To determine the optimal cultivation duration and harvest period for cultivated Notopterygium incisum and promote its industrial development, this study established a characteristic chromatographic profile of cultivated N. incisum and employed chemometrics combined with entropy-weighted grey correlation analysis to assess differences in agronomic traits and quality indicators across different cultivation years and harvest periods. By comparing with reference substances, ten common peaks were identified, including chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, marmesinin, nodakenin, isochlorogenic acid B, notopterol, phenethyl ferulate, isoimperatorin, and falcarindiol. The similarity between the characteristic chromatographic profiles of N. incisum at different cultivation years and the reference profile was all above 0.932. Principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) revealed that the quality of 1-to 3-year-old cultivated N. incisum was highly dispersed and unstable, whereas the quality of 4-year-old cultivated N. incisum remained relatively stable across different harvest periods. This suggests that the accumulation of relevant compounds in the medicinal material had reached a plateau, confirming that the optimal cultivation period for N. incisum is four years. Entropy-weighted grey correlation analysis indicated that the quality of 4-year-old cultivated N. incisum across different harvest periods ranked from highest to lowest as follows: November, December, October, August, July, and September, demonstrating that November is the optimal harvest time. The findings of this study establish the suitable cultivation duration and optimal harvest period for N. incisum, providing a scientific basis for cultivation guidance and quality standardization.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Apiaceae/chemistry* ; Entropy ; Chemometrics/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Principal Component Analysis ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical symptoms and MRI outcomes of patients with ruptured lumbar disc herniation(LDH) through a multicenter randomized controlled study, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huoxue formula() in the treatment of this disease. METHODS: A total of 160 outpatients and inpatients with ruptured LDH admitted to 4 medical centers from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected and randomly divided into the Yiqi Huoxue formula group and the control group, with 80 patients in each group. In the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, there were 43 males and 37 females, with an age of (41.03±9.56) years and a disease duration of (10.45±25.37) days, and the patients were treated with Yiqi Huoxue formula. In the control group, there were 34 males and 46 females, with an age of (42.14±8.73) years and a disease duration of (11.31±21.14) days;during the acute phase, patients in this group could take celecoxib capsules orally, and methylcobalamin orally at the same time. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), changes in the volume of herniated disc tissue on MRI, herniation rate, and absorption rate were recorded at the time of enrollment and during follow-ups at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients completed the clinical follow-up, and 4 patients withdrew midway. The clinical symptoms of all patients who completed the study were relieved to varying degrees, and reabsorption of herniated disc tissue was observed in all patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group after treatment. For the JOA score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (10.73±2.76) points before treatment and (24.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (11.01±1.20) points before treatment and (17.07±3.26) points at the 12th month after treatment. For the ODI score:in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, it was (26.21±3.55) points before treatment and (5.65±2.19) points at the 12th month after treatment;in the control group, it was (27.92±2.51) points before treatment and (9.09±2.15) points at the 12th month after treatment. At the 12th month after treatment, the JOA and ODI scores of both groups were better than those before treatment, and the scores of the Yiqi Huoxue formula group were better than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In terms of the herniated disc volume and herniation rate on MRI, the Yiqi Huoxue formula group was superior to the control group, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). Reabsorption occurred in 56.96%(45/79) of patients in the Yiqi Huoxue formula group, which was significantly higher than the 37.66%(29/77) in the control group. CONCLUSION After treatment with Yiqi Huoxue formula, patients with ruptured LDH show significant improvement in clinical symptoms and a marked reduction in the volume of herniated discs. During the follow-up period, no obvious adverse drug reactions are observed in patients, and no recurrence of symptoms is found at the last follow-up, indicating that the formula has safe and reliable efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/drug therapy* ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae

BACKGROUND: Our understanding of the correlation between postdischarge cancer and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains incomplete. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between postdischarge cancers and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in CAD patients. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 25% of CAD patients without prior cancer history who underwent coronary artery angiography between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015, were randomly enrolled using SPSS 26.0. Patients were monitored for the incidence of postdischarge cancer, which was defined as cancer diagnosed after the index hospitalization, survival status and cause of death. Cox regression analysis was used to explore the association between postdischarge cancer and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in CAD patients. RESULTS: A total of 4085 patients were included in the final analysis. During a median follow-up period of 8 years, 174 patients (4.3%) developed postdischarge cancer, and 343 patients (8.4%) died. A total of 173 patients died from cardiovascular diseases. Postdischarge cancer was associated with increased all-cause mortality risk (HR = 2.653, 95% CI: 1.727-4.076, P < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality risk (HR = 2.756, 95% CI: 1.470-5.167, P = 0.002). Postdischarge lung cancer (HR = 5.497, 95% CI: 2.922-10.343, P < 0.001) and gastrointestinal cancer (HR = 1.984, 95% CI: 1.049-3.750, P = 0.035) were associated with all-cause mortality in CAD patients. Postdischarge lung cancer was significantly associated with cardiovascular death in CAD patients (HR = 4.979, 95% CI: 2.114-11.728, P < 0.001), and cardiovascular death was not significantly correlated with gastrointestinal cancer or other types of cancer. CONCLUSIONS Postdischarge cancer was associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in CAD patients. Compared with other cancers, postdischarge lung cancer had a more significant effect on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in CAD patients.

The process of semen collection plays a key role in the quality of semen specimens. However, the association between semen collection time and semen quality is still unclear. In this study, ejaculates by masturbation from 746 subfertile men or healthy men who underwent semen analysis were examined. The median (interquartile range) semen collection time for all participants was 7.0 (5.0-11.0) min, and the median time taken for semen collection was lower in healthy men than that in subfertile men (6.0 min vs 7.0 min). An increase in the time required to produce semen samples was associated with poorer semen quality. Among those undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), the miscarriage rate was positively correlated with the semen collection time. After adjusting for confounders, the highest quartile (Q4) of collection time was negatively associated with semen volume and sperm concentration. A longer time to produce semen samples (Q3 and Q4) was negatively correlated with progressive and total sperm motility. In addition, there was a significant negative linear association between the semen collection time and the sperm morphology. Higher risks of asthenozoospermia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31-3.25, P = 0.002) and teratozoospermia (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.10-3.55, P = 0.02) were observed in Q3 than those in Q1. Our results indicate that a higher risk of abnormal semen parameter values was associated with an increase in time for semen collection, which may be related to male fertility through its association with semen quality.
Male ; Humans ; Semen Analysis ; Semen ; Sperm Motility ; Sperm Count ; Asthenozoospermia ; Spermatozoa

Background Ultrasound-guided continuous thoracic paravertebral block can provide pain-relieving and opioid-sparing effects in patients receiving open hepatectomy. We hypothesize that these effects may improve the quality of recovery (QoR) after open hepatectomy. Methods Seventy-six patients undergoing open hepatectomy were randomized to receive a continuous thoracic paravertebral block with ropivacaine (CTPVB group) or normal saline (control group). All patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with morphine postoperatively for 48 hours. The primary outcome was the global Chinese 15-item Quality of Recovery score on postoperative day 7, which was statistically analyzed using Student's t-test. Results Thirty-six patients in the CTPVB group and 37 in the control group completed the study. Compared to the control group, the CTPVB group had significantly increased global Chinese 15-item Quality of Recovery scores (133.14 ± 12.97 vs. 122.62 ± 14.89, P = 0.002) on postoperative day 7. Postoperative pain scores and cumulative morphine consumption were significantly lower for up to 8 and 48 hours (P < 0.05; P = 0.002), respectively, in the CTPVB group. Conclusion Perioperative CTPVB markably promotes patient's QoR after open hepatectomy with a profound analgesic effect in the early postoperative period.
Anesthetics, Local/therapeutic use* ; Double-Blind Method ; Hepatectomy/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Morphine/therapeutic use* ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative/etiology* ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

OBJECTIVE: According to 73 patients with middle clavicle fracture treated conservatively, a new classification of middle clavicle fracture was proposed, and the clinical effect of plastic splint in the treatment of middle clavicle fracture was observed. METHODS: Total 73 patients with middle clavicle fracture treated with plastic splint from September 2018 to August 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were divided into 4 types according to the degree of fracture displacement. There were 16 cases of typeⅠ, including 7 males and 9 females, ranging in age from 18 to 37 years old, with a mean of (28.6±7.8) years old;12 cases of mild disease, 3 cases of moderate disease and 1 case of severe disease. There were 16 cases of type Ⅱ, including 6 males and 10 females, ranging in age from 25 to 49 years old, with a mean of (37.3±9.4) years old;5 cases of mild disease, 8 cases of moderate disease and 3 cases of severe disease. There were 7 cases of type Ⅲ, including 4 males and 3 females, ranging in age from 33 to 57 years old;2 cases of mild disease, 3 cases of moderate disease and 2 cases of severe disease. There were 34 cases of type Ⅳ, including 16 males and 18 females, ranging in age from 48 to 82 years old, with a mean of(66.4±14.9) years old;7 cases of mild disease, 17 cases of moderate disease and 10 cases of severe disease. All patients received plastic splint external fixation for 4 weeks. Visual analgue scale (VAS) and Constant-Murley shoulder scores before treatment and 1, 3 and 9 months after treatment were observed and recorded to evaluate the change of pain degree and shoulder function recovery before and after treatment. The patients' satisfaction with the appearance after treatment was recorded at the latest follow-up. The X-ray findings at the latest follow-up were used to judge whether the patient had fracture nonunion. And according to the fracture healing time and imaging findings, the excellent and good rate of clinical curative effect in patients with different types was obtained. RESULTS: All patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 9 to 11 months, with a mean of (9.8±0.7) months. The VAS scores of typeⅠ, typeⅡand type Ⅳ before treatment were 2.88±0.83, 3.67±0.80 and 6.92±1.71 respectively, which were decreased to 0.54±0.19, 0.77±0.25 and 1.18±0.17 respectively after 9 months of treatment. The Constant-Murley shoulder scores of typeⅠ, typeⅡand type Ⅳ were 65.81±2.09, 63.50±2.22 and 47.93±2.91 respectively before treatment, and increased to 88.56±2.11, 85.12±2.23 and 71.25±2.16 respectively after 9 months of treatment. Five patients were not satisfied with the appearance after treatment;6 patients had no obvious continuous callus passing through after 9 months of treatment, which was fracture nonunion. CONCLUSION The classification of middle clavicle fracture is more appropriate to the clinic, which has a certain clinical guiding significance for the selection of treatment methods and prognosis of middle clavicle fracture. Plastic splint is effective in the treatment of middle clavicle fracture without obvious displacement and overlapping displacement, and the incidence of complications is low. It can be popularized in clinic.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Plates ; Clavicle/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plastics ; Retrospective Studies ; Splints ; Young Adult

Objective: To observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) plus Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: A total of 60 patients with KOA were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group received the treatment of EA plus Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises), while patients in the control group only received EA treatment. Both groups were treated for 5 weeks. The changes of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores in the two groups were observed after treatment. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group (92.3％) was significantly higher than that in the control group (70.0％), (P<0.05); the WOMAC and VAS scores in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment, showing statistical significance (all P<0.01); there were significant differences in the post-treatment changes in the WOMAC and VAS scores between the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: EA plus Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) is clinically effective for KOA. This combined treatment can alleviate clinical symptoms.

Objective To explore the associations of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist height ratio (WHtR) and the prevalence of hypertension in elderly residents over 60 years in Baodi district, Tianjin. Methods Residents over 60 who underwent medical examinations in the Koudong Health Center, Baodi district, Tianjin, were all invited to participate in the study from April to May, 2018. Participants were asked to fill out structured questionnaires and undergo physical examinations. Stratified analysis and logistic regression analysis were applied to examine joint effects and interactions of BMI and WC (or WHtR) on the risk of hypertension. Results A total of 1 417 residents (83.75%) out of 1 692 residents participated in the study. The prevalence of hypertension in the participants was 46.36%. 66.50% of the participants were BMI overweight or obese. Participants with central obesity accounted for 74.66% (measured by the WC) and 75.38% (by the WHtR). Compared to the normal weight measured by the BMI or the WC, BMI overweight (OR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.19-2.30) or obesity (OR=3.41, 95%CI: 2.23-5.20) and WC central obesity (OR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.00-2.23) were associated with increased risk of hypertension. The joint effects of BMI and WC (OR=2.49, 95%CI: 1.78-3.46), or BMI and WHtR (WHtR overweight: OR=2.05, 95%CI: 1.41-2.99; WHtR obesity: OR=2.37, 95%CI: 1.50-3.76) were greater than the single effect of the latter (WC overweight/obesity: OR=1.39, 95%CI: 0.90-2.15; WHtR overweight: OR=1.02, 95%CI: 0.62-1.66; WHtR obesity: OR=1.44, 95%CI：0.55-3.81). Conclusions Of the three indices, BMI is strongly correlated with the risk of hypertension. BMI overweight or obesity has enhanced the association of WC or WHtR and the risk of hypertension, suggesting that weight control in the normal range, especially measured by the BMI index, may prevent and control hypertension.

To clarify the difference of soil moisture characteristics between mixed broad leaf-conifer forest soil and artificial cultivation of Notopterygium incisum, the HYPROP system and the dew point potential meter were used to determine soil water retention curves(SWRC) for samples of two horizons(i.e. 2-7 cm, 10-15 cm). The basic physical and chemical properties of soil and its water characteristic parameters were also determined. The result showed as fllows:①The bulk density of mixed coniferous-broad leaf forest soil was between 0.33 and 0.52 g·cm~(-3), significantly lower than the corresponding value of field soil(1.01-1.18 g·cm~(-3))(P<0.05), While the organic matter content was significantly higher than the corresponding value of field soil(P<0.05). ②The saturated water content(θ_s), field water holding capacity(θ_(FC)) and Water that can be effectively utilized by plants(θ_(PAC)) of mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest soil were significantly higher than the corresponding value of field soil(P<0.05), while the retained water content(θ_r) value that cannot be effectively utilized by plants was significantly lower than that of field soil(P<0.05). ③The values of structural porosity(0.13-0.24 cm~3·cm~(-3)) and Matrix porosity(0.34-0.44 cm~3·cm~(-3)) of mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest soil were higher than the corresponding values of field soil. Therefore, with low bulk density and high content of organic matter, mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest soil can store more water in soil in the form of effective water to meet the needs of plants for water, thus possibly forming high quality medicinal materials of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix. In conclusion, the results of this study can provide theoretical basis guidance for soil structure improvement and water management to form high quality medicinal materials in the artificial cultivation of N. incisum.
Apiaceae ; China ; Forests ; Soil ; Tracheophyta ; Water ; analysis

The chemical constituents of Cinnamomi Ramulus were investigated in this study. Twenty-two compounds were isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatographies and preparative HPLC and their structures were identified by various spectral analyses as dihydrorosavin(1), rosavin(2), 1-phenyl-propane-1,2,3-triol(3), patchoulol(4), graphostromane B(5),(+)-lyoniresinol-3 a-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(6),(-)-lyoniresinol-3 a-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(7), cinnacaside(8), subaveniumin A(9), 3-phenyl-2-propenyl-6-O-L-arabinopyranosyl-β-glucopyranoside(10), 2-phenylethyl-β-vicianoside(11), cinnacasol(12), [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-(benzyloxy)-3,4,5-trihydroxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl] methyl hydrogen sulfate(13), coniferyl aldehyde(14),(2R,3R)-5,7-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavan-3-ol(15), cinnacassin L(16), E-cinnamic alcohol(17),(E)-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-ol(18), 2-hydroxyphenylpropanol(19), cinnamomulactone(20),(+)-syringaresinol(21) and cinnamomumolide(22), respectively. Among them, 1 is a new compound and 3-7, 9-11, 13, 15, 18 and 19 were isolated from the plant for the first time.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cinnamomum/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Phytochemicals/analysis*