Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator. RESULTS: The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans ; Female ; Propensity Score ; Embryo Transfer ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy ; Live Birth ; Birth Rate ; Cohort Studies

Obesity, as a chronic recurrent disease, has become a major public health challenge in China. To implement the requirements of the Healthy China Initiative (2019—2030), under domestic guidelines or consensus statements on overweight and obesity, and in alignment with the latest scientific advances globally, the Quality control protocol for adult overweight and obesity screening in health management (examination) institutions (2025 edition) was developed. This protocol was drafted by the Health Management Center of Shanghai Changzheng Hospital and formulated through multiple rounds of deliberation by experts in China’s health examination quality control field. The protocol establishes unified standards for screening facilities, personnel qualifications, and measurement or testing procedures. It defines specific screening items, outlines a standardized screening pathway, and sets requirements for the final medical review, ensuring the scientific validity, effectiveness, and safety of the screening process. The implementation of this protocol will enhance the consistency of weight management practices for adults across health examination institutions and strengthen the quality control of overweight and obesity screening programs.

Objective To compare the long-term prognosis differences between surgical radical resection and endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer patients based on the SEER database. Methods A total of 1 437 patients with stage Tis to T_1b gastric adenocarcinoma were selected from the SEER database from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2013. They were divided into a surgery group (n=1 257) and an endoscope group (n=180) according to the treatment method. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression model were used to analyze survival outcomes. Results The patients in the surgery group were younger than those in the endoscope group ([67.63±12.97] years old vs [71.29±10.82] years old), with higher rates of T₁ stage (97.45% vs 87.78%) and lymph node metastasis (19.73% vs 5.00%, all P＜0.001). The median follow-up time for all patients was 37 (15, 66) months, and the mortality rate of gastric cancer in the endoscope group was lower than that in the surgery group (23.33% vs 27.13%, P＜0.001). Univariate Cox analysis showed that treatment modality, age, sex, T stage, lymph node metastasis were all associated with early gastric cancer mortality (all P＜0.05), and the risk of death in the endoscope group was 43% of that in the surgery group (HR=0.43, P=0.015). After adjusting for multiple factors, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality risk between the two groups (P=0.067), but after excluding lymph node positive patients, the mortality risk in the endoscope group was 46% of that in the surgery group (HR=0.46, P=0.048). Conclusions For early gastric cancer patients with negative lymph nodes, endoscopic resection may provide better survival benefits than surgical procedures, suggesting that it can be the preferred treatment strategy for patients with low risk of lymph node metastasis.

Bacterial biofilms(BF)are complex microbial communities formed by bacteria on living or abiotic surfaces.Their formation significantly enhances bacterial virulence and drug resistance and is associated with a high proportion of chronic bacterial infections,posing a serious threat to human health.The ability of traditional antibiotics and commonly used disinfectants to clear biofilms is limited,and an effective new strategy to treat BF is urgently needed.Bacteriophage,as a kind of virus that can infect and lyse bacteria,has high safety and specificity,and is considered as a promising alternative method for the treatment of BF.In this paper,the mechanism of bacteriophage anti-bacterial biofilm and the application strategies based on bacteriophage and its derivatives in the prevention and control of bacteriophage biofilm formation were reviewed,which provided new ideas for the development of efficient bacteriophage anti-bacterial biofilm methods.

Objective To develop and validate a deep learning model for automatic identification of liver CT contrast-enhanced phases.Methods A total of 766 patients with liver CT contrast-enhanced images were retrospectively collected.A three-phase classification model and an arterial phase(AP)classification model were developed,so as to automatically identify liver CT contrast-enhanced phases as early arterial phase(EAP)or late arterial phase(LAP),portal venous phase(PVP),and equilibrium phase(EP).In addition,221 patients with liver CT contrast-enhanced images in 5 different hospitals were used for external validation.The annotation results of radiologists were used as a reference standard to evaluate the model performances.Results In the external validation datasets,the accuracy in identifying each enhanced phase reached to 90.50%-99.70%.Conclusion The automatic identification model of liver CT contrast-enhanced phases based on residual network may provide an efficient,objective,and unified image quality control tool.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of silymarin extract(SME)and its complex preparation on ethanol liver injury.Methods An ethanol liver injury model was established by gavage of 12 mL·kg-1 50％ethanol.Male mice were divided into blank group(distilled water),model group(ethanol liver injury model),SME-L,-H groups(6,20 mg·mL-1 SME),SME+Ganoderma lucidum extract(GLE)-L,-H groups(10,30 mg·mL-1 SME+GLE,SME∶GLE=1∶1),Jian An Shi Silymarin Pueraria Mirifica and Tansy tablets(JAS)-L,-H groups(68,204 mg·mL-1 JAS),there were 12 mice in each group.The serum levels of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT)in mice were measured by fully automated biochemical analyzer assay;the serum levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)in mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELASA);the hepatic tissue of oxidative stress indexes[catalase(CAT)and total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD)]were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometer.Results The T-SOD activity in the blank group,model group,SME-L,SME-H,SME+GLE-L,SME+GLE-H,JAS-L and JAS-H groups were(192.54±49.00),(141.65±34.72),(205.83±32.77),(191.68±25.83),(192.31±28.79),(177.82±32.61),(218.58±74.80)and(210.24±31.65)U·mg·prot-1;CAT activity were(37.78±5.73),(28.92±8.44),(44.12±11.52),(41.41±9.15),(47.01±10.48),(41.63±8.95),(47.14±8.91)and(48.29±10.06)U·mg-1;GPT levels were(47.61±13.00),(97.84±26.00),(62.33±18.92),(51.84±17.91),(70.77±28.00),(58.00±21.27),(52.28±18.78)and(45.55±9.27)U·L-1;IL-6 levels were(21.03±1.52),(28.43±5.75),(21.90±3.24),(21.23±1.55),(22.26±2.58),(21.24±2.91),(22.17±4.14)and(21.14±3.02)pg·mL-1.Comparing the above indexes in the model group with the blank group,and comparing the above indexes in the SME-L,SME-H,SME+GLE-L,SME+GLE-H,JAS-L,JAS-H groups with the model group,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.01).The TNF-α levels in blank,model,SME-L,SME-H,SME+GLE-L,SME+GLE-H,JAS-L and JAS-H groups were were(28.07±7.72),(69.02±16.34),(40.29±8.94),(48.84±10.17),(41.91±14.96),(40.07±12.75),(50.72±11.44)and(45.05±11.34)pg·mL-1.Comparing the model group with the blank group,the SME,SME+GLE-L,-M and JAS,-M groups with the model group,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Silybum marianum extract and its compound preparation can increase the antioxidant level and reduce the inflammation of mouse liver,and have a certain improvement effect on liver injury caused by acute ethanol poisoning.

A high-throughput three-dimensional (3D) hepatocyte culture model is constructed in this study. It is capable of replicating the 3D in vivo environment and offers the advantages of high throughput, enhanced reproducibility, low cost, and simplified operation, rendering a valuable tool for hepatotoxicity screening of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). First, we constructed the 3D high throughput liver chip model using collagen hydrogel. The precision and its difference with traditional cell culture plates were assessed using acetaminophen, Tripterygium hypoglaucum, and Qili San as the references. The feasibility of this model was also investigated by comparing the hepatotoxicity among four batches of T. hypoglaucum and Qili San. The methodology verification shows that the 3D hepatocyte model is better than traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture model in precision and feasibility. Subsequently, we compared the hepatotoxicity of different samples over a period of three or seven days and found that the hepatotoxicity of TCM extracts increased over time. Finally, we compared the hepatotoxicity of T. hypoglaucum and its compound formula Kunxian capsule under equivalent concentration. The results showed that the compound Kunxian capsule could significantly reduce hepatotoxicity of T. hypoglaucum. Generally, we constructed a high-throughput, robust 3D liver-on-a-chip model with the potential of rapid assessing TCM-induced liver toxicity.

Exploring the action targets (groups) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an important proposition to promote the innovation and development of TCM, but it has attracted a lot of attention as to whether it is related to the efficacy or the disease. Our team found that the metabolomic signature molecules in the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) were significantly associated with the clinical efficacy of Yuquan Pill through a large clinical sample study. Taking this as a clue, our team intends to expand the information on the omics features of DM development, and discover the key targets (groups) and their lead compounds for the hypoglycemic effect of Yuquan Pill. The project includes: ① Based on the retrospective clinical trials, using omics technology integrated with generative artificial intelligence, mining the characteristic information of proteome and microbiome, forming driving factors together with metabolome characteristic molecules, and characterizing the molecular trajectories of diabetes evolution and their interference by Yuquan Pill; ② Taking the evolving molecular trajectories as a link and pointer, using anthropomorphic modeling and molecular biology techniques such as chemical proteomics to discover the key targets (groups) of Yuquan Pill's hypoglycemic effect, with the prospective clinical samples for validation; ③ Evaluate the overall response of key targets (groups) using graph neural network technology, and search for drug-derived/endogenous lead compounds with proven clinical pathologies and clear mechanisms of action, so as to provide a new paradigm and technology for the discovery of complex active ingredient targets (groups) of TCM that are related to their clinical efficacy, as well as for the discovery of innovative medicines.

Objective:To analyze the current situation of the development and allocation of medical and health resources in Liaoning Province,and provide references and guidance for relevant departments to optimize and balance the allocation of medical resources.Methods:Based on data from the Liaoning Provincial Bureau of Statistics,a comparative analysis was conducted on the development and allocation of medical resources in Liaoning Province from the dimensions of time and geography.Indicators such as Lorentz curve,Gini coefficient,and health resource density index were used to quantitatively evaluate the equity of medical and health resource allocation and distribution in Liaoning Province.Results:The allocation level of medical resources in central cities is relatively high,while the northwest region of the province is relatively weak.Conclusion:In recent years,the allocation of medical resources in various regions of the province has been improved,but differences still exist.These differences can be gradually reduced through policy guidance,introduction of information technology,and strengthening of human resource construction.