Through consulting herbal medicine， medical books， and local chronicles from past dynasties to modern times， this paper systematically researched Spatholobi Caulis from name， origin， producing areas， harvesting， processing， usage， quality evaluation， functions and indications， providing a reference for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing Spatholobi Caulis. According to the research， Spatholobi Caulis was first recorded in the Annals of Shunning Prefecture from the Qing dynasty. It was originally a medicinal herb commonly used in Shunning， Yunnan， and was named from the red juice resembling chicken blood that flowed out after the vein was cut off. The mainstream original plants of each dynasty were Kadsura heteroclita and Spatholobus suberectus. Among them， K. heteroclita mainly focused on dispersing blood stasis and unblocking meridians， mainly treating rheumatic pain and injuries caused by falls or blows， and it is mostly used as the raw material of Jixueteng ointments. S. suberectus was commonly used as decoction pieces in decoction， which had the functions of promoting blood circulation and replenishing blood， activating meridians and collaterals， and mainly used for treating anemia， irregular menstruation， and rheumatic bone pain. The production area of Spatholobi Caulis recorded in the Qing dynasty was Yunnan. Currently， the main production area of S. suberectus is Guangxi， while the main production area of K. interior is Yunnan. In the Qing dynasty， the usage of Spatholobi Caulis was an individual prescription with other herbs before making ointments， which was usually composed of the juice of it， safflower， angelica， and glutinous rice. But in modern times， Spatholobi Caulis is mostly sliced and dried for use. The quality of Spatholobi Caulis is often determined by the number of reddish-brown concentric circles on the cut surface， with a higher number indicating better quality. Additionally， the presence of resinous secretions is also considered desirable. Based on the research findings， it is suggested that when developing famous classical formulas containing Spatholobi Caulis， the choice of the primary source should be S. suberectus or K. heteroclita， taking into consideration the therapeutic effects of the formula. It is also recommended that the latest plant classification be referenced in the next edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， adjusting the primary source of Kadsurae Caulis to K. heteroclita to avoid confusion caused by inconsistent original names， and the functions adjust to promote Qi circulation and relieve pain， disperse blood stasis and unblock collaterals， treating injuries caused by falls and bruises.

ObjectiveThis paper proposes a novel real-time bedside pulmonary ventilation monitoring method for the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT). Four indicators—center of ventilation (CoV), global inhomogeneity index (GI), regional ventilation delay inhomogeneity (RVDI), and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV₁/FVC)—are calculated to enable the spatiotemporal assessment of COPD. MethodsA simulation of the respiratory cycles of COPD patients was first conducted, revealing significant differences in certain indicators compared to healthy individuals. The effectiveness of these indicators was then validated through experiments. A total of 93 subjects underwent multiple pulmonary function tests (PFTs) alongside simultaneous EIT measurements. Ventilation heterogeneity under different breathing patterns—including forced exhalation, forced inhalation, and quiet tidal breathing—was compared. EIT images and related indicators were analyzed to distinguish healthy individuals across different age groups from COPD patients. ResultsSimulation results demonstrated significant differences in CoV, GI, FEV₁/FVC, and RVDI between COPD patients and healthy individuals. Experimental findings indicated that, in terms of spatial heterogeneity, the GI values of COPD patients were significantly higher than those of the other two groups, while no significant differences were observed among healthy individuals. Regarding temporal heterogeneity, COPD patients exhibited significantly higher RVDI values than the other groups during both quiet breathing and forced inhalation. Moreover, during forced exhalation, the distribution of FEV₁/FVC values further highlighted the temporal delay heterogeneity of regional lung function in COPD patients, distinguishing them from healthy individuals of various ages. ConclusionEIT technology effectively reveals the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of regional lung function, which holds great promise for the diagnosis and management of COPD.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in promoting recovery of the facial function with the involvement of autophagy, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. METHODS: Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into the control, sham-operated, facial nerve injury (FNI), EA, EA+3-methyladenine (3-MA), and EA+GDNF antagonist groups using a random number table, with 12 rats in each group. An FNI rat model was established with facial nerve crushing method. EA intervention was conducted at Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yifeng (SJ 17), and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints for 2 weeks. The Simone's 10-Point Scale was utilized to monitor the recovery of facial function. The histopathological evaluation of facial nerves was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of Beclin-1, light chain 3 (LC3), and P62 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Additionally, IHC was also used to detect the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR. RESULTS: The facial functional scores were significantly increased in the EA group than the FNI group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining showed nerve axons and myelin sheaths, which were destroyed immediately after the injury, were recovered with EA treatment. The expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3 were significantly elevated and the expression of P62 was markedly reduced in FNI rats (P<0.01); however, EA treatment reversed these abnormal changes (P<0.01). Meanwhile, EA stimulation significantly increased the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR (P<0.01). After exogenous administration with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or GDNF antagonist, the repair effect of EA on facial function was attenuated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS EA could promote the recovery of facial function and repair the facial nerve damages in a rat model of FNI. EA may exert this neuroreparative effect through mediating the release of GDNF, activating the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, and further regulating the autophagy of facial nerves.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Electroacupuncture ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism* ; Facial Nerve Injuries/therapy* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Beclin-1 ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Autophagy ; Mammals/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Bushen Jianpi Recipe(mainly composed of Astragali Radix,Epimedii Folium,Dioscoreae Rhizoma,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Cervi Cornus Colla,Astragali Complanati Semen,Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparata,Polygonati Rhizoma,Puerariae Lobatae Radix,and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma)on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with dyslipidemia and differentiated as spleen-kidney deficiency type,and to observe its effect on the level of adiponectin(ADP).Methods Ninety patients with T2DM complicated with dyslipidemia and differentiated as spleen-kidney deficiency type were randomly divided into western medicine group,Chinese medicine(CM)group,and combination of CM and western medicine group(hereinafter referred to as combination group),and each group had 30 patients.All of the 3 groups were given conventional hypoglycemic treatment.Moreover,the western medicine group was given oral use of Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets,CM group was given Bushen Jianpi Recipe,and the combination group was given Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets together with Bushen Jianpi Recipe orally.The course of treatment lasted for 8 weeks.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,glucose and lipid metabolism indexes,fasting insulin(FINS),insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)and serum ADP levels of the three groups were observed before and after the treatment.After treatment,the efficacy of TCM syndrome of the three groups was evaluated.Results(1)After 8 weeks of treatment,the total effective rates for TCM syndrome efficacy in the western medicine group,CM group,and combination group were 66.67%(20/30),90.00%(27/30),and 93.33%(28/30),respectively.The intergroup comparison showed that the TCM syndrome efficacy of the CM group and the combination group was significantly superior to that of the western medicine group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores in all of the three groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the decreases of the scores in both CM group and combination group was superior to that in the western medicine group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of lipid metabolism parameters of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)in the three groups were improved to various degrees compared with the pre-treatment levels,of which the levels of TC,TG,and LDL-C were significantly decreased,and the level of HDL-C was significantly increased in comparison with that before treatment,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of TC and LDL-C and the increase of HDL-C in the CM group were inferior to those in the western medicine group and the combination group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the levels of glucose metabolism parameters of fasting plasma glucose(FPG),2-hour postprandial glucose(2hPG),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),FINS,and HOMA-IR in the CM group and the combination group were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while only the levels of FPG,2hPG,and HOMA-IR in the western medicine group were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The intergroup comparison showed that the patients in the decrease of FPG,2hPG,HbA1c,FINS,and HOMA-IR levels in the CM group and the combination group was significantly superior to that in the western medicine group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(5)In terms of adipokines,the serum ADP level in the three groups after treatment was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the increase of serum ADP level in both CM group and combination group was significantly superior to that in the western medicine group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Bushen Jianpi Recipe has certain effect on regulating lipid metabolism,and has obvious advantages in improving clinical symptoms and insulin resistance,lowering blood glucose,and increasing ADP level in patients with T2DM complicated with dyslipidemia and differentiated as spleen-kidney deficiency type.

Objective To make an epidemiological investigation on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)dampness syndrome manifestations in the population at risk of cerebrovascular diseases in Guangdong area.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the clinical data related to the risk of cerebrovascular diseases in 330 Guangdong permanent residents.The diagnosis of dampness syndrome,quantitative scoring of dampness syndrome and rating of the risk of stroke were performed for the investigation of the distribution pattern of dampness syndrome and its influencing factors.Results(1)A total of 306(92.73%)study subjects were diagnosed as dampness syndrome.The percentage of dampness syndrome in the risk group was 93.82%(258/275),which was slightly higher than that of the healthy group(48/55,87.27%),but the difference was not statistically significant(χ2 = 2.91,P = 0.112).The quantitative score of dampness syndrome in the risk group was higher than that of the healthy group,and the difference was statistically significance(Z =-2.24,P = 0.025).(2)Among the study subjects at risk of cerebrovascular disease,evaluation time(χ2 = 26.11,P = 0.001),stroke risk grading(χ2= 8.85,P = 0.031),and history of stroke or transient ischemic attack(TIA)(χ2 = 9.28,P = 0.015)were the factors influencing the grading of dampness syndrome in the population at risk of cerebrovascular disease.Conclusion Dampness syndrome is the common TCM syndrome in the population of Guangdong area.The manifestations of dampness syndrome are more obvious in the population with risk factors of cerebrovascular disease,especially in the population at high risk of stroke,and in the population with a history of stroke or TIA.The assessment and intervention of dampness syndrome should be taken into account for future project of stroke prevention in Guangdong.

Objective To explore the construction and visualization for knowledge graph of Ling Shu(Spiritual Pivot),with a view to providing ideas for the structured storage and display of the theoretical knowledge of the ancient Chinese medical books.Methods Using the professional idea of constructing knowledge graphs for reference,text mining technology was applied to construct the thesaurus,and then word division,entity recognition,and relationship extraction for the original text of Ling Shu were performed to get the elements of knowledge graph construction.The graph database Neo4j was used for the storage and query of the knowledge graph,and then the visual display of the knowledge graph was achieved.Results The 1 216 high-quality words consisting of the thesaurus of Ling Shu were obtained,and the construction of the knowledge graph of the theory of Ling Shu was realized.The constructed knowledge graph basically displayed the traditional Chinese medicine theories such as the correlation of visceral manifestations with essence qi,and the relationship between emotions and the five-zang organs described in Ling Shu,which made the retrieval and utilization of the related entities and relationships possible,and provided ideas for the structured storage and display of the theoretical knowledge of the ancient books of Chinese medicine.Conclusion The knowledge graph construction technology can be used to obtain the Chinese medicine theoretical knowledge graph of Ling Shu,and to display the knowledge connections of yin-yang and the five elements,and the internal organs and meridians expressed in the Ling Shu.The construction of the knowledge graph and its storage in the graph database enable the knowledge graph involved in the text of Ling Shu to be displayed in the form of visualized semantic network graph,and also make the embedding of other search systems such as the semantic search and semantic wiki possible,which will be helpful for the development of Chinese medicine intelligent medical services.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of relapse in patients with ischemic stroke using aspirin for single drug antiplatelet therapy.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 200 patients with mild and medium ischemic stroke after 12 months of single drug treatment with aspirin,and the patients were divided into non-recurrence group and recurrence group according to the recurrence of stroke.Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression model were used to explore whether the related indicators were risk factors for recurrence.The ROC curve was used to predict the critical value of risk factors.Results Univariate analysis showed that platelet count,Hcy level and the A allele at rs12041331 site of PEAR1 gene were statistically significant risk factors(P<0.05).Multifactor analysis showed that the independent risk factor for recurrence was homocysteine level[OR = 1.16(1.089-1.240),P<0.001)].The critical value of ROC prediction was 8.35 μmol/L(sensitivity 0.847,specificity 0.532).Conclusions The Hcy level,platelet count and A allele at rs12041331 site of PEAR1 gene are risk factors for recurrence in patients with ischemic stroke treated with aspirin for Single drug antiplatelet therapy.Hcy level is independent risk factor and can be used to predict the risk of recurrence.

Objective To construct a measurement tool for atrial fibrillation(AF)patients'experience of catheter ablation,in order to provide quantifiable basis for improving the patients'perioperative experience.Methods From Jun 2022 to Apr 2023,literature analysis,qualitative research,Delphi expert consultation,and analytic hierarchy process were used to determine the content and weight of various indicators of the measurement tool.Results The enthusiasm of experts in 3 rounds was 100%.The authority coefficient of experts was 0.946,0.961 and 0.976.The Kendal harmony coefficients of the 2 and 3 rounds of expert consultation was 0.130 and 0.370(P＜0.001).The final measurement tool included 46 items and 5 dimensions,including operational and technical quality experience,comfort management experience,information and communication experience,emotional support experience,service process and response experience.Conclusion The preliminary construction of measurement tool for AF patients'experience of catheter ablation,which were based on the features of specialty,could not only evaluate the patients'experience accurately,but also provide a basis for targeted improvement of medical and nursing service quality.

Objective To investigate the value of computer-assisted quantification of pulmonary embolism volume(PEV)in identifying mild-to-high-risk acute pulmonary embolism(APE).Methods We retrospectively enrolled 143 patients with suspected APE confirmed by computed tomography pulmonary angiography(CTPA)at Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020.According to the 2018 Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis,Treatment and Prevention of Pulmonary Thromboembolism,all the patients were divided into low-risk group(n=88)and mild-to-high-risk group(n=55).We collected the patients'basic demographic data,clinical manifestations,and serum levels of N-terminal-B type natriuretic peptide precursor(NT-proBNP)and D-dimer.Based on CTPA images,the degree of pulmonary thromboembolism was artificially evaluated to obtain the pulmonary artery occlusion index(PAOI).The thrombus was segmented using the pulmonary embolism detection tool based on digital lung,and PEV was calculated.We compared the differences in clinical and laboratory indicators and PAOI and PEV between the two risk groups.We analyzed the value of PAOI and PEV in identifying mild-to-high-risk APE using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,and used Logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors in predicting mild-to-high-risk APE.Different models were established.Results Compared with the low-risk group,APE patients in the mild-to-high-risk group were older(P＜0.05),had lower diastolic blood pressure(P＜0.05),higher levels of D-dimer and NT-proBNP(P＜0.05),lower levels of platelet count,arterial oxygen partial pressure and arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure(P＜0.05),and higher levels of PAOI and PEV(P＜0.001).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for PEV in identifying mild-to-high-risk APE was 0.809(95％CI:0.734-0.884),while that for PAOI was 0.753(95％CI:0.667-0.839).Logistic regression analysis showed that PEV and NT-proBNP were independent risk factors for mild-to-high-risk APE(P＜0.05).Conclusion PEV and NT-proBNP are independent risk factors for mild-to-high-risk APE.

Objective To analyze the relationship of the volume of 87 brain regions with postnatal age and neurobehavior in full-term neonates.Methods A total of 75 full-term newborns[gestational age(39.38±1.22)weeks;male/female(51/24);postnatal age(11.11±6.67)days]without abnormalities on brain MRI(three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging,3D T1WI)at our hospital between November 2010 and September 2017 were retrospectively included.Based on the template of 87 brain regions,the neonatal brains were divided into 87 brain regions and their volumes were calculated by using V-shape Bottleneck network(VB-Net)deep learning segmentation technique,Pearson partial correlation and regression analysis were used to explore the relationship of the volume of each brain region with postnatal age and neurobehavioral scores.Results After adjusting for gestational age,birth weight,head circumference,body length and sex,66.7％of the regional brain volumes(58/87 brain regions)significantly increased with the postnatal age(correlation coefficient r:0.2-0.7,P＜0.05).The volumes of gray matter in bilateral lentiform nucleus,left caudate nucleus,right occipital lobe,right inferior temporal lobe,and bilateral anterior temporal lobe strongly correlated with the postnatal age(r＞0.50,P＜0.05).The gray matter volume of the right occipital lobe linearly increased with age(slope:100.67),and was positively correlated with behavioral scores(r=0.324,P＜0.01).Conclusion Most of regional brain volumes increase with the postnatal age during the neonatal period,and the fastest growth occurs in primary sensorimotor-related brain regions,presenting the spatial heterogeneity.Partial brain region grows with the development of behavioral ability.