In the context of the digital-intelligent era of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， the lack of clinical thinking is a pressing issue that limits the overall effectiveness of TCM and talent cultivation. The "disease-pulse-syndrome-treatment differentiation" thinking model， originally developed by ZHANG Zhongjing in the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases （Shang Han Za Bing Lun）， has served as a guideline and paradigm followed by generations of medical practitioners. This study aims to construct a digitalized "disease-pulse-syndrome-treatment differentiation" thinking system， develop a digital assessment system， and implement it for practical application. The goal is to recommend a digitalized assessment model for TCM and provide a reference for the integrated innovation of talent cultivation in medicine， education， and research. First， based on the complex diagnostic and treatment framework of the Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases （Shang Han Lun）， the research team previously established a "process" + "result" thinking model that included four processes and ten steps. This study integrates knowledge unit theory and digital technology to create a digital system for "disease-pulse-syndrome-treatment differentiation" with a dual-control model of "process control" and "result control". The system consists of 46 items across three categories： knowledge body （W=20%）， knowledge element （W=30%）， and knowledge element associations （W=50%）. Second， a mixed-methods research design was employed， combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. The Delphi method was used to establish hierarchical levels and screen items， while the analytic hierarchy process （AHP） was used to assign weights. Expert surveys were conducted to reach a consensus and further validate the rationale and necessity of the system. Finally， based on the system architecture and integrating key computer technologies， a digital assessment system for "disease-pulse-syndrome-treatment differentiation" was developed. The Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases （Shang Han Lun） was used as a case study to validate the system's feasibility. Statistical results showed that the difficulty level of the assessment question bank was moderate （DL ranging from 0.65 to 0.89）， with good discrimination （D>0.4）， and reasonable reliability and validity （Cronbach's α=0.84， KMO=0.72， Bartlett's test P<0.01）. The system can perform process-oriented evaluations of candidates' thinking in "disease-pulse-syndrome-treatment differentiation" and effectively achieve the goal of clinical thinking assessment through a combination of "process control" and "result control". The examination system offers three major advantages. It standardizes， objectifies， and streamlines the assessment of thought processes， facilitates the organic transformation of TCM education from outcome-based education to thinking-based education， and from exam-oriented education to competency-oriented education， and promotes the practical transformation of TCM assessments from qualitative to quantitative evaluation， as well as from theory to practice. In summary， this system not only represents a technological upgrade to traditional examinations but also empowers the cultivation and assessment of clinical talent in the digital-intelligent era， demonstrating broad application prospects.

This study aims to explore the impact of host plants on the quality of Taxilli Herba and provide a theoretical basis for the quality control of Taxilli Herba. The components of Taxilli Herba from three different host plants(Morus alba, Salix babylonica, and Cinnamomum cassia) and its 3 hosts(mulberry branch, willow branch, and cinnamon branch) were detected by widely targeted metabolomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS). Principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and Venn diagram were employed for analysis. A total of 717 metabolites were detected in Taxilli Herba from the three host plants and the branches of these host plants by UPLC-MS/MS. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA of Taxilli Herba from the three different host plants showed an obvious separation trend due to the different effects of host plants. The Venn diagram showed that there were 32, 8, and 26 characteristic metabolites in samples of Taxilli Herba from M. alba host, S. babylonica host, and C. cassia host, respectively. It was found by comparing the characteristic metabolites of Taxilli Herba and its hosts that each host transmits its characteristic components to Taxilli Herba, so that the Taxilli Herba contains the characteristic components of the host. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites of Taxilli Herba from the three hosts were mainly enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Furthermore, the differential metabolites enriching pathways of Taxilli Herba from the three hosts were different depending on the host. In a word, host plants have a significant impact on the metabolites of Taxilli Herba, and it may be an important factor for the quality of Taxilli Herba.
Metabolomics/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Quality Control ; Salix/chemistry* ; Cinnamomum aromaticum/metabolism* ; Principal Component Analysis

Central sensitization(CS) is an important factor in inducing neuropathic pain(NPP), and the association between signal transduction protein 1(Epac1) and piezoelectric type mechanosensitive ion channel component 2(Piezo2) is a new and significant pathway for initiating CS. This study whether the central analgesic effect of Maxiong Powder is achieved through the synchronized regulation of the Epac1-Piezo2 signaling pathway in the medial habenular nucleus(MHb) and interpeduncular nucleus(IPN) of the brain. Dynamic in vivo microdialysis, combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection(HPLC-RFC), behavioral assessments, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative reverse transcription PCR, were employed in rats with partial sciatic nerve injury(SNI) to investigate the distribution and expression of Epac1 and Piezo2 proteins and genes in the MHb and IPN regions, and the changes in the extracellular levels of glutamate(Glu), aspartic acid(Asp), and glycine(Gly). Compared with the sham group, rats in the SNI group showed significantly reduced analgesic activity, a significant increase in cold pain sensitivity scores, and elevated Glu levels in the MHb and IPN regions. Additionally, the number of Piezo2-positive cells in these regions, as well as the expression levels of Epac1 and Piezo2 proteins and genes, were significantly increased. Compared with the SNI group, after Maxiong Powder administration, the analgesic activity in rats significantly increased, and cold pain sensitivity scores were significantly reduced. Maxiong Powder also significantly decreased the Glu content in the MHb and IPN regions and the Gly content in the MHb region, while significantly increasing the Asp content in both regions. Furthermore, Maxiong Powder significantly reduced the number of Piezo2-positive cells and lowered the protein and gene expression levels of Epac1 and Piezo2 in both brain regions. The central analgesic effect of Maxiong Powder may be related to its inhibition of Glu and Gly release in the extracellular fluid of the MHb and IPN regions, the increase of Asp levels in these regions, and the regulation of the Epac1-Piezo2 pathway through the reduction of Epac1 and Piezo2 protein and gene expression. These results provide partial scientific evidence for the clinical analgesic efficacy of Maxiong Powder and offer new ideas and approaches for the clinical treatment of NPP.
Animals ; Neuralgia/genetics* ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Habenula/drug effects* ; Ion Channels/genetics* ; Humans

This study investigated the mechanism by which Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction promotes acetylcholine receptor(AChR) clustering in myasthenia gravis through the Agrin/low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4(LRP4)/muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinases(MuSK) signaling pathway. A total of 114 female C57BL/6J mice were divided into the normal group, modeling group, and solvent control group. The normal group and the solvent control group were immunized with phosphate-buffered saline(PBS), while the modeling group was established as an experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis(EAMG) model using the murine-derived AChR-α subunit R97-116 peptide fragment. After successful modeling, the mice were randomly assigned to the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction groups, and the prednisone group. After four weeks of continuous treatment, muscle strength was assessed using Lennon scores and grip strength tests. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted on differentiated C2C12 myotubes incubated with a drug-containing serum to observe the number of AChR clusters. The integrity of AChR on myofilaments in mouse gastrocnemius muscles was further assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE)staining was applied to examine pathological changes in the gastrocnemius muscles of EAMG mice treated with Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction. Western blot was utilized to detect the expression of key proteins in the Agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling pathway in both C2C12 myotubes and mouse gastrocnemius muscles. The results demonstrated that compared to the model group, the prednisone group exhibited a significant decrease in the body weights of mice, whereas no significant differences in the body weights of mice were observed among the low-, medium-, and high-dose Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction groups. All treatment groups showed significantly improved grip strength and Lennon scores. Additionally, the formula promoted AChR clustering on myotubes and enhanced AChR integrity in gastrocnemius myofilaments and reduced inflammatory infiltration between muscle tissue and fibrous hyperplasia. Furthermore, Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction upregulated the protein expression of AChRα1, Agrin, and p-MuSK in C2C12 myotubes and increased the protein expression of AChRα1, Agrin, MuSK, p-MuSK, LRP4, and docking protein 7(Dok-7)in gastrocnemius tissue. In conclusion, Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction may promote AChR clustering by targeting key proteins in the Agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling pathway, thereby improving neuromuscular junction function and enhancing muscle strength.
Animals ; Agrin/genetics* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Receptors, Cholinergic/genetics* ; Female ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics* ; Neuromuscular Junction/metabolism* ; Myasthenia Gravis, Autoimmune, Experimental/physiopathology* ; Humans ; LDL-Receptor Related Proteins

The differences in chemical quality characteristics between Xinjiang Rehmannia glutinosa and R. glutinosa were analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for the introduction and quality control of R. glutinosa. In this study, the high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints of 6 batches of Xinjiang R. glutinosa and 10 batches of R. glutinosa samples were established. The content of iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides in Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa was determined by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection(HPLC-DAD), high performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detection(HPLC-ELSD), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy(UV-Vis). The determination results were analyzed with by chemical pattern recognition and entropy weight TOPSIS method. The results showed that there were 19 common peaks in the HPLC fingerprints of the 16 batches of R. glutinosa, and catalpol, aucubin, rehmannioside D, rehmannioside A, hydroxytyrosol, leonuride, salidroside, cistanoside A, and verbascoside were identified. Hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA) and principal component analysis(PCA) showed that Qinyang R. glutinosa, Mengzhou R. glutinosa, and Xinjiang R. glutinosa were grouped into three different categories, and eight common components causing the chemical quality difference between Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa in Mengzhou and Qinyang of Henan province were screened out by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA). The results of content determination showed that there were glucose, sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, polysaccharides, and nine glycosides in Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa samples, and the content of catalpol, rehmannioside A, leonuride, cistanoside A, verbascoside, sucrose, and glucose was significantly different between Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa. The analysis with entropy weight TOPSIS method showed that the comprehensive quality of R. glutinosa in Mengzhou and Qinyang of Henan province was better than that of Xinjiang R. glutinosa. In conclusion, the types of main chemical components of R. glutinosa and Xinjiang R. glutinosa were the same, but their content was different. The chemical quality of R. glutinosa was better than Xinjiang R. glutinosa, and other components in R. glutinosa from two producing areas and their effects need further study.
Rehmannia/classification* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Quality Control

Stem cell treatment may enhance erectile dysfunction (ED) in individuals with cavernous nerve injury (CNI). Nevertheless, no investigations have directly ascertained the implications of varying amounts of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) on ED. We compare the efficacy of three various doses of HUC-MSCs as a therapeutic strategy for ED. Sprague-Dawley rats (total = 175) were randomly allocated into five groups. A total of 35 rats underwent sham surgery and 140 rats endured bilateral CNI and were treated with vehicles or doses of HUC-MSCs (1 × 10 6 cells, 5 × 10 6 cells, and 1 × 10 7 cells in 0.1 ml, respectively). Penile tissues were harvested for histological analysis on 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 28 days, 60 days, and 90 days postsurgery. It was found that varying dosages of HUC-MSCs enhanced the erectile function of rats with bilateral CNI and ED. Moreover, there was no significant disparity in the effectiveness of various dosages of HUC-MSCs. However, the expression of endothelial markers (rat endothelial cell antigen-1 [RECA-1] and endothelial nitric oxide synthase [eNOS]), smooth muscle markers (alpha smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] and desmin), and neural markers (neurofilament [RECA-1] and neurogenic nitric oxide synthase [nNOS]) increased significantly with prolonged treatment time. Masson's staining demonstrated an increased in the smooth muscle cell (SMC)/collagen ratio. Significant changes were detected in the microstructures of various types of cells. In vivo imaging system (IVIS) analysis showed that at the 1 st day, the HUC-MSCs implanted moved to the site of damage. Additionally, the oxidative stress levels were dramatically reduced in the penises of rats administered with HUC-MSCs.
Male ; Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/methods* ; Rats ; Penis/pathology* ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Umbilical Cord/cytology* ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/complications* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism* ; Actins/metabolism* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between insulin resistance and uterine volume in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving 61 girls diagnosed with ICPP who visited the pediatric growth and development clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2022 and September 2024, designated as the ICPP group, and 61 normally developing girls as the control group. The differences in insulin resistance index (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, HOMA-IR), uterine volume, and other indicators between the two groups were compared, and the relationship between insulin resistance and uterine volume in these girls was analyzed. RESULTS: The uterine volume and HOMA-IR level in the ICPP group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between HOMA-IR level and uterine volume in the ICPP group (r_s=0.643, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that as HOMA-IR increased,uterine volume in the girls tended to increase (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is an association between insulin resistance and uterine volume in girls with ICPP, and as HOMA-IR increases, uterine volume in the girls also increases.
Humans ; Female ; Insulin Resistance ; Puberty, Precocious/metabolism* ; Uterus/pathology* ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Organ Size ; Linear Models

This article reports a child with cardioaciocutaneous syndrome (CFCS) caused by a rare microdeletion of chromosome 19p13.3, and a literature review is conducted. The child had unusual facies, short stature, delayed mental and motor development, macrocephaly, and cardiac abnormalities. Whole-exome sequencing identified a 1 040 kb heterozygous deletion in the 19p13.3 region of the child, which was rated as a "pathogenic variant". This is the first case of CFCS caused by a loss-of-function mutation reported in China, which enriches the genotype characteristics of CFCS. It is imperative to enhance the understanding of CFCS in children. Early identification based on its clinical manifestations should be pursued, and genetic testing should be performed to facilitate diagnosis.
Humans ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19/genetics* ; Ectodermal Dysplasia/genetics* ; Facies ; Failure to Thrive/genetics* ; Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics*

OBJECTIVES: To study genotype-phenotype correlations in children with FGFR3 variants and to improve clinical recognition of related disorders. METHODS: Clinical data of 95 patients aged 0-18 years harboring FGFR3 variants, confirmed by whole‑exome sequencing at Shanghai Children's Medical Center from January 2012 to December 2023, were retrospectively reviewed. Detailed phenotypic characterization was performed for 22 patients with achondroplasia (ACH) and 10 with hypochondroplasia (HCH). RESULTS: Among the 95 patients, 52 (55%) had ACH, 24 (25%) had HCH, 9 (9%) had thanatophoric dysplasia, 3 (3%) had syndromic skeletal dysplasia, 2 (2%) had severe achondroplasia with developmental delay and acanthosis nigricans, and 5 (5%) remained unclassified. A previously unreported FGFR3 variant, c.1663G>T, was identified. All 22 ACH patients presented with disproportionate short stature accompanied by limb dysplasia, commonly with macrocephaly, a depressed nasal bridge, bowed legs, and frontal bossing; complications were present in 17 (77%). The 10 HCH patients predominantly exhibited disproportionate short stature with limb dysplasia and depressed nasal bridge. CONCLUSIONS ACH is the most frequent phenotype associated with FGFR3 variants, and missense variants constitute the predominant variant type. The degree of FGFR3 activation appears to correlate with the clinical severity of skeletal dysplasia.
Humans ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3/genetics* ; Child ; Male ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Infant ; Adolescent ; Dwarfism/genetics* ; Achondroplasia/genetics* ; Lordosis/genetics* ; Infant, Newborn ; Retrospective Studies ; Genetic Association Studies ; Bone and Bones/abnormalities* ; Phenotype ; Limb Deformities, Congenital

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent suicidal ideation, and to examine the chain mediating roles of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was administered by school psychologists to 4 157 mother-adolescent pairs from middle schools in Shanghai and Henan, China. Measures included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Children's Depression Inventory. Using Bootstrap method to examine the chain mediating effect of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness on the relationship between maternal depression symptoms and adolescent suicidal ideation. RESULTS: The prevalence of maternal depressive symptoms was 17.68% (735/4 157); among adolescents, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15.49% (644/4 157), and suicidal ideation was 28.19% (1 172/4 157). Adolescent depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation were positively correlated with maternal depressive symptoms, childhood trauma, and ineffectiveness (all P<0.01). Childhood trauma significantly mediated the association between maternal and adolescent depressive symptoms (95%CI: 0.046 9-0.077 2). The chain mediation of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness in the association between maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent suicidal ideation was also significant (95%CI: 0.000 7-0.001 3). CONCLUSIONS Higher maternal depressive symptom levels are associated with a greater likelihood of adolescents' exposure to childhood trauma, which increases adolescents' ineffectiveness and, in turn, is associated with suicidal ideation. This chain effect has important implications for social interventions targeting adolescent depression.
Humans ; Suicidal Ideation ; Adolescent ; Female ; Depression/etiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Mothers/psychology* ; Male ; Child ; Adult