Objective To introduce an innovative technique, the "balance-shaped sternal elevation device" and its application in the subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for anterior mediastinal masses resection. Methods Patients who underwent single-port thoracoscopic assisted anterior mediastinal tumor resection through the xiphoid process at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from May to June 2024 were included, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 7 patients were included, with 3 males and 4 females, aged 28-72 years. The diameter of the tumor was 1.9-17.0 cm. The operation time was 62-308 min, intraoperative blood loss was 5-100 mL, postoperative chest drainage tube retention time was 0-9 days, pain score on the 7th day after surgery was 0-2 points, and postoperative hospital stay was 3-12 days. All patients underwent successful and complete resection of the masses and thymus, with favorable postoperative recovery. Conclusion The "balance-shaped sternal elevation device" effectively expands the retrosternal space, providing surgeons with satisfactory surgical views and operating space. This technique significantly enhances the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive surgery for anterior mediastinal masses, reduces trauma and postoperative pain, and accelerates patient recovery, demonstrating important clinical significance and application value.

This study explores the therapeutic differences and mechanisms of salt-processed Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in improving insulin resistance(IR) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cellular experiments. The components and intersection targets of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in improving IR were collected from databases, and a "drug-component-target-disease" network and protein-protein interaction(PPI) network were constructed to screen core components and targets. A total of 29 active components and 240 intersection targets were identified, of which 13 were core targets. Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to identify key signaling pathways, and molecular docking was performed to validate the binding activity between core components and targets. An IR model in HepG2 cells was induced using insulin combined with high glucose, and the effects of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex before and after salt-processing on cell glucose consumption were evaluated. The expression of proteins related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT) signaling pathways was detected by Western blot. The cellular experimental results showed that, compared with the model group, glucose consumption in the drug-treated groups was significantly increased(P<0.01), the phosphorylation level of extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK) was decreased(P<0.05), the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT were increased, and the expression of glucose transporter 4(GLUT4) was also upregulated(P<0.05). Furthermore, the effect of salt-processed Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex was better than that of raw Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex. The study demonstrates that Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex, both before and after salt-processing, improves IR by regulating the expression of related proteins in the MAPK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways, with enhanced effects after salt-processing.
Humans ; Network Pharmacology ; Phellodendron/chemistry* ; Insulin Resistance ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Hep G2 Cells ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Glucose/metabolism*

This study aims to systematically characterize the targeted effects of Quanduzhong Capsules on cartilage lesions in knee osteoarthritis by integrating spatial transcriptomics data mining and animal experiments validation, thereby elucidating the related molecular mechanisms. A knee osteoarthritis model was established using Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats, via a modified Hulth method. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining was employed to detect knee osteoarthritis-associated pathological changes in knee cartilage. Candidate targets of Quanduzhong Capsules were collected from the HIT 2.0 database, followed by bioinformatics analysis of spatial transcriptomics datasets(GSE254844) from cartilage tissues in clinical knee osteoarthritis patients to identify spatially specific disease genes. Furthermore, a "formula candidate targets-spatially specific genes in cartilage lesions" interaction network was constructed to explore the effects and major mechanisms of Quanduzhong Capsules in distinct cartilage regions. Experimental validation was conducted through immunohistochemistry using animal-derived biospecimens. The results indicated that Quanduzhong Capsules effectively inhibited the degenerative changes in the cartilage of affected joints in rats, which was associated with the regulation of Quanduzhong Capsules on the thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)-NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)-bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2(BMPR2)-fibronectin 1(FN1)-matrix metallopeptidase 2(MMP2) signal axis in the articular cartilage surface and superficial zones, subsequently inhibiting cartilage matrix degradation leading to oxidative stress and inflammatory diffusion. In summary, this study clarifies the spatially specific targeted effects and protective mechanisms of Quanduzhong Capsules within pathological cartilage regions in knee osteoarthritis, providing theoretical and experimental support for the clinical application of this drug in the targeted therapy on the inflamed cartilage.
Animals ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Male ; Humans ; Capsules ; Female ; Disease Models, Animal

The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) industry is a crucial part of China's pharmaceutical sector and plays a strategic role in ensuring public health and promoting economic and social development. In response to the practical demand for high-quality development of the TCM industry, this paper focused on the bottlenecks encountered during the digital and intelligent transformation of TCM production systems. Specifically, it explored technical strategies and methodologies for constructing the best TCM production mode. An innovative artificial intelligence(AI)-centered technical architecture for TCM production was proposed, focusing on key aspects of production management including process modeling, state evaluation, and decision optimization. Furthermore, a series of critical technologies were developed to realize the best TCM production mode. Finally, a novel AI-driven TCM production mode characterized by a closed-loop system of "measurement-modeling-decision-execution" was presented through engineering case studies. This study is expected to provide a technological pathway for developing new quality productive forces within the TCM industry.
Artificial Intelligence ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Humans

This study developed a core outcome set(COS) for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) interventions in diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN), standardizing evaluation metrics for TCM efficacy and providing a new framework for DPN treatment and management. A systematic search was conducted across databases, including CNKI, Wanfang, and PubMed, targeting clinical trial literature published between January 1, 2013, and January 1, 2023. The search focused on extracting outcome indicators and measurement tools used in TCM treatments for DPN. Retrospective data collection was performed from January 2018 to June 2023, involving 200 DPN patients hospitalized at the Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with inpatients, outpatients, their families, and nursing staff to further refine and enhance the list of outcome indicators. After two rounds of Delphi questionnaire survey and consensus meeting, a consensus was reached. The study initially retrieved 3 421 publications, of which 170 met the inclusion criteria after review. These publications, combined with retrospective analysis and semi-structured interviews, supplemented the list of indicators. After two rounds of Delphi surveys, experts agreed on 24 indicators and 6 measurement tools. The final COS determined by expert consensus meeting included 5 domains and 13 outcome indicators: neurological function signs, quality of life, TCM syndrome score, nerve conduction velocity, current perception threshold test, fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, complete blood count, urinalysis, liver function test, kidney function test, and electrocardiogram.
Humans ; Diabetic Neuropathies/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Male ; Female

Inflammatory diseases (IDs) are a general term of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation as the primary pathogenetic mechanism, which seriously affect the quality of patient′s life and cause significant social and medical burden. Current drugs for IDs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics, and antioxidants, but these drugs may cause gastrointestinal side effects, induce or worsen infections, and cause non-response or intolerance. Given the outstanding performance of metal polyphenol network (MPN) in the fields of drug delivery, biomedical imaging, and catalytic therapy, its application in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs has attracted much attention and significant progress has been made. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the types of IDs and their generating mechanisms, then sort out and summarize the different forms of MPN in recent years, and finally discuss in detail the characteristics of MPN and their latest research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs. This research may provide useful references for scientific research and clinical practice in the related fields.

ObjectiveGliomas in the motor functional area can damage the corticospinal tract (CST), leading to motor dysfunction. Currently, there is a lack of unified methods for evaluating the extent of CST damage, especially in patients with high surgical risk where the minimum distance from the lesion to the CST is less than 10 mm. This study aims to further clarify the classification method and clinical significance of CST morphological changes in these patients. MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed 109 high-risk functional area glioma patients who underwent neurosurgical treatment with preoperative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) imaging and intraoperative neurostimulation guidance between 2014 and 2024. All patients had a lesion-to-tract distance (LTD) of less than 10 mm between the CST and the lesion. Preoperative DTI evaluation of CST involvement-induced morphological changes were reviewed. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 17 cases (15.6%) with symmetric CST morphology compared to the healthy side (CST symmetry), 48 cases (44.0%) with significant CST morphology changes compared to the healthy side (CST deformation), and 44 cases (40.4%) with CST overlap with the tumor (CST overlap). Then we classified patients according to preoperative assessment of tumor-induced morphological changes, and analyze postoperative motor function for each category. ResultsPostoperative pathology showed a significantly higher proportion of high-grade gliomas (HGG) in the CST overlap group compared to the other two groups (P=0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that CST overlap was a predictor of HGG (P=0.000). The rate of total tumor resection in the CST deformation group and overlap group was lower than in the CST symmetric group (P=0.008). There was a total of 41 postoperative hemiplegic patients, with 4 cases (23.5%) in the CST symmetric group, 11 cases (22.9%) in the CST deformation group, and 26 cases (59.1%) in the CST overlap group. CST overlap with the tumor predicted postoperative hemiplegia (P=0.016). Two-way ANOVA analysis of the affected/healthy side and CST morphology groups showed significant main effects of CST grouping and healthy-affected side (P=0.017 and P=0.010), with no significant interaction (P=0.31). The fractional anisotropy (FA) value in the CST overlap group and the affected side was lower. A decrease in the FA value on the affected side predicted postoperative hemiplegia (sensitivity 69.2%, specificity 71.9%). ConclusionWe have established a method to predict postoperative hemiplegia in high-risk motor functional area glioma patients based on preoperative CST morphological changes. CST overlap leads to a decrease in CST FA values. This method can be used for precise patient management and aid in accurate preoperative surgical planning.

Objective To investigate the cognition level and behavior compliance of blood pressure measurement in community residents and analyze the related influencing factors, and to provide evidence for community health management and blood pressure control. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate 4470 community patients. Questionnaires included basic personal information，blood pressure measurement cognition, and blood pressure measurement behavior related issues. SPSS 19.0 was used to analyze the basic information, blood pressure measurement cognition, and pressure measurement behavior of the survey subjects. Logistic regression was performed to analyze relevant factors affecting blood pressure measurement cognition and behavior compliance. Results The overall cognitive compliance rate for blood pressure measurement among the visiting community patients was 31.52%. Age, education level, and chronic disease had a statistically significant impact on the cognitive knowledge (P<0.05). The overall behavior compliance rate of blood pressure measurement among the community patients was 23.69%. The cognition, age and education had a statistically significant impact on the overall behavior compliance rate of blood pressure measurement (P<0.05). Conclusion The cognitive level and standardized behavior of blood pressure measurement of community patients need to be improved. More attention should be paid to the elderly, low education level residents and community residents without chronic diseases, to promote community residents to form correct and standardized behavior of blood pressure measurement through health education.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and stent implantation in the treatment of pancreaticobiliary injuries in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children diagnosed with pancreaticobiliary injury and undergoing ERCP and stent implantation at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2021 to December 2022. Demographic information, clinical data, endoscopic treatment methods, postoperative complications and clinical prognosis of the children were collected. The etiology, location of pancreaticobiliary injury, occurrence of complications after endoscopic treatment, and the time for improvement and recovery after endoscopic treatment were analyzed. The patients were divided into five groups according to the etiologies of pancreaticobiliary duct injuries: post-surgical, pancreatic trauma, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus groups. They were also classified into four groups according to the sites of pancreaticobiliary duct injuries: common bile duct, pancreatic head, pancreatic body, and pancreatic tail groups. Multi-factor analysis of variance was used for comparing the time of improvement and recovery among different groups.Results:Among 22 patients, there were 8 males and 14 females, and the age was 7.5 (3.3,10.8) years. There were 19 cases of pancreatic or bile duct fistula, and 3 cases of pancreatic or bile duct stenosis. A total of 33 endoscopic procedures were performed on the 22 patients, out of which, 3 duct stenosis were failed to insert the stent because the catheter failed to pass through the stenosis site. The success rate was 91% (30/33). The pancreatic duct or bile duct stent was inserted, with the stent located at pancreatic or bile duct fistula. Postoperative complications included pancreatitis in 3 cases (9%, 3/33), hyperamylasemia in 5 cases (15%, 5/33), and postoperative infection in 4 cases (12%, 4/33). All patients were followed up for more than 1 year. Significant improvement was observed in external drainage and imaging monitoring among patients with successfully placed stents. There was no significant difference in the improvement time of ERCP in the treatment of pancreaticobile duct injury caused by different etiology ( F=0.65, P=0.637). However, there were significant differences in healing time ( F=6.46, P=0.004), among which the healing time of injuries caused by systemic lupus erythematosus was significantly different from that after surgery, trauma, acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the improvement and healing time among different injury sites (all P>0.05). Conclusions:ERCP and stent implantation can safely and effectively improve the clinical symptoms of children with pancreaticobiliary injury. Early intervention can improve long-term prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To construct three-class （insufficient， normal， excessive） and two-class （insufficient， normal） models for predicting plasma concentration of valproic acid （VPA）， and compare the performance of these two models， with the aim of providing a reference for formulating clinical medication strategies. METHODS The clinical data of 480 patients who received VPA treatment and underwent blood concentration test at the Xi’an International Medical Center Hospital were collected from November 2022 to September 2024 （a total of 695 sets of data）. In this study， predictive models were constructed for target variables of three-class and two-class models. Feature ranking and selection were carried out using XGBoost scores. Twelve different machine learning algorithms were used for training and validation， and the performance of the models was evaluated using three indexes: accuracy， F1 score， and the area under the working characteristic curve of the subject （AUC）. RESULTS XGBoost feature importance scores revealed that in the three-class model， the importance ranking of kidney disease and electrolyte disorders was higher. However， in the two-class model， the importance ranking of these features significantly decreased， suggesting a close association with the excessive blood concentration of VPA. In the three-class model， Random Forest method performed best， with F1 score of 0.704 0 and AUC of 0.519 3 on the test set； while in the two-class model， CatBoost method performed optimally， with F1 score of 0.785 7 and AUC of 0.819 5 on the test set. CONCLUSIONS The constructed three-class model has the ability to predict excessive VPA blood concentration， but its prediction and model generalization abilities are poor； the constructed two-class model can only perform classification prediction for insufficient and normal blood concentration cases， but its model performance is stronger.