Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of scarlet fever in Pudong New Area, Shanghai from 2010 to 2023, and to grasp the incidence of scarlet fever in time. Methods The information on the registration of scarlet fever in Pudong New Area, Shanghai from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2023 was collected through the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and descriptive epidemiological methods and Joinpoint regression model were used for data analysis. Results From 2010 to 2023, a total of 5 669 cases of scarlet fever were reported in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, and no deaths were reported. The annual reported incidence rate was 7.2/100 000, and the overall trend was decreasing year by year. In terms of time distribution, the incidence peaks were in spring and winter. The incidence rate in males was higher than that in females, and it mainly affected children, especially those aged 2 to 10 years. Joinpoint regression model analysis showed that the annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) of the reported incidence rate of scarlet fever from 2010 to 2023 showed that the incidence rate was fluctuating, and the incidence rate decreased significantly from 2019 to 2023 (APC was -53.7%). Conclusion The reported incidence rate of scarlet fever in Pudong New Area in Shanghai has decreased year by year from 2010 to 2023, and children remain the focus of prevention and control.

ObjectiveColorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation is widely used in its clinical management. However, the biological basis underlying different TCM syndromes remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to investigate the proteomic differences between qi-blood deficiency syndrome (QBDS) and damp-heat syndrome (DHS) in CRC patients and to establish a “syndrome-differential protein-herbal component” network for exploring potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets associated with syndrome-specific treatment strategies. MethodsTumor tissue samples were collected from 10 patients with pathologically confirmed CRC, including 5 patients diagnosed with QBDS and 5 with DHS according to standardized TCM syndrome differentiation criteria. Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics was employed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the two syndrome groups. Functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, were performed to characterize the biological functions and signaling pathways associated with the identified DEPs. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was further applied to screen key syndrome-related proteins and construct a core protein prediction model. Subsequently, molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the binding affinities between representative herbal compounds, astragaloside IV and berberine, and the identified core proteins. Finally, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were performed in HCT 116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cell lines to validate the anti-proliferative activities of these compounds in vitro. ResultsA total of 44 DEPs were identified between QBDS and DHS tissues, including 21 upregulated and 23 downregulated proteins in the QBDS group relative to the DHS group. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that these proteins were primarily associated with antiviral immune responses, regulation of inflammatory signaling, NF‑κB signaling pathways, cholesterol metabolism, and other biological processes relevant to tumor progression and host immune regulation. LASSO regression analysis identified eight core proteins with potential syndrome-specific significance. Among them, ST7, GPCPD1, and PODXL were closely associated with QBDS, whereas FAT1, GRB7, KRT7, MAFF, and MMP8 were associated with DHS. Molecular docking demonstrated favorable interactions between astragaloside IV and QBDS-related proteins, with binding energies lower than -5 kcal/mol, indicating stable binding activity. Berberine exhibited even lower binding energies and stronger binding specificity toward DHS-related core proteins. In vitro experiments further confirmed that both compounds inhibited CRC cell proliferation, while berberine displayed significantly greater anti-proliferative efficacy. The lowest 48 h IC₅₀ value of berberine reached 15.21 mg/L in CRC cells, indicating a stronger growth-inhibitory effect than astragaloside IV. ConclusionCRC patients with QBDS and DHS exhibit distinct proteomic characteristics, suggesting that different TCM syndromes possess unique molecular signatures. The identified core proteins may serve as potential biomarkers for syndrome differentiation, while astragaloside IV and berberine may exert therapeutic effects through targeting syndrome-specific molecular networks. These findings provide preliminary proteomic evidence supporting syndrome-guided precision integrative medicine in CRC and offer new insights into the biological basis of TCM syndrome differentiation and individualized therapeutic strategies.

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of melanoma-associated antigen D4 （MAGED4） on the malignant biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）， providing experimental evidence for its evaluation as a potential therapeutic target in HCC. MethodsGenes positively correlated with MAGED4 expression in HCC were screened using the LinkedOmics database， followed by GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Endogenously low-expressing SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cells were selected， with normal hepatic LO2 cells serving as controls. Stable overexpression cell lines were established via lentiviral infection （MAGED4 overexpression group）， with RT-PCR and Western blot validating overexpression efficiency. The effects of MAGED4 overexpression on cell proliferation， cell cycle distribution， migration， and adhesion were systematically analyzed using CCK-8 assays， flow cytometry， scratch healing assays， Transwell migration assays， and cell adhesion assays. ResultsBioinformatics analysis indicated that MAGED4 co-expressed genes were significantly enriched in biological processes closely associated with tumor proliferation and metastasis， including cell-cell adhesion， extracellular matrix organization， and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. A stable MAGED4 overexpression cell model was successfully established. In vitro functional assays demonstrated that MAGED4-overexpressing SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cells exhibited a mesenchymal-like morphology， whereas LO2 cells maintained an epithelial-like morphology. Compared with the empty-virus control groups， the MAGED4-overexpressing groups showed significantly increased proliferative activity （48 h： t=3.887， 22.070， 8.866， all P<0.05； 72 h： t=3.231， 23.840， 9.848， all P<0.05； 96 h： t=5.123， 49.800， 5.909， P<0.05， P<0.01， P<0.05）， wound healing rates （12 h： F=40.90， 44.00， 200.50， all P<0.001； 24 h： F=112.00， 34.89， 249.20， all P<0.001）， and numbers of migrated cells （F=239.20， 59.79， 132.80， all P<0.001）， along with significantly decreased numbers of adherent cells （F=73.65， 85.91， 138.00， all P<0.001）， while no significant differences were observed in cell cycle phase distribution in all three cell lines. ConclusionMAGED4 enhances proliferation and migration while suppressing adhesion in both HCC and normal hepatocytes， however， induces mesenchymal-like morphological changes exclusively in HCC cells， suggesting that MAGED4 is capable of driving HCC progression and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.

Objective To explore the application value of a novel portable endoscope to perform upper gastrointestinal tract examinations in primary medical units.Methods A total of 532 subjects receiving portable endoscope examination were enrolled for analysis.The primary outcome was the success rate of operation.The secondary outcomes were the operation time,examination results,polyp removal and biopsy pathology results,and the subjective evaluation.Results In 532 cases,2 were withdrawn midway after the endoscope was inserted into the esophagus due to the patients'inability to tolerate the examination.Additionally,6 cases did not undergo examination of the descending part of the duodenum because of serious reactions during the procedure.Ultimately,524 cases successfully completed the upper gastrointestinal examination,and the success rate was 98.5％.The average examination time was(4.7±1.8)min,and the average time for disposal sheath wearing and removing was(4.2±1.4)min.The most common lesions were chronic non-atrophic gastritis(85.1％,451/530),reflux esophagitis(14.7％,78/530)and bile reflux(14.0％,74/530).A total of 10 cases of polyp removal were completed,and the polyp removal rate was 71.4％(10/14).Biopsy pathological diagnosis was completed in 44 cases,and the biopsy rate was 8.3％(44/530).The main discomfort symptoms during the examination were nausea(53.6％,285/532),vomiting(51.1％,272/532),and sore throat(38.5％,205/532),the main discomfort symptoms after the examination were sore throat(27.8％,148/532),nausea(19.5％,104/532),and vomiting(14.7％,78/532).No serious adverse events such as gastrointestinal bleeding,perforation,cardiac or pulmonary complications occurred.Conclusion The novel portable endoscope can safely and effectively complete the diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal diseases in primary medical units,while saving the decontamination process.However,the incidence of discomfort is high during examinations.Further optimization of the operation methods is needed.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the differences in audiological characteristics and speech recognition rates between vestibular schwannoma(VS)patients presenting with sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL)as first symptom and patients with idiopathic sudden deafness(ISD),in order to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients with VS presenting as SSNHL(VS group),and 60 patients with unilateral ISD(SD group).Pure-tone thresholds,audiogram configurations,and speech recognition scores were compared between the two groups.Statistical analyses were performed using t-test,Mann-Whitney U test,and chi-square test.RESULTS Hearing loss in the VS group was mainly distributed in the moderate to profound range,and the proportion of descending-type audiograms was significantly higher than that in the SD group(χ2=13.97,P=0.002 9).In contrast,the SD group was predominantly characterized by mild to moderate hearing loss and flat-type audiograms.Regarding speech recognition,the VS group showed significantly poorer monosyllabic recognition(38.6%±40.4%)and sentence recognition(53.4%±42.0%)compared with the SD group(59.0%±37.8%,75.8%±36.0%,P<0.01).Notably,some VS patients exhibited complete loss of speech recognition even before the pure-tone average reached the level of total deafness.CONCLUSION VS patients presenting with SSNHL showed significant differences in audiogram configurations and speech recognition compared with those with ISD.A marked decline in speech recognition,combined with a typical descending-type audiogram,may serve as important clinical indicators,suggesting that early imaging examinations should be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Objective:To analyze the research hotspots and trends of Yupingfeng Powder from 2000 to 2023; To provide reference for related research.Methods:The research literature related to Yupingfeng Powder was retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data and SinoMed from January 1, 2000 to December 20, 2023. Excel 2022 software was used to analyze the annual number of publications. CiteSpace 6.1.R6 software was used for visualization analysis on the authors, research institutions and key words.Results:A total of 2 522 articles were included, and the number of published articles showed a fluctuating growth trend in recent years. The journal with the largest number of articles was New Chinese Medicine (55 articles). The authors with the most publications were Hong Min from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (9 articles) and Zhang Zhonglin from Chengdu Medical College (9 articles). Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine (13 articles) had the largest number of publications. High-frequency keywords included allergic rhinitis, children, urticaria, recurrent respiratory tract infection, etc. The clustering analysis generated 11 labels. Conclusions:The research hotspots of Yupingfeng Powder focus on clinical application, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy, syndrome type research and pharmacological research. Predicting potential drug targets with the help of network pharmacology and molecular docking technology and exploring its mechanism are the research trends in this field.

Objective:To analyze the research status, hotspots, and trends of Banxia Houpu Decoction.Methods:Research literature about Banxia Houpu Decoction was retrieved from the CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, and SinoMed from January 1, 2000 to June 30, 2024. NoteExpress 3.6.0.9220 software was used to merge and eliminate duplicates, and CiteSpace 6.1.R6 software was used to draw and interpret the annual publication volume, authors, and keywords.Results:A total of 716 articles were included in this study, and the number of articles increased first and then decreased in recent years. The journal with the most published articles was Journal of Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine (23 articles); the author with the largest number of articles was Kong Lingdong from Nanjing University (7 articles); high-frequency keywords included "globus hystericus", "cough" and "chronic pharyngitis". A total of 11 labels were generated by clustering analysis, which could be summarized into two topics: clinical application (chronic pharyngitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, aspiration pneumonia, depression, etc.) and literature type (clinical observation, experimental research). Conclusions:The research hotspots of Banxia Houpu Decoction are focused on clinical application and compatibility research. Using network pharmacology to predict potential drug targets and explore their mechanisms, conducting experimental research to explore pharmacological effects and clinical applications for treating diseases is a research trend in this field.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize a glycosyltransferase (RpUGT1) from Rheum palmatum and investigate its specificity toward flavonoid compounds. METHODS: The RpUGT1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and screened for catalytic activity against a range of flavonoid substrates using a high-throughput HPLC assay method. Mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to determine the structure of the product. Homology modeling, molecular docking analyses and site-directed mutagenesis studies were conducted to identify key residues responsible for its function. RESULTS: The recombinant RpUGT1 protein exhibited catalytic activity towards various flavonoids. Notably, RpUGT1 catalyzed the glycosylation of isorhamnetin to form 3-O-glucoside and kaempferol to form 7-O-glucoside, utilizing uridine diphosphate (UDP) glucose as the sugar donor. The homology modeling and molecular docking analyses identified key residues responsible for its activity. Subsequent site-directed mutagenesis studies highlighted the crucial role of K307 in catalysis. CONCLUSION These discoveries offer valuable perspectives on the role of the UGT family and establish a groundwork for forthcoming research on the synthesis of flavonoids in plants.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the patterns of fasting blood glucose (FBG) trajectories and analyze the relationship between various occupational hazard factors and FBG trajectories in male steelworkers. METHODS: The study cohort included 3,728 workers who met the selection criteria for the Tanggang Occupational Cohort (TGOC) between 2017 and 2022. A group-based trajectory model was used to identify the FBG trajectories. Environmental risk scores (ERS) were constructed using regression coefficients from the occupational hazard model as weights. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the effects of occupational hazard factors using the ERS on FBG trajectories. RESULTS: FBG trajectories were categorized into three groups. An association was observed between high temperature, noise exposure, and FBG trajectory ( P < 0.05). Using the first quartile group of ERS1 as a reference, the fourth quartile group of ERS1 had an increased risk of medium and high FBG by 1.90 and 2.21 times, respectively (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.17-3.10; OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.09-4.45). CONCLUSION An association was observed between occupational hazards based on ERS and FBG trajectories. The risk of FBG trajectory levels increase with an increase in ERS.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Blood Glucose/analysis* ; China ; Prospective Studies ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects* ; Risk Factors ; Middle Aged ; Steel ; Fasting/blood* ; Metal Workers ; East Asian People

This study investigates the clinical differentiation and treatment strategies for bipolar disorder （BD） by analyzing the relationship of its core pathomechanisms including qi stagnation， blood stasis， phlegm turbidity， and heat constraint with bile acid metabolism. The imbalance of "yin in form and yang in function" leads to qi stagnation， blood stasis， phlegm turbidity， and heat constraint， which are critical in the pathogenesis and progression of BD. Bile acids regulate neuroinflammation， neural plasticity， and intestinal flora homeostasis through receptor-mediated pathways. It is believed that the physiological functions of bile acids concretely embody the concept of the "liver is yin in form and yang in function" theory. Clinically， prescriptions such as Sini Powder （四逆散） with the function of venting pathogen and resolving constraint， Wendan Decoction （温胆汤） of drying dampness and resolving phlegm， Longdan Xiegan Decoction （龙胆泻肝汤） of clearing liver and draining fire， and Huanglian Ejiao Decoction （黄连阿胶汤） of nourishing yin and blood can be used to nourish liver yin and restore liver yang function. These strategies may improve BD prognosis by modulating bile acid synthesis and metabolism.