ObjectiveTo establish an animal model of atrial fibrillation（AF） that accurately reflects the phlegm-heat and blood stasis（TRYZ） pathogenesis in traditional Chinese medicine. MethodsForty SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned using a random number table to the following groups：the control group， the TRYZ+AF group，the AF group and the TRYZ group， with ten rats in each group. The TRYZ+AF and TRYZ groups underwent a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide（LPS） injection to simulate the pathological alterations of TRYZ syndrome. Groups TRYZ+AF and AF were induced with acetylcholine-calcium chloride（Ach-CaCl₂） via caudal vein injection to induce AF. The control group received no intervention and was maintained under normal conditions. The modeling period lasted 3 weeks. Electrocardiography was used to assess AF episodes and duration， echocardiography evaluated left atrial dimensions and cardiac function， fully automated biochemical analyzer measured the levels of total cholesterol（TC）， triglycerides（TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol（HDL-C） and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol（LDL-C）， hemoreometer analyzed the whole blood viscosity， plasma viscosity， and whole blood reduced viscosity， a coagulation analyzer assessed prothrombin time（PT）， activated partial thromboplastin time（APTT）， thrombin time（TT）， and fibrinogen（FIB）， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was used to determine the levels of C-reactive protein（CRP）， interleukin（IL）-1β， IL-6， IL-17， tumour necrosis factor（TNF）-α， matrix metalloproteinase-9（MMP-9）， galectin-3（Gal-3）， Collagen Ⅰ， and α-smooth muscle actin（α-SMA）. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining and Masson's trichrome staining were used to analyze pathological changes in atrial myocardium， Western blot was employed to detect MMP-9， Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA protein expression in myocardial tissue， real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） evaluated fibrous factor gene expression levels. Changes in the TRYZ syndrome were assessed via body weight， tongue color［red（R）， green（G）， and blue（B）］， and rectal temperature. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was employed to detect differential metabolites between the control group and the TRYZ+AF group. ResultsFollowing three weeks of sustained modeling， compared with the control group， rats in the TRYZ+AF and the TRYZ groups exhibited reduced body weight， dry faeces， elevated rectal temperature， dark red tongue， decreased RGB values on the tongue surface， and markedly elevated TC and LDL-C levels（P<0.05， P<0.01）. The TRYZ+AF， TRYZ， and AF groups exhibited significantly decreased TT， APTT and PT， along with markedly elevated whole blood viscosity and FIB（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Rats in the TRYZ+AF and AF groups exhibited AF rhythm， markedly decreased heart rate， prolonged RR intervals， enlarged left atrium， and significantly reduced ejection fraction and shortening fraction（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum levels of CRP， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-17， TNF-α， MMP-9， Gal-3， Collagen Ⅰ， and α-SMA were elevated in rats from the TRYZ+AF， TRYZ， and AF groups compared to the control group， with the most pronounced increase observed in the TRYZ+AF group（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Histopathology revealed that the collagen fiber deposition in the atrial of rats in the TRYZ+AF， TRYZ and AF groups was higher than that in the control group（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Western blot and Real-time PCR results further demonstrated that the protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-9， Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA in the myocardial tissue of the TRYZ+AF group were higher than those in the other three groups（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Metabolomic analysis revealed 173 differentially expressed metabolites in the TRYZ+AF group and the control group， primarily enriched in pathways such as glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. ConclusionThis study successfully establishes a rat model of AF integrated with the TRYZ syndrome， demonstrating the pathological process where the interactions of phlegm， heat and stasis jointly trigger tremor， this provides a reliable experimental tool for in-depth research into the biological basis of this disease syndrome.

In this experiment, self-assembled nanoparticles(SANs) were prepared by the pH-driven method, and Her-HCP SAN was constructed by using herpetrione(Her) and Herpetospermum caudigerum polysaccharides(HCPs). The average particle size and polydispersity index(PDI) were used as evaluation indexes for process optimization, and the quality of the final formulation was evaluated in terms of particle size, PDI, Zeta potential, and microstructure. The proposed Her-HCP SAN showed a spheroid structure and uniform morphology, with an average particle size of(244.58±16.84) nm, a PDI of 0.147 1±0.014 8, and a Zeta potential of(-38.52±2.11) mV. Her-HCP SAN significantly increased the saturation solubility of Her by 2.69 times, with a cumulative release of 90.18% within eight hours. The results of in vivo unidirectional intestinal perfusion reveal that Her active pharmaceutical ingredient(API) is most effectively absorbed in the jejunum, where both K_a and P_(app) are significantly higher compared to the ileum(P<0.001). However, the addition of HCP leads to a significant reduction in the P_(app) of Her in the jejunum(P<0.05). Furthermore, the formation of the Her-HCP SAN results in a notably lower P_(app) in the jejunum compared to Her API alone(P<0.001), while both K_a and P_(app) in the ileum are significantly increased(P<0.001, P<0.05). The absorption of Her-HCP SAN at different concentrations in the ileum shows no significant differences, and the pH has no significant effect on the absorption of Her-HCP SAN in the ileum. The addition of the transporter protein inhibitors(indomethacin and rifampicin) significantly increases the absorption parameters K_a and P_(app) of Her-HCP SAN in the ileum(P<0.05,P<0.01), whereas the addition of verapamil has no significant effect on the intestinal absorption parameters of Her-HCP SAN, suggesting that Her may be a substrate for multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 and breast cancer resistance proteins but not a substrate of P-glycoprotein.
Nanoparticles/metabolism* ; Polysaccharides/pharmacokinetics* ; Intestinal Absorption/drug effects* ; Animals ; Rats ; Particle Size ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drug Carriers/chemistry* ; Drug Compounding ; Cucurbitaceae/chemistry*

OBJECTIVES: To assess the changes in body composition and nutritional risks faced by children with different stages of acute leukemia (AL). METHODS: Bioelectrical impedance analysis combined with anthropometric measurements was used to detect body composition. This prospective study was conducted from August 2023 to July 2024 at Shandong Provincial Hospital, examining the body composition and physical balance of children with various stages of AL and healthy children. RESULTS: The non-fat components of children with AL and healthy children both showed a linear increase with age. In the younger age group, there were no significant differences in body composition between children with AL and healthy children. However, in the older age group, the body composition of children undergoing chemotherapy for AL was significantly lower than that of healthy children (P<0.05), and muscle mass recovered first after the completion of AL chemotherapy. The proportion of children with increased trunk fat in AL children who completed chemotherapy was significantly lower than that in healthy children (P<0.05), while the incidence rate of severe left-right imbalance in body composition was significantly higher (P<0.05). Muscle distribution in children with AL primarily showed insufficient limb and overall muscle mass, whereas healthy children mainly exhibited insufficient upper limb muscle mass. CONCLUSIONS The body composition of children with AL varies at different treatment stages, indicating that nutritional status is affected by both the disease itself and the treatment. Early screening can provide a basis for reasonable nutritional intervention.
Humans ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Body Composition ; Prospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Leukemia/metabolism* ; Infant ; Nutritional Status ; Acute Disease ; Electric Impedance

Tianxiangdan (TXD), a traditional Chinese herbal remedy, demonstrates efficacy in mitigating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced damage. This study employed network pharmacology to evaluate the therapeutic targets and mechanisms of TXD in treating I/R. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) identified 86 compounds in TXD. Network pharmacological analysis predicted potential target genes and their modes of action. Cardiac function, ischaemic ST changes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, myocardial fiber, and infarct size were assessed using in vivo and in vitro I/R injury models. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) protein expression and estradiol (E2) levels were measured to confirm TXD's impact on estrogen levels and ERα expression. To examine if TXD reduces I/R injury through ERα, an AZD group (300 nmol·L^-1 AZD9496 and 15% TXD serum) was compared to a TXD group (15% TXD serum). The study hypothesized that TXD upregulates the ERα-mediated iron metamorphosis pathway. I/R injury-induced ferroptosis was identified using a Fer-1 group (1.0 μmol·L^-1 Fer-1 and 15% TXD serum) to elucidate the potential association between ferroptosis and ERα proteins. A DCFH-DA probe detected reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Fe²⁺, while Western blotting assessed target protein expression. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that TXD attenuated I/R injury by reducing elevated ST-segment levels, improving cardiac injury biomarkers (LDH, MDA, and SOD), alleviating pathological features, and preventing I/R-induced loss of cell viability in vitro. The effects and mechanisms of TXD on I/R injury-associated ferroptosis were investigated using I/R-induced H9c2 cells. The TXD group showed significantly decreased ROS and Fe²⁺ levels, while the AZ group (treated with AZD9496) exhibited increased levels. The TXD group demonstrated enhanced expression of ERα and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), with reduced levels of P53 protein and ferritin-heavy polypeptide 1 (FTH1). The AZ group exhibited contrasting effects on these expression levels. The literature indicated a novel connection between ERα and ferroptosis. TXD activates the ERα signaling pathway, promoting protection against I/R-induced myocardial cell ferroptosis. This study provides evidence supporting TXD use for myocardial ischemia treatment, particularly in older female patients who may benefit from its therapeutic outcomes.
Animals ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Estrogen Receptor alpha/genetics* ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Mice ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Estradiol/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the acupoint selection law of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of broca aphasia after stroke.Methods:RCT articles about acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for broca aphasia after stroke were retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, China Medical Journal Full-text Database, SinoMed, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase database from the establishment of the databases to May 31, 2024. Excel 2021, SPSS Statistics 27.0, SPSS Modeler 18.0 and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software were used to analyze the frequency of acupoint, clustering, association rules and core co-occurrence network.Results:A total of 87 articles were included, involving 100 acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions and 101 acupoints/acupoint area, involving 6 types, including Lianquan (CV 23) (35 times), Jinjin (EX-HN12) (35 times) and Yuye (EX-HN13) (34 times). The selected acupoints were mainly distributed in the head, face, neck and lower limbs, and the meridians were mainly Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel; the specific acupoints were mainly original acupoints, followed by collaterals acupoints, and scalp acupuncture was used most frequently in special acupuncture (88 times). According to the clustering analysis of high-frequency acupoints/acupoint area, there were five effective groups, such as "Jinjin (EX-HN12)-Yuye (EX-HN13)-Lianquan (CV 23)-Baihui (GV 20)-Yamen (GV 15)". The core co-occurrence network analysis showed that the acupoints used most frequently were Lianquan (CV 23) and Jinjin (EX-HN12), and the highest correlation between the two acupoints was Jinjin (EX-HN12)-Yuye (EX-HN13).Conclusions:Acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of broca aphasia after stroke is often based on "awakening the brain as the outline, benefiting the marrow as the foundation, and resuscitation". Under the guidance of the theory of Zang-fu meridians and collaterals, through dredging the meridians and collaterals, tonifying the brain and opening and closing the sound, the recovery of language function can be achieved.

Objective To analyze the relationship between different degrees of cerebral venous sinus stenosis and the trans-stenotic pressure gradient using a 3D-printed hemodynamic simulation system for cerebral venous sinuses.Methods Based on the double elastic cavity model,a complete morphological model of the superior sagittal sinus,transverse sinus,and sigmoid sinuses was constructed using 3D printing technology.An in vitro hemodynamic simulation system incorporating pulsatile blood flow was established to simulate the hemodynamic environment of cerebral venous sinus stenosis.Using this system,both unilateral dominant drainage and bilateral balanced drainage were simulated.The degree of stenosis and the pressure upstream and downstream of the stenosis were measured.The pressure difference and pressure ratio were calculated to analyze the correlation between stenosis degree and the trans-stenotic pressure gradient.Results In the unilateral dominant drainage model,as the stenosis severity increased,the upstream pressure increased,whereas the downstream pressure remained relatively stable,leading to an increased pressure gradient between the two ends.The regression equation for stenosis degree(X)and pressure gradient(pressure difference ΔP)was:YΔP=1.962X-1.417(R=0.867,R2=0.753,P<0.001).In the bilateral balanced drainage model of cerebral venous sinuses,when the stenosis degree on one side of the model increased,the pressure gradient between the two ends changed slightly and eventually reached a stable state.The regression equation between X and ΔP was:YΔP=0.62X+1.047(R=0.98,R2=0.96,P<0.001).Conclusions Stenosis in cerebral venous sinuses with unilateral dominant drainage has a more significant impact on the pressure gradient,while unilateral stenosis in bilateral cerebral venous sinuses with balanced drainage has a smaller impact on the pressure gradient.This result suggests that for bilateral venous sinus stenosis,stent implantation can be prioritized in one side of the cerebral venous sinuses.

Objective To investigate the status of population dynamics and distribution changes of Aedes aegypti in Guangdong Province.Methods Continuous monitoring was conducted from May 2018 to July 2024 in Wushi Town and Qishui Town,Leizhou City,Zhanjiang City,Guangdong Province.Additionally,a survey of the distribution of Ae.aegypti along the Leizhou Peninsula coast was carried out.Results The density of Ae.aegypti in Zhanjiang showed a gradual decline from 2018 to 2024.The last detection of adult Ae.aegypti in Wushi Town was in September 2021,and the last larva was found in October 2023.No Ae.aegypti was detected in Qishui Town during surveys from 2021 to 2024.A survey of 18 coastal villages in the Leizhou Peninsula revealed no detections of Ae.aegypti.Conclusions This study provides a basis for understanding the distribution and population density fluctuations of Ae.aegypti,assessing its invasion risk,and scientifically conducting relevant prevention and control efforts.

Objective To describe the current state of research and future research hotspots through a metrological analysis of the literature in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification re-search.Methods The data retrieved and extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC),the core database of the Web of Science information service platform (hereinafter referred to as "WoS"),was used to analyze the trends and topic changes in research on forensic identification of human re-mains from 1991 to 2022.Network visualisation of publication trends,countries (regions),institutions,authors and topics related to the identification of remains in forensic anthropology was analysed using python 3.9.2 and Gephi 0.10.Results A total of 873 papers written in English in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification research were obtained.The journal with the largest number of publications was Forensic Science International (164 articles).The country (region) with the largest number of published papers was China (90 articles).Katholieke Univ Leuven (Netherlands,21 articles) was the institution with the largest number of publications.Topic analysis revealed that the focus of forensic anthropological remains identification research was sex estimation and age estimation,and the most commonly studied remains were teeth.Conclusion The volume of publications in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification research has a distinct phasing.However,the scope of both international and domestic collaborations remains limited.Traditionally,human remains identifica-tion has primarily relied on key areas such as the pelvis,skull,and teeth.Looking ahead,future re-search will likely focus on the more accurate and efficient identification of multiple skeletal remains through the use of machine learning and deep learning techniques.

Objective:To analyze the acupoint selection law in treating insomnia with warming-needle moxibustion using data mining technology.Methods:The clinical research literature on warming-needle moxibustion in treating insomnia was retrieved from the databases of CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, China Medical Journal Full-text Database, SinoMed, PubMed from the establishment of the databases to June 30, 2023. Acupuncture prescriptions were extracted and a database was established. Descriptive analysis was carried out on the intervention measures, the number of moxibustion numbers, the total effective rate, and the relevant information of acupoint selection. Clustering analysis and association rule analysis by using SPSS Statistics 26.0, SPSS Modeler 18.0 were performed on the high-frequency acupoints used in body acupuncture and warming acupuncture, respectively.Results:A total of 67 articles about warming-needle moxibustion for insomnia were included. The main intervention was single warming-needle moxibustion, followed by combined auricular acupuncture. Moxibustion with moxa sticks of 1 to 2 cm in length was often used. The total effective rate was mostly between 92% and 94%. A total of 85 prescriptions were obtained, involving 55 acupoints (569 times in frequency), among which Baihui (DU 20) (55 times), Shenmen (HT 7) (54 times) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) (45 times) were widely used. The selected acupoints were mainly distributed on the head, face, back and waist, and the affiliated meridians were mainly bladder meridian, Governor Vessel and heart meridian. The specific acupoints were mainly crossing points, followed by back-shu acupoints. Clustering analysis of high-frequency acupoints obtained three effective groups, including "Xinshu (BL 15)- Pishu (BL 20) - Shenshu (BL 23) - Ganshu (BL 18)", etc. Baihui (DU 20) and Shenmen (HT 7) were the most relevant acupoint combinations. A total of 44 acupoints (frequency 272 times) were involved in the selection of warming acupuncture, among which Sanyinjiao (SP 6) (32 times), Xinshu (BL 15) (23 times) and Pishu (BL 20) (23 times) were more frequently used. Clustering analysis of high-frequency acupoints obtained three effective groups, including "Xinshu (BL 15)- Pishu (BL 20) - Shenshu (BL 23) - Ganshu (BL 18)", etc. Pishu (BL 20) and Xinshu (BL 15) were the most relevant acupoint combinations.Conclusions:Warming-needle moxibustion for the treatment of insomnia focuses on the application of acupoints on the bladder meridian on the back and waist, cooperates with the selection of acupoints on the head and face, and attaches importance to the application of intersection points in specific acupoints. The selection of acupoints by warming-needle moxibustion is mainly based on the back-shu acupoints of zang-fu organs, which plays the role of balancing yin and yang, regulating zang-fu organs, tonifying deficiency and tranquilizing mind to help sleep.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Xuanfei Yipi Formula,a prescription derived from modified Jianpi Pill recorded in Yi Fang Ji Jie(A Collection of Prescriptions with Expositions),in treating senile sarcopenia with spleen-stomach weakness type,and to observe its effect on chronic low-grade inflammation of the patients.Methods Seventy cases of senile sarcopenia patients of spleen-stomach weakness type were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group.The control group was given exercise and nutritional guidance,while the observation group was treated with Xuanfei Yipi Formula orally on the basis of the control group,and the intervention time of both groups was eight weeks.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,appendicular skeletal muscle mass index(ASMI),grip strength,6-meter walking pace,and the serum levels of C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin 6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in the two groups before and after treatment were observed.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the patients in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After eight weeks of treatment,the total effective rate in the observation group was 94.29%(33/35),and that in the control group was 77.14%(27/35),the intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of TCM syndrome score in the observation group was more obviously than that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After eight weeks of treatment,the ASMI,grip strength and 6-meter walking pace in the two groups were significantly higher than those before treatment,and the increase of ASMI and grip strength in the observation group was more obviously than that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After eight weeks of treatment,the levels of serum CRP,IL-6,and TNF-α in the two groups were decreased significantly compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of serum CRP level in the observation group was more obviously than that in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)During the treatment,no obvious adverse reactions occurred in both groups,and the safety indexes of liver and kidney functions of the patients were all within the normal range.Conclusion Xuanfei Yipi Formula can improve the clinical symptoms of senile sarcopenia patients,and its mechanism is probably related with the regulation of chronic low-grade inflammation.