1.Pharmacodynamic Substances and Mechanisms of Xinglou Chengqi Tang in Treating Post-stroke Complications: A Review
Yujin ZHANG ; Xiangzhuo LIU ; Zhouyang CHEN ; Zihao SONG ; Xinyi LIU ; Yizhi YAN ; Chaoya LI ; Yingyan FANG ; Shasha YANG ; Xueqin CHENG ; Zhou XIE ; Sijie TAN ; Peng ZENG ; Yue ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):327-337
Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability among adults in China, and its common complications include digestive system abnormalities, cognitive impairment, depression, stroke-associated pneumonia, and hemiplegia. The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine has great potential in treating post-stroke complications. Xinglou Chengqitang (XLCQT) is a representative prescription of alleviating the disease in the upper part by treating the lower part. It has definite therapeutic effect and high safety. Clinically, XLCQT is often used to treat stroke and its complications. However, the quantity and quality of clinical trials of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications need to be improved. Additionally, since the basic research is weak, the material basis and multi-target mechanism for the efficacy of this prescription are unknown. This article reviews XLCQT in terms of the pharmacodynamic basis, medicinal properties, safety evaluation, and progress in clinical research and mechanisms in treating post-stroke complications. This article summarizes 22 key active ingredients of XLCQT in treating acute stroke complicated with syndrome of phlegm heat and fu-organ excess. Among these key active ingredients, resveratrol, kaempferol, luteolin, chrysoeriol, apigenin, (+)-catechin, and adenosine have good pharmacokinetic properties and high bioavailability. The mechanisms of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications are complex, including inflammatory response, brain-gut axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, intestinal flora, neurotrophic factors, autophagy, oxidative stress, and free radical damage. This review helps to deeply understand the pharmacodynamic basis and mechanisms of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of XLCQT against post-stroke complications and the development of drugs.
2.Artificial intelligence-based quality control of hand hygiene for hospital-acquired infection
Xuchen YANG ; Jingwen LI ; Wan ZHANG ; Shasha FENG ; Min ZENG ; Jianan SHI ; Youqiong CHEN ; Tao ZHENG ; Xun YAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):241-247
Objective To explore an artificial intelligence (AI)-based method for automated hand hygiene monitoring and to compare the effectiveness of three algorithms (UniFormerV2, TDN, C3D) in recognizing hand hygiene steps in surgical settings, thereby aiding hospital infection control. Methods From April to October 2024, we non-invasively collected 641 video recordings of healthcare staff performing hand hygiene at four-bay scrub sinks in two tertiary hospitals using overhead HD cameras. The dataset was annotated by five trained experts for model training and validation. Results Following training on 385 samples, internal validation (n=119) showed the C3D model achieved 81% accuracy, 87% recall, and an 83% F1-score. The TDN model achieved 93%, 91%, and 92% for the same metrics. The UniFormerV2 model outperformed both, with an accuracy, recall, and F1-score of 93%—an improvement of over 10 percentage points compared to traditional CNNs (TDN, C3D). It also achieved an 84% accuracy in external validation, demonstrating strong generalization. Conclusion The UniFormerV2 model is more accurate than CNN-based models for hand hygiene step recognition and shows robust performance in external validation. It presents a viable tool for healthcare facilities to enhance hand hygiene management, ultimately improving medical quality and patient safety.
3.Observation on the efficacy of Huoluo Xiaotong capsules in treating cervical spondylosis radiculopathy:a real-world study
Xiangzhou LAN ; Weike ZENG ; Shasha ZHOU ; Gaoyan KUANG ; Cheng GUO ; Qing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(9):1025-1031
Objective To compare the early efficacy and safety of Huoluo Xiaotong capsules and Jingtong granules in treating cervical spondylosis radiculopathy(CSR).Methods A real-world study was conducted among CSR patients who visited three tertiary-grade-A hospitals in Changsha between January 2024 and February 2025.Patients were divided into a control group(Jingtong granules,4 g,po,tid)and an observation group(Huoluo Xiaotong capsules,1.4 g,po,tid);both groups were treated for 2 weeks.Baseline characteristics were balanced with inverse probability of treatment weighting(IPTW).Numeric rating scale(NRS)scores,overall response rates,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom scores were compared at baseline,1 week,and 2 week.Results A total of 120 patients were ultimately included,with 30 in the control group and 90 in the observation group.After IPTW adjustment,at 1 week of treatment,the clinical efficacy rate of observation group(98.85%)were significantly exceeded that of control group(80.14%)(P<0.001);at 2 weeks,the clinical efficacy rate of the two groups were both 100.00%.NRS and TCM syndrome scores showed no intergroup differences at baseline or 1 week(P>0.05),at 2 weeks,the observation group demonstrated significantly lower NRS and TCM syndrome scores versus controls(P<0.001).No adverse reactions occurred in either group.Conclusion Huoluo Xiaotong capsules demonstrate favorable short-term efficacy and safety in CSR,significantly alleviating pain and improving TCM symptoms within 2 weeks.High-quality randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
4.Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and high-definition transcranial direct current stimula-tion on motor cortex excitability in healthy adults
Yajuan LI ; Shasha FAN ; Bo ZENG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;40(10):1534-1540
Objective:Transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS),a non-invasive and safe neuromodulation technique,has been widely applied in stroke rehabilitation and motor function enhancement.However,differences in the ef-fects of conventional tDCS and high-definition tDCS(HD-tDCS)remain unclear.This study aims to compare the effects of tDCS and HD-tDCS on motor cortex excitability in healthy adults,providing evidence for the optimization of clinical neuromodulation strategies.Method:Forty healthy participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups(group A and group B),with 20 participants in each group.A two-phase,two-treatment crossover de-sign was employed.In the first phase,participants in Group A received HD-tDCS with a center-anodal configu-ration over the motor cortex corresponding to the hemisphere with a higher resting motor threshold(RMT)de-termined by transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS).The stimulation intensity was 1.5 mA and lasted for 20 minutes.After a 24-hour washout,the second phase involved anodal tDCS with identical stimulation parame-ters and location.In contrast,group B first received anodal tDCS followed by HD-tDCS after the washout pe-riod.Changes in motor evoked potential(MEP)of the bilateral motor cortices were assessed at multiple time points,including changes in bilateral RMT,the RMT difference(ΔRMT),and central motor conduction time(CMCT).Result:No significant differences were found between the two phases for any of the observed variables(P>0.05).Compared with baseline,both stimulation methods led to immediate and significant reductions in bilater-al RMT and ΔRMT,as well as shortened CMCT on the stimulated side(P<0.05).On stimulated-side,tDCS produced a more immediate reduction in RMT,while HD-tDCS showed a peak reduction at 30 minutes post-stimulation.In both cases,RMT gradually returned to baseline by 120 minutes.A significant difference in RMT changes between the two methods was observed after 30 minutes(P<0.05).On non-stimulated-side,a marked immediate increase was observed following tDCS,but subsequent trends were similar between the two methods,with no significant differences.Bilateral CMCT decreased after both types of stimulation,with no significant differences in changes over time between the two methods.Conclusion:tDCS has a more pronounced immediate effect on RMT modulation,while HD-tDCS exhibits more prominent delayed effects.
5.Observation on the efficacy of Huoluo Xiaotong capsules in treating cervical spondylosis radiculopathy:a real-world study
Xiangzhou LAN ; Weike ZENG ; Shasha ZHOU ; Gaoyan KUANG ; Cheng GUO ; Qing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(9):1025-1031
Objective To compare the early efficacy and safety of Huoluo Xiaotong capsules and Jingtong granules in treating cervical spondylosis radiculopathy(CSR).Methods A real-world study was conducted among CSR patients who visited three tertiary-grade-A hospitals in Changsha between January 2024 and February 2025.Patients were divided into a control group(Jingtong granules,4 g,po,tid)and an observation group(Huoluo Xiaotong capsules,1.4 g,po,tid);both groups were treated for 2 weeks.Baseline characteristics were balanced with inverse probability of treatment weighting(IPTW).Numeric rating scale(NRS)scores,overall response rates,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom scores were compared at baseline,1 week,and 2 week.Results A total of 120 patients were ultimately included,with 30 in the control group and 90 in the observation group.After IPTW adjustment,at 1 week of treatment,the clinical efficacy rate of observation group(98.85%)were significantly exceeded that of control group(80.14%)(P<0.001);at 2 weeks,the clinical efficacy rate of the two groups were both 100.00%.NRS and TCM syndrome scores showed no intergroup differences at baseline or 1 week(P>0.05),at 2 weeks,the observation group demonstrated significantly lower NRS and TCM syndrome scores versus controls(P<0.001).No adverse reactions occurred in either group.Conclusion Huoluo Xiaotong capsules demonstrate favorable short-term efficacy and safety in CSR,significantly alleviating pain and improving TCM symptoms within 2 weeks.High-quality randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
6.Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation and high-definition transcranial direct current stimula-tion on motor cortex excitability in healthy adults
Yajuan LI ; Shasha FAN ; Bo ZENG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;40(10):1534-1540
Objective:Transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS),a non-invasive and safe neuromodulation technique,has been widely applied in stroke rehabilitation and motor function enhancement.However,differences in the ef-fects of conventional tDCS and high-definition tDCS(HD-tDCS)remain unclear.This study aims to compare the effects of tDCS and HD-tDCS on motor cortex excitability in healthy adults,providing evidence for the optimization of clinical neuromodulation strategies.Method:Forty healthy participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups(group A and group B),with 20 participants in each group.A two-phase,two-treatment crossover de-sign was employed.In the first phase,participants in Group A received HD-tDCS with a center-anodal configu-ration over the motor cortex corresponding to the hemisphere with a higher resting motor threshold(RMT)de-termined by transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS).The stimulation intensity was 1.5 mA and lasted for 20 minutes.After a 24-hour washout,the second phase involved anodal tDCS with identical stimulation parame-ters and location.In contrast,group B first received anodal tDCS followed by HD-tDCS after the washout pe-riod.Changes in motor evoked potential(MEP)of the bilateral motor cortices were assessed at multiple time points,including changes in bilateral RMT,the RMT difference(ΔRMT),and central motor conduction time(CMCT).Result:No significant differences were found between the two phases for any of the observed variables(P>0.05).Compared with baseline,both stimulation methods led to immediate and significant reductions in bilater-al RMT and ΔRMT,as well as shortened CMCT on the stimulated side(P<0.05).On stimulated-side,tDCS produced a more immediate reduction in RMT,while HD-tDCS showed a peak reduction at 30 minutes post-stimulation.In both cases,RMT gradually returned to baseline by 120 minutes.A significant difference in RMT changes between the two methods was observed after 30 minutes(P<0.05).On non-stimulated-side,a marked immediate increase was observed following tDCS,but subsequent trends were similar between the two methods,with no significant differences.Bilateral CMCT decreased after both types of stimulation,with no significant differences in changes over time between the two methods.Conclusion:tDCS has a more pronounced immediate effect on RMT modulation,while HD-tDCS exhibits more prominent delayed effects.
7.Pharmacodynamic Substances and Mechanisms of Da Chengqitang in Treating Stroke: A Review
Yizhi YAN ; Xinyi LIU ; Yang DUAN ; Miaoqing LONG ; Chaoya LI ; Qiang LI ; Yi'an CHEN ; Shasha YANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Peng ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):297-306
Stroke is the main cause of death and disability among adults in China and is characterized by high incidence, disability, mortality, and recurrence rates. The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine has great potential in treating stroke and its sequelae. The classic traditional Chinese medicine prescription Da Chengqitang (DCQT) has a long history and proven efficacy in treating stroke. Clinically, DCQT is often used to treat stroke and its sequelae. However, the number and quality of clinical trials of DCQT in treating stroke need to be improved. Because of the insufficient basic research, the active ingredients and multi-target mechanism of action of DCQT remain unclear. Our research group has previously confirmed that DCQT can effectively reverse neurological damage, reduce iron deposition, and downregulate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the rat model of hemorrhagic stroke. The treatment mechanism is related to the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated signaling pathway and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling-mediated microglia activation. To clarify the pharmacodynamic basis and anti-stroke mechanism of DCQT, this article reviews the research progress in the treatment of stroke with DCQT in terms of clinical trials, pharmacodynamic material basis, safety evaluation, and mechanisms of absorbed components. This article summarizes 45 major phytochemical components of DCQT, 11 of which are currently confirmed absorbed components. Among them, emodin, rhein, chrysophanol, aloe-emodin, synephrine, hesperidin, naringin, magnolol, and honokiol can be used as quality markers (Q-markers) of DCQT. The mechanism of DCQT in treating stroke is complex, involving regulation of inflammatory responses, neuronal damage, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and anti-platelet aggregation. This article helps to deeply understand the pharmacodynamic basis and mechanism of DCQT in treating stroke and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of DCQT in treating stroke and the development of stroke drugs.
8.Nursing care for midline catheter insertion in 12 patients with severe obesity
Xufen ZENG ; Xiuzhu CAO ; Hongying CHEN ; Shasha WU ; Xianghong JIN ; Linfang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(13):1563-1566
This study summarized the nursing experience of midline catheter insertion in 12 patients with a body mass index≥50,providing clinical references.Key nursing interventions included:pre-insertion patient positioning was adjusted to semi-Fowler's or sitting position based on respiratory status.The puncture sites were chosen at the middle or distal third of the upper arm with elbow flexion.The widened tourniquets and extended-length needles/catheter sheaths were used according to vascular depth and puncture angle.The modified pre-insertion length measurement and real-time ultrasound-guided vascular puncture were applied.The catheter with crisscross elastic bandage was secured post-insertion.All 12 patients successfully underwent catheterization,with devices removed after completing intravenous therapy and blood sampling.
9.Nursing care for midline catheter insertion in 12 patients with severe obesity
Xufen ZENG ; Xiuzhu CAO ; Hongying CHEN ; Shasha WU ; Xianghong JIN ; Linfang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(13):1563-1566
This study summarized the nursing experience of midline catheter insertion in 12 patients with a body mass index≥50,providing clinical references.Key nursing interventions included:pre-insertion patient positioning was adjusted to semi-Fowler's or sitting position based on respiratory status.The puncture sites were chosen at the middle or distal third of the upper arm with elbow flexion.The widened tourniquets and extended-length needles/catheter sheaths were used according to vascular depth and puncture angle.The modified pre-insertion length measurement and real-time ultrasound-guided vascular puncture were applied.The catheter with crisscross elastic bandage was secured post-insertion.All 12 patients successfully underwent catheterization,with devices removed after completing intravenous therapy and blood sampling.
10.Improvement of Depression-like Behavior of Depression Model Mice by Sinisan via Regulating GSK-3β/A20/C/EBPβ to Inhibit Activation of Microglia
Hongyun CHEN ; Dongying YANG ; Huiqing LIAO ; Yanyan ZENG ; Linke PAN ; Shasha BAI ; Di DENG ; Yafei SHI ; Rong ZHANG ; Lei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):16-23
ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effect of Sinisan (SNS) by regulating glycogen aynthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3(A20)/CCAAT enhancer binding protein β(C/EBPβ) to inhibit the activation of microglia. MethodA total of 72 male C57/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, fluoxetine group (5.0 mg·kg-1), low-dose Sinisan group (4.9 g·kg-1), medium-dose Sinisan group (9.8 g·kg-1), and high-dose Sinisan group (19.6 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. After one week of adaptive feeding, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was performed to establish the depression model. In the fifth week, drug treatment was conducted for four weeks. In the ninth week, behavioral tests were performed, including sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OPT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and forced swimming test (FST). Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), GSK-3β, A20, and C/EBPβ in the cortex. The expression of M1-polarized ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68) in microglia was detected by immunofluorescence. ResultAfter eight weeks of CUMS, compared with the normal group, the mice in the model group had a significantly reduced sucrose preference rate (P<0.01), and the activity in the central area of the OPT was significantly reduced (P<0.01). The activity in the open arm area of the EPM test was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the immobility time of FST was increased (P<0.01). The expression levels of inflammatory proteins IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS were increased (P<0.01), and the fluorescence co-localization index of Iba1 and CD68 was increased (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of GSK-3β and C/EBPβ were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). After four weeks of SNS intervention, compared with the model group, the mice in the SNS group had significantly increased sucrose preference rate (P<0.01), significantly increased activities in the central area and the open arm area in the OPT and the EPM test (P<0.05), and significantly reduced immobility time in the FST (P< 0.01). The protein expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the fluorescence co-localization index of Iba1 and CD68 was decreased in the high-dose SNS group (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of GSK-3β and C/EBPβ in the medium-dose and high-dose SNS groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and that of A20 was significantly increased (P<0.01). ConclusionThe antidepressant effect of SNS is related to the regulation of GSK-3β/A20/C/EBPβ protein expression and the inhibition of M1-type activation of microglia.

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