ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects and safety of the optimized new Shengmai Powder （优化新生脉散方） on exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure （CHF） of qi deficiency， blood stasis， and fluid retention syndrome. MethodsA randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 78 CHF patients with qi deficiency， blood stasis， and fluid retention syndrome were recruited and randomly assigned to a treatment group （39 cases） and a control group （39 cases）. On the basis of conventional western medical therapy， patients in the treatment group additionally received the optimized new Shengmai Powder granules， while the control group was given an oral placebo of optimized new Shengmai Powder granules. Patients in both groups took 30.6 g each time， twice a day， mixed with water for administration， with a total treatment course of 4 weeks. The primary outcomes were 6-minute walk distance （6MWD） and peak oxygen uptake （Peak VO₂） measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Secondary outcomes included New York Heart Association （NYHA） functional classification， B-type natriuretic peptide （BNP） levels， cardiac function indexes including left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， left ventri-cular end-systolic diameter （LVESD） and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDD）， Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire （MLHFQ） scores， and scores of four diagnostic information of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. All indicators were assessed once before and after treatment respectively. Safety indicators were evaluated， and adverse events during the trial were recorded. ResultsAll patients in both groups were included in the full ana-lysis set （FAS） and safety set （SS）. Compared with baseline， the 6MWD and Peak VO₂ of cardiopulmonary exercise test in the treatment group significantly increased after treatment， while the MLHFQ scores， serum BNP levels and scores of TCM four diagnostic information significantly decreased， and the NYHA cardiac function grade significantly improved （P＜0.01）. After treatment， the 6MWD and Peak VO₂ of cardiopulmonary exercise test， as well as their changes from baseline in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group； the MLHFQ scores， serum BNP levels and scores of TCM four diagnostic information in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group； and the improvement of NYHA cardiac function grade in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group （P＜0.01）. There was no statistically significant differences in all indicators after treatment in the control group （P＞0.05）. The incidence of adverse events was 5.1% （2/39） in the treatment group and 2.6% （1/39） in the control group， with no statistically significant difference between groups （P＞0.05）. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine treatment， the addition of the optimized new Shengmai Powder can further improve exercise tolerance， cardiac function and quality of life in patients with CHF of qi deficiency， blood stasis and fluid retention syndrome， and show good safety.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（COPD） is a common chronic respiratory disorder frequently accompanied by diaphragmatic dysfunction during its course， which significantly increases respiratory burden and impairs quality of life. As the primary inspiratory muscle， the diaphragm is prone to fatigue， atrophy， inflammation， and fibrosis during the long-term progression of COPD. Its pathological mechanisms involve multiple pathways such as inflammatory responses， oxidative stress， mitochondrial dysfunction， apoptosis， ion channel abnormalities， epigenetic regulation， autophagy disorder， and protein metabolism imbalance. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） has demonstrated multi-targeted and systemic regulatory advantages in improving diaphragmatic function in COPD. However， related studies remain fragmented， and integrated mechanistic understanding is lacking. This paper focuses on the mechanism-target-TCM intervention framework， systematically summarizing the molecular mechanisms of diaphragmatic dysfunction， while incorporating the TCM theory of Zongqi（ancestral Qi）. It highlights the therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal formulas， single herbs， and active components in modulating inflammation， oxidative stress， mitochondrial function， ion channels， epigenetic processes， autophagy， and protein homeostasis. Additionally， the review outlines existing challenges， including insufficient study volume， unbalanced selection of herbal prescriptions， limited mechanistic depth， inconsistent disease models and experimental designs， lack of standardized diaphragmatic function assessment， and weak clinical validation. Future research should strengthen the integration of TCM and modern medicine， identify additional therapeutic targets， deepen mechanistic research， and establish unified and standardized experimental systems to advance the theoretical foundation and clinical application of TCM in the prevention and treatment of COPD-related diaphragmatic dysfunction.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（COPD） is a common chronic respiratory disorder frequently accompanied by diaphragmatic dysfunction during its course， which significantly increases respiratory burden and impairs quality of life. As the primary inspiratory muscle， the diaphragm is prone to fatigue， atrophy， inflammation， and fibrosis during the long-term progression of COPD. Its pathological mechanisms involve multiple pathways such as inflammatory responses， oxidative stress， mitochondrial dysfunction， apoptosis， ion channel abnormalities， epigenetic regulation， autophagy disorder， and protein metabolism imbalance. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） has demonstrated multi-targeted and systemic regulatory advantages in improving diaphragmatic function in COPD. However， related studies remain fragmented， and integrated mechanistic understanding is lacking. This paper focuses on the mechanism-target-TCM intervention framework， systematically summarizing the molecular mechanisms of diaphragmatic dysfunction， while incorporating the TCM theory of Zongqi（ancestral Qi）. It highlights the therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal formulas， single herbs， and active components in modulating inflammation， oxidative stress， mitochondrial function， ion channels， epigenetic processes， autophagy， and protein homeostasis. Additionally， the review outlines existing challenges， including insufficient study volume， unbalanced selection of herbal prescriptions， limited mechanistic depth， inconsistent disease models and experimental designs， lack of standardized diaphragmatic function assessment， and weak clinical validation. Future research should strengthen the integration of TCM and modern medicine， identify additional therapeutic targets， deepen mechanistic research， and establish unified and standardized experimental systems to advance the theoretical foundation and clinical application of TCM in the prevention and treatment of COPD-related diaphragmatic dysfunction.

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of 150 patients with spinal cord injury complicated with spasticity. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on 150 patients with spinal cord injury accompanied by spasticity from September, 2019 to December, 2024. Their age, gender, cause of injury, injury site, severity of injury, spasticity severity and other indicators were recorded. The relationships between different characteristics were analyzed, and a correlation analysis of disease duration, spasticity grade, injury level, injury severity and age were conducted. ResultsThere was no significant difference in age distribution between patients with tetraplegia and paraplegia (Z = 0.806, P = 0.420). The proportions of trauma (χ² = 3.982, P = 0.046) and tetraplegia (χ² = 10.559, P = 0.010) were higher in males than in females. Trauma was the main cause of injury in both tetraplegia and paraplegia patients; the proportion of tetraplegia was higher than paraplegia in trauma patients, while paraplegia was higher than tetraplegia in non-trauma patients (χ² = 11.885, P < 0.001). Patients with tetraplegia was dominated by incomplete injury, whereas patients with paraplegia was dominated by complete injury (χ² = 10.885, P = 0.012). Grade A injury was predominant in trauma patients (P = 0.003). Spasticity grade showed a very weak positive correlation with disease duration (r = 0.175, P = 0.032) and age (r = 0.168, P = 0.040). Injury severity showed a very weak positive correlation with age (r = 0.183, P = 0.025). ConclusionCharacteristics of patients with spinal cord injury complicated with spasticity is different with gender, cause of injury, injury level, injury severity.

ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors for long-term cardiovascular events in patients undergoing long-term peritoneal dialysis （PD）， and to construct and validate a visual nomogram prediction model based on multiple parameters. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted， consecutively enrolling 248 maintenance PD patients （dialysis duration ≥ 3 months）. Demographic characteristics， clinical indicators， laboratory parameters， and echocardiographic indices （including left ventricular ejection fraction ［LVEF］， ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity （E/e’）， etc.） were collected. The composite endpoint was defined as the occurrence of cardiovascular events or cardiovascular death， with non-cardiovascular death as the competing risk and loss to follow-up or the end of follow-up as censoring events. Fine-Gray competing risks model was used to screen independent predictors， based on which a nomogram model was constructed. Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap method （1 000 resamplings）， and the concordance index （C-index） and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic （time-dependent ROC） curve were calculated to evaluate the model performance. ResultsWith a median follow-up of 29 months （interquartile range： 24–35 months）， 88 patients （35.48%） reached the composite endpoint， including 80 cases of cardiovascular events and 8 cases of cardiovascular death， and 4 patients died of non-cardiovascular causes. Multivariate Fine-Gray analysis revealed that age， diabetes mellitus， hemoglobin （HGB） level and E/e' ratio were independent influencing factors of the composite endpoint. Specifically， each 1-year increase in age was associated with a 3.0% increase in the risk of the composite endpoint （HR=1.030， P=0.006）； patients with diabetes mellitus had a 167.9% higher risk compared with non-diabetic patients （HR=2.679， P=0.007）； each 1g/L increase in HGB level contributed to a 1.5% reduction in the risk （HR=0.985， P=0.003）； and each 0.1 increase in E/e' ratio led to a 7.2% increase in the risk （HR=1.072， P=0.045）. The nomogram model had a C-index of 0.76 （95% CI： 0.698–0.820）， and the AUC of the time-dependent ROC curve reached 0.849 at 23 months of follow-up. ConclusionIncreased age， complicated with diabetes mellitus， decreased HGB， and elevated E/e' ratio are independent risk factors of long-term occurrence of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death in patients undergoing long-term PD. The nomogram model constructed based on the above variables has good predictive value and clinical applicability， which can provide a reference for cardiovascular risk stratification and individualized intervention in long-term PD patients.

The digitization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has generated vast amounts of data. However, these data are characterized by significant heterogeneity and complex semantic structures, posing substantial challenges for systematic integration and intelligent analysis, and limiting its potential for modern clinical and computational research. To address the challenges posed by the high heterogeneity and complex structure in TCM data, we designed and developed the TCM Data Hub platform, which is powered by the YiYuan large language models (LLMs). This platform aims to enhance intelligent data processing capabilities and unlock the potential for clinical application of TCM data through systematic integration and efficient utilization, thereby bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern computational research. This study first analyzed the heterogeneity and complexity of TCM information with respect to data types, structures, and semantics. A standardized data framework was constructed to enhance data integration and interoperability. Based on the TCM Intelligent Computing Platform of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, we trained the YiYuan LLMs to acquire domain-specific semantic understanding of TCM, thereby improving the platform’s comprehension of specialized terminology and knowledge systems. Leveraging the natural language processing capabilities of the LLMs, we developed a human-in-the-loop data processing system to enable efficient extraction, cleansing, and structured organization of TCM data. In addition, utilizing Vue and Java technologies, we developed multiple LLM-powered intelligent agents and systems, including a human-in-the-loop data processing system, as well as automated prescription mining and network pharmacology analysis agents. Task-specific agents tailored to TCM data processing were developed to enhance the model’s effectiveness in clinical knowledge discovery. System functionality and platform infrastructure were implemented using Java and Vue technologies.The TCM Data Hub platform has completed system construction and core functionality implementation. It supported integrated management and efficient access to 8 key types of TCM data: prescriptions, materia medica, ingredients, targets, diseases (Western medicine), diseases (TCM), syndromes, and therapeutic methods. The human-in-the-loop data processing system achieved an accuracy of 95.34% in structuring TCM data and supported annotation for data requiring manual labeling. The intelligent agent-driven big-data analytics module enabled 1-click, end-to-end workflows for TCM prescription mining, herb-syndrome association analysis, network pharmacology, and molecular biology research, completing a full data mining task in approximately 30 minutes. Users can interact with and manipulate data through a visual front-end interface. The system demonstrated stable performance, strong scalability, and a user-friendly experience. Empowered by the YiYuan LLMs, the TCM Data Hub platform significantly improves the accessibility, usability, and intelligence of TCM data. It effectively bridges traditional TCM knowledge with modern intelligent technologies, providing robust data support and intelligent tools for TCM research and clinical applications.

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of liquiritin (LQ) in the improvement of ventricular remodeling (VR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Molecular docking was used to predict the binding affinity of liquiritin to thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). After 2 weeks of modeling, the rats were randomly divided into a model group, a low-dose liquiritin group (20 mg/kg LQ), and a high-dose liquiritin group (40 mg/kg LQ). Liquiritin was administered by gavage once a day, and the sham group and model group were given the same volume of 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na), with intervention of 4 consecutive weeks. Echocardiography was employed to detect the cardiac function, HE staining was used to observe cardiological changes, ELISA was used to detect the activity of serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activity, and the colorimetric method was adopted to detect serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. RT-qPCR was used to detect the gene expressions of TXNIP, thioredoxin (TRX) and NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3(NLRP3). Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of TXNIP, TRX and NLRP3 in rat myocardial tissue. Molecular docking results showed that liquiritin had a good binding affinity to TNXIP target. After 20 and 40 mg/kg liquiritin intervention, the levels of ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the levels of LVIDs, LVIDd, LVESV, and LVEDV were decreased (P<0.01). The myocardial structure was significantly improved, the cell arrangement tended to be regular, and the area of inflammatory cell infiltration and necrosis was reduced. Liquiritin significantly reduced the level of CK-MB (P<0.01), decreased the activity of MDA, and increased the activities of CAT and T-SOD (P<0.01). Liquiritin effectively inhibited the overexpression of TXNIP and NLRP3 genes and proteins, and enhanced the expression of TRX genes and proteins in the myocardial tissues of AMI rats. In conclusion, liquiritin has a regulatory effect on the TXNIP/TRX signaling pathway, inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and thus improves ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction.

ObjectiveTo develop and preliminarily validate a prediction model for brace treatment failure risk in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), based on information obtained before brace treatment and during initial brace fitting. MethodsA total of 191 patients with AIS who initiated thoracolumbosacral orthosis treatment at Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March, 2015 to August, 2024 and had determinable outcomes were retrospectively included. Patients were divided according to a prespecified scheme into a training set (n = 133) and a validation set (n = 58). Brace treatment failure was defined as progression of the major-curve Cobb angle by ≥ 5° from baseline during follow-up or at brace weaning, or a final major-curve Cobb angle > 45°. Logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine with radial basis function kernel, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) models were developed using routinely available clinical and radiographic variables before brace treatment and during initial brace fitting. Stratified five-fold cross-validation was used for hyperparameter tuning in the training set. Model performance was evaluated in the validation set using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC), Brier score, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used to interpret the main explanatory model. ResultsIn cross-validation of the training set, both random forest and XGBoost showed good discriminative performance, with cross-validation-AUC values of 0.871 and 0.880, respectively. In the validation set, the AUC values of random forest and XGBoost were 0.888 and 0.899, the AUPRC values were 0.678 and 0.830, and the Brier scores were 0.086 and 0.076, respectively. Random forest was selected as the primary model for interpretation, with a calibration intercept of 0.091 and a calibration slope of 0.995. SHAP analysis indicated that the in-brace correction rate and the major-curve Cobb angle measured in the brace contributed most to the model predictions. ConclusionThe random forest model developed using routinely available pretreatment and initial-fitting variables shows preliminary predictive value for brace treatment failure risk in AIS, and may provide quantitative support for follow-up scheduling, brace-fit reassessment and early adherence-oriented management.

Objective To analyze the epidemiology and trends of measles,tuberculosis,pertussis,scarlet fever,influenza,mumps and rubella in Beijing between 2014 and 2023 in order to provide data for prevention and control of related diseases.Methods Data on the incidences of seven respiratory infectious diseases in Beijing between 2014 and 2023 was collected.Descriptive epidemiological methods were employed to analyze their demographic,temporal and spatial distribution.Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess temporal trends in incidence.Results A total of 1 406 777 cases of seven respiratory infectious diseases were reported in Beijing between 2014 and 2023,which corresponded to an average crude rate of 649.76/100 000 reported annually.The crude rate of incidencewas higher among females than among males,with the most vulnerable age groups being 0-4 years and 5-19 years,and was higher in the six districts than on the outskirts.Most of the respiratory infectious diseases peaked in winter and spring.The annual increase in the incidence of respiratory infectious diseases in Beijing in this period averaged 27.27％,with no statistically significant differences in trends.The incidence rates of measles,tuberculosis,scarlet fever,mumps and rubella decreased significantly while those of pertussis and influenza increased,but with no statistically significant difference.Conclusion The overall incidence of major respiratory infectious diseases in Beijing is increasing.It is recommended that more people get vaccinated,surveillance of such diseases as pertussis and influenza be enhanced,and regional health resources be allocated more effectively,all of which will be critical to subsequent prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases in Beijing.

Listeria brainstem encephalitis with myelitis is extremely rare in clinical practice.Since the clinical manifestations are non-specific,MRI is helpful for diagnosis.Positive cerebrospinal fluid culture is considered the gold standard for diagnosis.This article reports a case of an immunocompetent individual with listeria brainstem encephalitis with myelitis,aiming to enhance the awareness of this condition.
Humans ; Brain Stem/pathology* ; Diagnostic Errors ; Encephalitis/complications* ; Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated/diagnosis* ; Listeriosis/complications* ; Myelitis/complications*