Effects of tricholoma matsutake polysaccharides on 1-methy-4-pehnyl-pyridine ion-induced PC12 cell damage / 解剖学报

Obｊective To investigate the protective mechanism of tricholoma matsutake polysaccharides(TMP) against 1-methy-4-pehnyl-pyridine ion (MPP

Dynamic observation on capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells induced by Echinococcus multilocularis infection / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and its association with hepatic fibrosis during the development of alveolar echinococcosis, so as to provide the basis for unraveling the mechanisms underlying the role of LSEC in the development and prognosis of hepatic injuries and hepatic fibrosis caused by alveolar echinococcosis. Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into a control group and 1-, 2- and 4-week infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was intraperitoneally injected with 2 000 Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces, while each mouse in the control group was given an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline using the same method. All mice were sacrificed 1, 2 and 4 weeks post-infection and mouse livers were collected. The pathological changes of livers were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and hepatic fibrosis was evaluated through semi-quantitative analysis of Masson’s trichrome staining-positive areas. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were examined using immunohistochemical staining of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), and the fenestrations on the surface of LSECs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Primary LSECs were isolated from mouse livers, and the mRNA expression of LSEC marker genes Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf was quantified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. Results Destruction of local liver lobular structure was observed in mice 2 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis protoscoleces, and hydatid cysts, which were surrounded by granulomatous tissues, were found in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection. Semi-quantitative analysis of Masson’s trichrome staining showed a significant difference in the proportion of collagen fiber contents in mouse livers among the four groups (F = 26.060, P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of collagen fiber contents was detected in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group [(11.29 ± 2.58)%] than in the control group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining revealed activation of a few HSCs and ECM deposition in mouse livers 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, and abundant brown-yellow stained α-SMA and COL1A1 were deposited in the lesion areas in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection, which spread to surrounding tissues. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed significant differences in α-SMA (F = 7.667, P < 0.05) and COL1A1 expression (F = 6.530, P < 0.05) in mouse levers among the four groups, with higher α-SMA [(7.13 ± 3.68)%] and COL1A1 expression [(13.18 ± 7.20)%] quantified in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant differences in the fenestration frequency (F = 37.730, P < 0.001) and porosity (F = 16.010, P < 0.001) on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups, and reduced fenestration frequency and porosity were observed in the 1-[(1.22 ± 0.48)/μm2 and [(3.05 ± 0.91)%] and 2-week infection groups [(3.47 ± 0.10)/μm2 and (7.57 ± 0.23)%] groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the average fenestration diameter on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups (F = 15.330, P < 0.001), and larger average fenestration diameters were measured in the 1-[(180.80 ± 16.42) nm] and 2-week infection groups [(161.70 ± 3.85) nm] than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences among the four groups in terms of Stabilin-1 (F = 153.100, P < 0.001), Stabilin-2 (F = 57.010, P < 0.001), Ehd3 (F = 31.700, P < 0.001), CD209b (F = 177.400, P < 0.001), GATA4 (F = 17.740, P < 0.001), and Maf mRNA expression (F = 72.710, P < 0.001), and reduced mRNA expression of Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf genes was quantified in three infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). Conclusions E. multilocularis infections may induce capillarization of LSECs in mice, and result in a reduction in the expression of functional and phenotypic marker genes of LSECs, and capillarization of LSECs occurs earlier than activation of HSC and development of hepatic fibrosis.

Meta-analysis of Distribution Frequency of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome in Primary Osteoporosis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndromes of primary osteoporosis（POP） in China by using evidence-based medicine methods， and to understand the distribution law of the syndromes. MethodChina National Knowledge Infrastructure（CNKI）， VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database（VIP）， WanFang Data Knowledge Service Platform（WanFang） and China Biology Medicine（CBM） were searched to obtain representative literature， and each database was searched from the 1994 World Health Organization defined diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis until May 1， 2023. Two researchers independently screened literature according to the criteria， extracted data， and cross-checked them. Meta analysis was conducted using R4.1.3， and subgroup analysis was performed. ResultA total of 56 Chinese papers were included， involving 14 415 patients. After standardized classification of syndromes， 11 articles were excluded， and Meta analysis results of the ultimately included 45 Chinese articles showed that the distribution frequencies of liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome and kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in 12 723 patients were 27%［95% confidence interval（CI） 0.24-0.31］， 32%（95% CI 0.29-0.36）， 36%（95% CI 0.30-0.42）. Subgroup analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of the three TCM syndromes in the north and south（P<0.05）. In addition， the incidence of TCM syndrome fractures in different types of POP was 15%（95% CI 0.09-0.24） for liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， 20%（95% CI 0.12-0.30） for spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome， and 31%（95% CI 0.25-0.39） for kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. ConclusionThe distribution of syndromes in POP patients is mainly kidney deficiency， accompanied by liver and spleen dysfunction. Liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome and kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome are all the main syndromes of POP and osteoporotic fractures， and kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is most closely related to the development of osteoporotic fractures. The reference standards for syndrome determination among the included studies are inconsistent， and in the future， it is necessary to focus on their determination standards to obtain consensus research results， at the same time， conduct large-scale syndrome research to obtain representative research results， providing a basis for clinical practice and research.

Short-term effect evaluation of self-management group projects for chronic disease patients in Suzhou / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To evaluate the short-term effect of self-management group project for chronic disease patients in Suzhou. Methods Eight to ten streets / towns were randomly selected from 10 cities and districts under the jurisdiction of Suzhou. Each street / town set up a chronic disease self-management group and carried out group activities. The awareness rate of chronic disease related knowledge, health management behavior and health status of the group members after and before the activities were compared to evaluate the short-term effect of the self-management group project. Results A total of 89 chronic disease self-management groups were set up in Suzhou in 2020. Among them, there were 47 hypertension groups and 42 diabetes groups. A total of 1176 people were surveyed at baseline, and 1161 people participated in the evaluation survey after the group activities. By setting up self-management groups, the awareness rates of chronic disease-related knowledge (BMI range, variety of food intake per day per week, moderate-intensity activity time per week, daily salt intake, harm of excessive salt intake, diagnostic criteria for hypertension, sodium content in low sodium salt, fasting blood glucose criteria, low-density lipoprotein control targets) in hypertension and diabetes patients after the intervention were improved compared with those before the intervention, and the differences were statistically significant (P“self-monitoring blood pressure” increased from 52.80% before the intervention to 66.32%, while the proportion of "having a blood glucose monitoring system at home" increased from 52.80% before the intervention to 66.32%, and the proportion of “self-monitoring blood glucose” increased from 25.67% before the intervention to 38.67%. The percentage of "drinking alcohol in the past 30 days" dropped from 12.14% before the intervention to 8.35%. All these differences were statistically significant. There was no difference in the number of "smoking in the past 30 days" compared with before the activity (P≥0.05). The number of days with poor health resulting from injuries in the past 30 days also decreased but the difference was not statistically significant (P≥0.05). In terms of the severity of depression, the number of people with moderate and severe depression decreased after the intervention, and the number of people who turned into mild depression increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The self-management group project for chronic disease patients in Suzhou has achieved good results and is suitable for continued promotion and application in this region.

Change trend and prediction of lung cancer mortality in Suzhou in 2001-2020 / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To explore the epidemiological characteristics and trend of lung cancer mortality in Suzhou, to predict the future lung cancer mortality by ARIMA model, and to provide a scientific basis for the research of lung cancer prevention and control strategy. Methods The annual change percentage (APC) was used to analyze the annual change trend of lung cancer mortality from 2001 to 2020, and the ARIMA optimal model was employed to predict the lung cancer mortality from 2021 to 2025. Results The average annual crude mortality of lung cancer in Suzhou from 2001 to 2020 was 46.45/100 000, while the standardized mortality was 23.51/100 000. In recent 20 years, the crude mortality showed an upward trend and the standardized mortality showed a downward trend (APC crude rate = 2.51%, APC standardized rate = -0.78% , P < 0.001). The standardized mortality of lung cancer in men was 3.22 times that in women. The mortality of lung cancer in people over 45 years old increased with the increase of age, but the mortality in the 30-59 years old group showed a downward trend year by year. ARIMA model predicted that the annual trend of lung cancer crude mortality will tend to be flat in the next five years. Conclusion The crude mortality rate of lung cancer in Suzhou shows an upward trend, while the standardized mortality rate decreases year by year, suggesting that we should pay attention to the prevention and control of lung cancer in the elderly, accurately identify high-risk population of lung cancer, promote health publicity and education, carry out lifestyle intervention, and popularize the early screening of lung cancer.

Thyroid Hormone Reference Intervals among Healthy Individuals In Lanzhou, China

Background@#The common reference intervals (RIs) for thyroid hormones currently used in China are provided by equipment manufacturers. This study aimed to establish thyroid hormone RIs in the population of Lanzhou, a city in the subplateau region of northwest China, and compare them with previous reports and manufacturer-provided values. @*Methods@#In total, 3,123 individuals (1,680 men, 1,443 women) from Lanzhou, an iodine-adequate area of China, perceived as healthy were selected. The Abbott Architect analyzer was used to determine the serum concentration of thyroid hormones. The 95% RI was estimated using the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles as the lower and upper reference limits, respectively. @*Results@#The serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), antithyroglobulin (ATG) antibody, and antithyroid peroxidase (ATPO) antibody levels were significantly correlated with sex (P0.05). The established RIs of TSH, ATG, and ATPO in this study differed between sexes (P<0.05). The thyroid hormone RIs established herein were inconsistent with the manufacturer-provided values. @*Conclusion@#The RIs of thyroid hormones in the healthy population of Lanzhou were inconsistent with those in the manufacturer’s manual. Validated sex-specific values are required for diagnosing thyroid diseases.

Advances in diagnosis,prevention and treatment of flexible flatfoot in children / 中国学校卫生

Abstract@#Flexibleis an important classification of flat foot. Flatfoot occurs due to a variety of reasons and causes the medial longitudinal arch to collapse or disappear. However, many children still do not develop a normal foot arch as the grow, and a failure to intervene in a timely manner will greatly harm a child s normal mobility development. Timely detection and intervention are the key to improve the prognosis. There is a lack of uniform quantitative criteria for the diagnosis of flexible flatfoot. Currently, the commonly used diagnostic methods include physical examination, foot printing, plantar pressure test and imaging examination. This article reviews the risk factors, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Flexible Flatfoot.

Textual research on ancient and modern literature and analysis on research hot spots of classical prescription Shenling baizhu powder / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To provide reference for the clinical application and further research and development of Shenling baizhu powder. METHODS Using the methods of textual research and bibliometrics， the key information such as the composition， dose， processing and usage of Shenling baizhu powder in ancient and modern literature were systematically summarized and sorted out， and the number of publications， keywords， and other contents of modern literature were visually analyzed. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Shenling baizhu powder was first collected in Taiping Huimin Hejiju Fang （abbreviated “Jufang”）， the composition of core drugs and most widely used dose ratio in previous generations were the same as those in Jufang， basically focusing on powder making and being taken after mixed with liquid； the dosage was concentrated on 2-3 qian； the function and application of it had been expanded to a certain extent compared with Jufang； its clinical application had gradually extended from internal medicine to surgery， gynecology， pediatrics， ophthalmology， dermatology， etc.， covering all aspects of the disease caused by spleen deficiency in general； the composition mechanism revolved around “strengthening the spleen， replenishing qi and removing dampness”； the recommended prescription drugs were all selected from the corresponding varieties in the pharmacopoeia. Modern research mainly focuses on clinical practice， with traditional Chinese medicine or traditional Chinese and Western medicine combined with this formula as the main modified treatment for various intestinal diseases， diarrhea diseases， and lung diseases. The efficacy and application are the frontier hot spots today， and the mechanism of action has begun to be explored. The usage in the literature and the inclusion in the pharmacopoeia are inconsistent， and further research is needed.

Effect of Toll-like receptor 4 on liver regeneration during acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate whether Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibition affects liver regeneration during acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice, as well as the mechanism of TLR4 involved in liver regeneration. Methods A total of 78 male CD-1 mice were divided into nine groups using a random number table, i.e., three control groups (normal control group, solvent control group, inhibitor control group) with 6 mice in each group and six experimental groups (APAP 24-hour group, TAK-242+APAP 24-hour group, APAP 48-hour group, TAK-242+APAP 48-hour group, APAP 72-hour group, TAK-242+APAP 72-hour group) with 10 mice in each group. The mice in the experimental groups were given a single dose of intraperitoneally injected APAP (300 mg/kg), and TAK-242 was intraperitoneally injected at a dose of 3 mg/kg at 3 hours before APAP administration. Serum and liver tissue samples were collected at different time points. The biochemical method was used to measure the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT); HE staining was used to observe liver pathological changes; RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression levels of Cyclin D1, PCNA, Ki-67, STAT3, and p-STAT3. The t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups and further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the normal control group, the APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly higher serum level of ALT (both P < 0.05), and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly higher serum level of ALT than the APAP group at the same time point (both P < 0.05). HE staining showed typical central lobular necrosis in the liver of APAP-treated mice, and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly larger necrotic area than the APAP group at the same time point (both P < 0.05). RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry showed that the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour groups had significantly lower mRNA and protein expression levels of Cyclin D1 than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05); the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour groups had a significantly lower mRNA expression level of PCNA than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05), and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly lower protein expression level of PCNA than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05); the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 72-hour groups had a significantly lower mRNA expression level of Ki-67 than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05), and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour groups had a significantly lower protein expression level of Ki-67 than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05). In addition, the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly lower phosphorylation level of STAT3 than the APAP group at the same time point (both P < 0.05). Conclusion TLR4 may promote liver regeneration by increasing the phosphorylation level of STAT3 during APAP-induced liver injury in mice.

Erratum: Author correction to 'Ablation of Akt2 and AMPKα2 rescues high fat diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis through Parkin-mediated mitophagy' Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 11 (2021) 3508-3526

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.07.006.].

Changes and significance of type 2 innate lymphoid cells and their related factors in bronchopulmonary dysplasia / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the changes and significance of type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2), interleukin-33 (IL-33), interleukin-25 (IL-25), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in peripheral blood of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).@*METHODS@#A total of 76 preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks and a length of hospital stay of ≥14 days who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from September 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled. According to the diagnostic criteria for BPD, they were divided into a BPD group with 30 infants and a non-BPD group with 46 infants. The two groups were compared in terms of the percentage of ILC2 and the levels of IL-33, IL-25, TSLP, IL-5, and IL-13 in peripheral blood on days 1, 7, and 14 after birth.@*RESULTS@#The BPD group had significantly lower birth weight and gestational age than the non-BPD group (P<0.05). On days 7 and 14 after birth, the BPD group had significantly higher levels of ILC2, IL-33, TSLP, and IL-5 than the non-BPD group (P<0.05), and these indices had an area under the curve of >0.7 in predicting the devolpment of BPD (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for gestational age and birth weight, peripheral blood IL-33, TSLP and IL-5 on days 7 and 14 after birth were closely related to the devolpment of BPD (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Early innate immune activation and upregulated expression of related factors may be observed in preterm infants with BPD. ILC2, IL-33, TSLP, and IL-5 may be used as biological indicators for early diagnosis of BPD.

Bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking for menstrual migraine of qi stagnation and blood stasis and its effect on serum levels of E2 and 5-HT / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking on menstrual migraine (MM) of qi stagnation and blood stasis, and explore its possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 102 cases of MM with qi stagnation and blood stasis were randomly divided into an observation group (51 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (51 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group were treated with bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking. The bloodletting was performed at vein at upper 1/3 of the dorsalis near the ear helix; the auricular point sticking was performed at Pizhixia (AT4), Neifenmi (CO18), Jiaogan (AH6a), Nie (AT2), Zhen (AT3), Shenmen (TF4) and Yidan (CO11). The auricular points of both ears were alternate used. From 7 days before the onset of menstruation, bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein was given once every 7 days, 3 times were taken as a course of treatment, and 1 course of treatment was given; the auricular point sticking was given once every 3 days, and 6 times of treatment were given. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of flunarizine hydrochloride capsules. From 7 days before the onset of menstruation, flunarizine hydrochloride was given 2 capsules per time, once a day for 3 weeks. The menstrual headache index and visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the two groups were observed before treatment, one menstrual cycle into treatment and the first and the second menstrual cycle after treatment; the migraine-specific quality of life questionnaire (MSQ) score and the serum levels of estradiol (E2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were compared before treatment and one menstrual cycle into treatment; the clinical efficacy was evaluated at one menstrual cycle into treatment.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the menstrual headache index and VAS scores were reduced at one menstrual cycle into treatment and the first and second menstrual cycle after treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the MSQ scores and the serum levels of E2 and 5-HT in the two groups were increased at one menstrual cycle into treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 95.8% (46/48) in the observation group, which was higher than 73.5% (36/49) in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Bloodletting at auricular dorsal vein combined with auricular point sticking could relieve headache intensity, improve the quality of life in patients with MM of qi stagnation and blood stasis, which may be achieved by raising the serum levels of E2 and 5-HT to improve the level of hormone in the body.

Risk predictive models of healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients in Jiangsu Province based on the machine learning / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To create risk predictive models of healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients in Jiangsu Province based on machine learning algorithms, so as to provide insights into early identification of imported malaria cases in Jiangsu Province. Methods Case investigation, first symptoms and time of initial diagnosis of imported malaria patients in Jiangsu Province in 2019 were captured from Infectious Disease Report Information Management System and Parasitic Disease Prevention and Control Information Management System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The risk predictive models of healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients were created with the back propagation (BP) neural network model, logistic regression model, random forest model and Bayesian model using thirteen factors as independent variables, including occupation, species of malaria parasite, main clinical manifestations, presence of complications, severity of disease, age, duration of residing abroad, frequency of malaria parasite infections abroad, incubation period, level of institution at initial diagnosis, country of origin, number of individuals travelling with patients and way to go abroad, and time of healthcare-seeking delay as a dependent variable. Logistic regression model was visualized using a nomogram, and the nomogram was evaluated using calibration curves. In addition, the efficiency of the four models for prediction of risk of healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients was evaluated using the area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). The importance of each characteristic was quantified and attributed by using SHAP to examine the positive and negative effects of the value of each characteristic on the predictive efficiency. Results A total of 244 imported malaria patients were enrolled, including 100 cases (40.98%) with the duration from onset of first symptoms to time of initial diagnosis that exceeded 24 hours. Logistic regression analysis identified a history of malaria parasite infection [odds ratio (OR) = 3.075, 95% confidential interval (CI): (1.597, 5.923)], long incubation period [OR = 1.010, 95% CI: (1.001, 1.018)] and seeking healthcare in provincial or municipal medical facilities [OR = 12.550, 95% CI: (1.158, 135.963)] as risk factors for delay in seeking healthcare among imported malaria cases. BP neural network modeling showed that duration of residing abroad, incubation period and age posed great impacts on delay in healthcare-seek among imported malaria patients. Random forest modeling showed that the top five factors with the greatest impact on healthcare-seeking delay included main clinical manifestations, the way to go abroad, incubation period, duration of residing abroad and age among imported malaria patients, and Bayesian modeling revealed that the top five factors affecting healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients included level of institutions at initial diagnosis, age, country of origin, history of malaria parasite infection and individuals travelling with imported malaria patients. ROC curve analysis showed higher overall performance of the BP neural network model and the logistic regression model for prediction of the risk of healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients (Z = 2.700 to 4.641, all P values < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference in the AUC among four models (Z = 1.209, P > 0.05). The sensitivity (71.00%) and Youden index (43.92%) of the logistic regression model was higher than those of the BP neural network (63.00% and 36.61%, respectively), and the specificity of the BP neural network model (73.61%) was higher than that of the logistic regression model (72.92%). Conclusions Imported malaria cases with long duration of residing abroad, a history of malaria parasite infection, long incubation period, advanced age and seeking healthcare in provincial or municipal medical institutions have a high likelihood of delay in healthcare-seeking in Jiangsu Province. The models created based on the logistic regression and BP neural network show a high efficiency for prediction of the risk of healthcare-seeking among imported malaria patients in Jiangsu Province, which may provide insights into health management of imported malaria patients.

Sulfur dioxide in the caudal ventrolateral medulla reduces blood pressure and heart rate in rats via the glutamate receptor and NOS/cGMP signal pathways / 生理学报

This study was designed to investigate the cardiovascular effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) of anesthetized rats and its mechanism. Different doses of SO2 (2, 20, 200 pmol) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) were injected into the CVLM unilaterally or bilaterally, and the effects of SO2 on blood pressure and heart rate of rats were observed. In order to explore the possible mechanisms of SO2 in the CVLM, different signal pathway blockers were injected into the CVLM before the treatment with SO2 (20 pmol). The results showed that unilateral or bilateral microinjection of SO2 reduced blood pressure and heart rate in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). Moreover, compared with unilateral injection of SO2 (2 pmol), bilateral injection of 2 pmol SO2 produced a greater reduction in blood pressure. Local pre-injection of the glutamate receptor blocker kynurenic acid (Kyn, 5 nmol) or soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 1 pmol) into the CVLM attenuated the inhibitory effects of SO2 on both blood pressure and heart rate. However, local pre-injection of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 nmol) only attenuated the inhibitory effect of SO2 on heart rate but not blood pressure. In conclusion, SO2 in rat CVLM has cardiovascular inhibitory effects, and its mechanism is related to the glutamate receptor and NOS/cGMP signal pathways.

Epidemiological characteristics of a 2019-nCoV outbreak caused by Omicron variant BF.7 in Shenzhen / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To explore the epidemiological characteristic of a COVID-19 outbreak caused by 2019-nCoV Omicron variant BF.7 and other provinces imported in Shenzhen and analyze transmission chains and characteristics. Methods: Field epidemiological survey was conducted to identify the transmission chain, analyze the generation relationship among the cases. The 2019-nCoV nucleic acid positive samples were used for gene sequencing. Results: From 8 to 23 October, 2022, a total of 196 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Shenzhen, all the cases had epidemiological links. In the cases, 100 were men and 96 were women, with a median of age, M (Q1, Q3) was 33(25, 46) years. The outbreak was caused by traverlers initial cases infected with 2019-nCoV who returned to Shenzhen after traveling outside of Guangdong Province.There were four transmission chains, including the transmission in place of residence and neighbourhood, affecting 8 persons, transmission in social activity in the evening on 7 October, affecting 65 persons, transmission in work place on 8 October, affecting 48 persons, and transmission in a building near the work place, affecting 74 persons. The median of the incubation period of the infection, M (Q1, Q3) was 1.44 (1.11, 2.17) days. The incubation period of indoor exposure less than that of the outdoor exposure, M (Q1, Q3) was 1.38 (1.06, 1.84) and 1.95 (1.22, 2.99) days, respcetively (Wald χ2=10.27, P=0.001). With the increase of case generation, the number and probability of gene mutation increased. In the same transmission chain, the proportion of having 1-3 mutation sites was high in the cases in the first generation. Conclusions: The transmission chains were clear in this epidemic. The incubation period of Omicron variant BF.7 infection was shorter, the transmission speed was faster, and the gene mutation rate was higher. It is necessary to conduct prompt response and strict disease control when epidemic occurs.

Application of cocrystal separation technology in the separation and purification of genistein-puerarin-daidzein ternary system / 药学学报

Cocrystal separation technology is a technology that utilizes coformers to selectively form cocrystals with target compounds and separate them from mixed systems. Our study used puerarin (PUE), daidzein (DDZ), and genistein (GEN) as model drugs, which have similar structures and are the main isoflavones in Pueraria lobata root. The separation and purification processes in the modern traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) of these three components use conventional column chromatography, recrystallization, and other technologies, which have the issues of lengthy separation cycles, high solvent consumption, and inefficient preparation. Different with existing separation technology, our team used the early-found cocrystal separation method to design a step-by-step extraction and separation experiment of GEN-PUE-DDZ ternary mixture. Caffeine and L-proline were added to the mixed system in turn, GEN-caffeine cocrystal and PUE-proline cocrystal were prepared by suspension method. The cocrystals precipitated out of the solution. The purities of the GEN-caffeine cocrystal and the PUE-proline cocrystal could achieve 93% (the purity of GEN) and 99% (the purity of PUE). Besides, the purity of DDZ could also be increased by 6.76 times. This study proposed a simple operating, low cost and wide application range separation method different from the traditional separation method and realized the separation of structurally similar chemical components in TCM, laying a foundation for the application of cocrystal technology in the separation and refining of TCM.

Research and exploration of salivary biological markers for hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To study using isotope-labeled relative and absolute quantitative proteomics methodologies to screen for salivary biological markers as a simple, non-invasive tool for identifying hepatitis B-related HCC at an early stage. Methods: Saliva samples were collected to extract salivary proteins. Isotope-labeled relative and absolute quantitative proteomics were used to analyze the differentially expressed proteins between the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non-HCC groups. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to verify differential proteins and identify markers in liver cancer tissues and saliva. Statistical analysis was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of salivary biomarkers. Results: 152 differentially expressed salivary proteins were screened out between the HCC and non-HCC groups. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays validated that the expressions of α-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (ORM1) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were significantly increased in HCC (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between salivary AFP and serum AFP (P < 0.05). HCC was diagnosed when salivary α-1-acid glycoprotein 1 combined with AFP. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8726 (95% confidence interval: 0.8104 ~ 0.9347), the sensitivity was 78.3%, and the specificity was 88%. Conclusion: Salivary AFP and α-1-acid glycoprotein 1 can serve as potential biomarkers for hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

A prospective cohort study of long-term fasting blood glucose variability and risk of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To investigate the association between long-term fasting blood glucose (FPG) variability and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 7 174 type 2 diabetic patients included in National Basic Public Health Service Program in Changshu of Jiangsu Province were recruited as participants. Long-term glucose variability was assessed using standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), average real variability (ARV), and variability independent of the mean (VIM) across FPG measurements at the more than three visits. Death information were mainly obtained from the death registry system in Jiangsu. Then Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the associations of four variability indicators and all-cause mortality's hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95%CIs. Results: Among 55 058.50 person-years of the follow-up, the mean follow-up time was 7.67 years, and 898 deaths occurred during the follow-up period. After adjustment, compared with T1 group, the Cox regression model showed that HRs of T3 group in SD, CV, ARV and VIM were 1.24 (95%CI: 1.03-1.49), 1.20 (95%CI: 1.01-1.43), 1.28 (95%CI: 1.07-1.55) and 1.20 (95%CI:1.01-1.41), respectively. HRs of per 1 SD higher SD, CV, ARV and VIM were 1.13 (95%CI: 1.06-1.21), 1.08 (95%CI: 1.01-1.15), 1.05 (95%CI: 1.00-1.12) and 1.09 (95%CI: 1.02-1.16) for all-cause mortality, respectively. In the stratified analysis, age, gender, hypoglycemic agent and insulin uses had no effect on the above associations (all P for interaction >0.05). Conclusion: Long-term FPG glycemic variability was positively associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes patients.

Incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and risk factors in the Suzhou cohort / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To understand the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Suzhou cohort, and explore the risk factors for the development of COPD in Suzhou, and provide a scientific basis for COPD prevention. Methods: This study was based on the China Kadoorie Biobank project in Wuzhong District, Suzhou. After excluding individuals with airflow obstruction and self-reported chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or pulmonary heart disease at baseline, 45 484 individuals were finally included in the analysis. Cox proportional risk models were used to analyze risk factors of COPD and calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI) in the Suzhou cohort. The effect modifications of smoking on the association between other risk factors and COPD were evaluated. Results: Complete follow-up was available through December 31, 2017. Participants were followed up for a median of 11.12 years, and 524 individuals were diagnosed with COPD during the follow-up period; the incidence was 105.54 per 100 000 person-years. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression models showed that age (HR=3.78, 95%CI:3.32-4.30), former smoking (HR=2.00, 95%CI:1.24-3.22), current smoking (<10 cigarettes/day, HR=2.14, 95%CI:1.36-3.35;≥10 cigarettes/day, HR=2.69, 95%CI:1.60-4.54), history of respiratory disease (HR=2.08, 95%CI:1.33-3.26), daily sleep duration ≥10 hours (HR=1.41, 95%CI:1.02-1.95) were associated with increased risk of COPD. However, education level of primary school and above (primary or junior high school, HR=0.65, 95%CI:0.52-0.81; high school and above, HR=0.54, 95%CI:0.33-0.87), consuming fresh fruit daily (HR=0.59, 95%CI:0.42-0.83) and consuming spicy food weekly (HR=0.71, 95%CI:0.53-0.94) were associated with reduced risk of COPD. Conclusions: The incidence of COPD is low in Suzhou. Older age, smoking, history of respiratory disease, and long sleep duration were risk factors for the development of COPD in the Suzhou cohort.

The distribution of blood pressure and associated factors of the elderly with type 2 diabetes in Jiangsu Province / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the distribution of blood pressure and analyze the associated factors of blood pressure of the elderly with type 2 diabetes in Jiangsu Province. Methods: The elderly over 60 years old participants with type 2 diabetes in the communities of Huai'an City and Changshu City, Jiangsu Province were selected in this study. They were divided into two groups: taking antihypertensive drugs and not taking antihypertensive drugs. The demographic characteristics, such as age and sex, and relevant factors were collected by questionnaire. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured by physical examination. The percentile of SBP and DBP in each age group of men and women were described. The kernel density estimation curve was used to show the blood pressure distribution. The trend of blood pressure with age was fitted by locally weighted regression. The logistic regression model was used to analyze relevant factors of blood pressure. Results: A total of 12 949 participants were included in this study, including 7 775 patients in the antihypertensive drug group and 5 174 patients in the group without antihypertensive drugs. The SBP of participants was concentrated at 140-160 mmHg, and their DBP was concentrated at 75-85 mmHg. There were significant differences in the distribution of blood pressure among the subgroups of body mass index (BMI) and rural areas whether taking antihypertensive drugs and not. For participants aged under 80 years old, the SBP showed an increasing trend with age and the DBP showed a decreasing trend with age. Age, BMI ≥24 kg/m2, fasting blood glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L, living in rural areas and no smoking were influencing factors of the elevated SBP; BMI ≥24 kg/m2, male, living in rural areas, no smoking, drinking alcohol and not receiving drug hypoglycemic treatment were influencing factors of the elevated DBP. Conclusion: The SBP of older diabetic adults in Jiangsu Province is at a high level, and the distribution of blood pressure is significantly different between men and women in taking antihypertensive drugs group. The SBP presents a rising trend and the DBP is decreasing at the age of 60-80 years. The blood pressure level of this population are mainly affected by age, BMI, urban and rural areas, smoking.