Long-Term Chinese Herbs Decoction Administration for Management of Hot Flashes Associated with Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients

Objective：To evaluate the effect of Chinese herbs decoction Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue on endocrine therapy-associated hot flashes symptom in breast cancer patients.Methods：Sixty-six patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy were categorized to two groups,the control group received endocrine therapy alone,the other group is administered with Chinese herbs decoction Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue besides the endocrine therapy：Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction was administered above 6 months per year for more than 2 years.Frequency of hot flashes per day was recorded,and the effect of Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction on hot flashes symptom being assessed with Kupperman Scoring Index.Results：Sixty cases were analyzed,32 cases in endocrine therapy combining Chinese herbs decoction group,28 cases in mere endocrine therapy group.For hot flashes symptom,in Chinese herbs decoction administration group,7 cases（21.9%） reported symptom disappeared,22 cases（68.7%） reported symptom alleviated,3 cases（9.4%） reported symptom not changed;in endocrine therapy alone group,5 cases（17.9%） reported symptom disappeared,13 cases（46.4%） reported symptom alleviated,10 cases（10/28,35.7%） reported symptom not changed.The difference between two groups was statistically significant（P=0.013）.For sleeping disorder,in Chinese herbs decoction administration group,27 cases（84.4%） reported symptom improved,5 cases（15.6%） reported no change;in endocrine therapy alone group,16 cases（57.1%） symptom improved,12 cases（42.9%） reported no change in sleeping disorder（P=0.019）,the difference was also of significance statistically.Conclusion：Long-term Chinese herbs decoction administration remarkably improved hot flashes symptom and sleeping disorder associated with endocrine therapy,meanwhile without definite toxicity and influence on the risk of recurrence of tumor.

The Characteristics of Ground Flashes in Beijing and Lanzhou Regions

Over twenty thousand lightning location data obtained by using Lightning Location System(LLS) from Lanzhou and Beijing regions have been analysed to ascertain the characteristics of ground flashes in both regions. The strength of positive flashes is 5 times higher in Lanzhou than in Beijing. The strength of positive flashes is 3 times and 2.2 times as large as negative flashes in Beijing and in Lanzhou respectively. It has been found that the strength of positive and negative flashes is submitted to the normal distribution, and is independent of the characteristics of thunderstorm. So the lightning strength obtained by DF may be used to forecast the coming of thunderstorm. Although the stroke number in both regions decreases as exponent regulation, the maximum number of return stroke for one lightning in Beijing is more than that in Lanzhou. The peak flash rate occurs in late afternoon for both regions, but the maximum and minimum flash rate appeared an hour earlier in Beijing than in Lanzhou.The relationship between DF display and lightning radiation electric field, discharge current is obtained.

Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine inImproving Hot Flashes Symptom ofBreast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in women. Around 50% of BC receptor-positive patients are hormone-dependent cases, and it is necessary for them to use endocrine after operation. Through inhibition of estrogen level

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: To test the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in reducing hot flashes in men with advanced prostate cancer (CaP) undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. METHODS: A single-arm, pilot study was undertaken to evaluate acupuncture treatment for hot flashes experienced by CaP patients undergoing hormonal therapy. Sixteen advanced CaP patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) received standardized full body and auricular acupunc-ture 1x/week for 14 weeks. Patients were evaluated at 0, 7, 14, and an additional 14-wk follow-up (F/U) (28-wks). Safety was measured by monitoring for adverse events over the treatment period. Serum testosterone was measured at 0 and 14-wks. Quality of life (QOL) was measured by the hormone domain of the Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC), at the 0, 7, 14, and 28-wks and patient reported hot flash frequency was assessed weekly. Safety endpoints were serum testosterone and analysis of adverse events. Efficacy endpoints were scores on the EPIC and the number of pa-tient reported hot flashes. RESULTS: 17 patients were enrolled and 15 completed the trial. Of 15 evaluable patients the median age was 68 ± 8.19. Serum analysis demonstrated no change in testosterone at baseline 9.5 ng/ml ± 8.9 vs. end-point 14 ± 8.78 (p = 0.101). No adverse events were reported. Data analysis of the EPIC demonstrated a trend toward improvement after 7 wks and a significant improvement following 14 wks of acupuncture (p = 0.01). Analysis of patient reported frequency showed a significant reduction in the number of hot flashes at 7-wk (6, p = 0.04), 14-wk (2.6, p = 0.001), and 28-wk F/U (3.2, p = 0.01) as compared to baseline 9.57 ± 3.98. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of acupuncture in men with advanced CaP appears to significantly decrease the frequency of hot flashes. No serious ad-verse events were noted and serum testosterone levels were unchanged from baseline suggesting that the mechanism of action of acupuncture for hot flash amelioration is not via increase in testosterone.

Flashes formation and evaluation during linear friction welding of TC4 alloy

By the 3D coupled thermo-mechanical finite element model of linear friction welding of TC4 titanium alloy, the relation between the temperature and the flashes is researched. The numerical simulation results show that the flashes with the wrinkles appear only when the temperature of material in the friction surface is high enough. The flashes, which are made up of material with high temperature, are squeezed out of the component. The appearance of flashes makes the temperature of material in the friction susface slowly increase or even decrease. Compared with the oscillation frequency and the oscillation amplitude, the friction pressure＇ s increase can mare easily attain the flashes with the bigger dimensionz.

Effect of temperature field on flashes formation of continuous drive friction welding

On basis of the finite element software DEFORM, the 2D coupled thermo-mechanical model of continuous drive friction welding of ring parts is established. The temperature and the flashes during the welding process are investigated. The results of numerical simulation show that the temperature of friction surface is higher than that of other region and the peak temperature increases with the increase of welding time. During the process of friction stage, no flash appears because of the low temperature and the small axial friction pressure. At the forging stage, the flashes appear, whose dimensions and bending degree increase with the increase of welding temperature. Moreover, with the increase of rotational velocity and axial forging pressure, the dimensions and the bending degree of flashes of continuous drive friction welding increase.

Relief of hot flashes with escitalopram in non-depressed menopausal women in Japan: Results of a retrospective analysis

Purpose: Hormone therapy (estrogen with or without progestin) remains the gold standard treatment for hot flashes in menopausal women, but concerns for the risk of hormone therapy have resulted in its decline and a demand for nonhormonal treatments with demonstrated efficacy for hot flashes. Aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram on hot flashes in a healthy sample of non-depressant menopausal women in Japan. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 11 menopausal patients with hot flashes, who received escitalopram (10 mg daily) for 2 weeks between March and August 2012. Hot flashes severities and scores were recorded on a scale of 0 to 10 points, at beginning and end of 2 weeks treatment. Results: At 2 weeks of therapy, 9 of 11 patients reported significant decreases in hot flash frequency and severity, but the remission of the symptom was not observed in 2 patients. Speed of relief from hot flashes was rapid (within one week). Conclusions: Escitalopram 10 mg/day may be a prompt and effective option for treating hot flashes in menopausal women who do not want to use hormone replacement therapy.

An exploratory study on perceived relationship of alcohol, caffeine, and physical activity on hot flashes in menopausal women

This study examined the effects of caffeine, alcohol, and physical activity (PA) on the perceived frequency and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women. Female employees at a Mid-Western university were invited to participate in an on-line survey. The 26-itemized Wo- men’s Health Survey (WHS) included questions regarding demographics, menopausal stage, experience of hot flashes, consumption of caffeinated beverages and alcohol, and participation in PA. One-hundred and ninety-six women completed the study. Ordinary Least Squares regressions revealed PA, caffeine, and alcohol intake were significant in predicting the severity of hot flashes (R2 = 0.068, F(6,180) = 2.195, p = 0.046), though they did not predict frequency of hot flashes (R2 = 0.043, F(6,184) = 1.39, p = 0.221). Participation in aerobic PA increased frequency of hot flashes (p = 0.031);while higher intensity of aerobic PA had an inverse relationship on both frequency and severity of hot flashes (p = 0.011, p = 0.003, respectively). Spearman correlations demonstrated a positive relationship between caffeinated soda intake and frequency (r = 0.17, p = 0.06) and severity (r = 0.19, p = 0.04) of hot flashes. Beverage consumption and PA may predict severity of hot flashes in women. Less frequent, higher intensity aerobic PA may lead to fewer, less severe hot flashes.

Talking about Hot Flashes (潮热)

Women worldwide are dealing with hot flashes (潮热), a perimenopausal feature that is often tiring,embarrassing, and energeticallydraining. Conventionally, Chinese medicine defines hot flashes as Kidney-yin deficiency and its clinical manifestations include red face,sweating, hot sensations in the palms and soles, mouth and nose dryness, constipation, insomnia, lumbar soreness, knee weakness, redtongue, etc. To obtain a broader perspective and understand the dynamics of hot flashes, we examined the mechanisms behind hot flashesbased on both the knowledge from ancient Chinese medicinal texts, as well as novel research findings of Chinese and Western medicine.This perspective was the foundation for the acupuncture study of our traditional Chinese medicine conducted in 2018-2019 in Shanghai.This study, designed as a pragmatic randomized control trial with two parallel groups, focused on regulating and unblocking conceptionand governor vessels. The results confirmed that our acupuncture method could effectively reduce both the frequency and severity of hotflashes and improve life quality of middle-aged women.

Effect of daily supplementation of soy isoflavones on hot flashes and night sweats in African menopausal women

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmaceutical grade isoflavone supplement (Inoclim?) 40 mg per capsule of soy extract rich in daidzin and genistin) on the number of hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal African women. This open, prospective, multicenter study involved 140 menopausal women with climacteric symptoms (i.e., a minimum of five hot flashes and/or moderate to severe night sweats per day). These patients received a daily 40-mg supplement of soy isoflavone contained in an Inoclim? capsule (Laboratoire Innotech International, France). The dose was increased to two capsules per day when there were more than five hot flashes or when the women could not sleep because of night sweats. The patients were followed up over a 4-month period and data were analyzed using EPI-InfoTM version 3.5.1. The outcome measure was fewer hot flashes and night sweats. The mean daily number of episodes of hot flashes was 5.7 at baseline and 1.8 at week 16, corresponding to a decrease of 68.4% (n = 93 patients at baseline and n = 66 at 16 weeks). The mean number of daily episodes of night sweats was 3.7 at baseline and 0.8 at week 16, corresponding to a decrease of 78.4% (n = 127 patients in the first week and n = 73 at 16 weeks). Over 80% of patients took a single one 40 mg capsule per day. The percentage of patients who adhered to the prescription was more than 95% during the 4-month follow-up period. These results confirm the effectiveness of a pharmaceutical grade isoflavone supplement (40 mg, rich in genistin and daidzin) on vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women.

Characteristics of thunderstorms and lightning flashes in the Chinese inland plateau

The electrical characteristics of thunderstorms in three different altitude regions of the Chinese inland plateau have been analyzed in this paper. The results show, according to the polarity of the surface electric （E） field, that the thunderstorms can be divided into two categories in the study regions： one showing the normal tripole electrical charge structure （normal-type）, and the other showing the special tripole charge structure with a larger-than-usual lower positive charge center （LPCC） at the base of thunderstorm （special-type）, where the induced surface E field is controlled by the LPCC when a thunderstorm is overhead. We find that the two types of thunderstorms have different occurrences in different regions, and the percentage of special-type thunderstorms increases with the altitude. On the whole, the flash rate of thunderstorms is quite low, and the mean value is about 1-3 fl/min, while the flash rate of special-type is slightly greater than that of the normal-type thunderstorm. The statistical results of cloud-to-ground flash （CG） numbers indicate that the ratio of ＋CG flash increases with the altitude, with the value about 14.7 percent through 25.4 percent.

Recent observations and research progresses of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes during thunderstorms

Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes(TGFs)are high-energy emissions in thunderstorms that were discovered first by satellite-based and then by ground-based gamma-ray detectors with photon energy up to tens of Me V.TGFs are a natural highenergy phenomenon associated with lightning discharges that frequently occur during thunderstorms.However,their production mechanisms and associated processes are still unclear.TGF studies have already been a research spotlight in the atmospheric electricity and high-energy atmosphere research areas.In this paper,we review recent research progresses on TGF studies in the past decade,including TGF detection,the relationship between TGFs and lightning processes,and thunderstorm activities.Several unsolved important scientific questions are discussed.Results suggest that upward TGFs observed by satellite-based detectors are closely connected with the development of in-cloud upward negative leaders.They are usually generated in milliseconds of the initiation of upward negative leaders and may produce a kind of distinct radio emissions because of the generation and propagation of huge amounts of high-energy electrons.By contrast,its counterpart,i.e.,downward TGFs observed by ground-based gamma-ray detectors,is associated with different types of lightning processes,such as downward negative or upward positive leaders,the initial continuing current stage of rocket-triggered lightning flashes return stroke processes.Because of limited observations,how these downward TGFs are generated is still unclear.Benefiting from the development of state-of-the-art instruments with high temporal and spatial resolutions,new insights into the processes and mechanisms of TGFs will be achieved with coordinated observations from satellite-based and ground-based measurements.

Shining the shortest flashes of light on the secret life of electrons

Ever since the invention of laser pulses,^(1–5)one of the key directions for the development of laser technology has been the creation of ever shorter pulses of light.Over the past sixty years,improvements in technology have pushed pulse durations down from nanoseconds through picoseconds to femtoseconds,giving us access to time-resolved studies of molecular nuclear motion and chemical reactions.^(6)Just in time for the 59th birthday of the standard(SI)prefixes“femto”and“atto,”^(7)the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to the latest landmark in this effort:the generation of attosecond pulses of light,^(8–10)which opens a window to the most fundamental timescale of the world around us–the timescale of electrons moving inside atoms,molecules,and condensed matter.

Efficacy evaluation of standardized Rheum rhaponticum root extract(ERr 731®)on symptoms of menopause:A systematic review and meta-analysis study

Menopause is characterized by various physical,mental and emotional symptoms.ERr 731®is a standardized extract from Rheum rhaponticum root and has been clinically studied for its role in reducing menopausal symptoms.The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ERr 731®supplementation in alleviating the severity of menopausal symptoms.In this review,we searched across three online databases up to March 2023,evaluated the quality of the included studies by the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale,and assessed the risk of bias by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.We then performed a metaanalysis using RevMan software to estimate the pooled mean difference(MD).The study protocol was registered in the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews(CRD42023416808).After screening and evaluation,we included four high-quality studies(a total of 390 participants;the ERr 731®group:193 participants;the control group:197 participants)in the meta-analysis.The results showed that ERr 731®supplementation significantly reduced the Menopause Rating Scale score(MD:–15.12;P<0.001),compared with control therapy.Sensitivity analysis revealed no effect of individual studies on the overall pooled estimate or overall observed heterogeneity.The current review provides evidence that ERr 731®supplementation is effective in reducing menopause symptoms.Potential bias and high heterogeneity in the results warrant further clinical studies.

Flash阵列无效块管理

Flash阵列在当今数据存储领域占据着重要地位,提高Flash阵列可靠性的关键在于提出合理的坏块管理方法。针对固有坏块,提出基于整合块的坏块管理方法和基于EEPROM查找表的坏块管理方法。对于在使用过程中出现的突发坏块,提出基于页跳过和页替换的突发坏块管理方法。经过实验分析表明坏块管理方法提高了NAND Flash数据存储的可靠性,在保证存储速度的情况下对NAND Flash存储空间得到最大化利用。

信息科技新课程实施中的思辨、发展与迭代

他们经历过从计算机、信息技术到信息科技课程不断发展的所有历程,从“指导纲要”的信息素养跋涉到“课程课标”的数字素养,战斗于课程实施的前沿阵地,艰难中见证了辉煌。他们现学现卖DOS、Windows、Foxbase、MS-Office、WPS、Flash、PS等无数软件,努力设计出一个个作品去解决一个个难题,在错误中摸索正确答案,用本职与兼职包打天下。他们学习BASIC、Pascal、C++、VB、Python等各种编程语言,探索排序、迭代、递归、搜索、回溯、贪心、图与树、动态规划、决策树等眼花缭乱的算法,用专注的目光注视着屏幕上的代码。

质子治疗对细胞自由基产额影响的蒙特卡罗模拟计算

随着质子FLASH治疗等新兴放疗技术的发展,细胞受辐照后生物学效应的不确定性成为急需解决的难题。由于缺乏对物理-化学阶段机理的完整理解,目前的模拟工作仍然以调整化学参数使自由基产额与实验数据相匹配为主。作为一个不断发展的蒙特卡罗软件,Geant4能够在纳米尺度上模拟入射粒子在短时间内通过物理和化学相互作用引起水分子辐解的过程。基于Geant4软件构建了一个简易的细胞模型,模拟了细胞靶体内自由基产额受辐射粒子影响的情况,并对靶内自由基产额的变化趋势进行了详细计算。研究表明,随着LET的逐渐增大,自由基OH^(·)的数目占比从25%下降到10%左右。当考虑质子FLASH透射治疗时,使用25%的自由基OH^(·)数目占比作为化学损伤参数去评估细胞DNA损伤将会更为合理。同时,两种活性氧自由基O_(2)^(·)和O_(2)^(-)在超高剂量率下的产额G(t)随模拟时间的发展都出现了不同程度的升高。研究结果阐明了不同治疗深度下细胞靶体内自由基产额随时间和粒子能量的变化情况,揭示了模拟工作中质子FLASH治疗在布拉格峰区和坪区应该采用不同的化学损伤参数。

Flash片内数据的高速回读系统设计

针对导弹飞行后数据记录装置的部分接口受损而无法顺利回读飞行数据的问题,研发了可以高速回读存储芯片片内数据的Flash读写设备,在FPGA内置的LVDS收发器基础上利用Aurora协议设计了每通道速率可达1.5625 Gb/s的高速并行收发链路,以及在串/并转换的基础上设计了传输速度较慢的备用串行读数链路。系统实现了高速读数接口和备用读数接口皆可顺利将Flash芯片片内的数据无丢帧地回读传输至测试台进行评估、分析、利用,具有硬件设计简单、回读数据方便快捷的特点。

Global Change in Agricultural Flash Drought over the 21st Century

Agricultural flash droughts are high-impact phenomena, characterized by rapid soil moisture dry down. The ensuing dry conditions can persist for weeks to months, with detrimental effects on natural ecosystems and crop cultivation. Increases in the frequency of these rare events in a future warmer climate would have significant societal impact. This study uses an ensemble of 10 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project(CMIP) models to investigate the projected change in agricultural flash drought during the 21st century. Comparison across geographical regions and climatic zones indicates that individual events are preceded by anomalously low relative humidity and precipitation, with long-term trends governed by changes in temperature, relative humidity, and soil moisture. As a result of these processes, the frequency of both upperlevel and root-zone flash drought is projected to more than double in the mid-and high latitudes over the 21st century, with hot spots developing in the temperate regions of Europe, and humid regions of South America, Europe, and southern Africa.

Measurement of algae PSII photosynthetic parameters using high-frequency excitation flashes

We establish a system to measure the functional absorption cross section of photosystem lI （PSII） （O-PSII） and maximum quantum yield of photochemistry in PSII （Fv/Fm）. The system utilizes a sequence of high-frequency excitation flashes at microsecond intervals to induce a microsecond-level fluorescence yield curve. Parameters o-Psii and Fv/Fm are calculated by fitting the curve using nonlinear regression. Experimental results show that the relative standard deviation （RSD） of the system is less than 3%, and the correlation coefficient of Fv/Fm values measured by this system and those measured by pulse amplitude modulation method is 0.950.