This article systematically analyzed the historical evolution of the origin， scientific name， producing area， quality evaluation， harvesting and processing， and other aspects of Quisqualis Fructus by consulting the ancient materia medica， medical books， prescription books， local literature and combining with the modern literature and standards， summarized and explored the development rules of its medicinal properties and efficacy along with their underlying causes， in order to provide support for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. According to the textual research， Shijunzi was first recorded as Liuqiuzi in Nanfang Caomuzhuang of the Jin dynasty， and the name of Shijunzi was first used in Kaibao Bencao of the Song dynasty， which has been consistently used throughout subsequent dynasties， and there were also aliases such as Junziren， Sijunzi， and Dujilizi. The mainstream source of Quisqualis Fructus used in the past dynasties has been the dried mature fruits of Quisqualis indica， a plant belonging to the family Combretaceae. In modern times， its variety Q. indica var. villosa has also been recorded as the medicinal material of Quisqualis Fructus. In 2007， the Flora of China（English edition） designated Q. indica var. villosa as a synonym of Q. indica. Today， the accepted name of Shijunzi is updated to Combretum indicum. According to ancient herbal records， the producing areas of Quisqualis Fructus were Guangdong， Hong Kong， Macao， Guangxi， Hainan， Sichuan and Fujian， and then gradually expanded to Yunnan， Taiwan， Jiangxi and Guizhou. Since the Song dynasty， two major production regions have gradually emerged in Sichuan， Chongqing and Fujian. Currently， it is primarily cultivated in Chongqing， Guangxi and other areas， with Chongqing yielding the highest output. Since modern times， superior quality has been defined by large size， a purple-black surface， plump grains， and a yellowish-white kernel. According to ancient herbal records， the harvesting period of Quisqualis Fructus was the July and August of the lunar calendar， mostly used raw after shelling or with the shell intact， it underwent processing methods such as cleaning， slicing， mixing， steaming， roasting， stewing， and frying. Currently， the harvesting period is autumn， followed by sun-drying or low-heat drying， with processing methods including cleaning， stir-frying， and stewing. In ancient and modern literature， the records of the properties， functions and indications of Quisqualis Fructus are basically the same， that is， sweet in taste， warm in nature， predominantly non-toxic， belonging to the spleen and stomach meridians. It possesses effects of insecticide， decontamination and invigorating spleen for ascariasis， enterobiasis， abdominal pain due to worm accumulation and infantile malnutrition.The contraindications for use primarily include avoiding consumption by individuals without parasitic infestations， limiting use for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold， refraining from drinking hot tea during medication， and avoiding excessive intake. Based on the textual research， it is suggested that the dried mature fruits of Q. indica should be used as the medicinal material for the development of famous classical formulas containing Quisqualis Fructus. Processing methods may be chosen according to prescription requirements， and the raw products is recommended for medicinal use if not specified.

Objective To investigate the cranial magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） features of patients with hepatolenticular degeneration （also known as Wilson disease，WD） and epilepsy， and to identify the neuroimaging risk factors for seizures in WD patients. Methods A total of 69 WD patients with epilepsy who were hospitalized in Affiliated Hospital of Neurology Institute， Anhui University of Chinese Medicine， from January 2018 to November 2025 were enrolled as study group， while 80 WD patients without seizures， matched for sex and age， during the same period of time were randomly selected as control group. Cranial MRI findings were compared between the two groups. Results There were 69 WD patients （43 male patients and 26 female patients） in the study group， with a mean age of （29.46±8.58） years at the time of attending the hospital， and all these patients had abnormal electroencephalogram （EEG） findings. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age of onset，disease duration， WD subtype， and serum copper. Cranial MRI showed that the putamen was the most common site of brain injury （47 patients， 68.1%）， followed by the frontal lobe （40 patients，58.0%） and the parietal lobe （31 patients，44.9%）， and there was a significantly higher probability of epilepsy in patients with abnormal lesions in the frontal， temporal， or parietal lobes （P<0.05）. Conclusion While the putamen is the most common site of brain injury in WD patients with epilepsy， frontal or temporal lobe injuries are neuroimaging risk factors for seizures in such patients.
Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe ; Putamen

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of a local dengue fever cluster outbreak in Qingpu District of Shanghai in 2024, and to provide a reference for subsequent dengue fever prevention and control. MethodsSeven confirmed local dengue fever cases reported through the National Notifiable Infectious Diseases Surveillance System in Qingpu District of Shanghai in 2024 were selected as the research subjects. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to conduct investigation and analysis from the aspects of onset, medical treatment and reporting, clinical symptoms, travel and contact history within 15 days before onset, and activity trajectories. ResultsA total of 7 cases were identified in this outbreak. None of the cases had a travel history to dengue-endemic areas within 15 days prior to onset, while all had shared exposure environments and mosquito bite histories, indicating a local clustered transmission pattern. The main clinical manifestations included fever (100.00%) and myalgia (42.86%). All 7 cases were positive for dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) by nucleic acid testing. Genetic sequencing showed that the virus strains belonged to the Cosmopolitan genotype and were most closely related to the epidemic DENV strains circulating in southern China in recent years. ConclusionThis outbreak might be a local secondary infection caused by the short-term stay of dengue fever-infected individuals, and the possible source of importation was dengue fever endemic areas in southern China.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of salidroside （SAL） on the impaired bioactivity of endothelial progenitor cells （EPCs） in atherosclerotic （As） mice and the potential mechanisms regarding AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）. MethodsAtherosclerosis was induced in 8-week-old male ApoE^-/- mice with high-fat diet. Intragastric administration of SAL was given to one mice group to investigate the effects of SAL on aortic plaque burden， plasma NO level， the migration and angiogenic capabilities of bone marrow-derived EPCs （BM-EPCs）. The proliferation， migration and vasculogenic properties of EPCs isolated from As mice were investigated in vitro. AMPK-sh-RNA or the AMPK inhibitor Compound C was used to investigate the role of AMPK/Akt/eNOS pathway in the regulatory effects of SAL. ResultsCompared with As group， NO level was significantly elevated in SAL group. The sizes of atherosclerotic plaques at the aortic root were reduced with smaller lipid cores in SAL group compared with As group. Moreover， the migration and angiogenesis capacity of EPCs markedly decreased in As mice， while SAL treatment reversed these impairments. Incubation with SAL at concentrations of 20， 40， and 80 μmol/L for 48 hours significantly promoted the proliferation， migration， and angiogenesis of EPCs. AMPK-sh-RNA transfection abrogated the 20 μmol/L SAL improvement in EPC biological activities. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that treatment with Compound C blocked the activation of AMPK/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway induced by SAL. ConclusionSAL upregulates the biological functions of EPCs through activating the AMPK/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway， thereby ameliorating EPC dysfunction during the pathological progression of atherosclerosis.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the syndrome improvement and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children （heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome）. MethodsThrough a multi-center randomized controlled methodology design，confirmed influenza cases were collected from October 2022 to April 2023 in the pediatrics department of eight hospitals，such as Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. A total of 180 children with influenza and heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome conforming to the standard were recruited through the clinic. The sick children meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into groups by a block-randomized method. The children in the experimental group were treated with Qingxuan Daozhi formula for five days，and those in the control group were treated with Oseltamivir Phosphate Granules for five days. The primary efficacy indicator was the negative conversion rate of influenza antigen detection. Secondary efficacy indicators were the Canadian acute respiratory illness and flu scale （CARIFS） and the incidence of complications，severe cases， and critical cases. Follow-up observation was conducted on the day of enrollment，48 hours after medication，72 hours after medication， and （6+1） d after medication. ResultsOne hundred and eighty participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group （90 cases） or the control group （90 cases）. All participants were followed up during the study. Comparison of influenza antigen detection results in the primary efficacy indicators showed that the average time of negative influenza antigen conversion in the experimental group was （5.29±1.25） d，and that in the control group was （5.40±1.68） d，without a statistically significant difference. After five days of intervention，52 cases in the experimental group and 51 cases in the control group converted to negative，without a statistically significant difference. CARIFS score results in the secondary efficacy indicators showed that during 72 hours after intervention，there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in three dimensions， including headache，muscle soreness， and the need for extra care （P<0.05）. On the （6+1） days after the intervention，the differences in both the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant in 10 dimensions， including sore throat，bad sleep，uncomfortable feeling，poor spirit and fatigue，crying more than usual，the need for extra care，symptom，function，influence on parents，and total score （P<0.05）. The comparison results within the group in the dimensional scores of symptom， function， and influence on parents，as well as the CARIFS total score showed that with the delay of follow-up time，scores of both groups decreased significantly，with a statistically significant difference （P<0.01）. Inter-group comparison results showed that the mean score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at the time of enrollment. With the progress of intervention，the score of the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. At the end of follow-up，the mean score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group，with no statistically significant difference. In terms of the incidence of complications，severe cases， and critical cases， there were no complications，severe cases， and critical cases in the two groups，without a statistically significant difference. ConclusionThe symptom improvement effect and negative antigen conversion rate of Qingxuan Daozhi formula in the treatment of influenza in children （heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome） are not inferior to Oseltamivir Phosphate granules， and children's acceptance is better. It can be more widely used in clinical treatment of influenza in children （heat accumulation in the lung and stomach syndrome）.

Objective To investigate the relationship between 9 immunoinflammatory indicators derived from complete blood count and the severity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)in children of different ages.Methods Totally 2 132 children with MPP who were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics of The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from Jul.1,2023,to Dec.31,2024 were enrolled,and were assigned to severe MPP(SMPP)or non-severe MPP(NSMPP)groups.According to age and gender 1∶1 matching,the children were assigned to 2 subgroups according to age(1-6 years old and＞6-16 years old).The basic data,laboratory examination and immunoinflammatory indicators from complete blood count of each group were collected and compared.The influencing factors of SMPP were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models.Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyze the predictive value of indicators that showed statistically significant differences for SMPP.Results There were 220 patients with SMPP,accounting for 10.3%of MPP.In children aged 1-6 years,compared with the NSMPP group,the SMPP group had a longer hospital stay,higher platelet(PLT)count,platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and systemic immune-inflammation index(all P＜0.05).PLR was an independent risk factor for SMPP(odds ratio=1.010,95%confidence interval[CI]1.003-1.018,P=0.007).The area under curve predicted by PLR for SMPP was 0.635(95%CI 0.560-0.711,P＜0.001),the best cut-off value was 125.04,and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 57.7%and 70.2%,respectively.All the children were assigned to low PLR group or high PLR group using the best cut-offvalue as the boundary,and the severe disease rate in the high PLR group was significantly higher than that in the low PLR group(65.9%[60/91]vs 37.6%[44/117],P＜0.001).All the children were assigned to Q1-Q4 groups by quartile,and the severe disease rate of the Q4 group(71.2%,37/52)was significantly higher than that of the Q1-Q3 group(all P＜0.05).In children aged＞6-16 years,compared with the NSMPP group,the PLT and PLR in the SMPP group were higher(both P＜0.05),but neither was an independent risk factor.All the children were assigned to low PLR group or high PLR group using the best cut-offvalue(137.03)as the boundary,and the severe disease rate in the high PLR group was significantly higher than that in the low PLR group(57.0%[77/135]vs 40.2%[39/97],P=0.011).All the children were assigned to Q1-Q4 groups by quartile,and the severe disease rate of the Q4 group(65.5%,38/58)was significantly higher than that of the Q1-Q3 group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The immunoinflammatory indicators derived from complete blood count,especially PLR,have certain application value in predicting the severity of MPP children in different ages.

OBJECTIVE To establish standardized operating procedures,result interpretation guidelines,and clinical application protocols for dust mite-nasal allergen challenge(NAC),and to systematically evaluate its operational reliability and safety.METHODS Patients with positive serum-specific IgE(sIgE)against mites and healthy controls were enrolled between January 2023 and December 2024.Demographic and clinical information was systematically collected.A standardized mite allergen extract was utilized to prepare the challenge solution for all participants.Bilateral synchronous nasal spray challenges were conducted using progressively increasing concentrations(1 000,3 000,10 000,and 30 000 BU/ml).During the challenge,total nasal symptom scores,visual analogue scale,acoustic rhinometry,active anterior rhinomanometry,and four-phase rhinomanometry were assessed,and all evaluation data and diagnostic outcomes were documented accordingly.RESULTS Compared to the baseline measurements,both subjective symptom scores and objective evaluation indicators in patients demonstrated statistically significant changes following NAC(P≤0.001).Among these patients,40 individuals(81.6%)exhibited a positive response to the dust mite-NAC.All healthy control subjects showed negative results in the test.CONCLUSION This study established standardized operating procedures and clinical application guidelines for the dust mite-NAC.These encompass indications,contraindications,preparation of stimulation solutions,procedural steps,operational standards,criteria for positive results,and pre-/post-examination precautions,thereby providing a clinically actionable framework for dust mite-NAC implementation.

Compared with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry(MALDI-MS)using organic small molecule matrix,surface-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry(SALDI-MS)based on nanomaterial matrix is more effective in analysis of small molecule compounds.Ion sputtering instruments have obvious advantages for applying inorganic nanomatrix.In this work,the carbon-platinum material was sputtered onto a glass cover slip using an ion sputtering instrument to form a carbon-platinum(C-Pt)composite nanomatrix,and an SALDI-MS analytical method was thus established based on the prefabricated C-Pt composite matrix.The experimental results showed that the C-Pt composite nanomatrix could significantly improve the signal intensity and signal-to-noise ratio of the mass spectrum peaks of the components to be measured.The ratio of carbon to platinum,the duration of ion sputtering,and the laser power in mass spectrometer were investigated to select the optimal C-Pt matrix prefabricated conditions and SALDI-MS experimental conditions.Using the prefabricated C-Pt composite matrix,the melittriose and daidzein sample solution were applied as sample to examine repeatability.The results showed that the intra-point repeatability(RSD)was≤4.8%and the inter-point repeatability(RSD)was≤6.4%.The quercetin and melitriose were applied as model samples,and a linearity between MS peak intensity and respective concentration in the range of 0.05-1.0 mg/mL was found,with linear correlation coefficients(R2)greater than 0.994,showing good potential for quantitative and imaging analysis.Then,the prefabricated C-Pt composite matrix was applied to SALDI-MS analysis of the 50%ethanol extract of soybean,and 15 kinds of compounds including oligosaccharides and triglycerides were identified from the mass spectra.Furthermore,the C-Pt matrix was employed in SALDI-MS imaging for the compositions in corn tissue section,and the results showed that diglycerides and triglycerides were mainly distributed in the corn embryo and around the embryo,and the distribution of oligosaccharides was relatively even.

A matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS)method was developed for simultaneous analysis of 10 kinds of aphrodisiac drugs,including sildenafil,acetildenafil,nor-acetildenafil,homosildenafil,lodenafil carbonate,sildlenafil dimer impurity,vardenafil dimer,hydroxyacetildenafil,N-desmethylsildenafil and udenafil.By using different matrices(α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid(HCCA)and sinapic acid(SA)),the effects of solvents,amount of matrices,laser intensity and spotting methods on the peak strength and signal intensity of MALDI-TOF MS for the aphrodisiac drugs were investigated.As a result,SA was chosen as the matrix,and then dispersed in methanol-water(50∶50,V/V),and spotted by matrix firstly and sample secondly approach with the reflect linear positive mode and laser power of 60%.Under optimal conditions,the proposed MALDI-TOF MS method could obtain stable signal,high intensity and well-repeated mass spectrometric results.The results of method validation showed a linear range from 10 to 100 ng/mL,and the regression coefficients(r)were all above 0.985.The limits of detection(LOD)were 0.1-1.0 ng/mL,and the recoveries were in the range of 72.9%-109.9%for health wine,soft capsule and instant coffee samples,while the relative standard deviations(RSDs)ranged from 0.7%to 11.3%(n=3).The test results of 10 kinds of aphrodisiac drugs by MALDI-TOF MS were in accordance with the results of high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.This method exhibited high sensitivity,high accuracy,good anti-interference ability,low chemical solvents consumption and environmentally friendliness,and could be used to detect drugs without standards.The developed MALDI-TOF MS method could realize the non-target screening and detection of 10 kinds of illegally added aphrodisiac drugs in foods.

A dielectric barrier discharge ionization source with rapid evaporation and self-aspiration sampling(RE-SADBDI)was developed,integrating a rapid evaporation(RE)module and a dielectric barrier discharge ionization(DBDI)module.The sample was introduced into the RE module via a sampling swab and rapidly vaporized within it.The sealed design of the ionization source could enable the sample to be self-aspirated into the ionization region without the need of additional inert gas.All vaporized sample was efficiently directed into the ionization region due to the relatively enclosed environment for sample transfer and ionization,resulting in improved transfer and ionization efficiencies.Experimental results showed that the limit of detection(LOD)under ion isolation mode reached 0.05 ng/mL(caffeine),with a relative standard deviation(RSD)of 6.9%.Furthermore,when coupled with a miniaturized linear ion trap mass spectrometer,the source enabled real-time analysis of various sample types.The developed RE-SADBDI source was suitable for on-site analysis with miniaturized mass spectrometers.