Consciousness, which underpins human perception, cognition, and behavioural responses, has long been a major focus of neuroscience and medicine. Alterations in consciousness occur not only during reversible processes such as sleep and anaesthesia, but also in pathological conditions, including disorders of consciousness (DOC) and brain injury. With recent advances in the synchronized acquisition and analysis of multimodal physiological signals, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG), the dynamic interactions between the heart and brain have become increasingly apparent. A growing body of evidence indicates that heart-brain interactions are closely associated with the maintenance and transition of consciousness states, offering a novel perspective for elucidating their underlying mechanisms and supporting relevant clinical assessments. Current approaches to heart-brain interaction analysis for consciousness-state assessment can be broadly grouped into three categories: ECG-based methods, EEG-based methods, and heart-brain coupling analysis. These approaches characterize heart-brain interactions during changes in consciousness from the complementary perspectives of autonomic regulation, cortical interoceptive processing, and cross-system information transfer, respectively. Nevertheless, this field remains at an early stage. Most studies have focused on a single experimental context or a fixed analytical method, with insufficient systematic consideration of the applicability and limitations of different approaches. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying the emergence and alteration of consciousness remain incompletely understood. Accordingly, this review examines heart-brain interaction methods employed in recent consciousness-state assessment studies in accordance with progressively deeper analytical perspectives, and systematically evaluates the advantages and limitations of these methods across distinct consciousness-related conditions. Heart rate variability (HRV) is one of the classical ECG-based indices used to investigate heart-brain interactions. It refers to fluctuations in consecutive interbeat intervals over a specified time period and is regarded as a physiological measure of autonomic nervous system regulation that may indirectly reflect the strength of heart-brain interactions. Depending on the analytical dimension, HRV analysis is commonly divided into time-domain, frequency-domain, and complexity-index analyses. These approaches characterize autonomic activity in terms of temporal fluctuations, the distribution of frequency components, and nonlinear dynamical properties, respectively. Although extensive research supports their physiological interpretation, they cannot characterize directional interactions from the heart to the brain. Among EEG-based methods for heart-brain interaction analysis, EEG activity directly related to cardiac fluctuations has received particular attention. One of the most widely used measures is the heartbeat-evoked potential (HEP). HEP-based approaches are considered to directly reflect the capacity of the cerebral cortex to process cardiac afferent signals and may be especially advantageous for characterizing rapidly changing consciousness levels, such as those observed during sleep. However, they do not comprehensively capture dynamic bidirectional information exchange between the brain and heart and are susceptible to cardiac artefacts, respiration, and variation in preprocessing procedures. Heart-brain coupling analysis quantifies functional associations between ECG and EEG through cross-system interaction measures, thereby assessing dynamic interactions between the heart and brain. It emphasizes information transfer, feedback regulation, and cross-timescale coordination between the two systems, offering a more comprehensive perspective for investigating changes in consciousness during sleep, anaesthesia, and DOC. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms and physiological interpretation of individual computational indices have not yet been fully established, and the robustness of their results and their potential for clinical generalization require further validation. Finally, this review summarizes the commonalities and differences among the three classes of methods across research domains involving different consciousness states. It further argues that heart-brain interaction research requires deeper investigation at both the mechanistic level of consciousness and the level of clinical application. Current challenges and key issues are identified, and future directions and feasible pathways for heart-brain interaction research are discussed, with the aim of providing new perspectives for researchers in related fields.

A method for simultaneous determination of 21 kinds of Aconitum alkaloids(ATS)in biological specimens and infused liquor using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)was developed.The biological samples were pretreated with methanol-acetonitrile(1∶2,V/V)for protein precipitation,while infused liquors were diluted 100-fold with acetonitrile,followed by centrifugation,and filtration by a 0.22-μm membrane.Chromatographic separation was carried out on an EC-C18 column using gradient elution with the mixture of 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 0.2%formic acid as mobile phase A and acetonitrile as mobile phase B.With this method,all the analytes were separated within 9.5 min.The samples were detected in positive ESI mode with dynamic multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)and quantified via external standard calibration.The results showed that the concentrations of the analytes in the range of 2-1000 ng/mL had excellent linearity(R2>0.9992)with the peak area.The developed method was successfully used for detection of 21 kinds of aconitum alkaloids,with limits of detection of 0.5-2 ng/mL,quantification limits of 2-6 ng/mL,intra/inter-day precision≤6.0%,spiked recoveries of 89.4%-100.9%,extraction recoveries of 74.2%-104.4%,and matrix effects ranging from-11.1%to 9.2%in blood/urine.The method was applied to detection of 12 samples from 4 fatal aconite poisoning cases,and all 21 kinds of ATS with total alkaloid concentrations of 0.04-4.18 μg/mL in blood and 154.96-422.83 μg/mL in medicinal liquors were detected.Tissue distribution revealed that the order of concentrations from highest to lowest is as follows:urine(157.22 μg/mL)>gastric contents(51.37 μg/mL)>kidney(21.6 μg/g)>whole blood(4.18 μg/mL)>liver(0.03 μg/g).This method showed many advantages such as simple pretreatment,low detection limits,accurate quantification,broad analyte coverage,and superior anti-interference capability in complex matrices,proving ideal for forensic and toxicological analysis of aconitum alkaloids.

Objective To explore the effect of endoscopic surgery via trans-axilloareolar sternocleidomastoid intermuscular approach for unilateral thyroid cancer.Methods A total of 116 patients with unilateral thyroid cancer admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to March 2023 were selected,and all of them underwent unilateral thyroidectomy+isthmus resection+central lymph node dissection under endoscopy.The patients were divided into the observation group and the control group according to random number table method,with 58 cases in each group.Patients in the observation group received the trans-axilloareolar sternocleidomastoid intermuscular approach,and patients in the control group received subclavian approach.The surgical-related indicators,stress indicators[adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),norepinephrine(NE),cortisol(Cor)]before and after surgery,parathyroid hormone(PTH),blood calcium level,postoperative incision aesthetics satisfaction,and occurrence of complications were compared between the two groups.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the operation time,intraoperative blood loss,or postoperative drainage volume of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).The dissection number of lymph nodes in the central region of patients in the observation group was greater than that in the control group(P<0.05).In the two groups,the levels of NE,Cor,and ACTH 1 day and 3 days after surgery were higher than those before surgery(P<0.05),and the levels of NE,Cor and ACTH 1 day after surgery were higher than those 3 days after surgery(P<0.05);the levels of NE,Cor and ACTH 1 day and 3 days after surgery of patients in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).In the two groups,the levels of PTH and serum calcium 1 day and 3 days after surgery were lower than those before surgery(P<0.05),and the levels of PTH and serum calcium 3 days after surgery were lower than those 1 day after surgery(P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in the levels of PTH or serum calcium 1 day and 3 days after surgery between the two groups(P>0.05).The satisfaction of postoperative incision aesthetics in the observation group(100%)was higher than that in the control group(72.41%),with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Endoscopic surgery via trans-axilloareolar sternocleidomastoid intermuscular approach is safe and feasible for unilateral thyroid cancer,which has a mild stress response and inconspicuous incisions,with high satisfaction of incision aesthetics for patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is characterized by bidi-rectional bone remodeling imbalance,clinically termed the "high resorption-low formation" paradox,stemming not only from osteoclast hyperactivation but also critically involving pro-found suppression of osteoblast differentiation and function.No-tably,this suppression cannot be fully attributed to osteoclast hyperactivity;synovium-resident immune cells exert a pivotal regulatory influence through distinct mechanisms.This review systematically examines how synovial immune cells orchestrate bone remodeling in RA through both paracrine cytokine networks and direct cell-cell communication with bone lineage cells,thereby perturbing physiological homeostasis and driving patho-logical progression.These mechanistic revelations yield innova-tive perspectives on RA pathogenesis,positioning immune-medi-ated osteoimmune dysregulation as a promising therapeutic fron-tier for targeted intervention.

AIM:A strain was isolated and identified as the H3N8 subtype of the avian influenza virus from a sick chicken at a farm in Yangjiang,Guangdong Province,named A/chicken/Yangjiang/552/2023(abbreviated as YJ/552).The aim of this research is to determine its genetic evolution,biological properties and pathogenicity in hamsters.This study may provide a theoretical strategy for preventing and treating the H3N8 subtype avian influenza virus-induced epidemic.METHODS:A strain of H3N8 avian influenza virus from chickens was characterised by phylogenetic analy-sis,antigenic diversity,receptor-binding specificity,neuraminidase activity,replication,and transmission in hamsters and a systematic pathological analysis was conducted.RESULTS:This novel avian influenza virus was generated through complex recombination of Eurasian avian H3 genes,North American avian N8 genes and six internal genes of H9N2 sub-type AIV.The cleavage site of the outer protein,HA,was PEKQTR↓GLF,which is characteristic of the low pathogenic avian influenza virus.The HA gene of YJ/552 exhibited the highest nucleotide homology with A/China/ZMD-22-2/2022(H3N8)at 99.09%,while the NA gene showed the highest homology with A/chicken/Dongguan/879/2022(H3N8)at 99.01%.This strain preferentially binds to avian-type receptors and could bind to human-type receptors.This virus could effectively replicate in the trachea and lungs of inoculated and contact hamsters.CONCLUSION:YJ/552 is a recombi-nant H3N8 avian influenza virus replicated in the upper respiratory system and transmitted in hamsters.This study pro-vides data support for the early warning and prevention of H3 subtype avian influenza viruses.

To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

To guide clinical blood transfusion practices for pediatric patients, the National Health Commission has issued the health standard "Guideline for pediatric transfusion" (WS/T 795-2022). Blood transfusion is one of the most commonly used supportive treatments for children with hematological diseases. This guideline provides guidance and recommendations for blood transfusions in children with aplastic anemia, thalassemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. This article presents the evidence and interpretation of the blood transfusion provisions for children with hematological diseases in the "Guideline for pediatric transfusion", aiming to assist in the understanding and implementing the blood transfusion section of this guideline.
Humans ; Child ; Hematologic Diseases/therapy* ; Blood Transfusion/standards* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

To guide clinical blood transfusion practices for pediatric patients, the National Health Commission has issued the health standard "Guideline for pediatric transfusion" (WS/T 795-2022). Blood transfusion for children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is highly complex and challenging. This guideline provides recommendations on transfusion thresholds and the selection of blood components for these children. This article presents the evidence and interpretation of the transfusion provisions for children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with the aim of enhancing the understanding and implementation of the "Guideline for pediatric transfusion".
Humans ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Child ; Blood Transfusion/standards* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

To guide clinical blood transfusion practices for pediatric patients, the National Health Commission has issued the health standard "Guideline for pediatric transfusion" (WS/T 795-2022). Critically ill children often present with anemia and have a higher demand for transfusions compared to other pediatric patients. This guideline provides guidance and recommendations for blood transfusions in cases of general critical illness, septic shock, acute brain injury, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, non-life-threatening bleeding, and hemorrhagic shock. This article interprets the background and evidence of the blood transfusion provisions for critically ill and severely bleeding children in the "Guideline for pediatric transfusion", aiming to enhance understanding and implementation of this aspect of the guidelines. Citation:Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 2025, 27(4): 395-403.
Humans ; Critical Illness ; Blood Transfusion/standards* ; Child ; Hemorrhage/therapy* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

To guide clinical blood transfusion practices in pediatric patients, the National Health Commission has issued the health standard "Guideline for pediatric transfusion" (WS/T 795-2022). Children undergoing cardiac surgery are at high risk of bleeding, and the causes of perioperative anemia and coagulation disorders in neonates and children are complex and varied, often necessitating the transfusion of allogeneic blood components. This guideline provides direction and recommendations for specific measures in blood management for children undergoing cardiac surgery before, during, and after surgery. This article interprets the background and evidence for the formulation of the blood transfusion provisions for children undergoing cardiac surgery, hoping to facilitate the understanding and implementation of this guideline.
Humans ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Blood Transfusion/standards* ; Child ; Practice Guidelines as Topic