1.A bibliometric analysis of research productivity on Kawasaki disease in Southeast Asia: Trend and socioeconomic drivers.
Maria Llaine J. Callanta ; Karol Ann T. Baldo
Acta Medica Philippina 2026;60(2):33-40
OBJECTIVES
The increasing prevalence of Kawasaki disease in Southeast Asia (SEA) and its potential relation with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection resulted in heightened interest in KD in the region, thus, this paper aimed to determine the trend and the socioeconomic facilitators of scientific productivity of KD research within the region. Specifically, this article determined the number of publication and citations related to KD per country, institution, and journal. We also explored the networks of countries within the region to the rest of the world and the keywords mostly associated with KD research in the region. Lastly, correlation of these bibliometric indices with socioeconomic factors in the region was analyzed.
METHODSA literature search of KD papers in SEA was performed using Scopus database. We obtained bibliographic data from the available literature and visualized network of existing collaborations and keywords using VOSviewer software.
RESULTSA total of 196 papers were included in the study. Bibliometric analysis showed a rising trend in publication within the region, most of which were from institutions in Singapore and Thailand. The most common topics on KD studies included clinical features, complications, treatment, and comorbidities.
Country characteristics such as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, research and development (R&D) expenditure (% GDP), and number of physician and R&D researchers were positively correlated with bibliometric indices of KD research in SEA. Moreover, number of international linkages was significantly associated with KD research productivity in the region.
CONCLUSIONIn summary, we showed an increasing trend of KD research in SEA. Funding allocation and capacity building are necessary to strengthen research productivity within the region.
Asia ; Asia, Southeastern ; Bibliometrics ; Capacity Building ; Coronavirus ; Covid-19 ; Database ; Disease ; Efficiency ; Gross Domestic Product ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Infection ; Infections ; Literature ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Paper ; Physicians ; Prevalence ; Publications ; Research ; Research Personnel ; Rest ; Singapore ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Software ; Thailand ; Therapeutics
2.Hesperetin Relaxes Depolarizing Contraction in Human Umbilical Vein by Inhibiting L-Type Ca2+ Channel.
Kritsana TIPCOME ; Wattana B WATANAPA ; Katesirin RUAMYOD
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(5):412-421
OBJECTIVE:
To study hesperetin-induced vasorelaxation after depolarizing contraction in human umbilical veins (HUVs) to elucidate the role of L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) and related signaling pathway.
METHODS:
Isometric tension recording was performed in HUV rings pre-contracted with K+. Hesperetin relaxing mechanism was investigated using a LTCC opener (BayK8644) and blockers of cyclic nucleotides and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Whole-cell patch-clamping in A7r5 cells, a rat vascular smooth muscle cell line, was performed to study the effect of hesperetin on LTCC current.
RESULTS:
After depolarizing precontraction, hesperetin induced HUV relaxation concentration-dependently and endothelium-independently; 1 mmol/L hesperetin reduced denuded HUV ring tension by 68.7% ± 4.3% compared to matching vehicle, osmolality, and time controls (P<0.0001). Importantly, hesperetin competitively inhibited BayK8644-induced contraction, shifting the half maximal effective concentration of BayK8644 response from 1.08 nmol/L [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-2.40] in vehicle control to 11.30 nmol/L (95% CI 5.45-23.41) in hesperetin (P=0.0001). Moreover, hesperetin elicited further vasorelaxation in denuded HUV rings pretreated with inhibitors of soluble guanylyl cyclase, adenylyl cyclase, PDE3, PDE4, and PDE5 (P<0.01), while rings pretreated with PDE1 inhibitors could not be relaxed by hesperetin (P>0.05). However, simultaneously applying inhibitors of soluble guanylyl cyclase and adenylyl cyclase could not inhibit hesperetin's effect (P>0.05). In whole-cell patch-clamping, hesperetin rapidly decreased LTCC current in A7r5 cells to 66.7% ± 5.8% (P=0.0104).
CONCLUSIONS
Hesperetin diminishes depolarizing contraction of human vascular smooth muscle through inhibition of LTCC, and not cyclic nucleotides nor PDEs. Our evidence supports direct LTCC interaction and provides additional basis for the use of hesperetin and its precursor hesperidin as vasodilators and may lead to future vasodilator drug development as a treatment alternative for cardiovascular diseases.
Hesperidin/pharmacology*
;
Humans
;
Calcium Channels, L-Type/metabolism*
;
Umbilical Veins/physiology*
;
Muscle Contraction/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Rats
;
Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology*
;
Vasodilation/drug effects*
;
Muscle Relaxation/drug effects*
3.Therapeutic Effect of Yu Melody Relaxation Training Combined with Jianpi Jieyu Decoction in Insomnia Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Hao-Yu PANG ; Xu CHEN ; Ling-Yun XI ; Qian-Lin JIA ; Yang BAI ; Jing CAO ; Xia HONG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(4):291-298
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Yu Melody relaxation training (YMRT) combined with Jianpi Jieyu Decoction (JJD) in treating patients with insomnia disorders (ID).
METHODS:
In this randomized controlled study, 94 ID patients were included from Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from September 2022 to January 2024. They were randomly assigned to the YMRT group (47 cases, YMRT plus JJD) and the control group (47 cases, oral JJD) using a random number table. Both treatment administrations lasted for 4 weeks, with a 2-week follow-up. The primary outcome was change in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores from baseline to 4 weeks of intervention. Secondary outcomes included ISI response at week 4, as well as ISI, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scores at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Additionally, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were evaluated at baseline and weeks 4 and 6. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded and compared between groups.
RESULTS:
Five patients in each group did not complete the protocol requirements. The overall dropout rate was 10.64%. The full analysis set included all 47 cases in each group. The ISI score decreased significantly at week 4 from baseline in the YMRT group compared with the control group, with a between-group difference of -3.2 points [95% confidence interval (CI): -5.08 to -1.34; P<0.05]. The ISI response at week 4 in the YMRT group was significantly higher than that in the control group (85.11% vs. 51.06%), with a between-group difference of 34.05% (95% CI: 13.77% to 50.97%; P<0.05). At week 6, the YMRT group demonstrated greater reductions from baseline than the control group, with between-group differences of -2.1 points (-95% CI: -3.49 to -0.64; P<0.05) for PHQ-9 scores, -3.5 points (95% CI: -5.21 to -1.85; P<0.05) for PSQI scores, and -1.9 points (95% CI: -3.47 to -0.28; P<0.05) for GAD-7 scores. Moreover, at weeks 4 and 6, the ISI and PSQI scores in the YMRT group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); and at week 6, the PHQ-9 score in the YMRT group was significantly lower (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of AEs between the two groups (8.51% vs. 4.26%, P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
YMRT combined with oral JJD could improve sleep quality and alleviate depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with ID. This combined therapy was effective and safe, and its effect was superior to oral JJD alone. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063884).
Humans
;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/drug therapy*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Relaxation Therapy/methods*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Combined Modality Therapy
4.Impact of Spinal Manipulative Therapy on Brain Function and Pain Alleviation in Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Resting-State fMRI Study.
Xing-Chen ZHOU ; Shuang WU ; Kai-Zheng WANG ; Long-Hao CHEN ; Zi-Cheng WEI ; Tao LI ; Zi-Han HUA ; Qiong XIA ; Zhi-Zhen LYU ; Li-Jiang LYU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(2):108-117
OBJECTIVE:
To elucidate how spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) exerts its analgesic effects through regulating brain function in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients by utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).
METHODS:
From September 2021 to September 2023, we enrolled LDH patients (LDH group, n=31) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n=28). LDH group underwent rs-fMRI at 2 distinct time points (TPs): prior to the initiation of SMT (TP1) and subsequent to the completion of the SMT sessions (TP2). SMT was administered once every other day for 30 min per session, totally 14 treatment sessions over a span of 4 weeks. HCs did not receive SMT treatment and underwent only one fMRI scan. Additionally, participants in LDH group completed clinical questionnaires on pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, whereas HCs did not undergo clinical scale assessments. The effects on the brain were jointly characterized using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). Correlation analyses were conducted between specific brain regions and clinical scales.
RESULTS:
Following SMT treatment, pain symptoms in LDH patients were notably alleviated and accompanied by evident activation of effects in the brain. In comparison to TP1, TP2 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Sup_R and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Paracentral_Lobule_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Additionally, the most substantial enhancement in ReHo values was observed for the Cuneus_R, while the most prominent reduction was noted for the Olfactory_R (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Moreover, a comparative analysis revealed that, in contrast to HCs, LDH patients at TP1 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Pole_Sup_L and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Frontal_Mid_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Furthermore, the most significant enhancement in ReHo values was observed for Postcentral_L, while the most prominent reduction was identified for ParaHippocampal_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Notably, correlation analysis with clinical scales revealed a robust positive correlation between the Cuneus_R score and the rate of change in the VAS score (r=0.9333, P<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Long-term chronic lower back pain in patients with LDH manifests significant activation of the "AUN-DMN-S1-SAN" neural circuitry. The visual network, represented by the Cuneus_R, is highly likely to be a key brain network in which the analgesic efficacy of SMT becomes effective in treating LDH patients. (Trial registration No. NCT06277739).
Humans
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Brain/diagnostic imaging*
;
Adult
;
Manipulation, Spinal/methods*
;
Middle Aged
;
Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology*
;
Pain Management
;
Rest
;
Case-Control Studies
5.A Method for Detecting Depression in Adolescence Based on an Affective Brain-Computer Interface and Resting-State Electroencephalogram Signals.
Zijing GUAN ; Xiaofei ZHANG ; Weichen HUANG ; Kendi LI ; Di CHEN ; Weiming LI ; Jiaqi SUN ; Lei CHEN ; Yimiao MAO ; Huijun SUN ; Xiongzi TANG ; Liping CAO ; Yuanqing LI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(3):434-448
Depression is increasingly prevalent among adolescents and can profoundly impact their lives. However, the early detection of depression is often hindered by the time-consuming diagnostic process and the absence of objective biomarkers. In this study, we propose a novel approach for depression detection based on an affective brain-computer interface (aBCI) and the resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG). By fusing EEG features associated with both emotional and resting states, our method captures comprehensive depression-related information. The final depression detection model, derived through decision fusion with multiple independent models, further enhances detection efficacy. Our experiments involved 40 adolescents with depression and 40 matched controls. The proposed model achieved an accuracy of 86.54% on cross-validation and 88.20% on the independent test set, demonstrating the efficiency of multimodal fusion. In addition, further analysis revealed distinct brain activity patterns between the two groups across different modalities. These findings hold promise for new directions in depression detection and intervention.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adolescent
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Depression/diagnosis*
;
Early Diagnosis
;
Rest
;
Electroencephalography/methods*
;
Brain-Computer Interfaces
;
Models, Psychological
;
Reproducibility of Results
;
Affect/physiology*
;
Photic Stimulation/methods*
;
Video Recording
;
Brain/physiopathology*
6.Research progress on enhanced recovery after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Zhengliang SHI ; Yanlin LI ; Zhaohui RUAN ; Hongmai YANG ; Kaiquan LI ; Ping YUAN ; Wenting TANG ; Rui HAN
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(12):1591-1599
OBJECTIVE:
To summarize research progress on enhanced recovery after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction, clarify the core contradictions, effective intervention methods, and evaluation shortcomings in current clinical practice, and provide theoretical support for optimizing clinical rehabilitation strategies.
METHODS:
Relevant domestic and international literature in recent years was systematically searched. The key technologies and challenges for enhanced recovery after PCL reconstruction were analyzed from three aspects: the core issues of enhanced recovery after PCL reconstruction, treatment strategies, and the post-reconstruction effectiveness evaluation system.
RESULTS:
Enhanced recovery after PCL reconstruction mainly faces two core problems. First, there is a balance dilemma between graft tendon protection and knee joint function recovery: the tensile capacity of the graft tendon is weak in the early postoperative period, so excessive weight-bearing easily leads to relaxation, while overly conservative immobilization causes muscle atrophy and joint adhesion. Second, the return-to-sport rate is significantly affected by injury type and treatment method: patients with combined multiple ligament or meniscus injuries have a much lower return-to-sport rate than those with isolated PCL injury, and the risk of return-to-sport failure is higher. Current research mainly promotes rehabilitation from two aspects: physical therapy and surgical technology. Physical therapy runs through the perioperative period: preoperatively, muscle strength training, swelling control, and maintenance of joint range of motion are used to optimize surgical conditions; postoperatively, phased intervention is implemented. Surgical technology focuses on minimally invasive and anatomical approaches: arthroscopic surgery reduces injury, double-bundle reconstruction and internal tension-relief technology improve stability, and modified tunnel positioning and special surgical methods avoid the risk of "Killer Turn". Postoperative functional evaluation adopts multi-dimensional indicators: subjective evaluation relies on scales such as Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC); objective evaluation assesses stability through Telos stress test and posterior drawer test; imaging evaluation takes MRI as the core; psychological evaluation is assisted by the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11). However, there are obvious shortcomings, such as the lack of PCL-specific evaluation tools.
CONCLUSION
Enhanced recovery after PCL reconstruction requires the integration of precise surgery, individualized rehabilitation, and comprehensive subjective and objective evaluation. In the future, biomaterials and digital technologies should be integrated to optimize the full-cycle management of PCL reconstruction, thereby improving functional recovery and the effect of return to sports.
Humans
;
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/rehabilitation*
;
Posterior Cruciate Ligament/injuries*
;
Recovery of Function
;
Knee Joint/physiopathology*
;
Knee Injuries/rehabilitation*
;
Return to Sport
;
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
;
Tendons/transplantation*
;
Arthroscopy
7.The surveillance and assessment of acute injuries in different age categories in national wrestling championships.
Sema CAN ; Erkan DEMIRKAN ; Mustafa ARICI ; Mehmet İsmail TOSUN ; Halil İbrahim CICIOĞLU
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(6):485-490
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this study is to surveil the injuries in wrestling according to the different age categories and wrestling styles throughout the competition season.
METHODS:
The study was designed as a descriptive study. The study was conducted during the wrestling competition season in 2023 (from January 2023 to July 2023), which includes 5 different age categories: U-15, U-17, U-20, U-23, and seniors, along with the Turkey National Wrestling Championships. The data of injuries was recorded immediately after the acute injury was treated by the medical expert during the competitions and evaluated according to the parameters that were obtained. In the statistical analysis, the frequency and percentage values were presented as descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test was used.
RESULTS:
The study incorporated a total of 6214 wrestlers and a total of 7151 wrestling bouts were performed during these competitions. The analyses indicated that the rate of injury incidence was 42.65‰ in all wrestling styles. When taking account of the injured body parts in all wrestlers' exposures, the occurrence of injuries to the head-face, neck, trunk, upper extremity, and lower extremity, rates of 17.6‰, 1.3‰, 3.6‰, 13.5‰, and 6.6‰, respectively, were observed. According to the pre-diagnosis based on freestyle, Greco-Roman, and female wrestling styles, injuries with bleeding (39.6%, 46.3%, and 14.6%, respectively) and muscle strain (37.9%, 28.7 %, and 52.6%, respectively) most often occurred.
CONCLUSION
The study findings indicate that most cases of injury appeared to occur in bleeding and muscle strain in all wrestling styles. We suggest that medical experts should set up their health equipment with consideration to the injuries that occur most frequently.
Humans
;
Male
;
Wrestling/injuries*
;
Young Adult
;
Adolescent
;
Female
;
Athletic Injuries/epidemiology*
;
Turkey/epidemiology*
;
Adult
;
Age Factors
;
Incidence
;
Child
8.Brain function and connection in patients with refractory overactive bladder and healthy population: Analysis based on resting-state functional MRI.
Yu-Wei ZHANG ; Si-Yi FU ; Yu-Min LIU ; Hui-Hui SONG ; Peng JIANG ; Jia XU ; Bin HU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(1):39-44
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the characteristics of central nervous system regulation in patients with refractory overactive bladder (rOAB) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), and to analyze the differences in brain function and connection between the patients and healthy population.
METHODS:
From May 1 to November 30, 2024, we performed rs-fMRI for 47 rOAB patients and another 47 matched healthy controls, documented relevant clinical data from all the participants and obtained their Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores (OABSS) and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-Q) scores. Based on rs-fMRI, we compared the results of Independent Component Analysis (ICA), amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo) and degree centrality (DC) between the rOAB patients and healthy controls.
RESULTS:
The rOAB patients, in comparison with the healthy controls, showed dramatically higher daytime urination frequency (11.64 ± 3.85) vs (5.76 ± 0.91), nighttime urination frequency (3.72 ± 1.64) vs (0.31 ± 0.47), OABSS (8.22 ± 2.21) vs (0.64±0.78), OAB-Q1 score (20.85 ± 5.28) vs (6.78 ± 1.04), and OAB-Q2 score (45.04 ± 12.11) vs (14.51 ± 1.66) (all P<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed in the results of ICA and ALFF between the right superior frontal and right middle frontal regions in the rOAB patients (P>0.05), but fALFF, ReHo and DC were significantly decreased in the patients compared with those in the healthy controls (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Compared with healthy population, the functions and connection of the frontal superior right and frontal middle right brain regions in rOAB patients are significantly down-regulated, which may serve as new therapeutic targets.
Humans
;
Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology*
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Brain/physiopathology*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Middle Aged
;
Rest
;
Brain Mapping
9.Value of 6-Minute Walking Test in Predicting Acute Mountain Sickness.
Yu-Fan JIANG ; Qiang MA ; Hai-Wei CHEN ; Bao-Shi HAN ; Bin FENG ; Yun-Dai CHEN
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(4):535-541
Objective To evaluate the value of pre-ascent 6-minute walking test performed at a high altitude in predicting the incidence of acute mountain sickness(AMS)induced by rapid ascent to a very high altitude.Methods After baseline information was collected,participants completed the 6-minute walking test at a high altitude of 2 900 m.Then,they rapidly ascended to a very high altitude of 5 000 m.The Lake Louise score was recorded to assess AMS.Results The AMS group showed a shorter pre-ascent 6-minute walking distance(6MWD)at the high altitude than the non-AMS group[480.00(450.00,521.75)m vs.546.00(516.50,568.50)m,P=0.006].No difference was observed regarding the pre-ascent heart rate or peripheral oxygen saturation(both P>0.05).The pre-ascent 6MWD at the high altitude was negatively correlated with the Lake Louise score assessed after rapid ascent to the very high altitude(r=-0.497,P=0.012).Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the pre-ascent 6MWD at the high altitude was associated with the risk of AMS induced by rapid ascent to the very high altitude(OR=0.971,95% CI=0.947-0.996,P=0.022).The results indicated that the pre-ascent 6MWD demonstrated ideal prediction performance(area under receiver operating characteristic curve=0.846,P=0.006).Conclusion The pre-ascent 6MWD recorded at the high altitude is a convenient and reliable predictor of the AMS induced by rapid ascent to the very high altitude.
Humans
;
Altitude Sickness/diagnosis*
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Female
;
Young Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Acute Disease
;
Walk Test
;
Walking
;
Altitude
;
Exercise Test
10.A study on electroencephalogram characteristics of depression in patients with aphasia based on resting state and emotional Stroop task.
Siyuan DING ; Yan ZHU ; Chang SHI ; Banghua YANG
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(3):488-495
Post-stroke aphasia is associated with a significantly elevated risk of depression, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study recorded 64-channel electroencephalogram data and depression scale scores from 12 aphasic patients with depression, 8 aphasic patients without depression, and 12 healthy controls during resting state and an emotional Stroop task. Spectral and microstate analyses were conducted to examine brain activity patterns across conditions. Results showed that depression scores significantly negatively explained the occurrence of microstate class C and positively explained the transition probability from microstate class A to B. Furthermore, aphasic patients with depression exhibited increased alpha-band activation in the frontal region. These findings suggest distinct neural features in aphasic patients with depression and offer new insights into the mechanisms contributing to their heightened vulnerability to depression.
Humans
;
Electroencephalography
;
Aphasia/etiology*
;
Stroop Test
;
Emotions/physiology*
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Stroke/complications*
;
Brain/physiopathology*
;
Aged
;
Adult
;
Rest/physiology*


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