ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Xianqi Qinglong Formula （仙芪青龙方， XQF） in the treatment of cough variant asthma （CVS） patients with lung and kidney deficiency and exuberant wind-induced spasm and tension syndrome. MethodsA randomized， positive-controlled， non-inferiority clinical trial was designed. Totally， 102 CVS patients with lung and kidney deficiency and exuberant wind-induced spasm and tension syndrome were randomly divided into a treatment group （52 cases） and a control group （50 cases）. The treatment group was given XQF granules orally， 1 dose per day， 2 bags each time （9.25 g/bag）， twice a day， after breakfast and dinner； the control group was given XQF granules placebo orally combined with inhaled fluticasone propionate inhalation aerosol （125 μg each time， twice a day）. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks and followed up for 12 weeks， with a total of 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the cough symptom score （including daytime， nighttime and total score）， evaluated before treatment （at enrollment）， during treatment （after the 6th week of enrollment）， at the end of treatment （after the 12th week of enrollment）， and at the end of follow-up （after the 24th week of enrollment）. The non-inferiority was determined by the lower limit （LCL） of the unilateral 95% confidence interval. The secondary outcomes included cough relief and disappearance， total score of TCM syndrome， cough visual analogue （VAS） score， Leicester Cough Questionnaire （LCQ） score， and lung function indicators including forced expiratory volume in 1 second （FEV1）， percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second （FEV1%pred）， forced vital capacity （FVC）， and peak expiratory flow （PEF）. Blood routine and liver and kidney function were tested before and after treatment， and the adverse events were recorded. ResultsA total of 101 patients were included in the full analysis set （FAS）， including 52 cases in the treatment group and 49 cases in the control group. After treatment， the daytime， nighttime and total cough symptom scores during treatment， at the end of treatment and at the end of follow-up all decreased in both two groups （P＜0.01）. The unilateral 95% LCL of the total cough symptom scores during treatment， at the end of treatment and at the end of follow-up of the two groups were -0.14， -0.47 and -0.27 （95% LCL all＞-0.6）. There were no significant differences in the cough relief rate， cough disappearance rate， cough relief days and cough disappearance days between the two groups at each time point （P＞0.05）. Compared to those before treatment， the TCM syndrome scores and cough VAS scores during treatment， at the end of treatment and at the end of follow-up decreased in both groups， while the LCQ scores increased （P＜0.01）， but there were no significant differences in FEV1， FEV1%， FVC and PEF before and after treatment （P＞0.05）. There were no significant differences in TCM syndrome scores， cough VAS scores， LCQ scores， FEV1， FEV1%， FVC， and PEF between the two groups at each time point （P＞0.05）. No clinically significant abnormal liver and kidney function were found in the two groups before and after treatment. ConclusionXQF is not inferior to fluticasone propionate inhalation aerosol in relieving cough symptoms， reducing cough scores， decreasing the number of cough attack days， and improving the quality of life when treating CVS patients with lung and kidney deficiency and exuberant wind-induced spasms and tension syndrome， and relatively safe.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome(EDS)is a rare inherent connective tissue disorder.The prev-alence of EDS in the population is estimated at one out of ten thousand to one out of a hundred thousand.The vascular EDS(vEDS)are rare among the subtypes but are the worst in prognosis.The article reports a case of vEDS admitted to the hospital.The patient was a young man complaining of a sudden onset of aphasia in right hemiparalysis and severe left abdominal pain for unknown reasons.The diagnosis was made after the genetic testing.The patient suffered from vEDS.Then,the multi-disciplinary team(MDT)made a treatment plan tailored to this young patient.The complexity in classification and delusive presentations of the EDS make the correct diagnosis very challenging.This article hopes to report this case and to share the experiences to the bet-ter understanding of this disease.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of MOOC combined with flipped classroom teaching in clinical train-ing of urology.Methods A total of 100 clinical medical students from Peking Union Medical College were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group.The experimental group adopted the teaching mode of MOOC combined with flipped classroom,while the control group adopted classic teaching method.The two groups were compared in terms of their theoretical exam scores,case analysis skills and teaching satisfaction level.Results There were no significant difference in theoretical examination scores between experimental group and con-trol group(the mean value of scores are 45.12 and 44.50,respectively).However,the interview scores from ex-perimental group was significant higher than that of control group(the mean value of scores are 42.28 and 40.10,respectively,P＜0.001).The MOOC combined with flipped classroom mode significantly improved students'capacity building of clinical reasoning for diagnosis and communication skills.Students were more willing to continue receiving this teaching mode.Conclusions The integration of MOOC with the flipped classroom model sig-nificantly enhances the quality and efficacy of urology teaching.

Objective:To study the value of coronary flow reserve (CFR) via dynamic single photon emission computed tomography (D-SPECT) in evaluating coronary microcirculation dysfunction (CMD) in patients with heart failure.Methods:A prospective research method was adopted. One hundred and ninety-four patients with heart failure from September 2019 to September 2020 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University were selected. The patients were tested for CFR using D-SPECT, and CFR<2 was defined as CMD. The general data were recorded, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, heart rate, smoking history, New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function classification, comorbidities and medication situation. The laboratory test results were recorded, including blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, blood uric acid, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). The left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured by cardiac ultrasound. After discharge, patients were followed up in outpatient or telephone contact, with the primary endpoint event being a composite endpoint consisting of cardiovascular death and heart failure readmission. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of CFR. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was draw, and the log-rank test was used to evaluate the effect of CFR on prognosis.Results:Among 194 patients, 133 patients had CMD (CMD group), and the incidence of CMD was 68.56%; 61 patients did not have CMD (non-CMD group). There were no statistical differences in gender composition, BMI, smoking history proportion, blood pressure, heart rate, hypertension rate, atrial fibrillation rate, diabetes mellitus rate, renal dysfunction rate, medication situation, LAD, LVEDD, IVST, PASP, blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, blood uric acid, eGFR and hs-CRP between two groups ( P>0.05). The age, rate of NYHA heart function classification Ⅲ to Ⅳ grade, rate of myocardial infarction or revascularization history, LVESD, cTnT and NT-proBNP in CMD group were significantly higher than those in non-CMD group: (60.7 ± 14.0) years old vs. (55.9 ± 15.8) years old, 54.89% (73/133) vs. 26.23% (16/61), 22.56% (30/133) vs. 1.64% (1/61), (48.8 ± 13.1) mm vs. (44.6 ± 11.4) mm, 0.023 (0.015, 0.046) μg/L vs. 0.015 (0.010, 0.023) μg/L and 1 591 (751, 3 409) ng/L vs. 1 132 (288, 1 860) ng/L, the LVEF was significantly lower than that in non-CMD group: (40.9 ± 14.2)% vs. (45.5 ± 14.1)%, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis result showed that the cTnT was an risk factor of CFR ( β = - 0.18, 95% CI - 0.82 to - 0.06, P = 0.025). The median followed up time was 230 (136 to 330) d, 10 patients were lost to follow-up, with 58 patients in CMD group completing follow-up and 126 patients in the non-CMD group. The incidences of primary endpoint event and heart failure readmission in CMD group were significantly higher than those in non-CMD group: 23.02% (29/126) vs. 3.45% (2/58) and 15.87% (20/126) vs. 3.45% (2/58), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); there was no statistical difference in incidence of cardiovascular death between two groups ( P>0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis result showed that the event free survival rate in CMD group was significantly lower than that in non-CMD group, and there was statistical difference (log-rank χ2 = 11.92, P<0.01). Conclusions:CMD is highly prevalent in patients with heart failure, and it is associated with poor prognosis. Improving CMD for improving coronary microcirculation may be potential targets for the treatment of heart failure.

Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors,angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors,and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are the cornerstone medications for the treatment of heart failure,but they are also major causes of hyperkalemia.Patients with heart failure who develop hyperkalemia have an increased risk of mortality and rehospitalization.Reducing or discontinuing these drugs are associated with higher risk of adverse outcome than hyperkalemia itself.To reduce hyperkalemia risk in patients with heart failure and standardize the management,experts from Cardiovascular Medicine Branch of Chinese Physicians Association and Electrophysiology and Cardiac Function Branch of Chinese Society of Geriatrics developed this consensus,referring to the latest domestic and international guidelines/consensus opinions on hyperkalemia management and clinical research results,and considering the national situation and clinical practice in China.The consensus mainly includes the epidemiology of hyperkalemia in heart failure patients,standardized the use of heart failure treatment drugs,identification,monitoring,follow-up,and prevention of heart failure patient at high risk of hyperkalemia,as well as application strategies of potassium-lowering medication,aiming to provide clinicians with guidance for early prevention and treatment on heart failure medication-related hyperkalemia.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of whole exome sequencing (WES), as a molecular diagnosis technique, for adult patients with genetic diseases.Methods:The present retrospective analysis included 445 adult patients (ages 18-80 years) with suspected genetic diseases who underwent whole exome sequencing (WES) from August 2021 to December 2022. The pathogenicity classification of each variant was assessed in accordance with the recommendations developed by the American Society of Medical Genetics and Genomics.Results:The overall positive rate of WES among adult patients with suspected genetic diseases was 28.08% (125/445). The highest positive rate was observed in the age group of 41-50 years (34.33%, 23/67). Among the diagnosed genetic diseases, those affecting the cardiovascular system (63.16%, 84/133), nervous system (18.05%, 24/133), and endocrine system (13.53%, 18/133) ranked as the top three. The most common genetic diseases identified through WES in adult patients were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (18.80%, 25/133), dilated cardiomyopathy (16.54%, 22/133), Marfan syndrome (15.04%, 20/133), epilepsy (9.02%, 12/133), and familial hypercholesterolemia (4.51%, 6/133). The main causative genes identified included FBN1 (14.29%, 19/133), MYBPC3 (9.02%, 12/133), MYH7 (9.02%, 12/133), LDLR (3.76%, 5/133), TTN (3.76%, 5/133), and TNNI3 (3.01%, 4/133).Conclusion:Applying the WES technique in clinical practice can improve the diagnostic rate of adult genetic diseases, especially in adult patients with suspected genetic conditions involving the cardiovascular system, nervous system, and endocrine system.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the seasonal impact of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on hospitalization rates for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in middle-aged and elderly adults. METHODS: We collected data on the DTR and hospitalization records of ≥45-year-old patients with ICH in 2019 in Hunan Province, central China. Time-series analyses were performed using a distributed lag non-linear model. RESULTS: Overall, 54,690 hospitalizations for ICH were recorded. DTR showed a non-linear relationship with ICH hospitalization in both middle-aged and elderly populations (45-59 and ≥60 years, respectively). During spring, a low DTR coupled with persistently low temperatures increased ICH risk in both age groups, while a high DTR was associated with an increased risk in the middle-aged group only (relative risk [RR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.27). In the summer, a low DTR combined with persistently high temperatures was linked to a higher risk exclusively in the middle-aged group. A high DTR in the autumn was correlated with increased risk in both age groups. In winter, either a low DTR with a continuously low temperature or a high DTR elevated the risk solely in the elderly population (RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.69). In the elderly group, the impact of DTR on hospitalization risk manifested within a 5-day period. CONCLUSIONS The impact of DTR on ICH hospitalization risk differed significantly across seasons and between age groups. Elderly individuals demonstrated greater sensitivity to the impact of DTR. Weather forecasting services should emphasize DTR values, and interventions targeting sensitive populations are needed.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the seasonal impact of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on hospitalization rates for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in middle-aged and elderly adults. METHODS: We collected data on the DTR and hospitalization records of ≥45-year-old patients with ICH in 2019 in Hunan Province, central China. Time-series analyses were performed using a distributed lag non-linear model. RESULTS: Overall, 54,690 hospitalizations for ICH were recorded. DTR showed a non-linear relationship with ICH hospitalization in both middle-aged and elderly populations (45-59 and ≥60 years, respectively). During spring, a low DTR coupled with persistently low temperatures increased ICH risk in both age groups, while a high DTR was associated with an increased risk in the middle-aged group only (relative risk [RR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.27). In the summer, a low DTR combined with persistently high temperatures was linked to a higher risk exclusively in the middle-aged group. A high DTR in the autumn was correlated with increased risk in both age groups. In winter, either a low DTR with a continuously low temperature or a high DTR elevated the risk solely in the elderly population (RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.69). In the elderly group, the impact of DTR on hospitalization risk manifested within a 5-day period. CONCLUSIONS The impact of DTR on ICH hospitalization risk differed significantly across seasons and between age groups. Elderly individuals demonstrated greater sensitivity to the impact of DTR. Weather forecasting services should emphasize DTR values, and interventions targeting sensitive populations are needed.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the seasonal impact of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on hospitalization rates for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in middle-aged and elderly adults. METHODS: We collected data on the DTR and hospitalization records of ≥45-year-old patients with ICH in 2019 in Hunan Province, central China. Time-series analyses were performed using a distributed lag non-linear model. RESULTS: Overall, 54,690 hospitalizations for ICH were recorded. DTR showed a non-linear relationship with ICH hospitalization in both middle-aged and elderly populations (45-59 and ≥60 years, respectively). During spring, a low DTR coupled with persistently low temperatures increased ICH risk in both age groups, while a high DTR was associated with an increased risk in the middle-aged group only (relative risk [RR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.27). In the summer, a low DTR combined with persistently high temperatures was linked to a higher risk exclusively in the middle-aged group. A high DTR in the autumn was correlated with increased risk in both age groups. In winter, either a low DTR with a continuously low temperature or a high DTR elevated the risk solely in the elderly population (RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.69). In the elderly group, the impact of DTR on hospitalization risk manifested within a 5-day period. CONCLUSIONS The impact of DTR on ICH hospitalization risk differed significantly across seasons and between age groups. Elderly individuals demonstrated greater sensitivity to the impact of DTR. Weather forecasting services should emphasize DTR values, and interventions targeting sensitive populations are needed.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the seasonal impact of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on hospitalization rates for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in middle-aged and elderly adults. METHODS: We collected data on the DTR and hospitalization records of ≥45-year-old patients with ICH in 2019 in Hunan Province, central China. Time-series analyses were performed using a distributed lag non-linear model. RESULTS: Overall, 54,690 hospitalizations for ICH were recorded. DTR showed a non-linear relationship with ICH hospitalization in both middle-aged and elderly populations (45-59 and ≥60 years, respectively). During spring, a low DTR coupled with persistently low temperatures increased ICH risk in both age groups, while a high DTR was associated with an increased risk in the middle-aged group only (relative risk [RR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.27). In the summer, a low DTR combined with persistently high temperatures was linked to a higher risk exclusively in the middle-aged group. A high DTR in the autumn was correlated with increased risk in both age groups. In winter, either a low DTR with a continuously low temperature or a high DTR elevated the risk solely in the elderly population (RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.69). In the elderly group, the impact of DTR on hospitalization risk manifested within a 5-day period. CONCLUSIONS The impact of DTR on ICH hospitalization risk differed significantly across seasons and between age groups. Elderly individuals demonstrated greater sensitivity to the impact of DTR. Weather forecasting services should emphasize DTR values, and interventions targeting sensitive populations are needed.