This study was supported by a grant from the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (20HL01) and the Sichuan Province cadre health research project (2023-505).&#160;This study was supported by a grant from the Sichuan Provincial Cadre Health Department (Chuan Gan Yan 2023-505).

This study strictly adheres to the principle of ethical respect, beneficence, and justice. There were 30 subjects in each group, a total of 90 cases. This subject was approved by the ethics committee of the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2021KL-040). Informed consent was obtained from patients included in this study.
1. Study subjects
<ol>
	<li>Select 3 communities in Chengdu using the convenience sampling method.</li>
	<li>Recruit patients with T2DM peripheral neuropathy from three communities.</li>
	<li>Use the following inclusion criteria.
	<ol>
		<li>Include patients of age 40-75.</li>
		<li>Include patients diagnosed with DPN.</li>
		<li>Include patients who can perform moderate-intensity aerobic exercises.</li>
		<li>Include patients who do not use any other complementary or integrative therapies during the study period.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Exclude patients with the following conditions: neurological conditions caused by other conditions, such as cervical and lumbar spondylosis, cerebrovascular illness, Guillain-Barr&#233; syndrome, and vasculopathy; pregnant or lactating women; the inability of mental anomalies to cooperate.</li>
	<li>Draw lots to assign patients from the three communities at random to the control group (CG), the Tai Chi group (TCG), and the mindfulness and Tai Chi group (MTCG).</li>
</ol>
2. Method 1: Practice methods of the CG
<ol>
	<li>Conduct 3 collective health education sessions, each lasting 40 min. 
	&#8203;NOTE: The health education content mainly consisted of diabetes diet, exercise, medication, blood glucose monitoring, foot care, and prevention and care of foot complications12. Three groups conduct health education separately.</li>
</ol>
3. Method 2: Practice methods of the TCG
<ol>
	<li>Select a public, quiet area to practice one of the 24 style simplified Tai Chi33. 
	NOTE: Implementation methods: It was divided into 3 parts: warm-up, training, and relaxation. The focused exercise was performed 3 times a week for 60 min each for 12 weeks.</li>
	<li>Instruct the participants to complete two sets of adductor (i.e., internal rotation), abductor (i.e., external rotation), hamstring (i.e., single stiff leg forward bending stretch), gluteal (i.e., hip flexion and extension), and ankle-oriented (i.e., ankle rotation) dynamic stretching exercises for 10 min, as part of a warm-up preparation exercise34.</li>
	<li>Under the direction of Tai Chi instructors, let the participants perform Tai Chi movements to Tai Chi music for 40 min. 
	NOTE: The movements of the Tai Chi include commencing from part the wild horse&#39;s mane on both sides, white crane spreads its wings, brush knee and twist step on both sides, play pipa, repulse monkey, grasp the bird&#39;s tail, single whip, wave hands like clouds, high pat on horse, kick with right heel, strike opponent&#39;s ears with both fists, turn and kick with left heel, snake creeps down, jade lady weaves shuttles, needle at sea bottom, flash the arm turn, deflect downward, parry and punch, cross hands and closing form33.</li>
	<li>Do upper and lower limb relaxation exercises and breathing adjustment exercises for 10 min as a relaxation exercise35. 
	&#8203;NOTE: First, stand and repeatedly shake shoulders and arms. Then beat and massage legs. Finally, sit and adjust the breathing pattern.</li>
</ol>
4. Method 3: Practice methods of the MTCG
<ol>
	<li>Choose an open and quiet place to spread Yoga mats to sit. 
	NOTE: Mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi practice was performed 3 times a week for 60 min each for 12 week sessions. Subjects were encouraged to adhere to mindfulness exercises daily at home. The aim is to integrate mindfulness into daily life.</li>
	<li>Start mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi. 
	NOTE: The specific training arrangement is shown in Table 1.
	<ol>
		<li>Mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi-specific practice methods
		<ol>
			<li>Mindfulness meditation:
			<ol>
				<li>Sit on Yoga mats.</li>
				<li>Slowly inhale and exhale 3-4 deep breaths.</li>
				<li>Feel the air entering the nose, filling the chest and abdomen, and leaving the body as exhaled.</li>
				<li>Adjust the breathing rhythm back to normal. Do not try to control breathing.</li>
				<li>Adjust the breathing rhythm back to normal. Do not try to control breathing.</li>
				<li>Pay attention to the things such as breathing, body, voice, thoughts, and emotions, slowly relaxing the body.</li>
			</ol>
			</li>
			<li>Mindfulness body scan:
			<ol>
				<li>Supine on yoga mats with legs naturally apart, eyes barely closed, and arms naturally seated without touching the body.</li>
				<li>Pay attention to how the complete body feels, from the toes to the brain. Choose to sit to prevent falling asleep when doing mindfulness body scanning exercises.</li>
			</ol>
			</li>
			<li>Mindfulness movement (Tai Chi):
			<ol>
				<li>Focus on each movement of Tai Chi. 
				NOTE: In Tai Chi practice, use gentle language to guide the practitioner to feel the pressure and relaxation brought by the alternating contraction and relaxation of the leg muscles and feel the sensation of contact between the feet and the ground.</li>
				<li>Try to maintain a state of mindfulness at all times as much as possible.</li>
				<li>Feel stress and relaxation as the leg muscles alternately contract and relax. At the same time, feel the sensation of the feet touching the ground.</li>
			</ol>
			</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>End activities
	<ol>
		<li>Do upper and lower limb relaxation exercises and breathing adjustment exercises for 10 min as a relaxation exercise35. 
		&#8203;NOTE: First, stand and repeatedly shake shoulders and arms. Then beat and massage legs. Finally, sit and adjust breathing.</li>
		<li>Sit in meditation without making any judgments about the various thoughts that enter the mind, and accept these concepts always.</li>
		<li>Convert each daily task, such as brushing the teeth, showering, or cooking, into a mindfulness exercise.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
5. Collect information
<ol>
	<li>Select data collection staff and carry out unified training. 
	NOTE: Collect data before and after the intervention, respectively. Data collectors were solely responsible for data collection and were blinded to group allocation to reduce data collector subjectivity bias.
	<ol>
		<li>Collect data for Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS)36, visual simulation scale (VAS)37, mindfulness and attention awareness scale (MAAS)38, diabetes-specific quality of life scale (DSQL)39, and serum tumor necrosis factor-&#945;(TNF-&#945;) levels.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Before the study begins, debate and decide on the detailed collecting criteria for each indicator by the research team members.</li>
	<li>Thoroughly explain to the subjects what the scale means, what each item means, and how to use it.</li>
	<li>Help the participants get into position, do physical evaluations, and record in detail.</li>
	<li>Collect the blood samples from the participants at neighborhood hospitals, then send them immediately to the lab.</li>
	<li>Promptly check the accuracy and completeness of the information gathered.</li>
</ol>
6. Statistical analysis
<ol>
	<li>Collect and analyze data using any statistical analysis software. 
	NOTE: In this study, SPSS 24.0 was used.</li>
	<li>Depict data by mean &#177; standard error of mean, frequency, or composition ratio.</li>
	<li>Use chi-square test, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis H test, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test.</li>
	<li>Take readings at least three times at all time points for each sample.</li>
</ol>

Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Manage Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Many previous studies have reported how to apply Tai Chi to treat and rehabilitate chronic diseases40,41. Although Tai Chi has shown positive effects in the treatment and rehabilitation of chronic diseases, truly achieving physical and mental exercise is vital to the enhanced effects of Tai Chi. This study combined Tai Chi with mindfulness training, which successfully improved the practice effectiveness of Tai Chi and indeed achieved physical and mental movement....

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a serious health concern globally, affecting millions of people worldwide1. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reveals that the prevalence of DM could increase up to 12.2% by 20452. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) accounts for about 90% of DM2. Patients with T2DM, particularly those who struggle to control their blood glucose levels, are likely to suffer from adverse complications, including macrovascular disease, microangiopathy, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN)3. DPN is a prevalent microvascular complication, with at least 50% of DM patients showing DPN signs and symptoms over time4. Unfortunately, DPN is often ignored, and the actual figures of patients suffering are much higher than reported in most cases2.
Patients with poor glycemic control are prone to developing DPN with an insidious onset. The initial symptoms of DPN are often unremarkable, which makes it easy for patients to overlook the condition. When obvious symptoms and functional impairment appear, irreversible neurological damage has been caused5. DPN has a complex clinical presentation. Patients suffer from long-term metabolic disturbances and oxidative stress damage. This can result in symmetrical limb numbness, pain, or paresthesia6,7. As the disease progresses, neurological and vascular injuries are further aggravated, eventually leading to irreversible tissue damage8. The incidence of diabetic foot ulcers and amputations is associated with mortality from DPN9. In addition, as symptoms of DPN often persist, many patients experience depression, sleep disturbances, and activity limitations, leading to a decrease in overall quality of life and even disability10.
Currently, lifestyle interventions (including exercise, diet, psychotherapy, etc.) are well recognized as effective treatments for DPN patients in addition to glycemic control and pharmacotherapy11. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), &#34;valuable exercise is beneficial to all patients with DM&#34;. For example, it can improve glycolipid metabolism and insulin resistance1. Studies have shown that exercise can improve metabolic, vascular damage, and neurological function in patients with DPN12,13. However, patients with DPN are reluctant to exercise due to a lack of motility, pain, and fear of foot injury.
The diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) patients&#39; physical discomfort and limitations on daily activities, according to the Fear-Avoidance Model (FAM), can reduce their capacity for social interaction, which in turn can contribute to negative emotional reactions like anxiety and depression14. Conversely, negative emotions can affect glycemic control and increase the rate of complications15,16,17,18. Therefore, mind-body therapy is recommended for DPN, which focuses on the interaction between thoughts, emotions, bodies, and behaviors. The aim is to achieve homeostasis of the body and mind.
Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise. Tai Chi has received much attention from scholars worldwide because of its unique exercise modes and therapeutic effects on diseases. Multiple high-quality clinical trials published in international journals have confirmed the effectiveness of Tai Chi for the treatment and rehabilitation of chronic diseases such as Parkinson&#39;s disease19, stroke20, metabolic syndrome21, knee arthritis22, and breast cancer23. Tai Chi belongs to a class of moderate-intensity aerobic exercises that uses continuous body spiral exercise and regulated breathing to improve aerobic capacity, muscle strength, balance, and exercise capacity. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that Tai Chi can balance yin and Yang, run Qi and blood, and relax meridians24. It is a suitable form of exercise for patients with DPN. Many studies have found that Tai Chi improves insulin resistance and blood lipids, and reduces the incidence of anxiety and depression25,26. In addition, Tai Chi could improve quality of life and decrease body mass index for patients with T2DM 27.
Mindfulness training is another prominent mind-body intervention that focuses on cultivating an intentional, moment-to-moment, nonjudgmental awareness of experience28. It helps to enhance attention to the present experience, including thoughts, feelings, breathing, and body sensations. Zeidan&#39;s research found that mindfulness training could make patients more objectively evaluate discomfort and improve self-regulation29. Wielgosz&#39;s study showed that the biggest problem of exercise intervention was poor compliance, which could be solved by adding mindfulness training to exercise30. Mindfulness training combined with exercise could effectively improve patients&#39; willingness to move, increase the time and frequency of movement, and promote patients&#39; perceiving body sensations in activity.
Meanwhile, exercise combined with mindfulness training can expand patients&#39; vision and enhance their understanding of themselves. This helps the body to become more flexible, relaxed, and balanced, effectively relieving the negative experience of patients. The concept of mindfulness training is consistent with the idea of &#34;unity of form and spirit&#34; of Tai Chi. Most patients with DPN often receive misinformation from the feet provided by the brain due to impaired sensory function31. Mindfulness training can enhance the effect of movement through psychological regulation and nervous regulation32. Therefore, this study aims to verify the feasibility of mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi and explore its effect on DPN patients.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>SPSS 24.0&#160;</td>
			<td>IBM</td>
			<td>version&#160;24.0&#160;</td>
			<td>Statistical analysis</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

effects of mindfulness training combined with tai chi in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most prevalent chronic complications of diabetes. One of its crucial therapy approaches is mind-body exercise. Recently, various exercise modalities, including stepping, resistance, aerobics, balance, and whole-body vibration, were investigated to construct the most suitable form of exercise for patients with DPN. The purpose of this study is to describe a standard protocol for mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi. The convenience sampling method was used to select 90 patients with DPN who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from three communities. The three communities were randomly divided into the control group (CG), the Tai Chi group (TCG), and the mindfulness training combined with the Tai Chi group (MTCG). The CG was given routine health education guidance once a month, a total of three times. Based on the CG, the TCG practiced Tai Chi three times; the MTCG received mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi exercise a week for a total of 12 weeks. Before the intervention and 12 weeks after the intervention, the clinical symptoms, neurological function, attention awareness level, pain, and quality of life of the subjects were evaluated by Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Visual analog scale (VAS), Diabetes Specificity Quality of life Scale (DSQL) and tumor necrosis factor-&#945;. Overall, the addition of mindfulness training to Tai Chi effectively enhances the exercise effects of Tai Chi. Therefore, mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi is worthy of promotion and application.

In this study, 7 individuals failed to complete the trial. All necessary data were gathered from 83 individuals who completed the trial. There were 38 women and 45 men. The age ranged from 44 to 75 years old, with an average age of (60.57 + 8.76). DM might last anywhere between 4 and 22 years, with an average of 14.10 + 4.85 years. DPN lasted anywhere from one and fifteen years, with a mean of 5.76 + 2.78 years. The general data of the three groups did not differ significantly (p&#62;0.05).
Af...

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Author Spotlight: Integrating Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Achieve an Effective Mind-Body Exercise 

When studying exercise for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), achieving mind-body exercise is essential. This study proposes a protocol for mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi to achieve mind-body exercise.

Effects of Mindfulness Training Combined with Tai Chi in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most prevalent chronic complications of diabetes. One of its crucial therapy approaches is mind-body ...

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1.5K Views.  Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. When studying exercise for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), achieving mind-body exercise is essential. This study proposes a protocol for mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi to achieve mind-body exercise.

Video: Author Spotlight: Integrating Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Achieve an Effective Mind-Body Exercise 

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients

The healthy gastrointestinal tract is physiologically colonized by a large variety of commensal microbes that influence the development 
	of the humoral and cellular mucosal immune system1,2. 
 Microbiota is shielded from the immune system via a strong mucosal barrier. Infections and antibiotics are known to alter both the normal 
	gastrointestinal tract barrier and the composition of resident bacteria, which may result in possible immune abnormalities3.
HIV causes a breach in the gastrointestinal barrier with progressive failure of mucosal immunity and leakage into the systemic circulation of bacterial bioproducts, such as lipopolysaccharide and 
	bacterial DNA fragments, which contribute to systemic immune activation4-7. Microbial translocation is implicated in HIV/AIDS immunopathogenesis and response to therapy 4,8.
We aimed to characterise the composition of bacteria translocating in peripheral blood of HIV-infected patients. To pursue our aim we set up a PCR reaction for the panbacteric 16S ribosomial gene 
	followed by a sequencing analysis.
Briefly, whole blood from both HIV-infected and healthy subjects is used. Given that healthy individuals present normal intestinal homeostasis no translocation of microflora is expected in 
	these patients. Following whole blood collection by venipuncture and plasma separation, DNA is extracted from plasma and used to perform a broad range PCR reaction for the panbacteric 
	16S ribosomial gene9. Following PCR product purification, cloning and sequencing analyses are performed.

Our experiment will show how to perform a sequencing analysis of bacterial species translocating in peripheral blood of HIV positive patients.

The healthy gastrointestinal tract is physiologically colonized by a large variety of commensal microbes that influence the development 
	of the humoral ...

Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Computerized dynamic posturography with the EquiTest is an objective technique for measuring postural strategies under challenging static and dynamic conditions. As part of a diagnostic assessment, the early detection of postural deficits is important so that appropriate and targeted interventions can be prescribed. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) on the EquiTest determines an individual&#39;s use of the sensory systems (somatosensory, visual, and vestibular) that are responsible for postural control. Somatosensory and visual input are altered by the calibrated sway-referenced support surface and visual surround, which move in the anterior-posterior direction in response to the individual&#39;s postural sway. This creates a conflicting sensory experience. The Motor Control Test (MCT) challenges postural control by creating unexpected postural disturbances in the form of backwards and forwards translations. The translations are graded in magnitude and the time to recover from the perturbation is computed.
Intermittent claudication, the most common symptom of peripheral arterial disease, is characterized by a cramping pain in the lower limbs and caused by muscle ischemia secondary to reduced blood flow to working muscles during physical exertion. Claudicants often display poor balance, making them susceptible to falls and activity avoidance. The Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) is a noninvasive method for indicating the presence of peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication, a common symptom in the lower extremities. ABPI is measured as the highest systolic pressure from either the dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial artery divided by the highest brachial artery systolic pressure from either arm. This paper will focus on the use of computerized dynamic posturography in the assessment of balance in claudicants.

Individuals with intermittent claudication exhibit poor balance compared to healthy controls. Computerized dynamic posturography is an objective method for measuring an individual's postural responses to balance disturbances. This provides an objective reflection of the person&#x2019;s ability to respond to situations under which sensory stimuli are altered and unexpected perturbations occur.

Computerized dynamic posturography with the EquiTest is an objective technique for measuring postural strategies under challenging static and dynamic ...

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to the general population, and this is only partially explained by traditional CVD risk factors. Vascular dysfunction is an important non-traditional risk factor, characterized by vascular endothelial dysfunction (most commonly assessed as impaired endothelium-dependent dilation [EDD]) and stiffening of the large elastic arteries. While various techniques exist to assess EDD and large elastic artery stiffness, the most commonly used are brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMDBA) and aortic pulse-wave velocity (aPWV), respectively. Both of these noninvasive measures of vascular dysfunction are independent predictors of future cardiovascular events in patients with and without kidney disease. Patients with CKD demonstrate both impaired FMDBA, and increased aPWV. While the exact mechanisms by which vascular dysfunction develops in CKD are incompletely understood, increased oxidative stress and a subsequent reduction in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability are important contributors. Cellular changes in oxidative stress can be assessed by collecting vascular endothelial cells from the antecubital vein and measuring protein expression of markers of oxidative stress using immunofluorescence. We provide here a discussion of these methods to measure FMDBA, aPWV, and vascular endothelial cell protein expression.

The degree of vascular dysfunction and contributing physiological mechanisms can be assessed in patients with chronic kidney disease by measuring brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, aortic pulse-wave velocity, and vascular endothelial cell protein expression.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to the general population, and this ...

Adapted Resistance Training Improves Strength in Eight Weeks in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Hip weakness is a common symptom affecting walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is known that resistance strength training (RST) can improve strength in individuals with MS, however; it remains unclear the duration of RST that is needed to make strength gains and how to adapt hip strengthening exercises for individuals of varying strength using only resistance bands. This paper describes the methodology to set up and implement an adapted resistance strength training program, using resistance bands, for individuals with MS. Directions for pre- and post-strength tests to evaluate efficacy of the strength-training program are included. Safety features and detailed instructions outline the weekly program content and progression. Current evidence is presented showing that significant strength gains can be made within 8 weeks of starting a RST program. Evidence is also presented showing that resistance strength training can be successfully adapted for individuals with MS of varying strength with little equipment.

Hip weakness is a common symptom affecting walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis. Isolated muscle strengthening is a useful method to target specific weaknesses. This protocol describes a progressive resistance-training program using exercise bands to increase hip muscle strength.

Hip weakness is a common symptom affecting walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is known that resistance strength training (RST) can ...

Semi-quantitative Assessment Using [18F]FDG Tracer in Patients with Severe Brain Injury

Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) have difficulty knowing whether they are accurately expressing their thoughts and emotions because of disorders of consciousness, disrupted higher brain function, and verbal disturbances. As a consequence of an insufficient ability to communicate, objective evaluations are needed from family members, medical staff, and caregivers. One such evaluation is the assessment of functioning brain areas. Recently, multimodal brain imaging has been used to explore the function of damaged brain areas. [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ([18F]FDG-PET/CT) is a successful tool for examining brain function. However, the assessment of brain glucose metabolism based on [18F]FDG-PET/CT is not standardized and depends on several varying parameters, as well as the patient&#39;s condition. Here, we describe a series of semiquantitative assessment protocols for a region-of-interest (ROI) image analysis using self-produced [18F]FDG tracers in patients with sTBI. The protocol focuses on screening the participants, preparing the [18F]FDG tracer in the hot lab, scheduling the acquisition of [18F]FDG-PET/CT brain images, and measuring glucose metabolism using the ROI analysis from a targeted brain area.

Semi-quantitative Assessment Using [18F]FDG Tracer in Patients with Severe Brain Injury

[18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography is useful for studying glucose metabolism related to brain function. Here, we present a protocol for an [18F]FDG tracer set-up and semiquantitative assessment of the region-of-interest analysis for targeted brain areas associated with clinical manifestations in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) have difficulty knowing whether they are accurately expressing their thoughts and emotions because of ...

Real-Time Monitoring of Neurocritical Patients with Diffuse Optical Spectroscopies

Neurophysiological monitoring is an important goal in the treatment of neurocritical patients, as it may prevent secondary damage and directly impact morbidity and mortality rates. However, there is currently a lack of suitable non-invasive, real-time technologies for continuous monitoring of cerebral physiology at the bedside. Diffuse optical techniques have been proposed as a potential tool for bedside measurements of cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygenation in case of neurocritical patients. Diffuse optical spectroscopies have been previously explored to monitor patients in several clinical scenarios ranging from neonatal monitoring to cerebrovascular interventions in adults. However, the feasibility of the technique to aid clinicians by providing real-time information at the bedside remains largely unaddressed. Here, we report the translation of a diffuse optical system for continuous real-time monitoring of cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygenation, and cerebral oxygen metabolism during intensive care. The real-time feature of the instrument could enable treatment strategies based on patient-specific cerebral physiology rather than relying on surrogate metrics, such as arterial blood pressure. By providing real-time information on the cerebral circulation at different time scales with relatively cheap and portable instrumentation, this approach may be especially useful in low-budget hospitals, in remote areas and for&#160;monitoring in open fields (e.g., defense and sports).

Presented here is a protocol for non-invasively monitoring cerebral hemodynamics of neurocritical patients in real-time and at the bedside using diffuse optics. Specifically, the proposed protocol uses a hybrid diffuse optical systems to detect and display real-time information on cerebral oxygenation, cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolism.

Neurophysiological monitoring is an important goal in the treatment of neurocritical patients, as it may prevent secondary damage and directly impact ...

Digital Handwriting Analysis of Characters in Chinese Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

An increasing amount of evidence shows that cognitive deficits and movement dysfunctions are not separated. Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can manifest fine motor disorders of the upper extremities. Handwriting is a complex and unique human activity involving both motor and cognitive coordination. Researchers from western countries have discovered that patients with MCI have abnormal handwriting features. However, no relevant studies have been conducted in the Chinese population. Owing to the cross-culture phenomenon of handwriting, the aim of this study is to find new handwriting tasks to demonstrate the differences in handwriting features between elderly patients with MCI and age-matched healthy individuals.

This study proposed a digital handwriting analysis of characters in individuals with mild cognitive impairment to find more information than is revealed by traditional pencil&#8211;paper handwriting analysis.

An increasing amount of evidence shows that cognitive deficits and movement dysfunctions are not separated. Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) ...

Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction

Ovarian function progressively declines during aging and in some pathophysiological conditions including karyotype abnormality, autoimmune diseases, chemo- and radiation-therapies, as well as ovarian surgeries. In unmarried women with severe ovarian dysfunction, fertility preservation is important for future pregnancies. Although oocyte cryopreservation is an established method for fertility preservation, these patients could only preserve a limited number of oocytes even after ovarian hyperstimulation, leading to repeated stimulations to ensure sufficient oocytes to guarantee future pregnancy. To solve this issue, we have recently developed a drug-free in vitro activation (IVA) procedure, which enable us to stimulate early stages of ovarian follicles to develop to the preantral follicle stage. These preantral follicles can respond to the unique protocol of gonadotropin stimulation, resulting in increased number of retrieved oocytes per ovarian stimulation for cryopreservation. The drug-free IVA comprised from the surgical approach and ovarian stimulation. We removed a part of cortex from one or both ovaries from patients under laparoscopic surgery. The ovarian cortical tissues were cut into small cubes to disrupt the Hippo signaling pathway and stimulate the development of early stage follicles. These cubes were grafted orthotropically into remaining ovaries as well as beneath the serosa of both Fallopian tubes. We have already published the surgical procedure of the drug-free IVA and the protocol of subsequent ovarian stimulation, but herein we present the details of laboratory methods required for drug-free IVA.

We present details of laboratory procedures for drug-free in vitro activation (IVA) of ovarian follicles for patients with severe ovarian dysfunction. This method could increase the number of retrievable oocytes per ovarian hyperstimulation and benefit fertility preservation for those patients.

Ovarian function progressively declines during aging and in some pathophysiological conditions including karyotype abnormality, autoimmune diseases, ...

A Method for Zanba-Stir-Fried Tiebangchui Process Optimization

Optimization of Processing Technology for Tiebangchui with Zanba Based on CRITIC Combined with Box-Behnken Response Surface Method

The dried root of Aconitum pendulum Busch., called Tiebangchui (TBC) in Chinese, is one of the most famous Tibetan medicines. It is a widely used herb in northwest China. However, many cases of poisoning have occurred because of TBC's intense toxicity and because its therapeutic and toxic doses are similar. Therefore, finding a safe and effective method to reduce its toxicity is an urgent task. A search through the Tibetan medicine classics shows that the processing method of TBC stir-fried with Zanba was recorded in the "Processing specification of Tibetan medicine of Qinghai Province (2010)". However, the specific processing parameters are not yet clear. Thus, this study aims to optimize and standardize the processing technology of Zanba-stir-fried TBC.
First, a single-factor experiment was conducted on four factors: the slice thickness of TBC, amount of Zanba, processing temperature, and time. With monoester and diester alkaloid contents in Zanba-stir-fried TBC as indexes, CRITIC combined with the Box-Behnken response surface method was used to optimize the processing technology of Zanba-stir-fried TBC. The optimized processing conditions of Zanba-stir-fried TBC were a TBC slice thickness of 2 cm, three times more Zanba than TBC, a processing temperature of 125 &#176;C, and 60 min of stir-frying. This study determined the optimized and standard processing conditions for the usage of Zanba-stir-fried TBC, thus providing an experimental basis for the safe clinical use and industrial production of Zanba-stir-fried TBC.

Author Spotlight: Optimization of Processing Technology for Tiebangchui with Zanba Based on CRITIC Combined with Box-Behnken Response Surface Method  

The present protocol describes an efficient and standard detoxification processing method for Zanba-stir-fried Tiebangchui using CRITIC combined with the Box-Behnken response surface method.

The dried root of Aconitum pendulum Busch., called Tiebangchui (TBC) in Chinese, is one of the most famous Tibetan medicines. It is a widely used herb in ...

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. Constipation that reduces the quality of life and triggers the risk of diseases is a common concomitant symptom in patients with COPD. Currently, western medical treatment does not achieve the desired results for patients. A high recurrence rate accompanies it, whereas traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and rich experience in treating chronic diseases. Both acupoint application and acupoint massage are characteristic therapies of TCM, with minor side effects, high safety, simple operation, and outstanding advantages. They are effective in treating constipation for patients with COPD and are considered an ideal alternative therapy for patients with chronic constipation. The purpose of this article is to introduce the method of acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for the treatment of constipation in patients with COPD, including the selection of points, items, treatment time, and operation procedure.

Here we demonstrate acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for treating constipation in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).