Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Research Articles

Clinical characteristics of megaloblastic anemia with pancytopenia

ABSTRACT Objectives In this study, we aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of patients with megaloblastic anemia and pancytopenia. Methods Data on patient characteristics, laboratory examinations, clinical manifestations, and associated diseases were collected from Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The participants were divided into two groups according to routine blood test results: megaloblastic anemia patients with pancytopenia (Group A) and megaloblastic anemia patients with simple anemia (Group B). Results The number of patients with fever and bleeding in Group A was much higher than that in Group B. Inpatient days and hospitalization costs in Group A were higher than those in Group B. White blood cell count, red blood cell count, haemoglobin level, and platelet count in Group A were lower than those in Group B. There were no significant differences in mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), albumin (ALB), vitamin B12, folic acid, and ferritin between the two groups. The incidence of associated diseases, particularly pulmonary infections, was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B. There was no significant difference in the degree of bone marrow hyperplasia between the two groups. Conclusion Patients with pancytopenia and megaloblastic anemia often developed infection and bleeding, which caused more severe anemia, higher hospitalization costs, and longer inpatient days. Early diagnosis and active treatment are required to reduce patient complications and costs.

Analysis of preoperative and postoperative depression and anxiety in patients with lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy treated with percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy

ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the mental health of patients with lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy (LDHR) and to evaluate the effects of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) on their mental well-being.MethodThis study included 114 LDHR patients who received PTED in the Spinal Orthopedics Department of Zhongshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between May 2022 and May 2023. The study population was stratified into two groups according to the presence of preoperative anxiety and depression: Group A comprised patients with such symptoms, and Group B included the remainder. Patients were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at preoperative and final follow-up visits. Evaluations were performed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Visual Analog Scale, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at the time of preoperation and during the last follow-up.ResultsAmong the 114 LDHR patients who obtained complete follow-up, fifty-four had anxiety/depression symptoms before surgery, which accounted for a incidence of 47%. Both Group A and Group B patients showed significant improvement in all evaluation indicators after PTED, but the overall prognosis of Group A was worse than that of Group B.ConclusionPTED can effectively improve patients’ pain, functional activities and mental health, which has a positive impact on patients’ quality of life, and there is a significant correlation between patients’ preoperative mental health and prognosis.

Urban-rural differences in preferences for traditional Chinese medicine services among chronic disease patients: a discrete choice experiment

BackgroundWith the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the demand for medical services from chronic disease patients has become diversified and personalized. The advantages and role of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases gradually emerging. The preferences and willingness to pay for traditional Chinese medicine services (TCMS) among patients with chronic diseases, as well as any disparities between urban and rural patients, have not been examined in past studies.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the preferences of chronic disease patients for TCMS, explore the value/importance that patients place on different treatment attributes, and evaluate whether there are urban-rural differences in their preferences and willingness to pay for TCMS.MethodsA total of 317 patients from Jiangsu Province, China participated in a discrete choice experiment that elicited the preferences for TCMS. The choice questions were constructed by six attributes: out-of-pocket (OOP) cost, institution, medical provider, treatment method, treatment duration, treatment efficacy. Mixed logit models were used to estimate the stated preference and marginal willingness to pay for each attribute.ResultsThe choice preferences of chronic disease patients for TCMS in this study were influenced by the four attributes: institution, treatment method, and treatment efficacy, and OOP cost. Improvements in treatment efficacy were the most concerning, followed by being treated in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital. Patients were willing to pay more to get better treatment outcomes. Compared with primary care institutions, patients were willing to pay more for treatment in TCM hospitals. The preferences for economic attribute (OOP cost) varied between urban and rural areas, and rural patients tended to favor scenarios that imposed a lower economic burden on them.ConclusionThe chronic disease patients’ preferences for TCMS were determined mainly by treatment efficacy but also by institution, treatment method and OOP cost. The urban-rural difference in preference identified in this study highlights that effective policy interventions should consider the characteristics of patients’ demand in different regions.

International standard of Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques: the operating specification for Traditional Chinese Medicine enema (2022).

Chinese Medicine Enema is one of the external therapies in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has been widely used clinically. The "International Standard of Traditional Chinese Medicine Techniques: The Operating Specifications for Chinese Medicine Enema is drawn up by the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Xiamen Hospital in collaboration with domestic TCM universities and hospitals. The specification includes definition, operating process, points for attention and contraindications. It is targeted to provide reference for TCM providers at home and abroad with TCM background in clinical decision-making.

Analysis of the correlation between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and food intolerance.

This study aims to explore the correlation between patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and food intolerance. A total of 172 subjects who visited Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2020 and March 2023 were selected and tested for 90 food-specific IgG antibodies. The study group composed 85 individuals diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, while the control group consisted of 87 healthy individuals. Data were analyzed to determine the correlation between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and food intolerance. Among the 85 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 97.65% exhibited food intolerance, with an average of 15.76 ± 10.61 types of food intolerances. The most common intolerances were to eggs (75.29%), bok choy (71.76%), and milk (65.88%), each exceeding a 60% intolerance rate. In the control group of 87 healthy individuals, the intolerance rate was 95.40%, with an average of 9.57 ± 8.90 types of food intolerances. The most prevalent intolerances in the control group were to bok choy (54.02%) and eggs (52.87%), each exceeding a 50% intolerance rate. The findings suggest that patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis are more likely to develop food intolerance compared to the healthy population, which may indicate a correlation between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and food intolerance. Different dietary patterns may affect the activity of the thyroid axis and may even be the cause of autoimmune thyroid disease. The technique of detecting food intolerance IgG antibodies has the potential to be an important reference for dietary interventions in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Construction and validation of a predictive model for preoperative lower extremity deep vein thrombosis risk in elderly hip fracture patients: An observational study.

The aim of this study was to identify independent risk factors for preoperative lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in elderly hip fracture patients and to construct a nomogram prediction model based on them. We collected clinical data from elderly hip fracture patients from Ya'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2021-2023), and used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify independent risk factors for preoperative DVT. In this way, a nomogram prediction model was established. In addition, external validation of the model was performed by patient data from Ya'an Mingshan District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to calculate the area under the curve, and calibration and decision curves were plotted to assess the predictive performance of the model. Of the 223 elderly hip fracture patients, 23 (10.31%) developed DVT of the lower extremities before surgery. A total of 6 variables were identified as independent risk factors for preoperative lower extremity DVT in elderly hip fracture patients by logistic regression analysis: age > 75 years (OR = 1.932; 95% CI: 1.230-3.941), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.139; 95% CI: 1.149-4.342), and prolonged duration of disease (OR. 2.535; 95% CI: 1.378-4.844), surgical treatment (OR = 1.564; 95% CI: 1.389-3.278), D-dimer > 0.5 mg/L (OR = 3.365; 95% CI: 1.229-7.715) fibrinogen > 4 g/L (OR = 3.473; 95% CI: 1.702-7.078). The constructed nomogram model has high accuracy in predicting the risk of preoperative DVT in elderly hip fracture patients, providing an effective tool for clinicians to identify high-risk patients and implement early intervention.

Association of the Triglyceride-Glucose Index With Resistant Hypertension and a Nomogram Model Construction.

Resistant hypertension (RH) remains one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study aims to investigate the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and RH incidence in patients with hypertension and to construct a nomogram for predicting the occurrence of RH. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1635 patients initially diagnosed with hypertension at the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from August 2019 to August 2021. Patients were followed up for a median of 31 months, with 373 cases (22.81%) developing RH. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariable Cox regression analysis identified the TyG index as the strongest predictor of RH (hazard ratio, 5.472 [95% CI, 4.028-7.433]; P<0.001). Consistent results were also observed in subgroup analyses across different ages and sexes. In addition to the TyG index, other independent risk factors, including uric acid, age, and the apnea-hypopnea index, were noted. A nomogram model was subsequently developed using these risk factors, and including the TyG index notably enhanced the diagnostic effectiveness of the model in predicting the occurrence of RH. The TyG index appears to be a potential predictor of RH in patients with hypertension, indicating that insulin resistance might be an important factor in the development and progression of RH.

Shugan Jiangzhi Decoction Alleviates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) via Regulating AMPK/PPAR Signaling Pathway

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common liver disease. Shugan Jiangzhi Decoction (SJD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula which consists of six Chinese herbs, has been used for treating hyperlipidemia, obesity, and fatty liver in Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine for over twenty years. Objective: This study aims to elucidate the chemical basis and the molecular mechanism of SJD against NAFLD. Methods: The main components of SJD were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Then the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD rat model was established. After treatment with different doses of SJD, the body weight of rats was measured weekly. On the last day of the experiments, the hepatic morphology, histopathology changes, and the serum lipid levels were detected. Then techniques of network pharmacology were employed to predict the anti-NAFLD mechanism of SJD. At last, the expression levels of proteins were measured by western blot to verify the mechanism. Results: Nine chemical constituents of SJD were identified from HPLC fingerprint spectrum. For the in vivo experiment, NAFLD rat model was constructed successfully by feeding high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. The following treatment with SJD for 6 weeks decreased the fatty droplet accumulation in the liver obviously. Meanwhile, the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was increased, while the levels of lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were decreased after SJD treatment (p &lt; 0.05). The results of network pharmacology indicated that SJD might improve NAFLD via regulating the AMPK/PPAR signaling pathway. Then, the western blot assay confirmed that SJD activated the AMPK/PPAR signaling pathway in the liver of rats. Conclusion: SJD improves HFD-induced NAFLD in rats via AMPK/PPAR signaling pathway. Thus, our study suggests that SJD can serve as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Acupuncture and Escitalopram for Treating Major Depression Clinical Study (AE-TMDCS): protocol for a factorial randomised controlled trial

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD), the second leading cause of disability globally, is considered to be associated with a consequent deterioration in the quality of life and can lead to a...

Efficacy and safety of refined nursing combined with Zhao's Thunder-Fire Moxibustion in treating patients with gastric cancer of Spleen-Qi Deficiency Syndrome: A clinical study.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of refined nursing combined with Zhao's thunder-fire moxibustion in treating patients with gastric cancer (GC) of spleen-Qi deficiency syndrome. This was a retrospective study. Ninety patients with GC of spleen-Qi deficiency syndrome admitted to Baoding Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2022 to March 2023 were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group. Patients in the control group were intervened with XELOX chemotherapeutic regimen + routine nursing. On this basis, patients in the observation group were additionally treated with refined nursing combined with Zhao's thunder-fire moxibustion. Changes in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, KPS scores for physical status, and quality of life (QOL) scores were observed and compared between the two groups before and after treatment. After treatment, the scores of anorexia, fatigue and weakness, postprandial abdominal bloating, loose stools, mental fatigue and laziness to speak decreased significantly in the two groups (P< 0.05), and each TCM syndrome score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P< 0.05). After treatment, KPS and QOL scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P< 0.05). The overall nursing satisfaction was 93.3% (42/45) in the observation group, which was significantly higher than 71.1% (32/45) in the control group (P< 0.05). Refined nursing combined with Zhao's thunder-fire moxibustion can alleviate the clinical symptoms of patients with GC of spleen-Qi deficiency syndrome, reduce chemotherapeutic-induced adverse reactions, with high clinical application value.

Fournier’s Gangrene: clinical case review and analysis of risk factors for mortality

BackgroundFournier’s Gangrene is a severe surgical infectious disease, and various risk factors can increase its mortality rate. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics and laboratory data of Fournier’s Gangrene patients, followed by an analysis of mortality-related risk factors. This study has no secondary objectives.MethodsThis study included 46 hospitalized patients diagnosed with Fournier’s Gangrene at Suzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from December 2013 to March 2024. Clinical data for all patients were extracted from the electronic medical records system. The collected data included gender, age, duration of illness, length of hospital stay, sites of infection involvement, comorbidities, white blood cell count, hematocrit, albumin, blood glucose, creatinine, serum sodium, serum potassium upon admission, microbial culture results, and patient outcomes (survival/death). The Simplified Fournier Gangrene Severe Index (SFGSI) was used to score all patients. Patients were categorized into survival and death groups based on clinical outcomes. Differences between categorical variables were compared using the χ² test or Fisher’s exact test. Differences between numerical variables were compared using Student’s t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test. Binary logistic regression was employed to analyze the risk factors for mortality in Fournier’s Gangrene.ResultsAmong the 46 Fournier’s Gangrene patients, 39 were male (84.8%) and 7 were female (15.2%). The age ranged from 17 to 86 years, with a median age of 61 years. Fourteen cases (30.4%) were confined to the perianal area, 26 cases (56.5%) had fascial necrosis involving the perianal, perineal, and genital regions, while 6 cases (13.0%) extended to the abdominal wall. At a 3-month postoperative follow-up, 43 patients (93.5%) survived, while 3 patients (6.5%) died shortly after admission due to severe illness. Based on the outcome, patients were divided into survival and death groups with 43 and 3 cases, respectively. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age (P<0.05), extension to the abdominal wall (P<0.01), hematocrit (P<0.01), albumin (P<0.01), SFGSI (P<0.01), and SFGSI>2 (P<0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that decreased hematocrit was an independent risk factor for mortality in Fournier’s Gangrene patients.ConclusionThis study provides a detailed analysis of the clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality in Fournier’s Gangrene patients. The primary outcome of this study is that a decreased hematocrit is an independent risk factor for predicting mortality in FG patients. These findings offer valuable prognostic insights for clinicians, underscoring the importance of early identification and correction of reduced hematocrit to improve patient outcomes and survival rates.

Effects of intracoronary administration of small doses of nicorandil and verapamil on blood pressure and heart rate

BackgroundNicorandil and verapamil can improve coronary blood flow and coronary microcirculation during percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the effects of intracoronary (IC) administration of nicorandil and verapamil on hemodynamics remain unclear. AimsTo clarify the safety and effects of IC administration of nicorandil and verapamil on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) to provide evidence-based basis for clinical intervention. MethodsThe study cohort included 70 patients with coronary artery stenosis recruited from Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IC administration of 2 mg/2 ml of nicorandil and 200 μg/2 ml of verapamil) or the control group (IC administration of 2 ml of saline). BP and HR were compared before medication, after medication, and when stabilized. ResultsIC administration of verapamil at 200 μg significantly reduced systolic BP as compared to the control group (113.72 ± 3.40 vs. 123.63 ± 3.33 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.05) for a short period of time, and returned to baseline within 2 min, but had no effect on diastolic BP and HR. IC administration injection of nicorandil at 2 mg had no effect on BP or HR. There were no instances of major cardiovascular events. ConclusionIC administration of nicorandil at 2 mg is safe as an adjunctive medication during interventional angiography. Verapamil can also be used as an IC adjuvant, although BP and HR must be monitored for patients with low basal BP, especially systolic BP.

Long-term outcome of robotic-guided closed reduction internal fixation for Delbet II femoral neck fractures in children

ObjectiveTo retrospectively analyze and assess the long-term effectiveness of robotic navigation and traditional closed reduction internal fixation in the treatment of Delbet type II femoral neck fracture in children.MethodsA total of fifty-five patients diagnosed with pediatric Delbet type II femoral neck fracture, who were admitted to Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2018 and June 2022, were included in this study. Among them, 22 cases of nailing under robotic navigation were set as the observation group, and 33 cases of nailing under fluoroscopy of the C-arm machine were set as the control group. All patients had their femoral neck fractures closed and repositioned first. After confirming the satisfactory fracture repositioning under the fluoroscopic view of the C-arm machine, internal fixation was performed by inserting hollow compression screws in the corresponding surgical way.A comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups to assess the disparity in the amount of X-ray exposure during surgery, the number of guide pins inserted, and the duration of the surgical procedure. The quality of comparative fracture reduction was assessed according to the Haidukewych criteria on the first postoperative hip X-ray, and the parallelism and distribution of the comparative screws were measured. The incidence of hip function and postoperative complications according to the Ratliff criteria were evaluated between each of the subgroups at the final follow-up.ResultsComparison of general information, operation duration, and quality of fracture reduction between the two groups failed to reveal statistically significant results (P > 0.05). The observation group had a lower number of X-ray exposures and guide pin placements compared to the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).At the last follow-up, the observation group exhibited superior screw parallelism and distribution, as well as hip joint function, compared to the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications in the observation group was lower than that in the control group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).ConclusionClosed reduction and internal fixation under orthopedic robot navigation can achieve better long-term efficacy in treating Delbet type II femoral neck fracture in children.

The efficiency evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine hospitals by data envelopment analysis in Zhengzhou, China.

This study aimed to evaluate the operational efficiency of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals in China. Pearson's analysis was used to test the correlation between the input and output variables. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) was utilized to analyze the input and output variables of 16 TCM hospitals, and each hospital efficiency score was computed by Deap 2.1, assuming variable return to scale (VRS), which is an input-oriented model. t tests were conducted to confirm the significant difference of efficiency scores at the hospital level and by hospital type, and ANOVA was used to test for significant differences in efficiency scores according to hospitals' size. The correlation coefficient of the input and output indicators was between 0.613 and 0.956 (p < 0.05). The difference in number of doctors (ND) and numbers of pharmacists (NP) were statistically significant (p < 0.05) at the hospital level. The mean efficiency scores for technical efficiency (TE), pure technical efficiency (PTE), and scale efficiency (SE) in secondary TCM hospitals were 0.766, 0.919, and 0.838, respectively. Additionally, the lowest TE, PTE, and SE were 0.380, 0.426, and 0.380, respectively. Eight TCM hospitals in this study were DEA efficient, with an efficiency score of 1. There were no statistically significant differences in TE, PTE, and SE among hospital levels, hospital types or hospital sizes groups (p > 0.05). This study revealed that tertiary TCM hospitals had a greater level of efficiency than secondary TCM hospitals. In our study, 50% of TCM hospitals had inefficient management. Therefore, to activate the new development power of TCM hospitals, it is necessary to reform and improve the management system and mechanism of TCM hospitals, optimize the development environment of TCM hospitals and formulate development plans and measures based on local conditions.

Application of Deep Learning Model and Machine Learning Detection Algorithm for Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

This work focused on exploring the application value of machine learning detection (MLD) algorithm and evidence-based nursing (EBN) in the chemotherapy (CHET) for gastric cancer (GC) patients. 100 GC patients who were treated in the Guang’an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and needed postoperative CHET were recruited and randomly assigned to experimental (Exp) and control (Ctrl) groups, each including 50 patients. All participants received adjuvant CHET after gastrectomy. During CHET, participants in the Ctrl group were given routine nursing, while the experimental were given EBN in addition to routine nursing. Differences in self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depress scale (SDS), QLQ-C30 life core questionnaire, and adverse reaction (AR) evaluation criteria were compared for participants in different groups after nursing. At the same time, all patients underwent computed tomography (CT) examination and all images were detected by MLD algorithm. After intervention, the SAS and SDS scores of patients in the Exp and Ctrl groups were 26.7±5.3 versus 33.6±6.61 and 30.07±5.58 versus 36.11±8.83, respectively. The total health status (THS) score of patients was 5.59±1.17 in Exp group and 4.53±0.96 in Ctrl group, showing P &lt; 0.05. After intervention, great differences were observed in nausea/vomiting, decreased white blood cells (WBC), decreased haemoglobin (Hb), peripheral nerve paraesthesia (PNP), muscle and joint pain (MJP), hair loss, and other indicators between patients received EBN and routine nursing methods (P &lt; 0.05). The MLD algorithm and EBN were of high application value in the nursing of CHET treatment for GC patients.

Frailty Predicts in-Hospital Death in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a severe public health problem in elderly patients, and frailty is associated with higher mortality rates in older patients. This study aims to assess the prognostic value of frailty in patients with TBI. Clinical data from 348 TBI patients treated at Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University and Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between December 2018 and December 2020 were retrospectively collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors affecting in-hospital mortality, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to assess the discriminatory power of the frailty index. Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL scale, where FRAIL stands for Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness, and Loss of weight, with each item scored as 0 or 1. Using the FRIAL questionnaire, 122 patients had low frailty and 226 had high frailty. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high frailty was a risk factor for in-hospital mortality in TBI patients (P<0.001, OR=2.012 [1.788-2.412]). The proportion of infections occurring in the two groups was statistically different (P=0.015), with severely infected TBI patients being more likely to develop complications. The ROC curve showed an area under the curve for the FRAIL score of 0.845 [0.752-0.938]. Frailty is an important risk factor for in-hospital mortality in elderly TBI patients, and more attention should be paid to patients with high levels of frailty. Clinicians should consider the degree of frailty when assessing TBI and making treatment decisions.

Mitigating Social Isolation Among Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: The Impact of Educational Level, Physical Activity, and Familial Support.

This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of social isolation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, focusing on the influence of environmental systems and individual behaviors on their social well-being. We conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2023 to February 2024 at Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. A total of 259 PD patients were enrolled using a consecutive sampling method. Data were collected via validated tools including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6), Family APGAR Questionnaire, and Social Anxiety Subscale of Self-Consciousness Scale (SASS-CS). Statistical analyses utilized Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression to identify factors associated with social isolation. The average score for social isolation was 11 (range 7-15). Significant predictors of social isolation included education level, physical inactivity, and normal hemoglobin concentrations. Social isolation was negatively correlated with family functionality and positively correlated with social anxiety. Regression analysis confirmed education, family functionality, and social anxiety as significant independent predictors of social isolation. Social isolation is common among PD patients, driven by factors such as education level, physical inactivity, and unexpectedly, normal hemoglobin levels linked to greater family isolation. Targeted interventions like education, physical activity promotion, and innovative therapies such as animal-assisted activities and social gardening can help reduce isolation and improve patient well-being.

TCM practitioners’ attitudes and perceptions regarding the use of Ephedra sinica Stapf: An observational study

ObjectiveTo understand the attitudes and perceptions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners in Beijing TCM hospitals regarding the use of Ephedra sinica Stapf (E. sinica, Ma Huang). MethodsA two-stage cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire survey of TCM practitioners in Beijing TCM hospitals between April 2023 and March 2024. The questionnaire included demographic information, the clinical background of TCM practitioners, and the clinical application of E. sinica. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relevant influencing factors when using E. sinica. ResultsOf the 465 questionnaires collected, 441 were valid. Among these, 84.81% (374/441) reported having used E. sinica in clinical practice at least once. The commonly used doses of E. sinica—excluding the pediatric department—were 10 g for high doses, 6 g for medium, and 3 g for low. The three most frequently used formulas for E. sinica included Maxing Shigan decoction, Mahuang decoction, and Xiao Qing Long decoction. The most common TCM patterns treated with a high dose of E. sinica were wind-cold fettering the exterior, wind-cold invading the lung, and cold congealing in the meridian. The top three Western medical diagnoses when using E. sinica for treatment were common cold, pneumonia, and upper respiratory tract infections. Nearly half of the respondents reported experiencing adverse reactions from the oral administration of E. sinica, with the most common being palpitations, insomnia, and restlessness. Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it as appropriate was identified as an effective approach. According to the respondents, the most important factor affecting the efficacy of E. sinica is the dose used. ConclusionThis study investigated the attitudes and perceptions of TCM practitioners in Beijing TCM hospitals regarding the dose–efficacy–adverse reaction relationship of E. sinica, providing a reference for the safe and effective clinical use of E. sinica.

Clinical efficacy and pharmacological mechanism analysis of Xubi Capsule in the treatment of patients with liver and kidney deficiency osteoarthritis.

To explore the clinical efficacy and pharmacological mechanism analysis of Xubi capsule in the treatment of patients with liver and kidney deficiency osteoarthritis (OA). In this single-center retrospective study, 120 patients with liver and kidney deficiency OA admitted to the Hangzhou Fuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to May 2022 were included, and patients were divided into the intervention group (n = 60) and the control group (n = 60) according to their treatment. The control group was treated with Ibuprofen, while the intervention group was treated with Xubi capsule combined with Ibuprofen. According to the network pharmacology method, the mechanism of the Xubi capsule in the treatment of patients with liver and kidney deficiency OA was analyzed. After the treatment, the total effective rate in the intervention group was 93.33%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < .001). After treatment, compared with the control group, the degree of joint swelling and tenderness in the intervention group were lighter, the muscle strength was better, the level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate was lower, and the pain visual score was lower (P < .05), while the C-reactive protein level was significantly lower (P < .001). The effective chemical composition of Xubi capsules is 176, with quercetin and palmitoleic acid being the most associated with diseases. There are 209 intersection targets between drugs and diseases. A total of 119 gene ontology cellular components were significantly enriched. The combination of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine adopted in this study can effectively treat patients with liver and kidney deficiency OA and relieve the joint pain of patients. In a multicomponent and multitarget approach, the Xubi capsule breaks through the limitations of traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and has good clinical application value.

Research on the expression of Mir-218-2 in the serum of patients with papillary thyroid cancer and its clinical significance.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is an epithelial malignancy with follicular cell differentiation and sets of defined nuclear features and appearance of an irregular solid mass. The main objective of our study is to research on the expression of miR-218-2 in the serum of patients with papillary thyroid cancer and its clinical significance. Our study involved patients with thyroid nodules were divided into a capitate cancer group (N = 100) and a benign nodule group (N =100). Lastly, 50 cases of healthy individuals were used as controls. The total sample size was 250. All cases were clinically diagnosed and underwent histopathological examinations at the Tonglu County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2023 and January 2024. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to assess the expression levels of miR-218-2 and its host gene SLIT3 in normal and cancer thyroid tissues. We found that 45% of tumour sizes were less than 1 cm with 90% of tumours did not infiltrate the glandular capsule, implying a favourable prognosis. Lastly, 85% of tumours were well differentiated with about 75% showing no metastasis while 60% of TNM stage were classified as stage I. Also, miR-218-2 and its host gene SLIT3 are significantly down-regulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma. The inhibitory effects of miR-218-2 act in synergy with its host gene SLIT3 to alter the rates of cell invasion, cell migration and cell proliferation. Our findings have clinical significance on the involvement of miR-218-2 and SLIT3. There exists a functional relationship between host genes and intronic miRNAs in the tumorigenesis of thyroid cancers.