ObjectiveTo address the limitations of the current quality standard for Polygalae Radix（PR）， which relies on a single component for quality assessment and struggles to holistically control its intrinsic quality， by constructing a comprehensive quality evaluation system integrating "macro-characterization of chemical profile， synchronous quantification of multiple index components， and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker（QAMS） for key component groups". This study aims to facilitate the scientific revision of the quality standard for PR. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） characteristic chromatograms were established for 11 batches of PR medicinal materials（YZ）， 10 batches of PR decoction pieces（YP）， and 10 batches of licorice-processed PR decoction pieces（ZYZ）， followed by similarity evaluation and identification of common peaks. HPLC-QAMS was developed for xanthones（sibiricaxanthone B， polygalaxanthone Ⅺ， polygalaxanthone Ⅲ） in the characteristic chromatograms. Simultaneously， the external standard method（ESM） was used to determine the contents of the corresponding xanthones and 3，6'-disinapoyl sucrose in YZ， YP， and ZYZ， followed by multivariate statistical analysis and Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsThe similarity between the characteristic chromatograms of 31 batches of PR samples and the reference chromatogram was>0.9. A total of 13 common peaks were identified， and 10 of these peaks were characterized through reference standard comparison. The successfully constructed QAMS method showed that the relative correction factors（RCFs） of sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ to polygalaxanthone Ⅲ were 0.76 and 0.88， and their relative retention times（RRTs） were 0.85 and 0.97， respectively. The results calculated by the QAMS method showed no significant difference from those obtained by the ESM. According to the limit standard for polygalaxanthone Ⅲ in the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China（hereinafter referred to as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia）， the pass rate of 31 batches of samples was only 19.35%. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated certain compositional differences between different batches of YZ and YP， as well as between YP and ZYZ， with 3，6'-disinapoyl sucrose identified as the main differentiating component. Furthermore， correlation analysis revealed that the content of polygalaxanthone Ⅲ was positively correlated with the contents of sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ， but showed no association with the content of 3，6'-disinapoyl sucrose. ConclusionIt is recommended that the content limit for polygalaxanthone Ⅲ in YZ，YP and ZYZ be revised to not less than 0.07%， or the total content of polygalaxanthone Ⅲ， sibiricaxanthone B and polygalaxanthone Ⅺ be not less than 0.18%. The newly established triple quality control model of "holistic control via characteristic chromatograms， precise quantification of oligosaccharide esters， and efficient detection of xanthones by QAMS" provides a systematic and precise solution for quality evaluation of PR and similar Chinese herbal medicines.

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia （PHN） and its associated risk factors in patients aged ≥50 years with herpes zoster （HZ） who received standard antiviral therapy at the dermatology outpatient clinic of our center. MethodsHZ patients were identified by searching the medical record system using "herpes zoster" as the keyword， and those diagnosed between July 2020 and July 2021. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were followed up via telephone to retrospectively assess the occurrence of PHN. Patients were divided into a PHN group and a non-PHN group based on the presence of PHN. General patient information （gender， age， and underlying diseases）， prodromal pain intensity， and lesion characteristics （area， location， and acute-phase pain intensity） as well as treatment modalities （pharmacotherapy， physical therapy， and combined analgesic therapy） were compared between the two groups. Intergroup comparisons and multifactorial analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the development of PHN in HZ patients. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale （NRS） for PHN pain， acute-phase HZ pain， and prodromal pain. Intergroup comparisons were conducted using the chi-square test， Mann-Whitney U test， and t-test. Binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis to identify independent risk factors. ResultsA total of 238 HZ patients aged ≥50 years who received standard antiviral therapy were ultimately included， of whom 76 （31.9%） developed PHN. Unifactorial analysis showed that age， lesion area， acute-phase pain intensity， and the use of gabapentin or combined analgesic therapy significantly influenced the occurrence of PHN after HZ （P<0.05）. Statistically significant indicators （P<0.05） from the unifactorial analysis and the different analgesic regimens adopted by patients were included in the multifactorial analysis. Multifactorial analysis revealed that lesion area ≥1% （OR=2.501； 95%CI=1.408-4.443； P=0.002<0.05） and acute-phase pain score （OR=1.160； 95%CI=1.028-1.309； P=0.016<0.05） were independent risk factors for PHN. Age and the use of gabapentin or combined analgesic therapy showed no statistically significant association with the occurrence of PHN （P>0.05）. ConclusionsIn HZ patients aged ≥50 years receiving standard antiviral therapy， the incidence of PHN is 31.9%. A lesion area ≥1% and higher acute-phase pain NRS scores are identified as independent risk factors for the development of PHN in these patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia （PHN） and its associated risk factors in patients aged ≥50 years with herpes zoster （HZ） who received standard antiviral therapy at the dermatology outpatient clinic of our center. MethodsHZ patients were identified by searching the medical record system using "herpes zoster" as the keyword， and those diagnosed between July 2020 and July 2021. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were followed up via telephone to retrospectively assess the occurrence of PHN. Patients were divided into a PHN group and a non-PHN group based on the presence of PHN. General patient information （gender， age， and underlying diseases）， prodromal pain intensity， and lesion characteristics （area， location， and acute-phase pain intensity） as well as treatment modalities （pharmacotherapy， physical therapy， and combined analgesic therapy） were compared between the two groups. Intergroup comparisons and multifactorial analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the development of PHN in HZ patients. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale （NRS） for PHN pain， acute-phase HZ pain， and prodromal pain. Intergroup comparisons were conducted using the chi-square test， Mann-Whitney U test， and t-test. Binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis to identify independent risk factors. ResultsA total of 238 HZ patients aged ≥50 years who received standard antiviral therapy were ultimately included， of whom 76 （31.9%） developed PHN. Unifactorial analysis showed that age， lesion area， acute-phase pain intensity， and the use of gabapentin or combined analgesic therapy significantly influenced the occurrence of PHN after HZ （P<0.05）. Statistically significant indicators （P<0.05） from the unifactorial analysis and the different analgesic regimens adopted by patients were included in the multifactorial analysis. Multifactorial analysis revealed that lesion area ≥1% （OR=2.501； 95%CI=1.408-4.443； P=0.002<0.05） and acute-phase pain score （OR=1.160； 95%CI=1.028-1.309； P=0.016<0.05） were independent risk factors for PHN. Age and the use of gabapentin or combined analgesic therapy showed no statistically significant association with the occurrence of PHN （P>0.05）. ConclusionsIn HZ patients aged ≥50 years receiving standard antiviral therapy， the incidence of PHN is 31.9%. A lesion area ≥1% and higher acute-phase pain NRS scores are identified as independent risk factors for the development of PHN in these patients.

ObjectiveTo identify protein biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） through an integrative multi-omics analysis. MethodsLarge-scale plasma protein quantitative trait locus data were integrated with MAFLD genome-wide association study data， and a proteome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis was performed. Summary data-based Mendelian Randomization （SMR）/heterogeneity in dependent instruments （HEIDI） test and colocalization analysis were used to assess significant proteins. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of continuous data with homogeneity of variance between two groups， and the Welch-corrected t-test was used for comparison of continuous data with heterogeneity of variance. The transcriptomic validation results were compared with the Mendelian randomization results to evaluate the changing trends of gene expression， and boxplots were used to display the expression distribution of candidate genes between groups. ResultsAmong 7 130 proteins analyzed， 40 showed a causal relationship with MAFLD， among which 26 increased the risk of MAFLD and 14 exerted a protective effect against MAFLD （FDR<0.05）. Nine proteins were supported by SMR/HEIDI （P_SMR<0.05， P_HEIDI>0.05）， and 14 showed a strong colocalization signal （PPH₄>0.9）. The transcriptomic analysis identified 5 differentially expressed proteins （all P<0.05）， i.e.， adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation factor-like GTPase 2， insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2， casein kinase 1 delta （CSNK1D）， leucine-rich repeat neuronal 1， and moesin （MSN）. In vitro validation showed upregulated expression levels of MSN （1.612±0.346 vs 0.569±0.077， P<0.05）， 14-3-3 protein theta （YWHAQ） （1.267±0.126 vs 0.313±0.029， P<0.05）， and CSNK1D （0.871±0.025 vs 0.431±0.080， P<0.05） and a downregulated expression level of histone deacetylase 8 （0.637±0.059 vs 1.097±0.260， P<0.05） in the MAFLD cell model. Functional annotation showed that CSNK1D participated in circadian and metabolic regulation， YWHAQ modulated the Hippo pathway and lipid signal transduction， and MSN was associated with cytoskeletal remodeling and fibrogenic responses. ConclusionThe integrative proteogenomic analysis in this study shows that CSNK1D， YWHAQ， and MSN may be key mediators in the pathogenesis of MAFLD. These proteins have the potential to serve as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets， providing new directions for research on disease mechanisms and the development of intervention strategies.

BACKGROUND: While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively. RESULTS: The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge. CONCLUSION Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Psychological Distress ; Inpatients/psychology* ; Aged ; Anxiety/diagnosis* ; Depression/diagnosis*

INTRODUCTION: Lecanemab has shown promise in treating early Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its safety and efficacy in Chinese populations remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and 6-month clinical outcomes of lecanemab in Chinese patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild AD. METHODS: In this single-arm, real-world study, participants with MCI due to AD or mild AD received biweekly intravenous lecanemab (10 mg/kg). The study was conducted at Hainan Branch, Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Patient enrollment and baseline assessments commenced in November 2023. Safety assessments included monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) and other adverse events. Clinical and biomarker changes from baseline to 6 months were evaluated using cognitive scales (mini-mental state examination [MMSE], montreal cognitive assessment [MoCA], clinical dementia rating-sum of boxes [CDR-SB]), plasma biomarker analysis, and advanced neuroimaging. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were enrolled in this ongoing real-world study. Safety analysis revealed predominantly mild adverse events, with infusion-related reactions (20.3%, 13/64) being the most common. Of these, 69.2% (9/13) occurred during the initial infusion and 84.6% (11/13) did not recur. ARIA-H (microhemorrhages/superficial siderosis) and ARIA-E (edema/effusion) were observed in 9.4% (6/64) and 3.1% (2/64) of participants, respectively, with only two symptomatic cases (one ARIA-E presenting with headache and one ARIA-H with visual disturbances). After 6 months of treatment, cognitive scores remained stable compared to baseline (MMSE: 22.33 ± 5.58 vs . 21.27 ± 4.30, P = 0.733; MoCA: 16.38 ± 6.67 vs . 15.90 ± 4.78, P = 0.785; CDR-SB: 2.30 ± 1.65 vs . 3.16 ± 1.72, P = 0.357), while significantly increasing plasma amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) (+21.42%) and Aβ40 (+23.53%) levels compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Lecanemab demonstrated a favorable safety profile in Chinese patients with early AD. Cognitive stability and biomarker changes over 6 months suggest potential efficacy, though high dropout rates and absence of a control group warrant cautious interpretation. These findings provide preliminary real-world evidence for lecanemab's use in China, supporting further investigation in larger controlled studies. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT07034222.
Humans ; Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Cognitive Dysfunction/drug therapy* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Biomarkers ; East Asian People

Objective:To study the effect of preoperative pancreatic duct stent placement in enucleation (EN) of pancreatic tumor adjacent to the main pancreatic duct (MPD).Methods:Clinical data of 56 patients with benign or borderline pancreatic tumor adjacent to the MPD undergoing EN in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2022 to September 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, including 25 males and 31 females, aged (32.0±5.5) years. Among the patients, 35 (62.5%) were solid pseudopapillary neoplasm, 15 (26.8%) were neuroendocrine tumor, and 6 (10.7%) were serous cystic tumor. According to whether the pancreatic duct stent was placed through encoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography preoperatively, patients were divided into the stent group ( n=20, observation group) and no-stent group ( n=36, control group). The operation time, intraoperative pancreatic duct injury, tumor enucleation time and blood loss, grade B/C pancreatic fistula and postoperative hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Results:All patients underwent EN successfully. The operation time in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group [150.0 (143.5, 159.0) vs 158.0 (150.0, 180.0) min, Z=-2.08, P=0.031], and the rate of intraoperative MPD injury in the observation group was lower than that in the control group [10.0% (2/20) vs 38.9% (14/36), χ2=5.26, P=0.022]. The tumor enucleation time and blood loss were comparable between the two groups (both P>0.05). The rate of postoperative grade B/C pancreatic fistula in the observation group was lower than that in the control group [15.0% (3/20) vs 41.7% (15/36), χ2=4.19, P=0.041], and the postoperative hospital stay was also shorter in the observation group [(7.9±1.6) vs (9.3±2.1) d, t=-2.57, P=0.014]. Conclusion:Under the premise of matured endoscopic operation, preoperative pancreatic duct stent placement through ERCP in the EN of pancreatic tumor adjacent to the MPD can protect the MPD during operation, reduce the occurrence of postoperative grade B/C pancreatic fistula, and shorten the postoperative hospital stay.

Objective To explore a standardized approach for indicating dosages in Chinese patent medicines(CPM)instructions.Methods A review of 1 378 classic formulas of traditional Chinese medicine in the 2020 edition of the Pharmaco-poeia of the People's Republic of China(Chinese Pharmacopoeia)was conducted,focusing on three aspects:overdose,different dosage forms,and inclusion of toxic herbs.Approximately 50 representative formulas were selected,and their daily dosage of herbal pieces and the corresponding dosage of individual herbs were calculated.These results were then compared and analyzed against the dosages stipulated in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.Results ①Overdose:Among the 1 378 reviewed formulas,146(10.60％)were found to involve overdose.Specifically,eight formulas were identified as having an overdose of approximately 3 to 5 times the recommended dose,including Duanxueliu tablets and Zhixue Fumai mixture.②Dosage variations across dosage forms:Based on the conversion of the Ming-Qing dynasty dosage of one liang(Chinese traditional weight unit)to 36 g,the estimated dai-ly dose per component of crude herbs in Yinqiao powder was close to the upper limit specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.The total daily dose of crude herbs(75.60 g)was approximately five times that of the Yinqiao powder(15 g)listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and three times that of the Japanese Kampo Yinqiao powder(23.868 g).Significant differences in dosage were ob-served among Yinqiao Jiedu preparations of different dosage forms.In terms of total daily dose of crude herbs,granules(52.50 g)had the highest dose,approximately 3-5 times that of tablets/capsules(11.20 g),soft capsules(13.44 g),and powders(15.00 g),but still 30％ lower than the original prescription from ancient texts(75.6 g).Comparing the daily dose per compo-nent,granules fell within the Chinese Pharmacopoeia dose range,while tablets,capsules,soft capsules,and powders were all below the Chinese Pharmacopoeia dose.③Inclusion of toxic herbs:Among the 20 oral formulations containing Strychnos nux-vomica(Maqianzi)listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia,seven species exceeded the pharmacopoeial dose of 0.3-0.6 g per day.Notably,Shenjin Huoluo pill and Shufeng Dingtong pill exceeded the Chinese Pharmacopoeia dose by 1.5-2 times.The daily dose of strych-nosine in Shenjin Huoluo pill was 21.3 mg,exceeding the toxic dose range of 5-10 mg.Conclusions The dosage indications in CPM instructions must adhere to a unified format,clearly stating the daily dose per component of crude herbs,the total daily dose of crude herbs,and the total number of administrations under the"Dosage and Administration"section.For instance,"Yinqiao Jiedu granules,with a total daily dose equivalent to 60 g of crude herbs taken in four doses(including:Flos Lonicerae 10.71 g,Fructus Forsythiae 10.71 g,Radix Platycodi 6.43 g,Herba Menthae Haplocalycis 6.43 g,Fructus Arctii 6.43 g,Semen Sojae Preparatum 5.36 g,Radix Glycyrrhizae 5.36 g,Herba Lophatheri 4.29 g,Herba Schizonepetae 4.29 g)."For CPM containing tox-ic herbs,dosage indications are even more crucial,such as specifying the daily dose of Maqianzi powder/processed Maqianzi and strychnosine in formulations containing this herb.

Objective:To explore the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) combined with portal vein system resection and reconstruction.Methods:The clinical data of 26 patients with pancreatic head cancer or distal bile duct malignant tumors who underwent reconstructive LPD combined with portal vein resection in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2016 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 13 males and 13 females, aged 63.0 (57.2, 66.0) years. The clinical data of the patients, including the operation time, intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion, blood flow interruption time, postoperative complications, intensive care unit (ICU) admission time, and hospital stay were recorded.Results:All 26 patients had completed the operation successfully. The operation time was (483.65±118.00) min, the intraoperative blood loss was 1 100 (625, 2 750) ml, the intraoperative blood transfusion was 600 (438, 1 050) ml, and the portal vein system blockade time was (35.00±6.00) min. There were 5 cases (19.2%, 5/26) with laparotomy, 5 cases (19.2%%, 5/26) with repair after partial resection of the portal vein system, 12 cases (46.1%, 12/26) with end-to-end anastomosis of the portal venous system, and 9 cases (34.6%, 9/26) with artificial vascular replacement. There was 1 case of grade B pancreatic fistula (3.8%, 1/26), 3 cases of bile leakage (11.5%, 3/26), 1 case of gastric paralysis (3.8%, 1/26), 3 cases of intestinal obstruction (11.5%, 3/26), 2 cases of abdominal infection (7.7%, 2/26), 2 cases of postoperative bleeding (7.7%, 2/26), 1 case of secondary surgery (3.8%, 1/26), and 1 case of perioperative death (3.8%, 1/26). The postoperative hospital stay was 14.00 (12.00, 20.75) d, the ICU length of stay was 3.0 (1.0, 6.5) d, the tumor length diameter was 4.00 (3.00, 5.38) cm, and the number of positive lymph nodes was 1.0(0.5, 3.5).Conclusion:LPD reconstructed with portal system resection is a safe and effective treatment of patients with pancreatic head cancer or distal bile duct malignancy.