ObjectiveTo construct a risk prediction model for frequent acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） under disease-syndrome combination， thus providing decision support for precise clinical intervention. MethodsA total of 2 029 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to August 2024 were retrospectively included. These patients were classified into groups of frequent acute exacerbations （≥2 times/year） and infrequent acute exacerbations （<2 times/year） according to the hospitalization times per year. Risk factors were screened by LASSO regression combined with logistic regression， and a nomogram model was constructed. The model performance was assessed based on the area under the curve （AUC）， calibration curves， and decision curve analysis （DCA）. ResultsThe differences in baseline characteristics between the frequent acute exacerbations group （1 196 cases） and infrequent acute exacerbations group （833 cases） were not statistically significant. LASSO regression combined with multivariate logistic regression screened the following independent risk factors： body mass index （BMI）， hospitalization days， number of smoking years， place of residence， use of noninvasive ventilators， oxygen-demanding therapy， liver cirrhosis， use of systemic glucocorticosteroids， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome （phlegm and stasis obstructing the lung）. The nomogram model showed good discrimination and calibration in both the training set （AUC=0.748） and validation set （AUC=0.774）. ConclusionThe risk prediction model for frequent acute exacerbations of COPD， integrating traditional Chinese medicine syndrome， constructed in this study has high accuracy. It can provide a scientific basis for early clinical identification of high-risk patients and individualized intervention.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of hypoxia-treated mesenchymal stem cell （MSCs） exosomes （Exo） and their loading with curcumin on microglial inflammatory responses， and to explore the enhancing effect of hypoxia treatment on the function of MSCs Exo. MethodsThe supernatants of human umbilical cord （hUC）-MSCs cultured under normal and hypoxic conditions were collected， and Exo were isolated using ultracentrifugation. After identification by transmission electron microscopy and Western blot， curcumin was loaded using the co-incubation method. The lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced microglial inflammation model was treated with dimethyl sulfoxide （DMSO）， curcumin， normoxia Exo， hypoxia Exo， normoxic Exo loaded with curcumin， and hypoxic Exo loaded with curcumin， respectively. The expression of the M1-type marker inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） in BV2 cells was detected by immunofluorescence （IF）. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） were used to measure the expression and secretion levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and IL-6 in the cells and their culture supernatants. ResultsNormoxia Exo， hypoxia Exo， normoxic Exo loaded with curcumin， and hypoxic Exo loaded with curcumin exhibited a "saucer-like" shape with a diameter ranging from 30~150 nm， and the expression of exosomal markers CD9， CD81， and TSG101 were positive. After treating the BV2 cell inflammation model， IF results showed that， compared with the normoxia Exo group， treatment with hypoxic Exo significantly reduced the expression of iNOS. Moreover， when compared with the curcumin group and the normoxic Exo loaded with curcumin group， the expression level of iNOS significantly decreased after treatment with hypoxic Exo loaded with curcumin. The results of Western blot and ELISA indicated that， in comparison with the normoxia Exo group， treatment with hypoxic Exo significantly reduced the expression and secretion of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6. Additionally， when compared with the curcumin group and the normoxic Exo loaded with curcumin group， both the expression and secretion of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 significantly decreased after treatment with hypoxic Exo loaded with curcumin. ConclusionHypoxia preconditioning can enhance the ability of hUC-MSCs-Exo in the inhibition of microglial polarization and inflammatory factors’ secretion. Additionally， using Hypoxia-MSCs-Exo as a drug-delivery carrier of curcumin can improve its solubility and stability， facilitating its absorption by cells and exerting the therapeutic effect of combination therapy.

Objective To compare the therapeutic efficacy and identify differences between haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation combined with mesenchymal stem cells (Haplo-MSC) and umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation combined with mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSC) in mice with bone marrow acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Methods Eight-to ten-week-old CB6F1 mice were exposed to 8 Gy of ⁶⁰Co γ-ray irradiation to establish a bone marrow-type ARS model.The mice were then randomly assigned to three groups: the Haplo-MSC group (haploidentical hematopoietic stem cells combined with MSCs), the UCB-MSC group (umbilical cord blood stem cells combined with MSCs), and a saline control group. The survival rate, peripheral blood cell counts, pathological changes in target organs, colony formation of bone marrow cells, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were observed. Results All mice in the saline control group died within 14 days, with a median survival time of 8.9 days. The 30 day survival rate was 65% in the Haplo-MSC group and 60% in the UCB-MSC group. The Log-rank test showed no significant difference in survival time between the two transplantation groups (P=0.561). At 28 days post-transplantation, no significant differences were observed in WBC, PLT, RBC, or Hb counts between the two groups (P=0.151, 0.733, 0.856, and 0.300, respectively). Pathological changes in bone marrow cells showed that bone marrow failure occurred later in the UCB-MSC group than in the Haplo-MSC group. In contrast, the Haplo-MSC group exhibited faster hematopoietic stem cell engraftment. Furthermore, the numbers of CFU-E, CFU-GM, and CFU-GEMM differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Both the Haplo-MSC and UCB-MSC regimens promoted hematopoietic engraftment and reconstitution in mice with lethal-dose radiation-induced bone marrow ARS. However, the onset of bone marrow failure was delayed in mice treated with the UCB-MSC regimen. In contrast, mice treated with the Haplo-MSC regimen showed faster engraftment.

Objective:To explore the therapeutic mechanism of moxibustion in Crohn disease(CD)-associated intestinal fibrosis by observing its effects on the angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)/angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)/angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor(AT1R)axis in CD mouse models.Methods:Six randomly selected male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to a normal group,while the remaining mice were administered 0.1 mL of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid via enema to establish a CD intestinal fibrosis model.After successful modeling,the mice were randomly divided into a model group,a moxibustion group,and a Western medication group,with 6 rats in each group.The normal group and the model group only received grabbing without intervention.In the moxibustion group,mild moxibustion was applied to Qihai(CV6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST25)once a day for 10 min each time over 7 consecutive days.The Western medication group was administered mesalazine suspension via oral gavage once a day for 7 consecutive days.At the end of the intervention,the general condition,disease activity index(DAI)score,and gross colon score of mice in each group were evaluated.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe and score the histological changes in the colon tissue in each group.Masson staining was used to observe colonic fibrosis and the ratio of collagen-positive areas was analyzed;the expression of Ang Ⅱ in the colon tissue was detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of ACE and AT1R in the colon tissue,respectively;Western blotting was used to detect the expression of transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)in the colon tissue.Results:Compared to the normal group,the DAI score,gross colon score,colonic histological score,collagen-positive area ratio,ACE protein and mRNA,Ang Ⅱ protein,AT1R protein and mRNA,TGF-β1 protein,and CTGF protein in the colon tissue in the model group increased significantly(P<0.01).In contrast,the above indicators in both the moxibustion group and the Western medication group reduced significantly compared to the model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in these indicators between the moxibustion group and the Western medication group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion can alleviate intestinal fibrosis in CD mice,and its therapeutic mechanism may be associated with the regulation of colonic ACE/AngⅡ/AT1R axis.

Objective To investigate the effect of local vibration therapy(LVT)on fine motor function of upper extremity and surface electromyography characteristics in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy(SHCP).Methods Sixty children with SHCP were divided into the observation group and the control group using random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional rehabilitation treatment(physical therapy,occupational therapy,sensory integration training,physiotherapy and rehabilitation therapy of traditional Chinese medicine),while the observation group received LVT for the affected upper extremity in addition to conventional rehabilitation treatment.Both groups were treated for 12 weeks.Fine motor function of upper extremity on the hemiplegic side[Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-Fine Motor(PDMS-FM),Fine Motor Function Measure(FMFM)]and root mean square(RMS)value of the biceps surface electromyography were compared between the two groups as well as before and after treatment.Results Compared with those before treatment,both groups showed increases in PDMS-FM scores for grasping energy range,visual-motor integration energy range,fine motor development quotient,FMFM scores for upper extremity joint mobility ability,grasping ability,operation ability,hand-eye coordination ability and total scores,but a decrease in RMS value of biceps brachii after treatment(P＜0.05).After treatment,PDMS-FM scores for grasping energy range and visual-motor integration energy range,FMFM scores for upper extremity joint mobility ability and grasping ability and total score were higher in the observation group than those in the control group.The RMS value of biceps brachii was lower in the observation group than that of the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion LVT can enhance the effect of conventional rehabilitation on fine motor function of upper extremity and electromyography characteristics in children with SHCP.

Objective:To evaluate the intervention effectiveness of scenario simulation teaching based on the Eilks model on the social context integration ability, critical thinking, and humanistic care of resident physicians in the department of stomatology.Methods:A total of 94 resident physicians in the department of stomatology were included in the study, with 53 in the experimental group and 41 in the control group. The control group received traditional teaching, while the experimental group received scenario simulation teaching based on the Eilks model. Through the five-link design of "text analysis, scientific background, social context, viewpoint debate, and meta reflection", the integration of social science issues (such as ethical conflicts and economic costs) and clinical decision-making was strengthened. Trainees were evaluated for clinical decision-making ability, clinical reflection ability, and doctor-patient communication ability. The data were subjected to t-test and chi-square test using SPSS 24.0. Results:In terms of clinical decision-making ability, the experimental group outperformed the control group in ethical cost balance [(7.85±1.08) vs. (6.12±1.73), t=5.68, P<0.001], multidisciplinary collaboration [(8.25±0.73) vs. (5.83±0.82), t=6.01, P<0.001)], and complication planning [(7.98±1.02) vs. (5.34±1.42), t=6.79, P<0.001]. In terms of clinical reflection ability, the experimental group scored higher in depth of cost-benefit analysis, intensity of evidence-based reflection, and cognitive upgrading (all P<0.001). In terms of doctor-patient communication skills, the experimental group demonstrated superior performance compared to the control group in information collection [(10.25±1.28) vs. (7.53±1.33)] and emotional support [(10.97±1.18) vs. (6.53±1.23)]. Conclusions:Based on the Eilks model, scenario simulation teaching effectively enhances the ability of residents in the department of stomatology to integrate social factors, optimize ethical decision-making, and perform empathetic communication through social conflict simulation (such as three-way role debate) and dual path critical thinking training. In the future, further optimization is needed in terms of personalized expression and the timeliness of basic training.

Objective:To investigate the association between hearing loss and the type of indoor fuel applications in Chinese middle-aged and elderly people through longitudinal cohort study.Methods:Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), including adults aged 45 years and older enrolled in 2011, with follow-up for cooking and heating analyses extending to 2018 and 2015, respectively. The study calculated the incidence of hearing loss based on an indoor cooking or heating fuel type and expressed in terms of per 100 person-years. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the association between solid fuel use and hearing loss, and covariates such as gender, education, and economy were controlled. We also analyzed the impact of indoor fuel type and its switching on hearing loss.Results:A total of 6, 772 participants using household fuels for cooking (2011-2018) and 4, 618 for heating (2011-2015) were included. Those using solid fuels for cooking [(58.0±8.2) years] and heating [(58.1±8.5) years] were generally slightly older than that of those who used clean fuels. In the cooking analysis, the overall incidence of hearing loss was higher among solid fuel users compared to clean fuel users (Clean fuel: 2.6 cases per 100 person-years; solid fuel: 3.6 cases per 100 person-years; the difference between the two was statistically significant, P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the heating analysis ( P>0.05). Further classification of fuel-type use revealed that the incidence of hearing loss was the highest among people who had been using solid fuels consistently. Compared to the clean fuel group, the fully adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3-1.7) in the cooking analysis and 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1-2.0) in the heating analysis. Compared with using clean fuels, switching from clean fuels to solid fuels increased the risk of hearing loss both during cooking and heating processes. Conclusion:In the CHARLS database, individuals who use solid fuels for indoor cooking and heating are older than those who use clean fuels. Compared with clean fuel use, the use of solid fuels increases the risk of hearing loss in middle-aged and elderly people. Reducing the use of solid fuels, choosing clean fuels as substitutes for solid fuels, and avoiding the switch from clean fuels to solid fuels will help protect the hearing health of middle-aged and elderly individuals.

BACKGROUND:Research has shown that endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced autophagy of neurons in the ischemic penumbra is a key link in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.Autophagy mediated by the dissociation and activation of endoplasmic reticulum transmembrane proteins PERK,IRE1 α,ATF6,and GRP78/BIP plays an important role in neuronal outcomes.Traditional Chinese medicine can regulate endoplasmic reticulum stress-autophagy,reduce neuronal damage or death,and exert neuroprotective effects.OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress-autophagy in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and the research progress in the regulatory mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine.METHODS:A literature retrieval was conducted in CNKI and PubMed for relevant literature related to endoplasmic reticulum stress,autophagy,cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,and regulation by traditional Chinese Medicine published from January 2015 to May 2024.The search terms were"cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,ischemic stroke,brain injury,endoplasmic reticulum stress,autophagy,traditional Chinese medicine,compounds,signaling pathways,saponins,polyphenols,alkaloids"in Chinese and English,respectively.Any literature that is inconsistent with the research content,outdated,or duplicated was excluded.A total of 1197 relevant literature were retrieved,and 71 articles were ultimately included.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Numerous studies have suggested that endoplasmic reticulum stress-autophagy is closely related with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.(2)The active ingredients and compound formulas of traditional Chinese medicine monomers can regulate the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-autophagy related proteins,alleviate neuronal damage,and exert neuroprotective effects by regulating signal pathways such as PERK-eIF2α-ATF4,IRE1α-ASK1-JNK,and IRE1α-XBP.

Objective To explore the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)in rehabilitation of swallowing function in stroke patients.Methods A total of 86 stroke patients diagnosed and treated in Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University from December 2022 to December 2023 were selected as study objects,and they were divided into observation group and control group according to random number table method,with 43 cases in each group.The control group received routine rehabilitation programs,while the observation group received tDCS therapy on the basis of control group.The swallowing function,actual swallowing process and quality of life of two groups were compared before and after intervention.Results After the intervention,standardized swallowing assessment scores of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group(P＜0.05).The scores of oral and pharyngeal phases of observation group were higher than those of control group(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in esophageal phase score between two groups(P＞0.05).The quality of life score of observation group was significantly higher than that of control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion tDCS can improve the swallowing function of stroke patients and improve the quality of life,which is worthy of clinical application.

Objective:To explore the therapeutic mechanism of moxibustion in Crohn disease(CD)-associated intestinal fibrosis by observing its effects on the angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)/angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)/angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor(AT1R)axis in CD mouse models.Methods:Six randomly selected male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to a normal group,while the remaining mice were administered 0.1 mL of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid via enema to establish a CD intestinal fibrosis model.After successful modeling,the mice were randomly divided into a model group,a moxibustion group,and a Western medication group,with 6 rats in each group.The normal group and the model group only received grabbing without intervention.In the moxibustion group,mild moxibustion was applied to Qihai(CV6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST25)once a day for 10 min each time over 7 consecutive days.The Western medication group was administered mesalazine suspension via oral gavage once a day for 7 consecutive days.At the end of the intervention,the general condition,disease activity index(DAI)score,and gross colon score of mice in each group were evaluated.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe and score the histological changes in the colon tissue in each group.Masson staining was used to observe colonic fibrosis and the ratio of collagen-positive areas was analyzed;the expression of Ang Ⅱ in the colon tissue was detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of ACE and AT1R in the colon tissue,respectively;Western blotting was used to detect the expression of transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)in the colon tissue.Results:Compared to the normal group,the DAI score,gross colon score,colonic histological score,collagen-positive area ratio,ACE protein and mRNA,Ang Ⅱ protein,AT1R protein and mRNA,TGF-β1 protein,and CTGF protein in the colon tissue in the model group increased significantly(P<0.01).In contrast,the above indicators in both the moxibustion group and the Western medication group reduced significantly compared to the model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in these indicators between the moxibustion group and the Western medication group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion can alleviate intestinal fibrosis in CD mice,and its therapeutic mechanism may be associated with the regulation of colonic ACE/AngⅡ/AT1R axis.