Characteristics and demographic factors of traditional Chinese medicine constitution types among elderly individuals in China:A national multistage cluster random study Author links open overlay panel

Objective:To reveal the distribution characteristics and demographic factors of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution among elderly individuals in China.Methods: Elderly individuals from seven regions in China were selected as samples in this study using a multistage cluster random sampling method.The basic information questionnaire and Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(Elderly Edition)were used.Descriptive statistical analysis,chi-squared tests,and binary logistic regression analysis were used.Results: The single balanced constitution(BC)accounted for 23.9%.The results of the major TCM constitution types showed that BC(43.2%)accounted for the largest proportion and unbalanced constitutions ranged from 0.9%to 15.7%.East China region(odds ratio[OR]=2.097;95%confidence interval[CI],1.912 to 2.301),married status(OR=1.341;95%CI,1.235 to 1.457),and managers(OR=1.254;95%CI,1.044 to 1.505)were significantly associated with BC.Age>70 years was associated with qi-deficiency constitution and blood stasis constitution(BSC).Female sex was significantly associated with yang-deficiency constitution(OR=1.646;95%CI,1.52 to 1.782).Southwest region was significantly associated with phlegm-dampness constitution(OR=1.809;95%CI,1.569 to 2.086).North China region was significantly associated with inherited special constitution(OR=2.521;95%CI,1.569 to 4.05).South China region(OR=2.741;95%CI,1.997 to 1.3.763),Central China region(OR=8.889;95%CI,6.676 to 11.835),senior middle school education(OR=2.442;95%CI,1.932 to 3.088),and managers(OR=1.804;95%CI,1.21 to 2.69)were significantly associated with BSC.Conclusions: This study defined the distribution characteristics and demographic factors of TCM constitution in the elderly population.Adjusting and improving unbalanced constitutions,which are correlated with diseases,can help promote healthy aging through the scientific management of these demographic factors.

The Connotations of the Constitutional Clause on Human Rights Protection From the Perspective of Foreign-related Rule of Law

The inclusion of the human rights clause in the Chi-nese Constitution is the core normative manifestation of the constitu-tionalization of human rights,and points to the relationship between international law and the Constitution in the sense of positive law.The inclusion of the human rights clauses in the Chinese Constitution itself is an inherent part of the development of China’s socialist constitution,and socialism has already contributed valuable concepts and practices of human rights protection to the modern world in its early stage.The constitutionalization of human rights protection does not necessarily lead to the superiority of international law over the constitutional order of a country,but rather to the convergence of international law and domestic law through the constitutional order.The relevant rules of international law will be effective only when they are transformed into domestic law through the Constitution and the human rights clause in the Constitution.Correspondingly,the domestic legal order is brought into line with the international legal order through the Con-stitution and its human rights clause.Behind the system of fundamen-tal rights in the constitutional order is the value foundation of the en-tire legal system.The advancement of foreign-related rule of law has brought new opportunities for China’s judicial practice to further pro-mote the protection of human rights.In the future,we should further integrate the human rights values embedded in socialism into China’s constitutional practice,enhance human rights protection around the country,and take a more active part in global human rights gover-nance.

Constitution identification model in traditional Chinese medicine based on multiple features

Objective To construct a precise model for identifying traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitutions;thereby offering optimized guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment plan-ning;and ultimately enhancing medical efficiency and treatment outcomes.Methods First;TCM full-body inspection data acquisition equipment was employed to col-lect full-body standing images of healthy people;from which the constitutions were labelled and defined in accordance with the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(CCMQ);and a dataset encompassing labelled constitutions was constructed.Second;heat-suppres-sion valve(HSV)color space and improved local binary patterns(LBP)algorithm were lever-aged for the extraction of features such as facial complexion and body shape.In addition;a dual-branch deep network was employed to collect deep features from the full-body standing images.Last;the random forest(RF)algorithm was utilized to learn the extracted multifea-tures;which were subsequently employed to establish a TCM constitution identification mod-el.Accuracy;precision;and F1 score were the three measures selected to assess the perfor-mance of the model.Results It was found that the accuracy;precision;and F1 score of the proposed model based on multifeatures for identifying TCM constitutions were 0.842;0.868;and 0.790;respectively.In comparison with the identification models that encompass a single feature;either a single facial complexion feature;a body shape feature;or deep features;the accuracy of the model that incorporating all the aforementioned features was elevated by 0.105;0.105;and 0.079;the precision increased by 0.164;0.164;and 0.211;and the F1 score rose by 0.071;0.071;and 0.084;respectively.Conclusion The research findings affirmed the viability of the proposed model;which incor-porated multifeatures;including the facial complexion feature;the body shape feature;and the deep feature.In addition;by employing the proposed model;the objectification and intel-ligence of identifying constitutions in TCM practices could be optimized.

Twenty Years of the Implementation of the Human Rights Clause in the Constitution:Achievements,Implications,and Research Topics

On March 14,2004,the Second Session of the 10th National People’s Congress of China adopted the fourth amendment to the Chinese Constitution,the most noticeable highlight of which is the addition of the paragraph“the state respects and protects human rights”as the third clause in Article 33 of Chapter II“Basic Rights and Obligations of Citizens”in the Constitution.The inclusion of the clause of human rights in the Constitution is considered an important milestone in the history of human rights development in the People’s Republic of China.The implementation of the human rights clause not only showcases the values of the Party and the state in respecting and protecting human rights,but also promotes the development of human rights,shapes the culture of human rights,and endows the rule of law with a rich humanistic spirit.Over the past 20 years,the publicity,research and practice of the human rights clause have made the Chi-nese people realize that human rights are not only a“great term”,but also a common value shared by mankind.Amid the once-in-a-century changes of the world,although the development of human rights is facing various challenges,the humanistic spirit contained in the hu-man rights clause has become the internal driving force for building consensus in the whole of society.Reinterpreting the significance and value of the human rights clause can help us conscientiously draw on the experience in the implementation of the clause over the past 20 years and contribute Chinese wisdom and experience to global human rights governance with a more open mind and inclusive attitude.

Consistency between traditional Chinese medicine constitution-based classification and genetic classification

Background:We studied the consistency between two classification systems for categorizing patients:traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution-based methods,versus genetic clustering.Genetic classification in constitutional identification was also evaluated.Methods:A TCM physician evaluated the constitution of each patient,according to four examinations(inspection,auscultation-olfaction,interrogation,and palpation).Those who met the criteria for Yang-deficient,Yin-deficient,and balanced constitutions were enrolled in the study.Peripheral blood samples were obtained from the participants,and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated from the samples within 2 hours.Total RNA extraction from the white blood cells was performed;and an Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus2.0 array was used to determine the peripheral blood gene expression profiles.The samples were classified using a support vector machine genetic classifier,and the“leave-one-out”method was used for validation.Results:The global gene expression profiles of 32 samples were grouped into three categories,and the samples in each of the gene categories corresponded with the three constitution categories.The three constitution types were distinguished using the genetic classifier with 165 genes.The accuracy of the prediction classification was greater than 95%using mathematical method.Conclusions:Participants with Yin-deficient,Yang-deficient,and balanced constitutions have varying physical characteristics and gene expression patterns.Additionally,the results from TCM constitution classification matched those obtained by genetic classification.Finally,our preliminary gene classifier distinguishes among Yin-deficient,Yang-deficient,and balanced constitutions,and provides a methodological basis for identifying the different constitutions.

Fecal-associated microbiome differences between traditional Chinese medicine qi-deficiency and balanced constitutions

Objective:To explore the structural and functional characteristics of the fecal-associated microbiome(FAM)in a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)qi-deficiency constitution(QDC)by comparing with balanced constitution(BC)and screen the related biomarkers.Methods:In this cross-sectional study,the TCM constitutions of subjects were determined based on published the Classification and Determination of constitution in TCM and further confirmed by a TCM clinician.Clinical characteristics were recorded,and fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing using the Illumina Miseq platform.The FAM structure was described using alpha-diversity indexes,beta-diversity indexes,and the relative abundances of the dominant taxa.Differences in the FAM distribution and function were analyzed with a Wilcoxon rank-sum test,MetagenomeSeq,and LEfSe analysis,after which a receiver operating characteristic curve based on the specific operational taxonomic units(OTUs)was constructed to calculate the area under the curve.Results:Our study population was composed of 22 BCs and 9 QDCs.There were no significant differences between the two groups in the distribution of clinical characteristics or alpha-diversity indexes,except for the sweets preference and blood glucose level.In principal coordinate analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis,the bacterial communities in the BC group samples and QDC group samples clustered separately.Notably,there were 214 OTUs significantly distributed between groups in the MetagenomeSeq analysis,200 OTUs identified by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test,and 6 OTUs found by the LEfSe analysis.Predicted function analysis revealed that six metabolic pathways were distinctly distributed between the two groups.The area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve based on the four specific OTUs was 0.88.Conclusion:Unique FAM structural and related functional characteristics are displayed in individuals with a QDC,and four specific OTUs could be used as QDC biomarkers to assist in clinical diagnosis.

Research Status of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution Theory in Insomnia

With the development of modern bio-psycho-social medical model and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution theory,we gradually realize that the exploration of the constitution characteristics of insomnia is of great significance for the reveal of the origin of insomnia and the innovation of its treatment and nursing methods.This paper focused on the analysis of the investigation of TCM constitution classification of insomnia and the application of TCM constitution theory in the treatmentand nursing of insomnia.Moreover,the research prospect of insomnia in TCM constitution was discussed.The purpose is to provide theoretical basis for the treatment and nursing of patients with insomnia based on analysis of constitution differentiationin the future,and to better serve the clinic.

Fecal-associated microbiome differences between phlegm-dampness constitution and balanced constitution

Objective: This study aimed to explore the structural and functional characteristics of the fecalassociated microbiome(FAM) between the phlegm-dampness constitution(PDC) and balanced constitution(BC), and to screen the related specific operational taxonomic unit(OTU) biomarkers.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. After strictly identifying the constitution of subjects, their clinical index was recorded and counted. Fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing. Alpha diversity, beta diversity, and the relative abundance of dominant bacterial taxa were used to describe the FAM structure, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Metagenome Seq, and linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEf Se) were used to screen specific bacterial taxa. Specific OTUs were screened to construct receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves.Results: Thirty-two subjects were enrolled, including 22 subjects with BC and 10 subjects with PDC.There were significant differences in cold preference, levels of aspartate transaminase, β2-microglobulin,and creatine kinase MB, and alpha diversity indices(Shannon and Shannoneven) between the two groups. In principal coordinate analysis by abund-jaccard distance measure and partial least squares discriminant analysis, bacterial communities clustered separately between the two groups. Furthermore,based on Metagenome Seq, LEf Se, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, a total of 43, 18, and 130 OTUs were differentially distributed between BC group and PDC group, respectively, and OTU200, OTU133, and OTU353 were screened when P≤.01. The area under the ROC curve constructed from the 3 selected OTUs was 0.93.Conclusion: The FAM structure and related functional characteristics of the PDC group differed from those of the BC group. In particular, OTU200, OTU133, and OTU353 can be used as unique markers of PDC to assist clinical diagnosis.

Discrimination of TCM constitutions by biochemical and routine urine indexes

Objective:To investigate whether the specific traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution of individuals can be defined by certain biological indexes instead of answering the questionnaire,and to explore the possibility of discriminating nine TCM constitutions from each other simultaneously using biological indexes.Methods:Blood and urine samples from 152 individuals with nine TCM constitutions were collected,and the related biological indexes were analyzed combining ANOVA,multiple comparison,discriminant analysis,and support vector machine.Results:We found that 4 out of 24 blood routine indexes,7 out of 10 urine routine indexes,and 12 out of 32 biochemical indexes showed differences among the constitutions.High-sensitivity C-reactive protein,apolipoprotein A1,and alkaline phosphatase were potential candidates for screening out individuals with unbalanced constitutions.Combining uric acid,high-density lipoprotein,apolipoprotein A1,creatine kinase,total protein,aspartate aminotransferase,total bile acid,dehydrogenase,sodium,and calcium levels had the potential to directly distinguish the nine TCM constitutions from each other.Among these indexes,the highest ratio of discriminant analysis between two constitutions was 95.5%,while the lowest was 66.1%.Conclusion:Our results suggest that some biochemical and urine indexes are related to various TCM constitutions,and thus they have the potential to be used for TCM constitution classification.

Structure and function of the fecal-associated microbiome in qi stagnation constitution

Objective:To clarify the structural and functional characteristics of the gut microbiota in individuals with qi stagnation constitution(QSC)and identify the potential biomarkers related to QSC.Methods:This cross-sectional study involved individuals with QSC and balanced constitution(BC)confirmed by TCM clinicians.The clinical features were recorded,and fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing.The structure of the fecal-associated microbiome(FAM)was described by the alpha-diversity indexes,beta-distances,and relative abundances of dominant taxa.The differences in FAM distribution were analyzed by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test,MetagenomeSeq,and LEfSe analysis.The 16S rDNA gene sequences were assigned to the KEGG dataset to predict the functional information of bacterial metabolic pathways by using PICRUSt.Differences in functional pathways between groups were assessed with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.The ROC curve based on specific operational taxonomic units(OTUs)was constructed,and the AUC was calculated.Results:Twenty-two individuals with BC and 8 with QSC were recruited.Significant differences between the two groups were found in body mass index,health status,and low-density lipoprotein,etc.There was no significant difference in the alpha-diversity index.PCoA showed no evident clustering of bacterial communities according to constitutions.Bacteroidaceae,Lachnospiraceae,Ruminococcaceae,and Prevotellaceae were the four common bacteria with high abundances.Notably,MetagenomeSeq,LEfSe analysis,and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test identified significantly different distributions of 66,42,and 36 OTUs,respectively.Predictive function analysis showed that 13 metabolic pathways were significantly differentially distributed,including those related to fatty acid synthesis.Five specific OTUs were selected as potential biomarkers of a QSC,and the AUC was 0.94.Conclusion:Individuals with QSC have unique FAM structure and related functional characteristics.Five specific OTUs were identified to serve as potentially effective biomarkers related to QSC.

On the Right to the Protection of Personal Data as a Constitutional Right

The right to the protection of personal data is an important human right in the era of big data and a constitutional right based on the national protection obligation and the theory of human dignity,making it of special significance for the realization of citizenship in a digital society.It can be seen from an examination of the constitutional texts of various countries in the world that the right to the protection of personal data as a constitutional right has rich normative connotations,and the key legal link to realize this right lies in the national legislature actively fulfilling its obligation to shape and specify the protection of personal data in accordance with the entrustment of the constitutional norms.Given the constitutional principles of fundamental rights protection,i.e.,realizing the constitutional status of the right to the protection of personal data as a basic right by means of institutional guarantees,the legislature should first adhere to the constitutionality principle of data protection legislation.Second,a multi-level data protection legal system centered on the right to the protection of personal data should be established.Finally,the institutional guarantee mechanism for the protection of personal data should be continuously improved through constitutional interpretation.

从设议院到立宪法——晚清“Constitution”汉译与立宪思潮形成考论

在中国,英文"Constitution"一词早期曾被译为"国例"、"例制"、"国法"、"章程"、"国律"等中文词。中国近代立宪意义上的"宪法"一词,最早见于王韬和郑观应的著作,但他们只是一提而过,并未作深入的阐述。维新期间的康有为、梁启超也多次提到"宪法"一词,但他们只是把宪法当作一般的律法看待,并无立宪涵义的认知,更谈不上提出了立宪的主张。学界长期使用的史料、康有为《请定立宪开国会折》中"立宪法"、"三权鼎立"的内容是后来改窜添加的。戊戌时期康、梁的政治主张主要集中在兴民权、设议院上,并非如学界长期认为的那样,已经成为了立宪主义者。康、梁真正成为立宪主义者,要在逃亡日本、大量阅读日译或日著的宪法著作之后。在日本,"Constitution"早期也被译为"国宪"、"政体"等词。日本近代立宪主义上的"宪法"一词,最早出现在明治初年对西方宪法的翻译中,后经立宪进程的推展而成为公定用语。中国近代对宪法概念首次展开深入分析的,是流亡日本后的梁启超于1899年撰写的《各国宪法异同论》一文。英文"Constitution"和具有立宪主义涵义之"宪法"概念,正是经"同文同种"之日本学者的翻译、梁启超以及留日学生的转述而在中国真正广泛传播开来。随着日俄战争中日本取胜,"立宪救国论"随之而起,中国立宪的进程才真正得以开启。

宪法上的Civil Rights是公民权利吗?——解读constitutional civil right

作为西方法律文化的产物 ,constitutionalcivilrights有其独特的自然法背景。本文通过对西方法律思想史、宪法史和美国最高法院司法实务见解的梳理与综合分析 ,认为将constitutionalcivilrights译为“公民权利”属于误读 ,它混淆了依据人的属性和依据公民资格而获得的权利之间的道德区别。应将其译为“私人权利” ,明确这一权利体系的前国家与超国家特征 ,使其区别于实证法律传统之下个人依赖作为政治社会成员资格所享有的公民权利 ,并区分宪法权利与民事权利之间的差异。在法官的解释下 ,constitutionalcivilrights还呈现出开放特性 ,是一个能够感应时代变化的、发展的权利体系。

Holistic medicine: A new medical system based on body constitution and functional status

At present,modern medicine is a scientific system in the following sense:it uses observation of static states and analysis of single factors to determine the relationship between structure and function in the human body in states of health and disease.Physiology and pathology are based on observation from multiple perspectives and at multiple levels.The study of human body constitution and overall functional status is relatively unexplored territory in the field of modern medicine.This article discusses the possible confluences between traditional Chinese medicine (Chinese medicine) and the methods and concepts of complexity science.It also reveals that Chinese medicine,unlike biomedicine (Western medicine),uses a method of modeling to study the human body,and law and control methods from the perspective of functional state and viewpoint.To derive from there,in time of complexity science concept becoming the mainstream scientific idea of today,by adopting its methodsand techniques,and introduce Chinese medicine theoretical model,methods and experience,to develop a holistic medicine that can reveal human body constitution and functional state.It will be the main direction for the development of the 21st century modern medicine.

Discussion on the Relation between Garden Landscape Constitution and Ancient Chinese Poetry and Paintings

From the perspective of culture-based source,the author considered that the ancient Chinese poetry and paintings not only embodied the harmony and unity thought of man and nature,but also were the emotional attachment of Chinese literati.As a diverse and comprehensive aesthetic art,landscape expressed material and spiritual culture doubly,the spiritual connotation of which was inextricably linked within ancient Chinese poetry and paintings.In addition,ancient Chinese poetry and paintings can be directly used in landscape composition,such as the widely used in plaques,inscriptions,couplets,poems and inscriptions,carved beams and painted pillars,painting with words and so on.Chinese literati integrated the ethereal realm of poetry and paintings into garden art,making landscape endow with poetic charm.Therefore,the landscape revealed the traces of literature and arts in aesthetic idea and taste,pushing Chinese garden to a higher aesthetic realm.This study pointed the right way to the future of modern landscape which advocated ecological and harmonious development.

思想史视域下的宪政主义——兼议“constitutionalism”的译法

"宪政"是否有一种"主义",目前在国内尚存争议,但从思想史或概念史的角度去审视"宪政"的英文对应词"constitutionalism",在"制度"和"思想史"两种维度上将"constitutionalism"分别译为"宪政"和"宪政主义"既科学合理,也符合学界的一贯用法。并且,理解作为一种思想观念的宪政主义也能辨识作为制度实践的"宪政"在我国政治或法律进程中的历史方位。

A brief history of human constitutionology

Human constitutionology studies human itself, which was proposed by Dr. Kuang. The study on human constitution in Chinese medicine has ever increased since the late 1970s. This review on the development of human constitutionology in Chinese Traditional Medicine （TCM） and western medicine is expected to give people with a different background to understand the establishment of this new subject, and its significance in promoting modernization of TCM and multi-disciplinary collaboration in human study and as an individualized model guiding the re-orientation of modern madicine.

Rationality of Reincorporating the Reserved Seat Provision in the Constitution of The People’s Republic of Bangladesh

The Constitution (17th Amendment) Act 2018, passed on this 8th July 2018, provides for the tenure of the reserved seats for women in Parliament to be extended for a period of 25 years from the first day of the 11th parliament. In Bangladesh, there is a consensus in general that women’s political participation is necessary for both the democratic development of the country and women’s empowerment. Studies and research on the constitutionality of the Reserved Seat Provision for women in Parliament show that this Reserved Seat Provision does not actually help women impact in the political process in Parliament and/or in achieving the goals of women empowerment. Hence, this paper shall discuss how this Reserved Seat Provision is affecting the election system, leaving a scope for it to be less democratic, effective, and meaningful. This paper shall highlight that merely a sizable presence of women in Parliament for such a long period won’t aid in achieving the aims and objectives of women empowerment. This paper shall conclude with the recommendation that the Reserved Seat Provision may be integrated in the Constitution in a manner that provides for direct election of reserved seat nominations for women in Parliament and that too should not be in the Constitution for an indefinite period.

Characteristics of 240 randomized controlled trials for adjusting constitution in preventive treatment of disease:A bibliometric analysis

Background:A growing number of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)have explored the significance of adjusting constitution for preventive treatment of disease in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).In this study,we sought to comprehensively analyze the characteristics of these RCTs.Methods:All RCTs related to constitutional adjustment and preventive treatment of disease were included in the study.Literature was screened searching seven databases,including Pubmed,Web of Science,Embase,SinoMed,CNKI,Chongqing VIP,and Wangfang Database,from inception to December 2018.Data pertaining to bibliometrics,participants,and interventions were extracted and analyzed.Results:Two hundred and forty papers were published between 2007 and 2018,involving 240 RCTs with 55977 total participants.Sample size in these RCTs ranged from 30 to 7800.Among them,59 RCTs addressed disease prevention prior to onset involving 11 healthy states of participants,mainly for general health or sub-health population(40.68%)using health care and non-drug therapy.In control the development of existing disease(n Z 174),59 diseases were involved.Based on the number of RCTs and sample sizes,diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus,primary hypertension,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,and hyperlipoproteinemia accounted for 51.15%of the total patients studied.Drug therapy as an intervention was frequently used.In preventing recurrence after recovery(n Z 7),over 4 kinds of health status in participants were involved.Drug therapy combined with health care was mostly used.Most RCTs reported positive outcomes,with only one reporting negative findings(1/240).Conclusion:The number of RCTs of constitutional adjustment on preventive treatment of disease has gradually increased since 2012.Participants and intervention measures from the above-mentioned types of RCTs exhibit their own characteristics.Future systematic reviews or meta-analyses on constitutional adjustment for preventive treatment of disease are warranted.

Constitutional/Conditional Acupuncture

A new style of acupuncture,named constitutional/conditional acupuncture(CCA),based on traditional Asian medical practices,was revealed in Kunming in 2017.This method is primarily based on pulse diagnosis,as developed in China,Korea,and India.The basic methods of CCA are briefly described,and a few case results from the 3‑day Kunming workshop are presented to reveal the efficacy of CCA.