ObjectiveZheng’s San Qi San (ZSQS) power, a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is used for treating soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen and identify pharmaceutically active ingredients and their candidate biomolecule targets, and further elucidate the molecular mechanism of ZSQS in the treatment of skeletal muscle injury. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was employed to construct “ZSQS-component-target”, “protein-protein interaction (PPI)” and “active ingredient-core protein-pathway” networks to predict the key active ingredients and potential core targets of ZSQS for skeletal muscle injury. The predicted results were then validated via microarray data from the GEO database. Molecular docking was then performed to assess the binding ability between the screened active ingredients of ZSQS and the candidate core targets. Moreover, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis to verify the active components of the drug and ZSQS serum. Finally, an animal model of eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury and a myotube cell model of oxidative stress-induced injury were established to validate the effects of ZSQS and its interventional effects on the biological functions of critical targets, thereby demonstrating the potential therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. ResultsAmong the 111 active components identified in ZSQS and their corresponding 204 targets related to the skeletal muscle injury repair process, 14 core targets (including AKT1) and 4 core active components (quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and β‑sitosterol) were screened out, while the corresponding metabolites of quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol were detected in the ZSQS serum. Among these targets, 5 candidate genes (IL-6, CASP3, HIF1A, STAT3, and JUN) overlapped with the differential expression screening results with GEO data, and IL-6 was confirmed to be enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Combined with the prediction results of the AKT expression levels, these findings suggest that the phosphorylation level of AKT1 plays a core role in the therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. Molecular docking analysis further revealed that the PH domain of AKT1 had high binding energy with all 4 core active components, as verified by LC-MS. Finally, animal model studies have shown the promoting effect of ZSQS administration on skeletal muscle injury repair and its possible antioxidant damage mechanism. Cell model studies further demonstrated that ZSQS-containing serum, core active ingredient combination therapy, and quercetin monomer could increase the phosphorylation level of AKT, promote the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, upregulate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GR), and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), thereby alleviating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. ConclusionZSQS alleviates skeletal muscle injury mainly by activating the AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the clinical application and modernized development of ZSQS.

ObjectivePhotoacoustic tomography (PAT) holds significant potential for high-resolution deep-tissue imaging. In preclinical research, custom-designed concave arc-shaped ultrasound transducer arrays are often used to maximize the detection aperture. However, manufacturing limitations and assembly tolerances frequently cause the actual physical positions of array elements to deviate from their theoretical design. Additionally, concave arrays are typically covered with an acoustic lens, which introduces a mismatch in the speed of sound between the coupling medium and the lens material. The combination of these geometric and acoustic-phase errors leads to severe image artifacts, reduced contrast, and degraded resolution. This study proposes a systematic two-step calibration strategy to address these issues and substantially improve image quality. MethodsFirst, a high-intensity isotropic photoacoustic point source was constructed using a multi-mode optical fiber coated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to acquire high signal-to-noise ratio calibration data. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) was employed to accurately determine the time of arrival (ToA) of photoacoustic signals. Subsequently, a geometric calibration algorithm based on nonlinear least-squares (NLS) estimation was developed. This algorithm iteratively solves for the true spatial coordinates of each array element by minimizing the residual between theoretical and measured acoustic path lengths. To further address sound-speed inhomogeneity caused by the acoustic lens, a phase compensation algorithm based on bilinear interpolation was proposed. This algorithm computes a pixel-specific phase delay map across the imaging region and performs point-by-point signal correction during delay-and-sum (DAS) reconstruction. The proposed methods were validated using a custom 96-channel concave arc-shaped array (center frequency: 12  MHz) through both phantom imaging and in vivo mouse tumor models. ResultsPhantom experiments showed that at an imaging depth of14 mm, the reconstruction position deviation of the point source in the uncalibrated system reached up to 1  mm. After applying the combined calibration, the lateral resolution (full width at half maximum, FWHM) at the focal point of the arc array reached 95  μm—representing a 85% reduction compared to the uncalibrated state and a 79% reduction compared to geometric calibration alone without phase compensation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the calibrated system clearly resolved the microvascular network of subcutaneous tumors in mice. Photoacoustic signals were strictly confined within tumor boundaries delineated by ultrasound imaging (USI), eliminating the vascular spillover artifacts commonly observed in uncalibrated images. Furthermore, after intravenous injection of indocyanine green (ICG), the system successfully detected weak photoacoustic signals at a depth of 5 mm, performing significantly better than the uncalibrated system. ConclusionThe proposed calibration method, which integrates nonlinear least-squares estimation with phase compensation, significantly improves image fidelity and spatial resolution consistency across a wide field of view by correcting systemic geometric errors and acoustic phase aberrations. This approach demonstrates high robustness and provides a reliable technical foundation for the clinical translation of photoacoustic probes with non-standard geometries.

ObjectiveMigraine is a leading neurological disorder and the fourth most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting nearly 116 million individuals. Although pharmacological treatments are available, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and variable response rates. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a safe, non-invasive alternative for migraine management. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly how rTMS modulates local cortical excitability and distributed pain-related circuits, remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving clinical outcomes. MethodsThis study employed concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to investigate neuroplastic and neurocircuitry mechanisms of DLPFC-rTMS in migraine. Study 1 compared 30 migraineurs and 28 healthy controls to identify abnormalities in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and significant current density (SCD) within sensory-discriminative regions including the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and posterior insula (pINS), cognitive-affective regions including the anterior insula (aINS) and midcingulate cortex (MCC), and a descending modulatory region, the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Study 2 used a single-blind, crossover, sham-controlled design in 34 healthy participants. Each participant received both active (10 Hz, 80% RMT, 1 500 pulses) and sham DLPFC-rTMS in counterbalanced order. TMS-EEG and cold pain tolerance were assessed before and after each session. ResultsIn Study 1, migraineurs showed a significantly less negative N120 amplitude compared to healthy controls (P=0.027, Cohen’s d=0.60), indicating local intracortical disinhibition. No group differences were observed for N40, P60, or P180 components. At the source level, migraineurs exhibited significantly higher SCD in the S1, pINS, aINS, and MCC (allQ<0.05), but not in the ventroposterior thalamus (vpTHAL), mediodorsal thalamus (mdTHAL), or PAG. In Study 2, active rTMS significantly reduced SCD from pre- to post-stimulation in the S1, aINS, and MCC (all Q<0.05). Sham stimulation also reduced SCD in the S1 (Q<0.05) but not in the aINS or MCC. Although no significant group-level analgesic effect was observed between active and sham conditions (P=0.107), correlation analyses revealed that greater SCD reductions in the S1 and MCC were significantly associated with higher post-rTMS pain tolerance (R=-0.487 and -0.495, both Q<0.01) and larger improvements in pain tolerance(R=-0.487 and -0.451, both Q<0.05). No such correlations were found following sham stimulation, suggesting that the behavioural relevance of neural changes is specific to active rTMS. ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that migraineurs exhibit both local neuroplastic abnormalities (reduced N120 amplitude) and hyperactivity in key pain-processing regions (S1, pINS, aINS, MCC). A single session of DLPFC-rTMS reduced hyperactivity in the aINS, MCC, and S1. Notably, greater reductions in the S1 and MCC were associated with improved pain tolerance. These findings identify distinct cortical circuitries, particularly within the cognitive-affective pain network, that may serve as potential biomarkers for optimizing rTMS treatment in migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Future studies should validate these results in patient populations experiencing spontaneous migraine attacks and explore multi-session or accelerated rTMS protocols.

Objective We reviewed and analyzed the epidemiological data of 83 imported dengue fever cases reported in Fengtai District, Beijing, from 2007 to 2025, to delineate their epidemiological characteristics and guide the dengue fever prevention and control strategy in the future. Methods Data on dengue fever cases in Fengtai District from 2007 to 2025 were collected to identify the epidemic factors and characteristics using descriptive epidemiological method. Results All 83 dengue fever cases reported in this region over the past two decades have been imported from abroad or other domestic areas, with Southeast Asian countries being identified as the primary source of imported infections, accounting for 42 cases (50.60%), followed by 15 cases (18.07%) from Chinese provinces other than Beijing. The remaining import sources included 13 cases from South Asia,8 from African countries, and each from Oceania, South America, and Europe. Disease onset was found concentrated between May and November. The sex ratio (male-to-female) is 1.59:1. The age of onset ranged from 14 to 61 years old, with a median age of 36. The largest proportion of cases was observed among cadres and office workers (31 cases, 37.35%), followed by businessmen (13 cases, 15.67%), and householders or the unemployed (10 cases,12.05%). Travel visit was identified as the primary reason for their exposure history. Conclusions All dengue fever cases reported in Fengtai from 2007 to 2025 were imported, with an increasing trend of imported cases in Beijing originating from other Chinese provinces. It is essential to strengthen health education for foreign travelers and returning residents, enhance clinical diagnosis and treatment training for medical personnel, eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and reduce mosquito density through active patriotic health campaigns.

The recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) can be used for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) preparation before ¹³¹I therapy, and follow-up. Since its approval by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, rhTSH has been clinically used in European countries, the United States, and other countries for nearly 30 years. In April 2024, China’s first independently developed rhTSH agent was approved. Based on clinical experience and evidence from domestic and international studies, an expert consensus on the application of rhTSH has been developed following thorough consultations among experts. The consensus offers evidence-based recommendations to guide the appropriate use of rhTSH in clinical practice.

Objective To determine the median effective dose(ED50)of remimazolam for preoperative sedation in pediatric patients aged 1-6 years using the modified Dixon sequential method.Methods This is a prospective clinical study.Pediatric patients scheduled for elective short surgery(surgery time≤1 h)under general anesthesia from January to July 2023 were selected.Inclusion criteria were age 1-6 years,an ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅱ and the preoperative parent separation anxiety scale(PSAS)score≥3 points.Remimazolam was administered intravenously preoperatively,and its sedative effect was assessed.The modified Dixon sequential method was used to determine the ED50 of remimazolam,with the initial dose set at 0.10 mg/kg and the dose increment set at 0.02 mg/kg.Sedation was considered successful(positive,included in positive group)if the child with sedation score≥2 points,preoperative PSAS score<3 points,and the mask acceptance score of 4 points during anesthesia induction.If any criterion was not met,sedation was considered failure(negative,included in negative group),and the next patient's dosage was increased by 0.02 mg/kg based on the previous patient's dosage.The test was completed after 7 consecutive positive and negative turning points appeared alternately.Probabilistic unit regression analysis was used to determine the ED50,ED95 and the corresponding 95%confidence interval(CI)of remimazolam for preoperative sedation.Postoperative recovery time and adverse events such as airway spasm,respiratory depression,hypotension,nausea and vomiting during anesthesia were recorded.Results A total of 23 pediatric patients were included,with 13 in positive group and 10 in negative group.There were no statistically significant differences in mean arterial pressure,pulse oxygen saturation or heart rate before and after sedation(P>0.05).Compared with negative group,positive group showed a significant reduction in preoperative parent separation anxiety and an increase in mask acceptance during anesthesia(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in sedation score and anesthesia awakening time between two groups(P>0.05).The ED50 of remimazolam for preoperative sedation in pediatric patients aged 1-6 years was 0.051 mg/kg(95%CI 0.033-0.065 mg/kg),and the ED95 was 0.077 mg/kg(95%CI 0.064-0.161 mg/kg).No adverse events such as airway spasm,respiratory depression,hypotension,nausea and vomiting occurred during anesthesia in any of pediatric patients.Conclusion The ED50 of intravenous administration of remimazolam for preoperative sedation in pediatric patients aged 1-6 years is 0.051 mg/kg(95%CI 0.033-0.065 mg/kg).

Objective To investigate the improvement effects of homogeneous fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)on chemotherapy-induced diarrhea(CID)in mice.Methods Fifteen C57BL/6N mice were divided into control group,CID model group and CID+FMT group according to the random number distribution and remainder grouping method,with 5 mice per group.Control group received no intervention,and their feces were used to prepare fecal bacteria suspension.CID model group was injected intraperitoneally with fluorouracil(65 mg/kg)for 5 consecutive days to construct the CID mouse model,followed by gavage with 0.1 ml of saline on alternate days.CID+FMT group was given 0.1 ml fecal bacteria suspension gavage on alternate days for one week,followed by intraperitoneal injection of fluorouracil(65 mg/kg)for 5 consecutive days to construct the CID mouse model,with the experiment ending on the 14th day.During the experiment,the mice's food intake and body weight were recorded.At the end of the experiment,the mice were euthanized with deep carbon dioxide anesthesia,and the mice colonic specimens from cecum to anus were collected for hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining and histopathological examination.Fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Shannon index,Simpson index and Chao1 algorithm were used to analyze the α-diversity species of the intestinal flora in each group of mice.Similarity analysis(Anosim)was used to perform non-parametric on the inter-group differences of intestinal flora among the mice.Linear discriminate analysis size effect(LEfSe)and nonmetric multidimensional scaling(NMDS)were employed to analyze the intestinal dominant flora and the similarity classification relationships in each group of mice.Results The colonic specimen's length from cecum to anus in CID model group was significantly shorter than that in control group(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference between CID+FMT group and CID model group(P>0.05).The weight of mice in CID model group decreased by 42.04%,while control group mice gained 10.24%,with a significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).The weight of mice in CID+FMT group decreased by 8.12%,which was significantly improved compared to CID model group(P<0.05).HE staining results revealed the intestinal mucosal structure in CID model group was severely damaged,with atrophy and deformation,accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration,and the pathological score was higher than that of control group(P<0.05).Compared with CID model group,the intestinal mucosal integrity and crypt cells in the CID+FMT group were improved,with less damage,and the pathological score was lower than that of CID model group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The α-diversity analysis showed that there were significant differences in the Shannon,Simpson and Chao1 indices among the three groups(P<0.05).ANOSIM and NMDS analysis revealed that the intestinal flora in CID+FMT group was closer to the normal intestinal flora compared to CID model group.LEfSe analysis showed that the intestinal flora in CID model group was enriched in famliy_Bacteroidaceae,and the intestinal flora in CID+FMT group was similar to that of control group,with an enrichenment of familiy_Enterobacteriaceae.Conclusion Homogeneous FMT can improve the abundance of intestinal flora in CID mice,making it more similar to normal intestinal flora,thereby protecting intestinal mucosa,reducing damage and alleviating the severity of CID.

Objective To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of children with holocarboxylase synthetase(HLCS)deficiency.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 3 children with HLCS deficiency who were admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from December 2014 to January 2024.Relevant literature indexed in CNKI,Wanfang Data,PubMed and other databases was reviewed to summarize the clinical characteristics and HLCS gene mutations of children with HLCS deficiency.Results All 3 children were male,with onset age of 4-6 months.The main clinical manifestations included shortness of breath,vomiting,diarrhea,and poor mental state,and partial cases were complicated by growth retardation and neurological symptoms.Laboratory tests showed metabolic acidosis in all cases,blood amino acid and acylcarnitine profiles as well as urinary organic acid analysis suggested multiple carboxylase deficiency.Genetic testing revealed compound heterozygous mutation in the HLCS gene of all 3 children,among which the c.1892delT(p.L631X)mutation was previously unreported.According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics(ACMG),the c.1892delT(p.L631X)mutation was rated as pathogenic mutation(PVS1+PM2_supporting+PM3).Biotin supplementation was effective in all cases.Literature review included 27 English literatures and 29 Chinese literatures,reporting a total of 133 children with HLCS deficiency caused by HLCS gene mutation.Common clinical manifestations included metabolic acidosis,skin lesions,vomiting,feeding difficulties,dyspnea,diarrhea,and neurological symptoms,etc.Conclusions Blood amino acid and acylcarnitine profiles,urine organic acid analysis,and gene testing are helpful for the diagnosis of HLCS deficiency.Timely biotin supplementation leads to a good prognosis.The mutation of HLCS gene is considered as the genetic etiology of HLCS deficiency in 3 children,among which the c.1892delT(p.L631X)mutation is a newly discovered mutation.

The water-sediment interface is an important zone for the migration and transformation of chemical substances,but traditional sampling methods make in situ sampling challenging,thus it is difficult to capture information on environmental processes at the micro-scale.In this study,diffusive gradients in thin films(DGT)probe technique was used as in situ tool to detect 18 kinds of typical per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS)in the water-sediment system,elucidating their vertical distribution characteristics and patterns.The results showed that different PFAS exhibited distinct variation patterns with depth in water and sediment.Short-chain PFAS exhibited greater mobility,while the migration of long-chain PFAS was restricted in sediment and pore water due to their strong hydrophobicity and adsorption capacity,resulting in relatively small concentration changes in the sediment column.The PFAS concentrations measured by DGT ranged from 11.2 μg/L to 1305 μg/L.For long-chain PFAS,the concentrations measured by DGT were higher than those obtained from direct measurement of water and pore water,while the opposite results were obtained for short-chain PFAS.The DGT results indicated that although long-chain PFAS exhibited strong adsorption to sediment particles,the adsorbed PFAS were still bioavailable.DGT probe technique,with its advantages of in situ sampling and high spatial resolution,provides deep insights into the complex environmental processes occurring at the microscale in the water-sediment systems.DGT offers important technical support and scientific evidence for assessing the adsorption-desorption behavior,bioavailability,and ecological risks of these emerging pollutants in aquatic environment.

Nutritional support therapy is one of the extremely important treatment methods for patients in the intensive care unit. Timely and effective nutritional support regimens can improve patients' immune function, reduce complications, and optimize clinical outcomes. Energy expenditure is influenced by multiple factors, including patients' baseline characteristics (such as physical condition, gender, age) and dynamic changes in indicators (such as body temperature, nutritional support regimens, and therapeutic interventions). The currently recognized "gold standard" for accurately assessing energy metabolism in clinical practice is the indirect calorimetry system, also known as the metabolic cart. This device monitors carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption in real time and uses specific algorithms to estimate the metabolic proportions of the three major nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) in energy expenditure. An appropriate nutrient ratio helps maintain the balance between supply and demand in the body's nutritional metabolism. In the management of critically ill patients, the application of the metabolic cart enables personalized nutritional therapy, avoiding over- or under-supply of energy and optimizing the use of medical resources. Furthermore, with real-time, quantitative data support from the energy metabolism monitoring system, clinicians can develop more precise nutritional intervention strategies, thereby improving patient prognosis. This article provides a systematic review of the technical features of the metabolic cart and its application value in various critical care scenarios, aiming to offer a reference for indirect calorimetry in clinical practice.
Humans ; Critical Illness/therapy* ; Nutritional Support ; Energy Metabolism ; Calorimetry, Indirect