Zhishi Shaoyaosan is the 34^th prescription in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic Formulas （Second Batch） published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2023. It is widely used in clinical practice and has a definite curative effect. However， there is currently a lack of its ancient literature analysis and textual research， and there is no corresponding Chinese patent medicine preparation. By consulting and combing the relevant ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine， this paper analyzes and conducts textual research of the origin， composition， measurement， administration， and efficacy of Zhishi Shaoyaosan. The results show that Zhishi Shaoyaosan is derived from Essentials from the Golden Cabinet written by Zhang Zhongjing in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is mainly recorded in the name of Zhishi Shaoyaosan in the literature of the past dynasties. The prescription is composed of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and Paeoniae Radix Alba. The processing method is stir-frying Aurantii Fructus Immaturus to scorch and using raw Paeoniae Radix Alba. The dose of the prescription recorded in the ancient books is mainly an equal amount of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and Paeoniae Radix Alba in one square-cun spoon， taken three times a day， which is converted into a modern dose of 1.5 g each time （0.75 g Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and 0.75 g Paeoniae Radix Alba each time）. The components of the prescription are ground into powder and taken with barley porridge， three times a day. The efficacy is to break stagnated Qi， harmonize blood， and relieve restlessness and pain. It is mainly used to treat postpartum abdominal pain， acute pelvic inflammatory disease， acute cholecystitis and intestinal diseases， stroke sequelae， and other diseases. This study combs and analyzes the ancient literature recording Zhishi Shaoyaosan and clarifies the key information of the prescription， which provides a basis for promoting the research and development of its patent medicine.

Objective To investigate the species of ticks in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, so as to provide insights into management of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Methods During the period between May 2023 and June 2024, livestock breeding farms and vegetation neighboring the place of residence of confirmed and suspected patients with tick-borne disease were selected as sampling points in rural areas from Yindian Township, Gaocheng Township, Wanhe Township, Wushan Township, Xiaolin Township, Xihe Township, Hedian Township and Beijiao Street in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, where confirmed and suspected cases with tick-borne diseases had been reported. The parasitic ticks on the body surface of free-range livestock were captured with tweezers in livestock breeding farms, and free ticks on the vegetation surface were captured with the flagging method. Morphological identification of tick samples was performed under a microscope, and the gender and developmental stage of ticks were determined. One engorged adult tick, 2 to 3 blood-feeding but non-engorged adult ticks, 10 to 15 unfed female ticks, 15 to 20 unfed male ticks, and 30 to 40 tick nymphs or larvae were assigned into a group, respectively. Genomic DNA was extracted from tick samples in each group, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. Sequence analysis was performed with the DNASTAR software, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using the software MEGA 7.0. In addition, the phylogenetic tree was generated using the maximum likelihood method based on the Kimura 2 parameter model. Results A total of 2 438 ticks were captured from Suizhou City, Hubei Province during the period between May 2023 and June 2024, including 595 free ticks and 1 483 parasitic ticks. Three developmental stages of ticks were captured, including larvae, nymphs, and adults, and 75.18% (1 899/2 438) of captured ticks were adult, in which 79.04% (1 501/1 899) were female. Morphological and molecular biological assays identified one family, three genera and four species of captured ticks, including 2 425 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks (99.47%) and one H. flava tick (0.04%) of the genus Haemaphysalis, 11 Rhipicephalus microplus ticks (0.45%) of the genus Rhipicephalus, and one Ixodes sinensis tick (0.04%) of the genus Ixodes in the family Ixodidae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the H. longicornis sequence (SZ49) in this study was clustered with sequences from Yunnan Province (GenBank accession number: MH024510.1), Hebei Province (GenBank accession number: MK450606.1) and Henan Province (GenBank accession number: MZ230645.1) into a clade, and the H. flava sequence (SZ19) in this study was clustered with sequences from Japan (GenBank accession number: MW064044.1), South Korea (GenBank accession number: ON629585.1), and Jiangsu Province (GenBank accession number: PP494741.1) and Hebei Province of China (GenBank accession number: MH520685.1) into a clade, while the R. microplus sequence (SZ8) in this study was clustered with the sequences from India (GenBank accession number: MK621328.1), and Henan Province (GenBank accession number: MT555307.1) and Guizhou Province of China (GenBank accession number: PP446801.1) into a clade. The sequence of I. sinensis (SZ23) in this study had 99.51% homology with that (GenBank accession number: OM368265.1) of ticks sampled from Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Conclusion There are four tick species of H. longicornis, H. flava, R. microplus and I. sinensis in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, and H. longicornis is the dominant species. H. flava is firstly recorded in Suizhou City.

BACKGROUND: Pre-transplant exposure to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly increases the risk of allograft rejection after liver transplantation (LT); however, whether ICI-related rejection leads to increased graft loss remains controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between ICI-related allograft rejection and perioperative graft loss. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of adult liver transplant recipients with early biopsy-proven T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) at Liver Transplantation Center of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from June 2019 to September 2024. The pathological features, clinical characteristics, and perioperative graft survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients who underwent early TCMR between June 2019 and September 2024 were included. Based on pre-LT ICI exposure, recipients were categorized into ICI-related TCMR (irTCMR, n = 12) and conventional TCMR (cTCMR, n = 16) groups. Recipients with irTCMR had a higher median Banff rejection activity index (RAI) (6 vs . 5, P = 0.012) and more aggressive tissue damage and inflammation. Recipients with irTCMR showed higher proportion of treatment resistance, achieving a complete resolution rate of only 8/12 compared to 16/16 for cTCMR. Graft loss occurred in 5/12 of irTCMR recipients within 90 days after LT, with no graft loss in cTCMRs recipients. Cox analysis demonstrated that irTCMR with an ICI washout period of <30 days was an independent risk factor for perioperative graft loss (hazard ratio [HR], 6.540; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.067-40.067, P = 0.042). CONCLUSION IrTCMR is associated with severe pathological features, increased resistance to treatment, and higher graft loss in adult liver transplant recipients.
Humans ; Liver Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Graft Rejection/immunology* ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; T-Lymphocytes/drug effects* ; Graft Survival/immunology* ; Aged

Eight butyl-phthalides, senkyunolide K(1), senkyunolide N(2), butylphthalide(3), senkyunolide I(4), senkyunolide H(5),(Z)-butylidenephthalide(6),(Z)-ligustilide(7), and 3-butylidene-7-hydroxyphthalide(8) were isolated from the aerial part of Ligusticum sinense by column chromatography on silica gel column, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical data, especially NMR and MS. Compound 1 was a new butyl-phthalide and compounds 2-8 were isolated from the aerial part of L. sinense for the first time. Furthermore, the inhibitory activities of compounds 1-8 against the nitric oxide(NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in mouse RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro were evaluated. The results showed that compounds 1-8 exerted inhibitory activities on NO production with IC_(50) of 19.34-42.16 μmol·L~(-1).
Animals ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide/biosynthesis* ; Ligusticum/chemistry* ; Benzofurans/isolation & purification* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Macrophages/immunology* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Molecular Structure

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and advantages of the double reverse traction reduction versus open reduction internal fixation for treating complex tibial plateau fractures. METHODS: A clinical data of 25 patients with Schatzker type Ⅴ or Ⅵ tibial plateau fractures, who met the selection criteria and were admitted between January 2019 and January 2023, was retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen patients underwent double reverse traction reduction and internal fixation (double reverse traction group), while 12 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation (traditional open group). There was no significant difference in the baseline data (age, gender, injury mechanism, Schatzker classification, interval between injury and operation) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The effectiveness were evaluated and compared between the two groups, included operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, hospital stay, full weight-bearing time, complications, fracture healing, Rasmussen radiological score (reduction quality), knee Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, and knee flexion/extension range of motion. RESULTS: The double reverse traction group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, incision length, and time to full weight-bearing ( P<0.05). Two patients in traditional open group developed incisional complications, while the double reverse traction group had no complication. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complication between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up 24-36 months (mean, 30 months), with no significant difference in follow-up duration between groups ( P>0.05). Fractures healed in both groups with no significant difference in healing time ( P>0.05). At 6 months after operation, Rasmussen radiological scores and grading showed no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05); the double reverse traction group had significantly higher HSS scores compared to the traditional open group ( P<0.05). At 12 months after operation, knee flexion/extension range of motion were significantly greater in the double reverse traction group than in the traditional open group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Double reverse traction reduction offers advantages over traditional open reduction, including shorter operation time, reduced blood loss, minimized soft tissue trauma, and improved joint functional recovery. It is a safe and reliable method for complex tibial plateau fractures.
Humans ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Traction/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Open Fracture Reduction/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Fracture Healing ; Operative Time ; Length of Stay ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Aged ; Tibial Plateau Fractures

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) using either oXiris or conventional hemopurification filters in the treatment of intra-abdominal sepsis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of septic patients with severe intra-abdominal infections admitted to our hospital from October 2019 to August 2023. Patients who meet the criteria for intra-abdominal sepsis based on medical history, symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory/imaging findings were included. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: pregnancy, terminal malignancy, prior CRRT before intensive care unit admission, pre-existing liver or renal failure. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure, oxygenation index, lactic acid level (Lac), platelet count (PLT), neutrophil percentage, serum levels of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, norepinephrine dosage, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores before and after 24 h and 72 h of treatment, as well as ventilator use time, hemopurification treatment time, intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, and 14-day and 28-day mortality were compared between patients receiving CRRT using either oXiris or conventional hemofiltration. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics 26.0 software, including the construction of predictive models via logistic regression equations and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Baseline values including time to antibiotic administration, time to source control, and time to initiation of CRRT were similar between the 2 groups (all p>0.05). Patients receiving conventional CRRT exhibited significant changes in HR but of none of the other indexes at the 24 h and 72 h time points (p=0.041, p=0.026, respectively). The oXiris group showed significant improvements in HR, Lac, IL-6, and APACHE II score 24 h after treatment (p<0.05); after 72 h, all indexes were improved except PLT (all p<0.05). Intergroup comparison disclosed significant differences in HR, Lac, norepinephrine dose, APACHE II, SOFA, neutrophil percentage, and IL-6 after 24 h of treatment (p<0.05). Mean arterial pressure, serum levels of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, SOFA score, and norepinephrine dosage were similar between the 2 groups at 24 h (p>0.05). Except for HR, oxygenation index, and PLT, post-treatment change rates of △ (%) were significantly greater in the oXiris group (p < 0.05). Duration of ventilator use, CRRT time, and intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were similar between the 2 groups (p>0.05). The 14-day mortality rates of the 2 groups were similar (p=0.091). After excluding patients whose CRRT was interrupted, 28-day mortality was significantly lower in the oXiris than in the conventional group (25.0% vs. 54.2%; p=0.050). The 28-day mortality rate increased by 9.6% for each additional hour required for source control and by 21.3% for each 1-point increase in APACHE II score. CONCLUSIONS In severe abdominal infections, the oXiris filter may have advantages over conventional CRRT, which may provide an alternative to clinical treatment. Meanwhile, early active infection source control may reduce the case mortality rate of patients with severe abdominal infections.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sepsis/mortality* ; Aged ; Adult ; Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy/methods* ; Intraabdominal Infections/mortality* ; APACHE ; Organ Dysfunction Scores ; Intensive Care Units ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD. METHODS & RESULTS: The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology. CONCLUSION The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.

Hemodynamic monitoring can reflect cardiac function and blood perfusion and is an indispensable monitoring method in clinical practice. Invasive hemodynamic monitoring methods represented by the thermodilution method are limited in their clinical application scope because they require vascular cannulation. Non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring has attracted extensive attention from medical companies and clinicians at home and abroad in recent years due to its advantages such as safety, non-invasiveness, continuous monitoring, simple operation, and low cost. This paper designs a non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring system based on the impedance cardiography, including hardware, algorithm, software design, and performance parameter evaluation. Among them, the hardware part mainly includes a differential high-frequency constant current source stimulation circuit, impedance cardiogram signal acquisition, and ECG signal acquisition circuit. Signal processing includes wave filtering, impedance cardiogram signal calibration, and ECG signal and impedance cardiogram signal feature point recognition. According to the collected impedance cardiogram and ECG signals, hemodynamic parameters such as heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), stroke index (SI), cardiac index (CI), and cardiac contractility index (ICON) are calculated based on the Nyboer thoracic cylinder model. After testing, the key technical indicators of the system hardware are better than that of the relevant medical device standards. The system was used to collect impedance cardiogram and ECG signal data from 40 volunteers. The calculated HR, SV, and CO, three important hemodynamic indicators, were compared with the ICONCore non-invasive cardiac output monitor of OSYPKA Medical in Germany. Their Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.992 ( P<0.001), 0.948 ( P<0.001), and 0.933 ( P<0.001), respectively, verifying that the designed system has high accuracy and reliability.
Cardiography, Impedance/methods* ; Humans ; Hemodynamic Monitoring/methods* ; Equipment Design ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Hemodynamics ; Algorithms ; Monitoring, Physiologic/methods* ; Electrocardiography

In order to improve the effect of transcranial electrical stimulation treatment and realize personalized treatment for patients with varying severity levels, this paper designed an integrated four-channel EEG recording multimodal transcranial electrical stimulation system. This system can conduct real-time monitoring on EEG and related characteristic analysis before stimulation, in stimulation, and after stimulation. This enables physicians and researchers to resolve real-time brain states, evaluate transcranial electrical stimulation effect, and then artificially adjust the stimulation parameters. After relevant testing and verification, the system can select four stimulation modes: TACS, TDCS, TPCS and TRNS, which can output the constant stimulation current of 0.03 mA accuracy in the range of ±2 mA and the stimulation frequency of low frequency of 0~4 kHz (precision of 0.01 Hz) and high frequency 50~100 kHz, which can obtain more accurate EEG signals under stimulation interference, demonstrating a good market application prospect.
Electroencephalography/methods* ; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Equipment Design