1.Research progress on the clinical application and mechanism of Chaihu jia longgu muli decoction in the treatment of neurological diseases
Yimeng KONG ; Zhiyong LIU ; Chengsi DUAN ; Lanyun SHI ; Meina ZHAO ; Mengyuan ZHANG ; Chen YANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1515-1520
Neurological diseases have high morbidity and disability rates, posing a severe threat to human health. Cli nical manifestations include motor, sensory, cognitive and conscious disorders. Chaihu jia longgu muli decoction is derived from Treatise on Febrile Diseases , with the effects of harmonizing Shaoyang, activating Yang and clearing heat, and tranquilizing the mind. This paper systematically reviews the research progress in clinical application and mechanism of Chaihu jia longgu muli decoction in the field of neurological diseases. It has been found that the decoction shows favorable efficacy in various neurological diseases such as insomnia, depression, epilepsy, vertigo, migraine and vascular dementia. The specific mechanisms are related to regulating neurotransmitter levels, repairing neuronal function, alleviating neuroinflammation, improving mitochondrial dysfunction and regulating intestinal flora. In the future, standardized prospective follow-up cohorts should be established, and core outcome indicators should be clearly defined to strengthen the evidence base. Furthermore, multidisciplinary research should be leveraged to expand the therapeutic value of Chaihu jia longgu muli decoction in the management of neurological diseases.
2.Research progress of flow sensors in forced oscillation technique for diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Mengyuan WANG ; Zhipeng LIU ; Tao YIN ; Shunqi ZHANG
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;48(1):13-18
Forced oscillation technique (FOT) enables early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by quantifying the impedance of COPD patients during normal breathing and reflecting the airway obstruction and distribution of the patients. The flow sensors using in FOT for diagnosis of COPD mainly include differential pressure flow sensors, ultrasonic flow sensors, hot wire gas flow sensors, fiber-optic flow sensors and flow sensors based on friction nanoelectricity technology. In this review, the principles, characteristics, and current application status of these five types of flow sensors were summarized, and their future development prospects were prospected.
3.Effect of four traditional Chinese drugs for reinforcing kidney combined with Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction on serum neurotransmitters and neurological function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment
Qin SUN ; Wen ZHANG ; Mengyuan XU ; Suqing XU ; Haihe ZHAO ; Minli JIN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(1):89-93
Objective To investigate the effect of four traditional Chinese drugs for reinforcing kidney combined with Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction on serum neurotransmitters and neurological func-tion in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI).Methods A total of 110 patients with PSCI were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,with 55 cases in each group.The control group was treated with donepezil tablet,while the treatment group was treated with four tradi-tional Chinese drugs for reinforcing kidney and Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction on the basis of the control group.The total effective rate,the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)score,the Montreal Cogni-tive Assessment(MoCA)score,the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score and the Barthel Index(BI)as well as serum levels of acetylcholine(ACh),dopamine(DA),norepinephrine(NE),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),neuron-specific enolase(NSE),visinin-like protein-1(VILIP-1),myelin basic protein(MBP),and heat shock protein 70(HSP70)before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.Adverse reactions in both groups were recorded.Results The total effective rate was 90.91%in the treatment group,which was significantly higher than 76.36%in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the MMSE score,MoCA score and BI as well as serum levels of ACh,DA,NE,5-HT and HSP70 in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group,while the NIHSS score and serum levels of NSE,VILIP-1 and MBP were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The total incidence rate of adverse reactions in the treatment group and the control group was 12.73%and 9.09%respectively,which showed no significant between-group difference(P>0.05).Conclusion Four traditional Chinese drugs for reinforcing kidney combined with Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction can promote the secretion of cognition-related neurotransmitters in patients with PSCI,accelerate the repair of neurological damage,and safety is relatively high.
4.Biomarkers for evaluating neurological outcomes in cardiac arrest patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Peifeng NI ; Weidong ZHANG ; Gensheng ZHANG ; Qijiang CHEN ; Ying ZHU ; Wei HU ; Mengyuan DIAO
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(1):25-32
Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels and poor neurological outcomes in cardiac arrest (CA) patients supported by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).Methods:This retrospective analysis was conducted on adult CA patients treated with VA-ECMO at Hangzhou First People's Hospital Affiliated to Westlake University School of Medicine, and Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from December 2018 to February 2024. General clinical data and serial serum NSE levels at 24, 48, and 72 h after ECMO initiation were collected. Based on the Glasgow-Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) at discharge, patients were divided into poor neurological outcome group (CPC 3-5) and good neurological outcome group (CPC 1-2). Differences in serum NSE levels between the two groups were compared. The accuracy of serum NSE levels at three time points in predicting poor neurological outcomes in CA patients was assessed via receiver operating characteristic curves, and the optimal cut-off values were determined by the Youden index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between serum NSE levels and poor neurological outcomes. Subgroup analysis was based on age, sex, location of CA, and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).Results:A total of 120 eligible CA patients were included, with 88 patients (73.3%) having poor neurological outcomes at discharge. Serum NSE levels at 24, 48, and 72 h after ECMO initiation were higher in the poor outcome group compared to the good outcome group (all P<0.05). The serum NSE level at 72 h had the highest accuracy in predicting poor outcomes, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.85-0.96), and a cut-off value of 42.0 μg/L. The AUCs for 24 and 48 h were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69-0.86) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.80-0.94), with cut-off values of 70.6 μg/L and 64.5 μg/L, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that the serum NSE level at 72 h was associated with poor outcomes ( P<0.05), and an NSE level >42.0 μg/L was an independent risk factor for poor outcomes ( OR=20.29, 95% CI: 2.90-92.15). Subgroup analysis showed that serum NSE level at 72 h was an independent risk factor for poor neurological outcomes in CA patients aged<60 years old, male or female, out-of-hospital or in-hospital CA, and whether to perform ECPR (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Elevated serum NSE levels at 72 h after VA-ECMO initiation are associated with poor neurological outcomes in CA patients, with the cut-off value of 42.0 μg/L.
5.Construction of a predictive model for the risk of cesarean scar diverticula formation after cesarean delivery based on multifactorial Logistic regression
Mengyuan Zhang ; Ye He ; Yuanyuan Wu ; Jing Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(7):1297-1304
Objective:
To screen the risk factors of cesarean scar diverticula ( CSD) after cesarean section and to construct a risk prediction model.
Methods:
491 cases of mothers who underwent cesarean section were recruited as the study subjects,and the data from the database of negative ultrasound of mothers who returned to the hospital 12 months after operation were collected,and the dataset was randomly divided into the training set and the test group according to 7 ∶ 3 ; the variables were screened to obtain the risk factors of CSD and the risk prediction model was constructed by the use of least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) ; the variables were screened using the LASSO to obtain the characteristic variables,and the characteristic variables were analyzed by multifacto- rial logistic regression analysis,and the nomogram prediction model was constructed by using the R software.
Results:
A total of 491 cases of sample data were included,including 344 cases in the training set and 147 cases in the test set ; feature variables were screened by LASSO,and ten-fold cross-validation was used.Five variables were finally screened : number of cesarean deliveries,number of years between two cesarean deliveries,24-hour hemorrhage,operation time and uterine position(P<0. 05) .The accuracy of the decision analysis curves for inter- nal evaluation and internal validation of the CSD risk prediction model constructed using it was high ; the AUC (95% CI) of the diagnostic model in the training set and the test set were 0. 75 (0. 71-0. 80) and 0. 79 (0. 71 - 0. 87) ,respectively.
Conclusion
The risk prediction model established using the LASSO cross-validation algo- rithm has good predictive value for the occurrence of postpartum scar diverticula,which deserves clinical attention.
6.Smart bandage for chronic wound management
Mengyuan ZHANG ; Zhaojian WANG ; Jiuzuo HUANG ; Nanze YU ; Xiao LONG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(10):1093-1097
The management of chronic wounds presents significant challenges, characterized by a low rate of healing and substantial impairment of patients’ quality of life, while also exerting a considerable strain on healthcare resources. Wound healing is a multifactorial and dynamic process, necessitating close monitoring of wound changes and timely, appropriate interventions. Smart bandage/dressing, an innovative approach born from interdisciplinary research, offers a new generation of wound care. It enables dynamic quantitative monitoring of wound conditions; facilitates transdermal drug release and physical mode therapeutics; and adjusts interventions in real time based on monitoring outcomes. In comparison to traditional wound dressings, smart bandages exhibit attributes such as real-time responsiveness, precision, and convenience. They not only simplify wound management but also enhance patient comfort and compliance, showcasing potential as a safe and effective treatment modality. Smart bandages hold promise for elevating the efficiency of managing chronic wounds, reducing morbidity rates, alleviating the burden of disease, and ultimately improving patients’ quality of life. This paper summarized the recent research progress of smart bandages and provided insights into novel wound care strategies.
7.Polyphyllin Ⅶ promotes hepatic stellate cell ferroptosis via the HIC1/CX3CL1/GPX4 axis
Feng JIANG ; Xinmiao LI ; Mengyuan LI ; Weizhi ZHANG ; Yifei LI ; Lifan LIN ; Lufan HE ; Jianjian ZHENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):1099-1110
Ferroptosis has been shown to mediate the development of fibrosis.Polyphyllin Ⅶ(PP7),a bioactive component of Paris polyphylla,exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity and can significantly alleviate liver fibrosis.In this study,treatment with PP7 significantly inhibited the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs),which could be suppressed by a ferroptosis inhibitor.In addition,it promoted HSC ferroptosis by suppressing glutathione(GSH)peroxidase 4(GPX4)and enhanced the expression of CX3C chemokine ligand 1(CX3CL1).Depletion of CX3CL1 attenuated the effects of PP7 on the activation and ferroptosis of HSCs and the expression of GPX4.Notably,CX3CL1 directly interacted with GPX4,triggering HSC ferroptosis.The transcription factor hypermethylated in cancer 1(Hic1),which binds to the Cx3cl1 promoter,increased the expression of CX3CL1.Its absence resulted in downregulation of CX3CL1,sup-pressing the GPX4-dependent ferroptosis of PP7-treated HSCs and promoting their activation.HIC1 was found to directly interact with PP7 at the GLY164 site.Co-culture experiments showed that PP7-induced HSC ferroptosis attenuated macrophage recruitment by regulating inflammation-related genes.HSC-specific inhibition of HIC1 counteracted PP7-induced collagen depletion and HSC ferroptosis in vivo.These findings suggest that PP7 induces HSC ferroptosis through the HIC1/CX3CL1/GPX4 axis.
8.Photon-counting detector CT with virtual monoenergetic imaging in enabling a quadruple low-dose aortic CT angiography protocol: a feasibility study
Ke QI ; Kehui NIE ; Dian YUAN ; Yicun ZHANG ; Mengyuan ZHANG ; Weiting ZHANG ; Yanbo GU ; Yan CHEN ; Jianbo GAO ; Jie LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(10):1133-1141
Objective:To assess the viability of reducing radiation dose, contrast media volume, injection flow rate and contrast medium concentration (quadruple low-dose protocol) by utilizing virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) in photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) for aortic CT angiography (CTA), while maintaining image quality in comparison to images obtained from energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT).Methods:From April 2024 to June 2024, a total of 40 participants who underwent aortic CTA on PCD-CT were prospectively enrolled in the experimental group (PCD-CT group), while 40 patients with similar baseline characteristics who had previously undergone aortic CTA using EID-CT were retrospectively selected for the conventional group (EID-CT group). The EID-CT group used a tube voltage of 90 kVp, a contrast media volume of 60 ml of contrast, an injection flow rate of 3 ml/s, and a contrast concentration of 350 mgI/ml; the PCD-CT group used the QuantumPlus mode, with a tube voltage of 140 kVp, a total amount of iodine in the contrast media of 140 mgI/kg, and an injection flow rate=contrast media volume/(delay time+scan time), and a contrast media concentration of 320 mgI/ml. VMIs in PCD-CT group were reconstructed in 5-keV intervals ranging from 45 to 65 keV. The effective radiation dose and contrast injection protocols were recorded and compared between two groups. Objective image quality assessment was performed for each group. CT attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured at five anatomical locations (ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending aorta, abdominal aorta, and right common iliac artery), and image noise was recorded. Subjective image quality was independently evaluated by two readers using a 5-point Likert scale in a blinded manner. Based on data normality, the one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for image quality assessment, with Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc analysis for multiple comparisons.Results:There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between two groups (all P0.05). The PCD-CT group demonstrated significantly lower effective radiation dose [(3.88±0.65) mSv vs. (5.97±1.15)mSv], contrast media volume [(29.25±4.56) ml vs. 60 ml], and injection rate [(2.65±0.42) ml/s vs. 3 ml/s] than the EID-CT group, with reductions of 35%, 51%, and 12%, respectively (all P0.001). For objective image quality, except for the ascending aortic CT attenuation, the CT attenuation, SNR, and CNR of other vessels in the 55 keV PCD-CT group were comparable to those in the EID-CT group. Additionally, the difference in image noise between these two groups was not statistically significant ( P0.05). Concerning subjective image quality, at 55 keV, the PCD-CT group had similar image noise scores and vessel attenuation scores (both P0.05) and better visualization of renal artery branching ( P=0.001) compared to the EID-CT group. Conclusion:In comparison to EID-CT, the use of a 55 keV image in PCD-CT for aortic CTA has demonstrated reductions in radiation dose, contrast media volume, injection flow rate and contrast medium concentration, while maintaining image quality.
9.Feasibility study of photon counting CT combined with “quadruple lows” technology in head and neck vascular imaging
Mengyuan ZHANG ; Kehui NIE ; Dian YUAN ; Yicun ZHANG ; Ke QI ; Weiting ZHANG ; Yanbo GU ; Yan CHEN ; Jianbo GAO ; Jie LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(8):942-948
Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of head and neck vascular imaging using photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) combined with a “quadruple lows” protocol—characterized by low contrast media volume, low iodine concentration, low injection rate, and low radiation dose—and to compare the image quality with that obtained by energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT).Methods:A total of 105 patients with suspected cerebrovascular disease were prospectively enrolled at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between April and June 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups ( n=35). Group A underwent conventional head and neck CTA using EID-CT. Group B underwent PCD-CT with a protocol involving ultra-low contrast media volume, low iodine concentration, and low injection rate. Group C underwent PCD-CT with the full “quadruple low” protocol. Objective image quality parameters—including CT attenuation, image noise (standard deviation, SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)—were measured at the ascending aorta, common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, vertebral artery, basilar artery, posterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery. Two radiologists independently rated subjective image quality using a 5-point Likert scale. Differences among groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results:Compared to Group A [contrast volume: (42.78±6.64)ml], contrast agent volume was significantly reduced in Groups B and C[ (26.26±4.45) ml and (26.54±3.83)ml, respectively], demonstrating reductions of 39% and 38% (both P<0.01). The iodine concentration was 320 mg/ml in Groups B and C, lower than 350 mg/ml in Group A (8.5%). The injection rate was also reduced in Groups B and C [(3.39±0.61) and (3.55±0.51)ml/s, respectively] compared to Group A [(4.28±0.66) ml/s], with reductions of 21% and 17% (both P<0.01). The effective dose (ED) was similar between Groups A and B [(1.40±0.15) vs. (1.40±0.19)mSv, P>0.05], while Group C demonstrated a significantly lower ED [(0.99±0.09) mSv], with a reduction of 30% compared to Group A and 29% compared to Group B (both P<0.01).In terms of objective image quality, significant differences in image noise (SD) were observed among the three groups at the vertebral artery, internal carotid artery, posterior cerebral artery, and middle cerebral artery (all P<0.05). Groups B and C showed significantly lower SD compared to Group A ( P<0.05), with no significant difference between B and C ( P>0.05). SNR was significantly higher in Groups B and C than in Group A at multiple vascular segments (all P<0.05). CNR differed only at the internal carotid artery, where Groups B and C demonstrated superior performance compared to Group A ( P<0.05).Subjective image quality scores showed no significant difference between Groups A and C ( P>0.05), while Group B had significantly higher scores than both A and C ( P<0.05). All images were deemed diagnostically acceptable. Conclusion:Compared with conventional EID-CT, PCD-CT combined with a “quadruple lows” protocol enables substantial reductions in contrast media and radiation dose while further improving image quality in head and neck CTA.
10.Photon-counting detector-CT combined with"four-lows"protocol for coronary CT angiography
Weiting ZHANG ; Kehui NIE ; Dian YUAN ; Yicun ZHANG ; Ke QI ; Mengyuan ZHANG ; Yanbo GU ; Yan CHEN ; Jianbo GAO ; Yonggao ZHANG ; Jie LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(6):976-980
Objective To observe the feasibility of photon-counting detector(PCD)-CT combined with"four-lows"protocol(low contrast agent concentration,low contrast dose,low contrast agent flow rate,low radiation dose)for coronary CT angiography(CCTA).Methods Totally 106 patients with suspected coronary artery disease were prospectively enrolled and randomized into energy-integrating detector(EID)-CCTA(group A,using conventional scanning protocol,n=52)or PCD-CCTA(group B,using"four-lows"scanning protocol,n=54)groups and underwent relative examinations.The radiation dose,subjective and objective evaluation results of imaging quality were compared between groups.Results The contrast agent dose and flow rate,volume CT dose index,dose length product and effective dose in group B were all lower than those in group A(all P<0.001).The subjective scores in group B were higher than in group A(5[4,5]vs.4[4,5],Z=-2.310,P=0.021).Compared with group A,CT value,signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of aortic root and most of the main branches of coronary arteries increased in group B,while standard deviation of CT value decreased(all P<0.05).Conclusion PCD-CT combined with"four-lows"protocol could be used for CCTA,which could improve imaging quality and reduce contrast agent usage and radiation dose.


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