Ischemic stroke (IS) is a globally life-threatening disease. Presently, few therapeutic medicines are available for treating IS, and rt-PA is the only drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. In fact, many agents showing excellent neuroprotection but no blood flow-improving activity in animals have not achieved ideal clinical efficacy, while thrombolytic drugs only improving blood flow without neuroprotection have limited their wider application. To address these challenges and meet the huge unmet clinical need, we have designed and identified a novel compound AAPB with dual effects of neuroprotection and cerebral blood flow improvement. AAPB significantly reduced cerebral infarction and neural function deficit in tMCAO rats, pMCAO rats, and IS rhesus monkeys, as well as displayed exceptional safety profiles and excellent pharmacokinetic properties in rats and dogs. AAPB has now entered phase I of clinical trials fighting IS in China.

By analyzing the understandings of water points (acupoints connected with the kidney) and its association with water (kidney), zangfu organs and meridian-collateral recorded in Suwen: Shuire Xue Lun (Discussion on Water and Heat Diseases in Plain Question), it is found that the recognition on the water points is different from that on water diseases in Huangdi Neijing (the Yellow Emperor 's Inner Classic). The recognition on the water points focuses on the core theory, "rooted at the kidney", to explain the water diseases. Besides, in association with the study on the connotation of "luo" in Huangdi Neijing, it is discovered that "yinluo" discussed in water points is actually the misunderstanding of "zang zhi yinluo" that means "the connection by the kidney". It is shown that the discussion of water points refer to the elaboration of zangfu organs and 57 acupoints connected with water (the kidney), rather than the theory of collaterals. The characteristics of these 57 acupoints involved and the related needling techniques provide a new approach to the treatment of zangfu diseases.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Meridians ; China ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; Acupuncture Therapy/history*

The diseases and pathological manifestations associated with chongmai (thoroughfare vessel) are the representative in the practical applications of chongmai theory. Elucidating this theory serves as a prerequisite of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. Based on literature analysis, the diseases and clinical manifestations of chongmai recorded in the time of Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) were analyzed so as to reinterpret the diagnostic process, pathological characteristics, and clinical manifestations of disorders, and evaluate the value of chongmai theory. Chongmai diseases were identified from the palpation initially, known as the "palpation on abdominal pulse". The "qi reversion" of chongmai represents a typical clinical manifestation of chongmai diseases, such as ji (abdominal mass), jia (abdominal hematoma), and shan (hernia), occurring in different sites of the abdomen and in different pathological stages. A part of distribution of chongmai is considered in clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion. To emphasize the significance of chongmai in modern acupuncture-moxibustion theory and practice, the diagnostic and therapeutic patterns of the related disorders should be considered in clinical practice. The characteristics of chongmai are reflected in three aspects: qi, blood and abdomen, which are determined by both its inherent properties and the clinical manifestations of related diseases.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Moxibustion ; History, Ancient ; Meridians ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of hypoparathyroidism (HPT) and hypocalcemia in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy (TT), and to explore the changes of parathyroid hormone and blood calcium after TT.Methods:The clinical data of 101 patients undergoing TT from November 2018 to September 2022 in the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The basic clinical data were recorded. The blood calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were measured before surgery and 1 d, 1 week after surgery. The occurrence of postoperative hypocalcemia was recorded. According to postoperative parathyroid hormone level, the patients were divided into control group (normal parathyroid function) and HPT group (reduced parathyroid hormone level). The patients with postoperative hypocalcemia symptoms were classified as the hypocalcemia symptoms group, and the patients without postoperative hypocalcemia symptoms were classified as the non-hypocalcemia symptoms group. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of HPT and hypocalcemia in TT patients.Results:The postoperative parathyroid hormone level decreased in 41 cases (HPT group) and normal in 60 cases (control group). There were 24 patients with postoperative hypocalcemia symptoms (hypocalcemia symptoms group) and 77 patients without postoperative hypocalcemia symptoms (non-hypocalcemia symptoms group). The rate of using bipolar electric coagulation forceps in HPT group was significantly lower than that in control group: 31.71% (13/41) vs. 76.67% (46/60), while the rate of central lymph node dissection was significantly higher than that in control group: 82.93% (34/41) vs. 60.00% (36/60), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 and <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that TT combined with unilateral or bilateral central lymph node dissection was an independent risk factor for HPT in TT patients ( OR = 1.706 and 1.501, 95% CI 1.019 to 2.856 and 1.052 to 2.140, P<0.05). The preoperative serum calcium, postoperative serum calcium and postoperative parathyroid hormone in hypocalcemia symptoms group were significantly lower than those in hypocalcemia symptoms group: (2.32 ± 0.11) mmol/L vs. (2.37 ± 0.11) mmol/L, (2.16 ± 0.21) mmol/L vs. (2.25 ± 0.18) mmol/L and 3.00 (1.00, 5.45) ng/L vs. 19.90 (8.50, 33.80) ng/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that postoperative parathyroid hormone was an independent risk factor of hypocalcemia symptoms in TT patients ( OR = 0.927, 95% CI 0.883 to 0.974, P<0.01). In patients with HPT, the blood calcium at 1 week after surgery was significantly lower than that at 1 d after surgery: (2.07 ± 0.19) mmol/L vs. (2.17 ± 0.25) mmol/L, and there was statistical difference ( t = 2.05, P<0.05); the parathyroid hormone at 1 week after surgery was significantly higher than that at 1 d after surgery: 8.30 (3.55, 19.55) ng/L vs. 3.60 (1.00, 6.85) ng/L, and there was statistical difference ( Z = - 3.78, P<0.01). Conclusions:When performing TT, standardizing the surgical techniques, reducing unnecessary central lymph node dissection, and using bipolar electric coagulation forceps as much as possible can help to reduce the occurrence of postoperative HPT. The levels of postoperative parathyroid hormone and blood calcium should be promptly detected, the change of both should be given attention, and do a good job in preventing and treating hypocalcemia.

Objective:To investigate the dosimetric characteristics of intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and photon volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in typical head and neck malignant tumors.Methods:Three types of typical head and neck tumors (nasopharyngeal carcinoma, parotid gland carcinoma, laryngeal carcinoma) treated at Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute from December 2023 to December 2024 were taken as research subjects. IMPT and VMAT radiotherapy plans were created according to clinical prescription requirements of target and organs at risk limits respectively. The conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI) and gradient index (GI) for target coverage of two radiotherapy plans were evaluated for 3 patients, as well as the dosimetric indicators of organs at risk.Results:The CI of IMPT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, parotid gland carcinoma and laryngeal carcinoma were 0.70, 0.72 and 0.67, respectively. The HI were 0.11, 0.08 and 0.08, respectively. The GI were 3.08, 2.49 and 3.75, respectively. The CI of VMAT plans were 0.77, 0.82 and 0.91, respectively. The HI were 0.12, 0.10 and 0.04, respectively. The GI were 3.67, 2.63 and 3.45, respectively. The results showed that CI of IMPT plan was slightly lower than that of VMAT plan, and HI of IMPT plan was comparable to that of VMAT plan, the GI of the IMPT plan for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and parotid gland carcinoma was lower than that of the VMAT plan, and the GI of the IMPT plan for patient with laryngeal carcinoma was higher than that of the VMAT plan, and all were within the clinically acceptable range. The IMPT plan has demonstrated significant dose advantages in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, parotid gland carcinoma and laryngeal carcinoma. For patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the IMPT plan reduced the D max of the left and right crystals by 54.1% and 50.4%, respectively, compared to VMAT plan, and reduced the D mean of the oral and laryngeal tissues by 40.5% and 49.6%, respectively. For patient with parotid gland carcinoma, IMPT plan reduced the D max of the brainstem and spinal cord by 66.2% and 40.5%, respectively, compared to VMAT plan. For patient with laryngeal carcinoma, IMPT reduced spinal cord D max by 77.0%, while thyroid cartilage D mean increased by 8.0% compared to VMAT plan. For the additional dose in the patients' body, taking the absolute volumes occupied by the prescribed dose areas of 10%, 30%, and 50% in the patients' body as examples, IMPT plan of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient decreased by 29.7%, 29.6%, and 34.9% compared to VMAT plan, respectively. IMPT plan of parotid gland carcinoma patient decreased by 61.0%, 39.7%, and 17.4% compared to VMAT plan, respectively. IMPT plan of laryngeal carcinoma patient decreased by 63.9%, 31.7%, and 4.1% compared to VMAT plan, respectively. Conclusions:Compared with VMAT plan, IMPT plan can effectively reduce the irradiation dose of most organs at risk near the target of head and neck tumors, but the dose of string organs close to the target area may be higher, which needs attention.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and impact on quality of life of the biofeedback (BF) therapy combined with the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription and self-efficacy interventions in patients with functional defecation disorders (FDD).Methods:A prospective, randomized controlled trial design was employed. A total of 128 FDD patients were selected from the Pelvic Floor Center of the Department of Proctology, Suzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, between January 2021 and April 2023. These patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 64 cases in each group. Additionally, 41 historical control patients, who had received conventional BF training between June 2015 and January 2018 at the same center, were included for comparison. The historical control group received conventional BF therapy, the intervention group 1 combined BF therapy with self-efficacy interventions, and the intervention group 2 added the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription based on intervention group 1's treatment. All three groups underwent two treatment courses. Constipation symptom scores before and after treatment were performed; self-efficacy was assessed via the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices scale (SRAHP); health behaviors were evaluated using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP); anxiety and depression were evaluated through Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS); quality of life was measured through SF-36. Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on constipation symptom scores.Results:During the treatment period, seven patients dropped out due to personal reasons, leaving 61 patients in intervention group 1 and 60 patients in intervention group 2 for efficacy analysis.　The total effective rates were 80.32% (49/61) in intervention group 1, 83.33% (50/60) in intervention group 2, and 56.10% (23/41) in the historical control group. The total effective rates of both intervention groups were significantly higher than those in the historical control group ( χ2=7.06, 9.15; P=0.029, 0.010, respectively). After treatment, intervention group 2 showed significantly lower constipation-related straining scores [1 (1, 2) vs. 2 (1, 2), Z=-4.51] compared to intervention group 1 ( P<0.05). Additionally, intervention group 2 had lower scores for straining [1 (1, 2) vs. 2 (1, 2), Z=-3.15] and defecation time [1 (0, 1) vs. 1 (1, 2), Z=-3.13] compared to the historical control group ( P<0.05). Psychological comfort efficacy (19.13 ± 2.51 vs. 16.98 ± 1.86, t=5.36), health responsibility efficacy (23.63 ± 4.69 vs. 22.59 ± 3.05, t=2.06), and overall SRAHP scores (75.98 ± 4.44 vs. 72.33 ± 5.16, t=4.17) were higher in intervention group 2 compared to intervention group 1 ( P<0.05). The HPLP scores (79.33 ± 11.13 vs. 72.80 ± 9.20, t=3.10) of intervention group 2 were higher than those of the historical control group ( P<0.05). Emotional functioning scores (75.98 ± 18.45 vs. 68.92 ± 20.58 and 68.55 ± 18.21, F=20.91) in intervention group 2 were higher than in both intervention group 1 and the historical control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The combination of the Wenyang Yiqi Prescription with BF therapy and self-efficacy interventions effectively improves the clinical symptoms and quality of life in FDD patients.

This paper focuses on extreme environments and systematically analyzes sleep disorders caused by multiple pathogenesis,including circadian rhythm disorder,yin-yang imbalance and qi-blood disorder under weightlessness,emotional depression due to environmental changes,abnormal diet and excretion,and six excesses pathogenic factors,in accordance with the theory of correspondence between nature and human.It proposes harmonizing yin and yang as the core therapeutic principle and guiding framework,with specific methods including calming rebellious qi-blood,regulating qi movement,harmonizing heart and kidney,and dredging and regulating blood vessels,thus forming the"one guiding principle and four specific methods"treatment strategy.Additionally,by integrating the modified application of classic formulas,a diagnostic and therapeutic approach targeting multi-dimensional pathogenesis is established.This study aims to promote the in-depth integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)in extreme environmental medicine through TCM theories and innovative application of prescriptions,provide TCM-characterized solutions for health management of workers in extreme environments,and facilitate the transformation of extreme environmental medicine toward the modern medical model of"prevention-treatment integration".

Long-term glucose metabolism disorders in patient with diabetes is often accompanied by dyslipidemia, especially the elevated level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). It is an important risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Recent studies at home and abroad have also found that diabetes can lead to increased levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexintype 9 (PCSK9). In view of the profound influence of PCSK9 overexpression on low density lipoprotein cholesterol level, cardiovascular risk and atherosclerosis, it is of great significance to explore whether hypoglycemic drugs can reduce the level of PCSK9 in the treatment of diabetes. We summarized the results of the study on the effects of various hypoglycemic drugs on circulating PCSK9 concentration in order to provide ideas for the optimal treatment of diabetes.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical features and risk factors of anastomotic leakage (AL) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by laparoscopic radical resection and proctocol ostomy.Method:Clinicla data of LARC patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by laparoscopic radical resection and proctocol ostomy admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital between Jan 2019 and Oct 2023 was enrolled. According to the occurrence of AL, patients were divided into AL group and non-AL group.Results:After propersity matching score(PSM), there were 40 patients (33.4%) and 80 patients (66.6%) in the AL and non-AL group, respectively. The first-onset symptoms of AL were abnormal character and color of the drainage (23 cases, 57.5%) and fever (14 cases, 35.0%). About 82.5% of the AL were graded as B,and all 36 patients (90.0%) were managed consveratively by fully drainage anti-infection therapy. Logistic regression analysis indicated that tumor circumferential range more than 1/2 cycle ( OR=5.95, 95% CI:2.12-1.67, P=0.004), male ( OR=4.28, 95% CI:1.22-15.00, P=0.023) and high-ligation of Inferior mesenteric artery ( OR=8.08, 95% CI:1.86-37.78, P=0.006) were independent risk factors of AL. Conclusions:In this series, grade-B AL ranks the top of the incidence, and all were cured by conservative therapy. Special attention should be paid to those patients with the characteristics of male, tumor circumferential range more than 1/2 cycle, and high-ligation of inferior mesenteric artery.

Mixed reality technology combines the benefits of virtual reality and augmented reality to provide a new experience of virtual and real-world interaction, demonstrating great potential in nursing education. This paper reviews the application progress of mixed reality in basic nursing teaching, clinical skills training, personalized learning pathways, and teamwork, and looks ahead to future developments, innovations, and challenges of mixed reality technology to advance nursing education.