Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical polyarthritis， which may lead to joint deformity and loss of joint function in the long term， severely impairing patients' quality of life. Danggui Niantongtang， originated from Medical Revelations by Zhang Yuansu in the Jin Dynasty， has the effects of clearing heat and draining dampness， dispelling wind and alleviating pain， and serves as a classic formula for treating RA damp-heat stagnation syndrome. By searching CNKI， Wanfang， PubMed and other databases， the author systematically reviewed the clinical efficacy and experimental research of Danggui Niantongtang in the treatment of RA， and elucidated its mechanisms of action， so as to provide a valuable reference for future clinical and basic research of Danggui Niantongtang in the field of RA. Clinical studies demonstrated that Danggui Niantongtang can improve core symptoms in RA patients with the damp-heat stagnation syndrome， including joint swelling and pain， morning stiffness and limited joint mobility， decrease inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein （CRP） and erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）， and facilitate postoperative rehabilitation in RA patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty （TKA）. When combined with Western medicines such as methotrexate， it can enhance the anti-inflammatory efficacy and mitigate adverse reactions， including gastrointestinal discomfort and hepatic injury. Experimental studies revealed that this formula can modulate the inflammatory cytokine network， promote synoviocyte apoptosis， inhibit abnormal synoviocyte autophagy， suppress synovial angiogenesis， and maintain intestinal flora homeostasis. However， several limitations exist in current research， such as insufficient clinical quality， unclear interaction between mechanisms and networks， and insufficient research on dosage form optimization. In the future， high-quality clinical research， multi-omics mechanistic studies， and dosage form improvement are needed to provide scientific basis for its clinical promotion and in-depth research.

Objective: We employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to test the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of emotional pathogenesis concept and explore the causal relationship between negative emotions and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Data of negative emotions, bronchitis, emphysema, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were downloaded from genome-wide association study (GWAS) public database for a two-sample MR analysis. Independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with negative emotions, bronchitis, and emphysema were selected as instrumental variables. Primary causal estimates were derived using inverse-variance weighting (IVW), supplemented by weighted median (WM), and simple mode (SM) methods. Sensitivity analyses included MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO to assess pleiotropy, Cochran’s Q test for heterogeneity, and multivariate MR to adjust for smoking. Mediation analysis evaluated the role of inflammatory markers. Reverse MR was tested for bidirectional causality. Weak instrument bias was mitigated via F-statistic thresholds (> 10). All analyses were conducted in RStudio. Results: MR analysis identified significant causal effects of several negative emotions on COPD. Genetically, the IVW analysis of seen doctors for nerves anxiety tension or depression [ORIVW = 1.006, 95% CI = (1.002, 1.010), P = 0.002], sensitivity/hurt feelings [ORIVW = 1.024, 95% CI = (1.004, 1.044), P = 0.017], and irritability [ORIVW = 1.019, 95% CI = (1.003, 1.035), P = 0.019 were robustly associated with increased risks of COPD. No heterogeneity was detected among the different instrumental variables (IVs) for depression (P = 0.655) and irritability (P = 0.163). MR-Egger regression intercepts for all emotional exposures were close to zero and statistically non-significant, indicating no evidence of directional pleiotropy. The horizontal pleiotropy results showed that except for worry (MR-PRESSO P = 0.006), other emotion exposures confirming no substantial pleiotropic bias. Multivariable MR demonstrated that anxiety remained independently associated with COPD after adjusting for smoking (P = 0.002), while associations with other negative emotions were attenuated post-adjustment. The mediation analysis revealed that CRP mediated 3.93% of the total effect of anxiety on COPD. However, reverse MR analysis found no evidence of reverse causality. Conclusion This study confirmed the causal effects of negative emotions on COPD through MR analysis and revealed that negative emotions may trigger CRP production, which plays an essential mediating role in this relationship. This study provides a reliable modern theoretical basis for emotion theory in TCM.

AIM: To explore the diagnostic value of combining the corneal stress-strain index(SSI)with corneal biomechanical parameters for early keratoconus.METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted on 34 patients(53 eyes)with early keratoconus diagnosed and treated in our hospital from March 2022 to February 2024. Additionally, 112 normal volunteers(112 eyes)who underwent physical examinations in our hospital during the same period were selected as a healthy control group. The CorvisST equipment was utilized for measurement and recorded deformation with Scheimpflug camera to obtain 10 biomechanical parameters: first applanation time(A1T), first applanation length(A1L), velocity of initial applanation(Vin), second applanation time(A2T), second applanation length(A2L), velocity of outward applanation(Vout), highest concavity time(HCT), highest concavity depth of applanation(HCDA), highest concavity radius(HCR), and peak distance(PD), as well as stress-strain index(SSI), and the corneal biomechanical parameters of the two groups were compared. Furthermore, Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for keratoconus, and ROC curves were plotted to analyze the biomechanical parameters of the cornea for early diagnosis of keratoconus.RESULTS:The SSI(0.77±0.17)in patients with keratoconus was lower than that in healthy controls(1.01±0.24; P<0.001). Patients with keratoconus had lower A1T, A1L, A2L, and HCR, and higher Vout, HCDA, and PD compared to healthy controls(all P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased SSI, A1T, A1L, A2L, and HCR, as well as increased Vout, HCDA, and PD, were risk factors for the development of keratoconus(P<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC value for combined diagnosis of early keratoconus was 0.997, with a Youden's index of 0.954, sensitivity and specificity of 98.1% and 97.3%, respectively, and a 95% CI of 0.994-1.000.CONCLUSION:The combination of SSI and corneal biomechanical parameters holds diagnostic significance for early keratoconus, and the joint diagnostic value is even higher. It can be considered as a diagnostic or screening indicator for early keratoconus.

At present, there is no effective drug treatment for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). It is usually treated by mechanical ventilation through a ventilator. In this paper, a non-invasive bi-level breathing therapy system suitable for home scenarios is developed. The system supports single-level and bi-level positive airway pressure therapies, and introduces the function of inspiratory synchronous trigger based on flow monitoring to enhance the synchrony of patient-ventilator synchronization. The test results show that the performance indicators of the system meet expectations. Each ventilation mode can operate normally and can meet the requirements for the use of home non-invasive ventilators.
Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/therapy* ; Equipment Design ; Noninvasive Ventilation/instrumentation* ; Respiration, Artificial

Objective: To establish a progressive research strategy for “colonic components analysis - efficacy verification and mechanism exploration - gut microbiota”, screen pharmacodynamic substances, and investigate their mechanism via gut microbiota. Methods: The pharmacodynamics of Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQD) were assessed using a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer was used to identify the prototype and metabolic components of GQD in the colon during UC. To analyze the structure and function of characteristic genera of GQD and its active components, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed. Results: We identified 67 prototypic and 14 metabolic components of GQD in the UC colon. The primary prototype components are flavonoids and alkaloids, including puerarin (PUE), baicalin (BAI), and berberine (BER). The metabolism was predominantly sulfonation. Efficacy verification showed that the main active components, puerarin, baicalin, and berberine, had good therapeutic effects on UC. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that GQD improved UC by regulating the structure and function of the gut microbiota. The abundance of gut microbiota involved in the metabolism of the prototype components was influenced by the corresponding components. The function prediction results showed that PUE was the most comparable to GQD, with 24 consistent pathways. BAI and BER showed comparable gut microbiota regulation pathways. Characteristic pathways of BER include glucometabolic processes. Conclusion This study focused on the key issues in the gut microbiota pathway and developed a progressive research strategy to understand the transformation mechanisms of colonic components. This research systematically analyzed the active components and metabolic transformation of GQD in the colon during the pathological state of UC, as well as changes in the structure and function of the gut microbiota, clarified the mechanism of GQD and its active components in improving UC via the gut microbiota pathway.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of serum long non coding RNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1(lncRNA NEAT1)and microRNA-106a-5p(miR-106a-5p)and the severity and prognosis of sepsis patients.Methods A total of 185 patients with sepsis who were diagnosed and treated in this hospital from August 2021 to July 2024 were selected as the study group,and another 215 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations in this hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.The research group was divided into the mild group(n=92),the severe group(n=58)and the shock group(n=35)according to the severity of the disease.The research group was divided into the good prognosis group(n=121)and the poor prognosis group(n=64)according to the prognosis.The expres-sions of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-106a-5p were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,and the correlation of the expressions of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-106a-5p in the study group was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.The binding sites of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-106a-5p were an-alyzed by StarBase,and the influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients were analyzed by multivariate Lo-gistic regression.The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of the combination of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-106a-5p for poor prognosis in patients.Results The expression of lncRNA NEAT1 in the study group was higher than that in the control group,and the expression of miR-106a-5p was lower than that in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The expressions of lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-106a-5p in the study group were negatively correlated(r=-0.413,P＜0.001),and there were binding sites between the two.With the increase of the severity of sepsis,the ex-pression of lncRNA NEAT1 increased and the expression of miR-106a-5p decreased,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score,tumor necrosis factor-α,C-reactive protein,and ln-cRNA NEAT1 in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group,while the ex-pression of miR-106a-5p was lower than that in the good prognosis group,the difference was statistically sig-nificant(P＜0.05).Elevated APACHE Ⅱ score,SOFA score and lncRNA NEAT1 were independent risk fac-tors for poor prognosis in patients,and miR-106a-5p was an independent protective factor(P＜0.05).The ar-ea under the curve of the combined diagnosis of the two was 0.918(95％CI:0.868-0.953),which was supe-rior to the separate diagnosis of each(Zcombined with lncRNA NEAT1=4.112,Zcombined with miR-106a-5p=4.023,P＜0.05).Con-clusion With the increase of disease severity in patients with sepsis,the expression of lncRNA NEAT1 in-creases and the expression of miR-106a-5p decreases.The combined diagnosis of the two for poor prognosis in patients has a high clinical value.

Objective To investigate the current status of sleep quality,depression,anxiety and stress of special service convalescents and their correlation.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on 311 special service convalescents by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)and the depression-anxiety-stress self-rating scale-21(DASS-21)from May to July 2022.Results The mean total PSQI score of 311 special service convalescents was 4.93±3.14,and 63 of them(20.26%)had sleep quality problems(total score of PSQI>7).The proportions of respondents with the scores≥2 in sleep time,daytime dysfunction,subjective sleep quality,and fall-asleep time were 30.87%,26.05%,21.22%,and 20.26%,respectively.The proportions of respondents with mild depression,anxiety and stress were 6.11%,4.50%and 2.57%,respectively,which were higher than the other three grades(moderate,severe and very serious).The incidence of sleep quality problems,depression,anxiety,and stress in respondents aged 40 years and above was higher than those in the other age groups,and there was a tendency to increase with age.The total score of PSQI and all factors(except hypnotic drugs)were positively correlated with depression,anxiety,and stress in special service convalescents(all P<0.01).Regression analysis showed that depression and stress were the direct influencing factors of sleep quality.Conclusion The special service convalescents have varying degrees of sleep quality problems and negative emotions such as depression,anxiety,and stress,especially those aged 40 years and above.Sleep quality is closely related to depression,anxiety,and stress.

Objective:To explore the association between environment exposure and hormone-sensitive cough in patients with chronic cough.Methods:Clinical data of 197 patients with chronic cough visited outpatient clinic of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from June 2016 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 130 cases of corticosteroid responsive cough (CRC, 66.0%) and 67 cases of non-corticosteroid responsive cough (NCRC, 34.0%). The association between living environment exposure and hormone sensitivity was examined with a binary logistic regression analysis.Results:Among 197 patients with chronic cough, there were 82 males (41.6%) and 115 females (58.4%). 75.1% (148/197) had a history of smoking, and 16.8% (33/197) had a history of allergies. 66.0% (130/197) lived in the city center, 18.3% (36/197) had a chemical factory around their place of residence, 11.2% (22/197) renovated their homes within the first six months of the disease, 15.7% (31/197) purchase new furniture, 54.3% (107/197) plant flowers and plants in their houses, 21.3% (42/197) keep pets in their houses, 79.2% (156/197) had lived in their houses for more than 2 years, 71.1% (140/197) had cockroaches in their houses, 16.2% (32/197) had mold in their houses, 83.3% (164/197) had a frequency of air conditioning cleaning exceeds 2 months per time.There were 130 patients (66.0%) with CRC and 67 patients (34.0%) with NCRC.Binary logistic regression analysis showed that living close to the main road ( OR=2.296, 95% CI: 1.350-3.904, P=0.002), living near chemical factories ( OR=3.322, 95% CI: 2.158-5.573, P<0.001), history of allergy ( OR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.165-4.058, P=0.015), purchasing new furniture within 6 months ( OR=2.828, 95% CI: 1.402-5.706, P=0.004), cotton and linen curtains ( OR=1.875, 95% CI: 1.038-3.388, P=0.037) were positively correlated with CRC; while down and wool pillowcases and quilts ( OR=0.142, 95% CI: 0.033-0.602, P=0.008; OR=0.207, 95% CI: 0.067-0.640, P=0.006) and low ventilation frequency ( OR=0.281, 95% CI: 0.131-0.603, P=0.001) were negatively correlated with CRC. Conclusion:Hormone-sensitive cough patients account the most of chronic cough cases, and there are differences in the living environment exposure between CRC and NCRC patients, which provides information for corresponding interventions to prevent and manage CRC.

Objective: To investigate the tendency of obesity and depressive symptoms in middle school students in Tianjin, so as to provide a reference for exploring the clustering patterns of health risk behaviors and their effects on obesity and depressive symptoms. Methods: A stratified cluster sampling method was used to investigate the obesity, depressive symptoms and health risk behaviors of middle school students from 16 counties of Tianjin from 2019 to 2023. The latent classes analysis was used to classify health risk behaviors. The χ 2 test and Logistic regression were used to analyze the effects of different categories on obesity and depression symptoms. Results: The obesity detection rate of middle school students in Tianjin from 2019 to 2023 first increased ( 20.90% in 2019, 23.35% in 2020) and then decreased and gradually stabilized (2021-2023:22.20%-22.69%), and the detection rate of depressive symptoms showed a decreasing trend (from 21.65% to 14.92%). The detection rate of comorbidity of obesity and depressive symptoms first increased (4.62% in 2019, 4.66% in 2020) and then gradually decreased to 3.43% in 2023, and the rate was higher in boys than in girls and higher in urban areas than in suburban areas. Latent category analysis classified health risk behaviors into four categories: lack of exercise group, poor behaviors such as sleep group, poor diet group and healthy group. After adjusting for demographic characteristics,the results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the co-occurrence risk of obesity and depression symptoms among the top three groups of middle school students were 1.35( OR=1.35, 95%CI =1.15-1.58), 4.20( OR=4.20, 95%CI =3.50-5.04), and 1.84( OR=1.84, 95%CI =1.40-2.38)times, compared to the healthy group ( P <0.05). Conclusions From 2019 to 2023, the comorbidity rate of obesity and depression among middle school students in Tianjin increased first and then decreased gradually. Interventions should be made in the aspects of exercise, diet, sleep and other behaviors.

Objective: To reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the compatibility of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge (S. miltiorrhiza, Dan Shen) and C. tinctorius L. (C. tinctorius, Hong Hua) as an herb pair through network pharmacology and subsequent experimental validation. Methods: Network pharmacology was applied to construct an active ingredient-efficacy target-disease protein network to reveal the unique regulation pattern of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius as herb pair. Molecular docking was used to verify the binding of the components of these herbs and their potential targets. An H9c2 glucose hypoxia model was used to evaluate the efficacy of the components and their synergistic effects, which were evaluated using the combination index. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of these targets. Results: Network pharmacology analysis revealed 5 pathways and 8 core targets of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius in myocardial protection. Five of the core targets were enriched in the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway. S. miltiorrhiza-C. tinctorius achieved vascular tone mainly by regulating the target genes of the HIF-1 pathway. As an upstream gene of the HIF-1 pathway, STAT3 can be activated by the active ingredients cryptotanshinone (Ctan), salvianolic acid B (Sal. B), and myricetin (Myric). Cell experiments revealed that Myric, Sal. B, and Ctan also exhibited synergistic myocardial protective activity. Molecular docking verified the strong binding of Myric, Sal. B, and Ctan to STAT3. Western blot further showed that the active ingredients synergistically upregulated the protein expression of STAT3. Conclusion The pharmacodynamic transmission analysis revealed that the active ingredients of S. miltiorrhiza and C. tinctorius can synergistically resist ischemia through various targets and pathways. This study provides a methodological reference for interpreting traditional Chinese medicine compatibility.