sung Taek HWANG ; Jin Yong LEE ; Hyunbeom LEE ; Kyung Han KIM ; Hak Young RHEE
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2026;44(1):54-58
A 76-year-old male presented with dizziness and disequilibrium. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an acute ischemic stroke in the left anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) territory. Three days after admission the patient developed peripheral facial palsy with no radiological exacerbation of the infarction. He was managed with antiplatelet therapy and supportive care. Both the facial palsy and initial cerebellar symptoms resolved within 1 month. This case highlights delayed facial palsy as a rare presentation of AICA infarction.

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