Diabetes mellitus （DM） is a metabolic disease caused by absolute or relative insulin deficiency and reduced insulin sensitivity in peripheral cells， posing a serious threat to global health. Chronic complications arising in the later stages of DM can lead to the decline or even loss of function in multiple organs， including the eyes， heart， liver， kidneys， nerves， and feet， making them the primary cause of mortality in DM patients. Although modern medicine has made some progress in the treatment of these complications， challenges such as high costs and adverse drug reactions remain. Thus， identifying highly effective drugs with minimal adverse effects has become a top priority. Astragalus membranaceus is a shining gem in the treasure trove of Chinese medicine. Numerous studies have shown that its primary active component， astragaloside Ⅳ， possesses various biological activities， including anti-inflammatory， antioxidant， and antiviral effects， as well as benefits for cardiac and cerebral function， nerve conduction， and myocardial protection. Meanwhile， the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating oxidative stress， inflammatory responses， apoptosis， and autophagy. Extensive research has highlighted the significant role of this pathway in various DM complications， leading to widespread studies on its interaction with astragaloside Ⅳ. This review summarizes research findings on how astragaloside Ⅳ alleviates pancreatic cytotoxicity in DM patients by modulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Additionally， it highlights its protective effects on basic cardiac function， inhibition of retinal cell damage， improvement of cerebral nerve dysfunction， reduction of chronic kidney and liver damage， and mitigation of neurovascular toxicity in the lower limbs. These insights provide a valuable reference for the clinical application of A. membranaceus and its active monomer， astragaloside Ⅳ， in the treatment of DM and its complications.

Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory that "all pain， itching， and sores are related to the heart"， this paper proposes treating recurrent aphthous ulcers from the perspective of the heart. It suggests that excessive heart fire and tissue erosion due to flaming fire in the heart meridian constitute the core pathogenesis of this condition. Hyperactive heart fire is identified as the key pathogenic factor， while heart yin deficiency， obstruction of the heart collaterals， and malnourishment of the heart spirit are considered significant contributing factors. Clinically， the treatment follows the principle of clearing heart fire as the main strategy， supplemented by nourishing yin， activating collaterals， and calming the spirit. The self-formulated Qingxin Yuchuang Formulation （清心愈疮方） serves as the base prescription， with flexible modifications incorporating the Yuyin Formulation （育阴方）， Huoxue Formulation （活血方）， and Yu'an Formulation （郁安方） to address specific syndromes involving heart yin deficiency， collateral blockage， and emotional disturbance.

The current classification methods for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） visceral syndrome differentiation suffer from excessive generalization， which hinders their clinical application. Based on the analysis of the pattern of "one syndrome corresponding to multiple formulas"， this paper focused on the principle of syndrome-formula correspondence， and proposed that formula-syndromes are the smallest units for refining visceral syndromes. By establishing the correspondence between formula-syndromes and visceral syndromes， this study aims to further clarify the refined categories of syndromes and their treatment patterns， providing a new perspective for the standardization and objectification of TCM syndromes.

Globally, over 300 million surgeries are performed each year, and more than 50% of surgeries involve patients aged 65 and older. Aging poses significant challenges to perioperative brain health, as the deterioration of brain structure and function increases susceptibility to postoperative neurological complications. Protecting perioperative brain health remains a worldwide clinical challenge. With senescence, the brain undergoes a progressive decline in homeostasis across various molecular, cellular, and regional functions. Anesthetics and surgical stimuli may accelerate the disruption of brain homeostasis and exacerbate age-related neurodegeneration. This review provides a framework for understanding how anesthesia and surgery can affect brain health in the aging population and contribute to postoperative neurological complications, with a particular focus on perioperative neurocognitive disorder.

A brain-computer interface (BCI) based on motor imagery (MI) provides additional control pathways by decoding the intentions of the brain. MI ability has great intra-individual variability, and the majority of MI-BCI systems are unable to adapt to this variability, leading to poor training effects. Therefore, prediction of MI ability is needed. In this study, we propose an MI ability predictor based on multi-frequency EEG features. To validate the performance of the predictor, a video-guided paradigm and a traditional MI paradigm are designed, and the predictor is applied to both paradigms. The results demonstrate that all subjects achieved > 85% prediction precision in both applications, with a maximum of 96%. This study indicates that the predictor can accurately predict the individuals' MI ability in different states, provide the scientific basis for personalized training, and enhance the effect of MI-BCI training.
Humans ; Imagination/physiology* ; Electroencephalography/methods* ; Brain-Computer Interfaces ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Brain/physiology* ; Movement/physiology* ; Motor Activity/physiology* ; Psychomotor Performance/physiology*

Objective : To construct a knockdown recombinant adeno⁃associated virus (AAV⁃shCTSK) targeting the mouse Cathepsin K(CTSK) gene and assess the knockdown efficiency of AAV⁃shCTSK in mice , and to investigate its impact on lipid storage within adipose tissue. Methods : ShRNA primers specific to both the negative control (NC) and CTSK were designed , annealed , and integrated into the backbone vector. Following clone selection and sequencing for validation , recombinant plasmids were purified. Adeno⁃associated viral vectors , along with packaging and helper plasmids , were co⁃transfected into 293T cells using the transfection reagent PEI for adeno⁃associat⁃ed viral packaging and amplification. The resultant AAV⁃shNC and AAV⁃shCTSK were injected into the epididymal adipose tissue of mice via in situ injection. Two weeks post⁃injection , the expression of CTSK protein was evaluated through immunoblotting assay and the size of intracellular lipid droplets in mouse adipose tissue was detected by HE staining. Results : Successful acquisition of AAV⁃shNC and AAV⁃shCTSK adeno⁃associated viruses was achieved. In mice subjected to in situ injection of AAV⁃shCTSK , effective knockdown of CTSK in adipose tissue was confirmed , accompanied by a significant reduction in the size of white adipocytes. Conclusion A knockdown adeno-associated virus targeting CTSK in mice is successfully constructed , and CTSK knockdown in adipose tissue leads to a notable decrease in lipid content.

Background::Few evidence is available in the early prediction models of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to develop and validate a novel genetic-clinical-radiological nomogram for evaluating BPSD in patients with AD and explore its underlying nutritional mechanism.Methods::This retrospective study included 165 patients with AD from the Chinese Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle (CIBL) cohort between June 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022. Data on demographics, neuropsychological assessments, single-nucleotide polymorphisms of AD risk genes, and regional brain volumes were collected. A multivariate logistic regression model identified BPSD-associated factors, for subsequently constructing a diagnostic nomogram. This nomogram was internally validated through 1000-bootstrap resampling and externally validated using a time-series split based on the CIBL cohort data between June 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023. Area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability of the nomogram.Results::Factors independently associated with BPSD were: CETP rs1800775 (odds ratio [OR] = 4.137, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.276-13.415, P = 0.018), decreased Mini Nutritional Assessment score (OR = 0.187, 95% CI: 0.086-0.405, P <0.001), increased caregiver burden inventory score (OR = 8.993, 95% CI: 3.830-21.119, P <0.001), and decreased brain stem volume (OR = 0.006, 95% CI: 0.001-0.191, P = 0.004). These variables were incorporated into the nomogram. The area under the ROC curve was 0.925 (95% CI: 0.884-0.967, P <0.001) in the internal validation and 0.791 (95% CI: 0.686-0.895, P <0.001) in the external validation. The calibration plots showed favorable consistency between the prediction of nomogram and actual observations, and the DCA showed that the model was clinically useful in both validations. Conclusion::A novel nomogram was established and validated based on lipid metabolism-related genes, nutritional status, and brain stem volumes, which may allow patients with AD to benefit from early triage and more intensive monitoring of BPSD.Registration::Chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2100049131.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of plasma cell mastitis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 10 patients with plasma cell mastitis treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to December 2022. The postoperative complications, symptoms and signs of the patients, ultrasound imaging manifestations, treatment efficacy at 3 months after surgery, the reduction rate of ablation lesions at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery, the recurrence status within 1 year after surgery, and the satisfaction with the treatment effect were observed.Results:The reduction rates of ablation lesions at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months were 32.31%-51.00%[(42.78±4.48)%], 70.66%-86.68%[(70.45±12.43)%], 72.31%-100%[(86.91±7.45)%], 89.13%-100%[(96.07±7.45)%], respecctively. The symptoms and signs of 10 patients improved significantly 3 months after surgery, and there was no recurrence of the disease during the follow-up period, and the treatment effect was significant and satisfactory.Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of plasma cell mastitis is a minimally invasive, effective and safe treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of ovarian mature cystic teratoma.Methods:A total of 35 patients with mature cystic teratoma of the ovary diagnosed and treated in the ultrasound intervention room of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2020 to May 2023 were selected retrospectively. According to the inclusion criteria, 23 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation were enrolled in this study, and the therapeutic effect and the reduction rate of the ablation lesions 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery were observed. The occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was observed. The changes of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E 2) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were compared before surgery, 3 days, and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Results:All 23 patients underwent radiofrequency ablation successfully, and the complete ablation rate was 100%. The reduction rates were (29.95±13.89)%, (51.45±17.62)% and (73.82±23.63)% at 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively. There were no serious complications during and after operation. There were no significant differences in serum levels of FSH, LH, E 2 and AMH before surgery, 3 days, and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is a safe, minimally invasive and effective treatment for ovarian mature cystic teratoma.

Objective:To analyze the influencing factors of post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and their correlation with cognitive scores in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:In this cross-section study, 36 patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke and post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) admitted to the Department of Vascular Neurology of Beijing Tiantian Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from June 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022 were selected as the PSCI group. And one to one matching was performed for patients without PSCI (PSNCI group) with an age±1 year and same gender admitted to the hospital during the same period (as control, 36 cases). Basic clinical data of the two groups were collected, the laboratory and imaging examinations were completed. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) were used for cognitive evaluation by neuropsychologists. Hypothesis testing was used to compare the differences in basic data, laboratory tests and lesion sites between the two groups. Multi-factor conditional logistic regression was performed to analyze the influencing factors of PSCI, and Spearman correlation analysis was carried out to analyze the correlation between influencing factors of PSCI and the cognitive scores.Results:Compared with those in PSNCI group, the proportion of patients with stroke/transient ischemic attack history, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), apolipoprotein E(ApoE) ε4 carriers and the ratio of temporal lobe and thalamus infarction were higher in PSCI group (41.7% vs 13.9%, 36.1% vs 2.8%, 30.6% vs 5.6%, 22.3% vs 2.8%, 25.0% vs 5.6%), the MMSE and MoCA scores were lower in PSCI group [16.50 (8.25, 19.00) vs 28.00 (27.00, 30.00), 10.00 (4.25, 14.50) vs 27.00 (25.00, 28.00)] (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that HHcy was a positive correlation factor for PSCI ( OR=2.342, 95% CI=1.186-4.622, P=0.014). Spearman correlation analysis showed that MMSE ( r=-0.415) and MoCA ( r=-0.417) scores were negatively correlated with homocysteine (Hcy) (both P<0.05). Conclusion:HHcy is an important factor affecting the occurrence and development of PSCI in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and Hcy level is negatively correlated with cognitive scores in those patients.