Effect of Diffuse Glioma with Precentral Gyrus Invasion on Interhemispheric Brain Activation： A Task-based FMRI Study / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectivesTo explore the effect of diffuse glioma with precentral-gyrus invasion on fMRI activation maps by grasping T-fMRI. MethodsA total of 56 diffuse glioma patients were divided into precentral-gyrus invasion （PGI： n=21） and precentral-gyrus non-invasion （PGNI： n=35） groups. Three statistical thresholds （P value： 10-4， P1； 10-6， P2； 10-8， P3） were set to obtain the activation maps accordingly （V1， V2 and V3）. The interhemispheric and bilateral precentral gyrus activation volumes ratios （IAVR and PAVR） were calculated， respectively. The activation volumes ［△V1=V1-V2； △V2=V2-V3； △Vn （ipsilateral）/△Vn’ （contralateral）， n=1， 2］ within two statistical thresholds and the corresponding interhemispheric ratio was further compared. In addition， the associations of tumor characteristics with IAVR and PAVR were analyzed. ResultsCompared with PGNI， PGI showed significantly decreased IAVR at p1， and the same trends of PAVR in PGI at P1 and P2 （P＜0.05）. However， neither IAVR nor PAVR showed significant differences at P3. PGI showed significantly lower ratios of △V1/△V1’ than PGNI （P=0.02）， except for △V2/△V2’. Additionally， within PGI， PAVR was negatively correlated with tumor volume （P=0.043）， and the distance from the tumor to the hand-knob was positively correlated with the IAVR and PAVR （P＜0.05）. ConclusionDiffuse glioma invading eloquent areas tended to affect interhemispheric asymmetry of activation at relatively lower statistical thresholds than diffuse glioma without invasion， rather than stricter statistical thresholds. Multiple ranges of statistical thresholds were recommended to analyze T-fMRI.

Trends in prevalence and disability-adjusted life years of cataract in China from 1990 to 2019 / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To assess the evolving burden of cataracts in China from 1990 to 2019.METHODS: Data on disease burden related to cataracts in China were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease(GBD)2019 study based on large public databases. Utilizing data from the GBD 2019 study, we extracted information on cataract-related disease burden in China from extensive public databases. Analysis of prevalence and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)associated with cataracts in China was conducted based on GBD 2019 findings. The variable characteristics of age-standardized prevalence rates(ASPR)and age-standardized DALYs rates(ASDR)in China and its neighboring countries were also explored.RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2019, the number of prevalent cases of blindness and vision loss caused by cataracts in China increased by 223.54%, and the corresponding DALYs raised by 142.14%. Over the past 30 years, females exhibited higher age-standardized prevalence and DALYs rates compared to males. Meanwhile, individuals aged 65 to 84 years were found to be more susceptible to cataracts than other age groups. Compared with neighboring countries, China ranked from the 9th position in 1990(867.09, 95%UI: 761.36 to 975.42, per 100 000 population)to the 11th in 2019(991.56, 95%UI: 861.52 to 1131.04, per 100 000 population)in ASPR, while from the 9th in 1990(65.85, 95%UI: 46.39 to 89.41, per 100 000 population)to the 10th position in 2019(59.16, 95%UI: 41.70 to 80.15, per 100 000 population)in ASDR. However, on a global scale, China maintained relatively low ASDR and ASPR for cataracts in 2019.CONCLUSION: The study highlights a substantial rise in the prevalence and DALYs associated with blindness and vision loss due to cataracts from 1990 to 2019 in China, and underscores the urgent need for increased early screening of cataracts, particularly among the elderly and females.

A TCA-based Ideological and Political Teaching Model for the Biochemistry Course: Its Construction and Application / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Driven by initiatives of constructing the Four New Disciplines (new engineering, new medical sciences, new agriculture and new liberal arts) for higher education, Biochemistry teaching with ideological and political concerns is critical to the education achievements. Over the past 6 years, FMMU has carried out trials and practices on TCA model in Biochemistry teaching which can serve as a shared formula. TCA is originally an abbreviation for “tricarboxylic acid” cycle, and herein it stands for thinking and teamwork (T), critique (C) and appreciation (A), which hopefully could provide students with moral norms for cognition, science and life. Accordingly, a strategy is proposed to help systematically implement this “TCA” model, which highlights the notion of “3-integration for teaching”, “3-thinking for learning” and 3-step for setting”. Such “TCA”-based ideological and political model is adaptable to various universities in designing advanced teaching activities. In the case of FMMU, we created a “TCA pigeon” ideological and political pattern, with “pigeon” signifying medicine, the Air Force and peace, showing the distinctive features of a military medical university. Meanwhile, we have designed three advanced teaching activities. Specifically, “the magic biochemical-circle”, a shared learning platform that develops thinking abilities with a focus on autonomous learning and personal demonstration; “inter-guidance by basic and clinical teachers”, a heuristic large class that elicits critical thinking on basis of feedback, discussion and iteration; a task-driven “virtual reality (VR) program” enables students to deal with complicated situation and to undertake troubleshooting. The above “TCA pigeon” pattern has shown a generally favorable result among students in developing their skills such as holistic thinking, deep learning, introspecting and self-improvement. Yet, a few problems still occurred in practice and remained to be resolved.

Mechanisms of Euphorbia fischeriana steud. alcohol extracts intreatment of HCC based on network pharmacology and experiment verification / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the molecular mechanisms of alcohol extracts of Euphorbia fischeriana steud. against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through a combination of network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation. Methods The active ingredients and targets of alcohol extracts of Euphorbia fischeriana steud. were determined through TCMSP, Swiss ADME, Swiss Target Prediction database and references. The databases DisGeNET and GeneCards were employed to screen potential HCC-related genes. Venny platform, STRING platform and Cytoscape software were applied to construct active ingredient-target-disease and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network maps. Gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID database. To assess the effects of Euphorbia fischeriana steud. alcohol extracts on BEL-7402 cells, the proliferation and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8, EdU and flow cytometry assays, and the related protein levels of JAK2/STAT3 pathway were analyzed by Western blot. Additionally, H22 hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model was used to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of Euphorbia fischeriana steud. alcohol extracts. Results A total of 916 HCC targeted genes, 30 active ingredients containing the related 567 potential targeted genes, and 115 intersection targets of disease and compounds were obtained. KEGG enrichment analysis identified JAK2/STAT3 signaling as a critical pathway. In vitro experiments showed the alcohol extracts of Euphorbia fischeriana steud. could inhibit proliferation, promote apoptosis and suppress JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner in BEL-7402 cells. In addition, the alcohol extracts of Euphorbia fischeriana steud., either alone or in combination with sorafenib, dramatically blocked tumor growth in in vivo tests. Conclusions Euphorbia fischeriana steud. alcohol extracts have anti-cancer effects in HCC, and the molecular mechanisms may be connected to the regulation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Impact of asthma action plan-based remote joint management model on asthma control in children / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To compare the effects of the China Children's Asthma Action Plan (CCAAP)-based remote joint management model with traditional management model on the control of childhood asthma. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the general data and asthma control assessment data of 219 children with asthma who attended the respiratory department of Guangzhou Women's and Children's Medical Center from April 2021 to October 2021 and were followed up for 1 year or more. According to the follow-up management model, the CCAAP-based remote joint management model was used in the observation group and the traditional management model was used in the control group, and the propensity score matching method was applied to match the data of children in the two management models for comparison. Paired-samples t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, McNemar χ2-test or χ2-test or nonparametric tests were used to compare the general data and asthma control assessment data between the two matched groups of children. Results: Among 219 children with asthma, 145 were male and 74 were female, aged at consultation (7.2±2.4) years. There were 147 cases in the observation group and 72 cases in the control group, and 27 cases in each of the observation and control groups were successfully matched. The number of asthma exacerbation aura, acute exacerbations, and emergency room visits or hospitalizations for asthma exacerbations were lower in the observation group than in the control group after pairing (1 (0, 2) vs. 3 (1, 5) times, 0 (0,0) vs. 0 (0, 1) times, 0 (0,0) vs. 1 (0, 1) times, Z=-3.42, -2.58, -3.17, all P<0.05). The use of peak flowmeters was higher in children aged 5 years and older in the observation group than in the control group after pairing (100% (22/22) vs. 13% (3/23), χ2=54.00,P<0.001). The ratio of actual to predicted 1st second expiratory volume of force after follow-up in the observation group after pairing was higher than that before follow-up in the observation group and after follow-up in the control group ((95±11)% vs. (85±10)%, (95±11)% vs. (88±11)%, t=-3.40, 2.25, all P<0.05). The rate of complete asthma control after follow-up was higher in both the observation and control groups after pairing than before follow-up for 12 months in both groups (93% (25/27) vs. 41% (11/27), 52% (14/27) vs. 41% (11/27), H=56.19, 45.37, both P<0.001), and the rate of complete control of asthma in children in the observation group was higher than that in the control group at 3 and 12 months of follow-up management (56% (15/27) vs. 25% (5/20), 93% (25/27) vs. 52% (14/27), χ2=47.00, 54.00, both P<0.001). The number of offline follow-up visits, inhaled hormone medication adherence scores, and caregiver's asthma perception questionnaire scores were higher in the observation group than in the control group after pairing (6 (4, 8) vs. 4 (2,5), (4.8±0.3) vs. (4.0±0.6) score, (19.3±2.6) vs. (15.2±2.7) score, Z=6.58, t=6.57, 5.61, all P<0.05), and the children in the observation group had lower school absences, caregiver absences, asthma attack visit costs, and caregiver PTSD scores than the control group (0 (0,0) vs.3 (0, 15) d, 0 (0,0) vs. 3 (0, 10) d, 1 100 (0, 3 700) vs. 5 000 (1 000, 10 000) yuan, 1.3 (1.1, 1.9) vs. 2.0 (1.2, 2.7) score, Z=-2.89, -2.30, 2.74, 2.73, all P<0.05). Conclusion: The CCAAP-based joint management model of asthma control is superior to the traditional management model in the following aspects: it can effectively improve asthma control, self-monitoring, and lung function in children; it can improve treatment adherence and caregivers' asthma awareness; and it can reduce the duration of absenteeism from school, the cost of asthma exacerbation visits, and caregiver's negative psychology.

Promoting whole person health: Exploring the role of traditional Chinese medicine in Polish healthcare / 中西医结合学报

Poland has a unique history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dating back to the 17th century when Polish missionary Michael (Michał) Boym was a pioneer in the field. In the 20th century, his successor, Professor Zbigniew Garnuszewski, reintroduced acupuncture to medical practice in Poland. However, other methods of TCM and its holistic approach to patient care have not found their place in modern medicine in Poland. At present, the legal status of TCM in Poland remains unregulated, with TCM included in the broad spectrum of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices. Few reports are available on the use of TCM methods among the Polish population. Integrative medicine combines conventional medicine with evidence-based CAM interventions and considers all aspects of a patient's health, including physical, emotional, mental, social, and environmental factors. An integrative healthcare model that incorporates TCM modalities and lifestyle recommendations as well as a whole person approach may provide a more sustainable solution for the constantly underfinanced Polish healthcare system, which faces challenges of multimorbidity in an aging society and limited access to care. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, war in Ukraine, and ongoing climate crisis have underscored the need to strengthen the resilience of the Polish healthcare system and search for new solutions. A model of care that blends the best of biomedicine and TCM healing approaches may be a better option for both patients and the healthcare system in Poland. Please cite this article as: Rybicka M, Zhao J, Piotrowicz K, Ptasnik S, Mitka K, Kocot-Kępska M, Hui KK. Promoting whole person health: Exploring the role of traditional Chinese medicine in Polish healthcare. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(6): 509-517.

Electroacupuncture alleviates postoperative pain through inhibiting neuroinflammation via stimulator of interferon genes/type-1 interferon pathway / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#This work explores the impact of electroacupuncture (EA) on acute postoperative pain (APP) and the role of stimulator of interferon genes/type-1 interferon (STING/IFN-1) signaling pathway modulation in the analgesic effect of EA in APP rats.@*METHODS@#The APP rat model was initiated through abdominal surgery and the animals received two 30 min sessions of EA at bilateral ST36 (Zusanli) and SP6 (Sanyinjiao) acupoints. Mechanical, thermal and cold sensitivity tests were performed to measure the pain threshold, and electroencephalograms were recorded in the primary somatosensory cortex to identify the effects of EA treatment on APP. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to examine the expression and distribution of proteins in the STING/IFN-1 pathway as well as neuroinflammation. A STING inhibitor (C-176) was administered intrathecally to verify its role in EA.@*RESULTS@#APP rats displayed mechanical and thermal hypersensitivities compared to the control group (P < 0.05). APP significantly reduced the amplitude of θ, α and γ oscillations compared to their baseline values (P < 0.05). Interestingly, expression levels of proteins in the STING/IFN-1 pathway were downregulated after inducing APP (P < 0.05). Further, APP increased pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase, and downregulated anti-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-10 and arginase-1 (P < 0.05). EA effectively attenuated APP-induced painful hypersensitivities (P < 0.05) and restored the θ, α and γ power in APP rats (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, EA distinctly activated the STING/IFN-1 pathway and mitigated the neuroinflammatory response (P < 0.05). Furthermore, STING/IFN-1 was predominantly expressed in isolectin-B4- or calcitonin-gene-related-peptide-labeled dorsal root ganglion neurons and superficial laminae of the spinal dorsal horn. Inhibition of the STING/IFN-1 pathway by intrathecal injection of C-176 weakened the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of EA on APP (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#EA can generate robust analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects on APP, and these effects may be linked to activating the STING/IFN-1 pathway, suggesting that STING/IFN-1 may be a target for relieving APP. Please cite this article as: Ding YY, Xu F, Wang YF, Han LL, Huang SQ, Zhao S, Ma LL, Zhang TH, Zhao WJ, Chen XD. Electroacupuncture alleviates postoperative pain through inhibiting neuroinflammation via stimulator of interferon genes/type-1 interferon pathway. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(5): 496-508.

Visual quality observation of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy and femtosecond small incision lenticule extraction for the correction of low myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To observe the changes in corneal aberrations and the characteristics of visual quality after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy(T-PRK)and femtosecond small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)in the correction of low myopia.METHODS: Prospective cohort study. A total of 32 cases(32 eyes)with low myopia who underwent T-PRK surgery and 45 cases(45 eyes)of SMILE surgery at Weifang Eye Hospital from April 2021 to April 2022 were selected. The uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), spherical equivalent(SE), corneal higher-order aberrations(HOAs)and objective visual quality were compared between the two groups.RESULTS:All patients completed the surgery successfully without complications such as infection. At 3mo postoperatively, the safety index was 1.13±0.16 and 1.16±0.17(P=0.48)and the efficacy index was 1.10±0.20 and 1.15±0.18(P=0.27)in the T-PRK and SMILE groups, respectively. The percentage of UCVA(LogMAR)≤0 in the T-PRK and SMILE groups was 94% and 98%, respectively. The percentage of the residual SE within ±0.5D was 88% and 87% in the two groups, respectively. The HOAs and spherical aberration in both groups were significantly increased(P≤0.01), and the increase was not statistically significant between the two groups(P=0.31, 0.89). There was no significant change in horizontal coma, horizontal trefoil and vertical trefoil in both groups(P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05). The vertical coma in SMILE group was significantly increased(P&#x0026;#x003C;0.001), while there was no significant change in T-PRK group(P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05), and the increase was significantly greater in SMILE group than in T-PRK group(P&#x0026;#x003C;0.001). There was no significant difference in objective scattering index(OSI), modulation transfer function cut off frequency(MTFcut off), Strehl ratio(SR), visual acuity(VA)100%, VA20% and VA9% between the two groups(P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05).CONCLUSION:Both T-PRK and SMILE showed good safety, efficacy, and visual quality in correcting low myopia, while SMILE induced more vertical coma than T-PRK.

Short-term visual quality observation of femtosecond laser small incision lenticule extraction and evolution implantable collamer lens implantation in the correction of moderate myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the short-term visual quality outcomes after femtosecond laser small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and evolution implantable collamer lens(EVO-ICL)implantation for the correction of moderate myopia.METHODS: Prospective control study. A total of 51 cases(51 eyes)with moderate myopia who underwent SMILE or EVO-ICL implantation surgery at Weifang Eye Hospital from April 2021 to February 2022 were selected. They were divided into SMILE group(30 patients, 30 eyes)and EVO-ICL group(21 patients, 21 eyes)according to the surgical methods. The changes of visual acuity [uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA)], diopter [spherical equivalent(SE)] and related parameters of optical quality analysis system(OQAS Ⅱ)were observed before surgery and at 1wk, 1 and 3mo after surgery, and the quality of vision(QoV)questionnaire was completed.RESULTS: At 3mo after surgery, the safety index(postoperative CDVA/preoperative CDVA)of SMILE gruop and EVO-ICL group were 1.20(1.00, 1.20)and 1.20(1.00, 1.38), respectively, the efficacy index(postoperative UDVA/preoperative CDVA)were 1.00(1.00, 1.20)and 1.00(1.00, 1.20), respectively, and the percentage of SE within ±0.50D was 87% and 100%, respectively. In SMILE group, the objective scattering index(OSI)was increased after surgery, while modulation transfer function cutoff frequency(MTF cutoff), contrast visual acuity(VA)100%, and VA20% at 1wk and 1mo after surgery, and Strehl ratio(SR)and VA9% at each time point after surgery were all decreased compared with those before surgery(all P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05). The OSI, MTF cutoff, SR and VA of EVO-ICL group showed no difference at each time point after surgery compared with those before surgery(all P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05). The most common visual symptoms after SMILE and EVO-ICL implantation were visual haze and halos, respectively.CONCLUSION: Both SMILE and EVO-ICL implantation have good safety, efficacy and predictability in the short term after the correction of moderate myopia. Both groups had visual symptoms after surgery, but the overall satisfaction of patients was high. Furthermore, EVO-ICL implantation has better objective visual quality performance.

Association of Toll-like receptor 7, CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms with severe asthma / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To explore the association of Toll-like receptor 7, CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and severe asthma. Methods From February 2018 to March 2020, 175 asthma patients admitted to the respiratory department of our hospital were selected as the research subjects (109 cases of mild disease and 66 cases of severe disease), and 248 cases of healthy people who were included in the outpatient physical examination of our hospital during the same period were selected as the normal control group. Toll-like receptor 7 and CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms in the above groups were determined, and the relationship between Toll-like receptor 7 and CTLA-4 polymorphisms and severe asthma was evaluated by calculating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval(CI). The relationship between the genotypes of Toll-like receptor 7 and CTLA-4 polymorphisms and severe asthma were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Results The proportion of TLR7 rs3853839 CC genotype, CTLA-4 rs231725 AA genotype, TLR7 rs3853839 C allele frequency and CTLA-4 rs231725 A allele frequency in severe asthma group and mild asthma group were higher than those in normal control group(P<0.05). The proportion of TLR7 rs3853839 CC genotype, the proportion of CTLA-4 rs231725 AA genotype, the frequency of TLR7 rs3853839 C allele, and the frequency of CTLA-4 rs231725 A allele in the severe asthma group were higher than those in the mild asthma group(P<0.05). TLR7 rs3853839 CC genotype (OR=10.32, 95%CI=5.59-23.89), CTLA-4 rs231725 AA genotype (OR=13.21, 95%CI=3.58-20.25), TLR7 rs3853839 C allele frequency (OR=11.32, 95% CI=4.25-21.14) and CTLA-4 rs231725 A allele frequency (OR=13.24, 95% CI=6.59-20.21) could increase the susceptibility to severe asthma(P<0.05). TLR7 rs3853839CC genotype, TLR7 rs3853839C allele frequency, CTLA-4 rs231725AA genotype and CTLA-4 rs231725A allele frequency were risk factors for severe asthma(P<0.05). Conclusion TLR7 rs3853839 CC genotype, TLR7 rs3853839 C allele frequency, CTLA-4 rs231725 AA genotype and CTLA-4 rs231725 A allele frequency are associated with the occurrence of severe asthma.

Effect of perioperative occupational therapy on patients after total knee arthroplasty / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo observe the early and mid-term clinical effect of occupational therapy on patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) during perioperative period. MethodsFrom July to August, 2018, 100 patients who underwent the first TKA in the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC were divided into control group (n = 50) and observation group (n = 50) according to the treatment plan. Both groups received routine preoperative rehabilitation education, surgical treatment and postoperative physical therapy, in addition, the observation group received perioperative occupational therapy. They were assessed with modified Barthel Index (MBI) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) before operation; one, two and three days after operation; on the day of discharge; one month, three months and six months after operation. ResultsOne day, two days, one month, three months and six months after operation, the scores of MBI were higher in the observation group than in the control group (t > 2.113, P < 0.05). One month, three months after operation, the scores of IADL were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (t > 5.125, P < 0.001). The postoperative hospitalization time was significantly shorter (t = -5.356, P < 0.001), and the total treatment cost was lower (t = -2.455, P < 0.05) in the observation group than in the control group. ConclusionOccupational therapy could effectively improve the early and mid-term activities of daily living of TKA patients and help them return to normal life earlier.

Reform and exploration of biopharmaceutics blended teaching in the context of "first-class undergraduate education" / 生物工程学报

In recent years, the biopharmaceutical industry has developed rapidly, creating urgent demand for high-quality, innovative, and application-oriented talents. In the context of "first-class undergraduate education", it is of great significance to reform and explore biopharmaceutics blended learning to foster professional talents who can adapt to the industrial development. The blended teaching of biopharmaceutics course in Hubei University was based on small private online course (SPOC) and ChaoXing platform, aiming to meet the first-class "AIC (advanced, innovation, challenge)". The course strengthened the three phases of teaching: before, during, and after class, and innovated teaching methods actively to achieve curriculum goals, and integrated typical cases organically. In addition, the course improved the discriminative power of assessment by strengthening the formative performance evaluation. Moreover, the course provided guidance for students to improve the learning efficiency through investigating the students' learning behavior and employing the marginal utility curve to analyze the characteristics of group activities. Furthermore, the course also offered students personalized learning guidance based on their career planning. The reform of biopharmaceutics blended teaching has achieved significant outcomes, such as improving students' satisfaction, students' innovation and entrepreneurship ability, and curriculum construction level, thus may serve as a reference for the teaching reform and research of the related courses.

Probing bundle-wise abnormalities in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus using fixel-based analysis: new insights into neurocognitive impairments / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Changes in white matter (WM) underlie the neurocognitive damages induced by a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This study aimed to examine using a bundle-associated fixel-based analysis (FBA) pipeline for investigating the microstructural and macrostructural alterations in the WM of the brain of HIV patients.@*METHODS@#This study collected 93 HIV infected patients and 45 age/education/handedness matched healthy controls (HCs) at the Beijing Youan Hospital between January 1, 2016 and December 30, 2016.All HIV patients underwent neurocognitive evaluation and laboratory testing followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. In order to detect the bundle-wise WM abnormalities accurately, a specific WM bundle template with 56 tracts of interest was firstly generated by an automated fiber clustering method using a subset of subjects. Fixel-based analysis was used to investigate bundle-wise differences between HIV patients and HCs in three perspectives: fiber density (FD), fiber cross-section (FC), and fiber density and cross-section (FDC). The between-group differences were detected by a two-sample t -test with the false discovery rate (FDR) correction ( P <0.05). Furthermore, the covarying relationship in FD, FC and FDC between any pair of bundles was also accessed by the constructed covariance networks, which was subsequently compared between HIV and HCs via permutation t -tests. The correlations between abnormal WM metrics and the cognitive functions of HIV patients were explored via partial correlation analysis after controlling age and gender.@*RESULTS@#Among FD, FC and FDC, FD was the only metric that showed significant bundle-wise alterations in HIV patients compared to HCs. Increased FD values were observed in the bilateral fronto pontine tract, corona radiata frontal, left arcuate fasciculus, left corona radiata parietal, left superior longitudinal fasciculus III, and right superficial frontal parietal (SFP) (all FDR P <0.05). In bundle-wise covariance network, HIV patients displayed decreased FD and increased FC covarying patterns in comparison to HC ( P <0.05) , especially between associated pathways. Finally, the FCs of several tracts exhibited a significant correlation with language and attention-related functions.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our study demonstrated the utility of FBA on detecting the WM alterations related to HIV infection. The bundle-wise FBA method provides a new perspective for investigating HIV-induced microstructural and macrostructural WM-related changes, which may help to understand cognitive dysfunction in HIV patients thoroughly.

Application and prospect of natural active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine in immunological adjuvant for influenza vaccine / 中国中药杂志

Vaccination is an effective method for preventing influenza, and adjuvants can enhance the immune response intensity and persistence of influenza vaccines. However, there are currently shortcomings in clinical adjuvant approvals, ineffectiveness against weak antigens, and a tendency to cause headaches. Therefore, the development of safe and effective novel adjuvants for influenza vaccines is particularly important to enhance vaccine immunogenicity and safety. Given the wide range of sources, high safety, and biodegradability of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), some studies have described it as a vaccine adjuvant. This article reviewed the current status and challenges of influenza vaccine adjuvants, summarized the types of TCM adjuvants, the safety and immunomodulatory effects of natural active ingredients from TCM combined with influenza vaccines, the role of TCM adjuvants in antigen storage, antigen presentation capability, immune cells and cytokines, and immune responses, and analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of TCM adjuvants compared with small molecule adjuvants, with the aim of promoting the clinical development and commercialization of TCM adjuvants for influenza vaccines.

Clinical characteristics and serious complications of esophageal button battery ingestion in the pediatric on 83 cases / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and complications of esophageal foreign bodies of button battery ingestion in children. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study included 83 children who were hospitalized in our hospital on account of button battery ingestion from January 2011 to December 2021. There were 50 males (60.2%) and 33 females (39.8%). The age ranged from 7.6 months to one month off 10 years, with a median age of 18 months. The data of patient demographics and time from ingestion to admission, location, symptoms, management, complications, and follow-up outcome were recorded. SPSS17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Seventy-two children (86.7%) were younger than 3 years old. The time from ingestion to admission ranged from 1 h to 2 months, with a median time of 8 h. Among the 63 children who were first diagnosed in our hospital, the most common clinical symptoms were nausea and vomiting (32 cases, 50.8%), dysphagia (31 cases, 49.2%), salivation (11 cases, 17.5%) and fever (10 cases, 15.9%). Seventy-three of 83 cases had complete preoperative diagnostic tests, and 55 cases (75.3%) were diagnosed by X-ray. In 56 cases (76.7%), the foreign badies were impacted in the upper third of esophagus. In 72 cases (86.7%), the foreign badies were removed by rigid esophagoscopy. 23 (27.7%) had serious complications, including tracheoesophageal fistula in 15 cases(TEF;65.2%), vocal cord paralysis (VCP;34.8%) in 8 cases, esophageal perforation in 3 cases (EP;13.0%), hemorrhage in 3 cases(13.0%), mediastinitis in 3 cases (13%), and periesophageal abscess in 1 case (4.3%). There were significant differences in the exposure time of foreign bodies and unwitnessed ingestion by guardians in the complications group (P<0.05). 2 cases died (2.4%)respectively due to arterial esophageal fistula bleeding and respiratory failure caused by stent displacement during the treatment of tracheoesophageal fistula. Conclusion: Accidental button battery ingestion can be life-threatening. and it mostly happens in children under 3 years old. Serious complications may happen cause of non-specific clinical manifestations and unwitnessed ingestions. Anterior and lateral chest X-ray is the first examination choice. Tracheoesophageal fistula is the most common serious complication.

Clinical and genetics characteristics of adult-onset cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: analysis of a Chinese pedigree / 中华内科杂志

Objective: Clinical manifestations, imaging findings, pathologic features, and genetic mutations of Chinese adult patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) were analyzed in order to achieve a greater understanding of CTX that can improve early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods: Clinical data including medical history, neurologic and auxiliary examinations, imaging findings, and genetic profile were collected for an adult patient with CTX admitted to the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital in August 2020. Additionally, a systematic review of genetically diagnosed Chinese adult CTX cases reported in major databases in China and other countries was performed and age of onset, first symptoms, common signs and symptoms, pathologic findings, imaging changes, and gene mutations were analyzed. Results: The proband was a 39-year-old female with extensive, early-onset nervous system manifestations including cognitive dysfunction and ataxia. Systemic lesions included juvenile cataract and a tendon mass. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed cerebral atrophy, symmetric white matter changes predominantly in the pyramidal tract, and lesions in the cerebellar dentate nucleus. A novel homozygous mutation in the sterol-27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) gene (c.1477-2A>C) was identified. There were no family members with similar clinical presentation although some were carriers of the c.1477-2A>C mutation. The patient showed a good response to deoxycholic acid treatment. Totally there were 56 cases of adult CTX patients in China, mostly in East China (31/56, 55.4%), at a male-to-female ratio of 1.8 to 1. Multiple organs and tissues including nervous system, tendon, lens, lung, and skeletal muscle were affected in these cases. The most common neurologic manifestations were cognitive dysfunction (44/52, 84.6%) and ataxia (44/51, 86.3%). The cases were characterized by early onset, chronic progressive damage of multiple systems, long disease course, and delayed diagnosis, making the disease difficult to manage clinically and resulting in poor prognosis. The 2 most common genetic mutations in Chinese adult CTX patients were c.1263+1G>A and c.379C>T. Exon 2 of the CYP27A1 gene was identified as a mutation hot spot. Conclusions: Chinese adult patients with CTX have complex clinical characteristics, a long diagnostic cycle, and various CYP27A1 gene mutations. Early diagnosis and intervention can improve the prognosis of these patients.

Analysis of characteristics of drug resistance gene mutation in HBV RT region of hepatitis B infected patients / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: This article investigated the clinical characteristics and distribution of drug resistance mutation sites in HBV RT region of hepatitis B infected patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis was made on 1 948 patients with HBV infection, who had been tested for NAs resistance mutation and had a medical history of NAs in the Laboratory Department of the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021. Basic clinical information and drug resistance related mutation information were recorded. Meanwhile, the serological index data of hepatitis B were collected. Drug resistance gene mutant group and non-mutated group were grouped according to whether the drug resistance genes had a mutation in HBV RT region, and the clinical characteristics and genotype distribution of the two groups were statistically analyzed. The pattern of drug resistance gene mutation, number of mutation sites, drug resistance type and mutation of NAs resistance-related sites were analyzed in 917 patients with drug resistance gene mutation in HBV RT region. χ2 Inspection was used for counting data. Meanwhile, two independent samples t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for measurement data. Results: Among the 1 948 patients with chronic HBV infection, 917 patients had drug resistance gene mutation in RT region (47.07%). The proportion of patients with acute hepatitis B and CHB in HBV RT resistance gene mutant group was lower than that in the non-mutated group, while the proportion of patients with HBV-related cirrhosis was higher than that in the non-mutated group, these differences were statistically significant. Compared with the non-mutated group in HBV RT region, the age, the positive rates of HBeAg and HBV DNA, and HBV DNA load of these patients were increased in drug resistance gene mutant group, these differences were statistically significant. Genotypes of patients in both groups were dominated by C, followed by B and D. The proportion of patients with genotype C in HBV RT drug resistance gene mutant group was higher than that of non-mutated group, the difference was statistically significant. There were 53 gene mutation patterns in 917 patients with drug resistance gene mutation in HBV RT region, and the main pattern was rtL180M+rtM204V+rtS202G (9.70%). The mutation sites were dominated by 3 (20.74%). There were 5 types of drug resistance, LAM+Ldt (21.25%) was the most. Among the 18 sites that were clearly associated with LAM, ADV, ETV and Ldt resistance in the HBV RT region, 14 sites were mutated, and the most common mutation sites were rtL180M, rtM204V, rtM204 and rtS202G. what's more, the proportion of patients with NAs drug resistance was LAM>Ldt>ETV>ADV. Conclusion: In order to prevent adverse consequences of this study such as disease recurrence or disease progression caused by HBV drug resistance, HBV infected patients, who have long-term use of NAs antiviral therapy, should monitor the level of HBV DNA and drug resistance genes in HBV RT region in order to optimize the treatment plan in time or guide individualized treatment.

Research on the mechanisms of ethanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in improving CFA-induced inflammatory pain rats based on 1H NMR metabolomics / 药学学报

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SGE) on endogenous metabolites in toes of rats with inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) based on 1H NMR metabolomics, which would provide foundation for revealing the effects and mechanisms of SGE in improving inflammatory pain. This animal experiment was approved by the Committee on the Ethics of Animal Experiments of Shanxi University (SXULL2022062). The rats model of inflammatory pain was induced by subcutaneous injection of CFA (0.1 mL), and the effect of low, medium and high doses of SGE (1.5, 3, 6 g·kg-1) on inflammatory pain were explored. The effects of SGE on relieving inflammatory pain was evaluated by mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) test. Western blot was used to detect the effects of SGE on protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and phospho-NF-κB (p-NF-κB). 1H NMR metabolomics was used to analyze the regulatory effects of SGE on endogenous metabolites in the toes of rats with inflammatory pain. The results showed that SGE (6 g·kg-1) could significantly relieve CFA-induced inflammatory pain, and also notably inhibit the protein expression of COX-2, NF-κB and p-NF-κB. SGE could markedly reverse the changes of 8 differential metabolites, such as glycine, glutamine, succinate, phosphorylcholine, etc. The metabolites were involved in eight metabolic pathways, such as glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, glutathione metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism. These results suggest that SGE may relieve inflammatory pain by regulating NF-κB signaling pathway and metabolic abnormality.

Value of combined baseline serum HBV markers in predicting HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B patients treated by nucleos(t)ide analogues / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the ability of combined baseline serum markers, i.e., HBV DNA, HBV RNA, HBsAg, and HBcrAg, to predict HBeAg seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treated by nucleos(t)ide analogues. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 83 HBeAg-positive patients selected as subjects from the prospective CHB follow-up cohort established by Difficult & Complicated Liver Diseases and Artificial Liver Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, from June 2007 to July 2008, and the baseline serum levels of HBV DNA, HBV RNA, HBsAg, and HBcrAg were analyzed. The t -test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Spearman method was used for correlation analysis. A Cox regression model was established to calculate HBeAg seroconversion prediction score, and the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the ability of combined markers in predicting HBeAg seroconversion. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate cumulative seroconversion rate in each group, and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. Results For the 83 HBeAg-positive patients, the median follow-up time was 108 months, and 44.58%(37/83) of these patients achieved HBeAg seroconversion. Compared with the non-seroconversion group, the HBeAg seroconversion group had significantly lower baseline serum levels of HBV DNA [6.23(1.99-9.28) log 10 IU/mL vs 7.69(2.05-8.96) log 10 IU/mL, Z =-2.345, P =0.019] and HBV RNA [4.81(1.40-7.53) log 10 copies/mL vs 6.22(2.00-8.49) log 10 copies/mL, Z =-1.702, P =0.010], and there were no significant differences in the levels of HBsAg and HBcrAg between the two groups ( P > 0.05). The Cox regression equation constructed based on the above serum markers showed a median score of 0.95(range 0.37-3.45) for predicting HBeAg seroconversion. In the total population, the combined score was negatively correlated with HBsAg, HBV DNA, HBV RNA, and HBcrAg ( r =-0.697, -0.787, -0.990, and -0.819, all P < 0.001). Based on the median prediction score, the patients were divided into high HBeAg seroconversion group and low HBeAg seroconversion group; as for the prediction of HBeAg seroconversion rate at 36, 60, and 84 months, the high HBeAg seroconversion group had a seroconversion rate of 43.90%, 51.20%, and 63.10%, respectively, while the low HBeAg seroconversion group had a seroconversion rate of 9.60%, 17.00%, and 19.8%, respectively, and there was a significant difference between the two groups ( χ 2 =11.6, P < 0.001). Conclusion The combined prediction score based on baseline serum HBV markers can predict HBeAg seroconversion in CHB patients treated by nucleos(t)ide analogues.

Effects of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on Intestinal Barrier, Intestinal Flora, and Trimethylamine Oxide in Rats with Heart Failure / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanisms of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) modulating the gut microbiome and trimethylamine oxide (TAMO) to exert cardioprotective effects.@*METHODS@#Ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery was performed in rats to induce heart failure (HF). Except for the sham-operation group (n=10), 36 operation-induced models were randomized into 3 groups using a random number table (n=12 in each group): the model group, the BYHWD group (15.02 g/kg BYHWD), and the positive group (4.99 g/kg metoprolol succinate). After 4-week treatment (once daily by gavage), echocardiography was applied to evaluate the cardiac function and the Tei index (the ratio of ventricular isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) and isovolumic diastolic time (IVRT) to ejection time (ET)) was calculated; hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was observed to characterize the pathology of the myocardium and small intestinal villi. D-lactic acid was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of occludin, claudin-1, and zonula occludens (ZO-1) were detected by Western blot. 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) sequencing was used to explore the changes in the intestinal flora. TMAO was detected via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).@*RESULTS@#In the echocardiography, the Tei index was considerably lower in the positive and BYHWD groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Besides, BYHWD improved the pathology of myocardium and small intestine of HF rats and lowered the D-lactic acid content in the serum, when compared with the model group (P<0.05). BYHWD also improved the expression of occludin and claudin-1 (P<0.05); in the gut microbiota analysis, BYHWD slowed down modifications in the structure distribution of gut microbiota and regulated the diversity of intestinal flora in HF rats. The content of TMAO in the serum was significantly lowered by BYWHT compared with the model group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#BYHWD may delay progression of HF by enhancing the intestinal barrier structure, and regulating intestinal flora and TAMO.