ObjectiveTo investigate a suspected outbreak of healthcare-associated infection with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) in a geriatric emergency ward, and to provide references for the prevention and control of multidrug-resistant bacteria in a hospital in Shanghai. MethodsOn-site epidemiological investigation, combined with environmental hygiene monitoring and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) molecular typing method, were adopted to investigate a suspected outbreak of CRKP infection in the geriatric emergency ward of a hospital from October to November 2022, aiming at finding out factors caused the outbreak before taking corresponding control measures. ResultsA total of 3 cases of healthcare-associated CRKP infection were identified, of which 2 cases were homologous to a previous case of community-associated CRKP infection. What’s more, the 2 cases lived in the same ward with the latter and with adjacent beds, but the third case was non-homologous to the community-associated infection case. A total of 46 samples were collected from the environmental surfaces and the hands of healthcare workers, of which 7 samples tested positive for CRKP and were identical to the strains from the 2 healthcare-associated infection cases and the 1 community-associated infection case, originating from the bedrails, bedside tables, surface of non-invasive ventilator, bed curtains and panels of monitoring equipment, with a detection rate of 15.22%. But none of the 11 samples from the hands of healthcare workers tested positive for CRKP. The outbreak was effectively controlled after taking specific prevention and control measures such as strengthening personnel management, intensifying environmental cleaning and disinfection and strictly enforcing hand hygiene among healthcare workers. Subsequently, no similar new cases were reported during the 14-day follow-up period. ConclusionIncomplete environmental cleaning and disinfection, as well as inadequate enforcement of hand hygiene among heatheare workers may have contributed to the suspected outbreak of CRKP in the geriatric emergency ward. Early warning and timely investigation of suspected outbreaks of multidrug-resistant bacteria are crucial for preventing and controlling such outbreaks in hospitals.

Objective To identify long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) associated with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and investigate their mechanisms. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from RA-ILD patients (n＝3), RA patients without lung involvement (n＝3), and healthy controls (n＝3). Next-generation sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed lncRNA. A human fibrotic lung cell model was established by inducing the MRC-5 cell line with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Following siRNA-mediated knockdown of target genes, changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress-related genes were analyzed via real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assays were used to validate protein expression, ubiquitination levels, and nuclear translocation of oxidative stress regulators, and antioxidant response element (ARE) transcriptional activity. Rescue experiments were conducted to confirm the role of target lncRNA in oxidative stress and inflammation in fibrotic lung cells. Results High-throughput sequencing revealed significant downregulation of LINC00638 in RA-ILD patients. Knockdown of LINC00638 markedly reduced transcriptional levels of interleukin (IL)-4, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), while increasing IL-6, IL-1β, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, LINC00638 knockdown decreased Nrf2 protein expression, increased its ubiquitination, reduced nuclear translocation, and suppressed ARE transcriptional activity. In MRC-5 cells, LINC00638 knockdown combined with N-acetylcysteine treatment restored Nrf2 and HO-1 levels while reducing IL-6 expression. Conclusions LINC00638 suppresses inflammatory responses in RA-ILD by activating the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant signaling pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for diagnosis and treatment.

ObjectiveTo investigate the high-risk detection rate and aggregation of cardiovascular diseases（CVD） in 8 districts of Shanghai and influencing factors， and to provide scientific references for prevention and control of CVD. MethodsBased on the Cardiovascular Disease Screening and Management Program in Shanghai from 2016 to 2021， 104 685 participants aged 35 to 75 in 8 districts of Shanghai were selected for analysis. χ² test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis of the influencing factors of CVD and aggregation of CVD. ResultsThe proportion of high-risk CVD individuals in the population was 19.17%， including the high-risk individuals with hypertension （8.65%）， dyslipidemia （6.33%）， CVD history （5.58%）， and WHO assessed risk ≥20% types （2.69%）， respectively. Old age， overweight and obesity， central obesity， smoking， drinking， farmers， unmarried， and low family income were the risk factors of CVD， while high education level was the protective factor. In the participants， 16 323 people （81.34%） were classified as CVD high-risk groups； The number of aggregation of 1， 2 and ≥3 high risk types of CVD were 16 323（81.34%）， 3 236（16.13%）， 509（2.54%）， respectively. Old age， low education level， low annual family income， farmers， unmarried， smoking， drinking， overweight， obesity and central obesity were associated with the risk of aggregation of high risk types of CVD， and the correlation strength increased with the increase of aggregation types. ConclusionThe prevention and control of CVD in Shanghai should focus on the hypertension， elderly， overweight， obesity， central obesity， smoking， drinking， low educated， low family income， farmers and unmarried people， and targeted intervention measures should be taken to reduce the risk of CVD among residents.

This article aims to explore the significant influence of the Communist Party of China(CPC)on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).The article reviews the historical development of TCM in modern times and the impact of the CPC,combined with the achievements of the TCM department of comprehensive hospitals,to explore the approach of building pioneer branches with distinctive TCM national cultural characteristics,and to consider how to inherit and innovate the development of TCM cultural essence.The article emphasizes the significant contribution of the CPC to the modernization of TCM and the cause of human health.Through this research,it will contribute to a better understanding of the important role of the CPC in the protec-tion and inheritance of TCM culture and explore cultivation programs for party branches with TCM characteristics to better inherit,innovate and develop traditional Chinese medicine.

[Objective]To explore the diagnostic value of dual-energy computed tomography(DECT)for left atrial appendage thrombosis/spontaneous echocardiographic contrast(LAAT/SEC).[Methods]A retrospective analysis was done on 64 non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients who planned to undergo radiofrequency ablation between November 2020 and November 2021.All patients underwent DECT and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE),and then were divided into LAAT/SEC group and non-LAAT/SEC group based on the TEE results.The clinical data and imaging parameters of the two groups were compared and analyzed.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the independent risk factors for LAAT/SEC,and a prediction model was constructed.[Results]A total of 64 patients with atrial fibrillation were enrolled in this study,including 42 non-LAAT/SEC patients and 22 LAAT/SEC patients.There was no statistically significant difference in gender and body mass index(BMI)between the two groups(P>0.05).CHA2DS2-VASc score and left atrial diameter were higher in the LAAT/SEC group than in the non-LAAT/SEC group(P=0.047;P<0.001).Significant differences(P<0.001)were observed in the ratio of Hounsfield unit of LAA and ascending aorta(LAA/AA HU ratio)at the first phase of DECT and quantitative parameters such as Zeff,Rho,λHu,and nIC.Multivariate logistic regression showed that Zeff and Rho were the independent factors for the diagnosis of LAAT/SEC.A Zeff-Rho based model predicting LAAT/SEC was subsequently developed,with Area Under the Curve(AUC)of 0.96(95%CI:0.92,1.00)and the accuracy of 0.92(95%CI:0.83,0.97).[Conclusions]The two quantitative parameters Zeff and Rho are independent risk factors for the diagnosis of LAAT/SEC.The DECT derived Zeff and Rho may have better diagnostic performance than single parameter and conventional CT in detecting LAAT/SEC.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) body constitution types in the elderly, and to provide an evidence for the control of cognitive impairment in the elderly. MethodsThe elderly aged 65 and above who participated in the community physical examinations in a community of Changning District, Shanghai were selected as the research subjects. The cognitive function was assessed by using the Clock Drawing Test combined with the Ascertain Dementia 8-item Questionnaire (AD8), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). The diagnostic criteria for MCI was identified based on the 2018 Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia and Cognitive Disorders, along with the assessment results and clinical history information. The current investigation method was used to collect the basic information and the prevalence of chronic disease of the subjects through questionnaire inquiries. The elderly subjects’ ability to take care of themselves was evaluated based on the Elderly Self⁃Care Ability Evaluation Scale, while the TCM body constitution types were determined based on the Chinese Medicine Health Care Management Service Specification. The association of the detection rate of MCI with gender, education level, history of chronic disease and TCM body constitution types were analyzed lastly. ResultsA total of 2 351 elderly people were investigated, including 1 037 males and 1 314 females, with an average age of (74.11±6.15) years. 174 subjects, accounting for 7.40%, were identified with MCI. The highest detection rate of MCI in the elderly are those with a Qi stagnation constitution (10.8%), followed by those with a dampness-heat constitution (9.1%) and a Qi deficiency constitution (8.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age, lower educational level, a history of tuberculosis, and TCM constitutions such as dampness-heat, Qi stagnation, and Qi deficiency were the potential risk factors for MCI. ConclusionThere is a significant association between TCM constitution types such as dampness-heat, Qi stagnation, and Qi deficiency with MCI. TCM techniques can be integrated into the health management services for the elderly population, and targeted interventions can be provided to those with imbalanced constitution types so as to reduce the risk of MCI.

Objective:To investigate the changes of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in retinal photoreceptor cells, and the related mechanism correlated with retinal photoreceptor cell damage.Methods:The posterior segment tissues of 8 age-matched male donors were collected from the Body (Organ) Donation Register and Corneal Receiving Station of Tongji Hospital of Wuhan Red Cross from 2018 to 2021, including 4 non-diabetic donors and 4 diabetic donors.The tissues were divided into diabetes group and control group according to their donors.A total of 14 healthy SPF 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were selected and randomly divided into diabetes group and control group by the random number method, with 7 mice in each group.The mice in diabetes group were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 5 days, and no intervention was given to mice in control group.Mouse photoreceptor cells 661W were divided into advanced glycation end products (AGEs) group and control group.AGEs group was treated with 100 μg/ml AGEs for 24 hours to simulate diabetic injury, and no intervention was given to control group.The outer segment morphology of retinal photoreceptors in human and mouse retinas was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), rhodopsin and GPX4 in human and mouse retinas were detected by immunofluorescence staining.The expressions of GFAP, rhodopsin and GPX4 in mouse retina and the expression of GPX4 in 661W cells were determined by Western blot.The activity of 661W cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) method.The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in mouse retina and cells was detected by TBA method.The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in mouse retina and cells was detected by hydroxylamine assay.The use of human tissues was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (No.TJ-C20230301). The animal experiments were conducted with reference to the Standards Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health, and the study protocol was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (No.TJH-2016001).Results:Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that retinal photoreceptor outer segments were deformed or broken in diabetic donors and diabetic mice compared with control groups.GFAP fluorescent signal mainly appeared in the inner retina of human and mice, and the stained cells were spindle or polygonal, which was consistent with the shape of glial cells.The retinal GFAP fluorescent signal of diabetic tissue and mouse groups was stronger than that of respective control groups.Rhodopsin was only expressed in the outer segment layer of photoreceptors with clear boundaries, and GPX4 was expressed in the whole retina with strong signal in the outer segment layer of photoreceptors.The fluorescent signals of rhodopsin and GPX4 in diabetic tissue and mouse groups were weaker than those in respective control groups.The relative expressions of GFAP were significantly higher and the relative expressions of rhodopsin and GPX4 were significantly lower in diabetic tissue and mouse groups than in respective control groups (all at P<0.05). The cell viability of AGEs group was significantly lower than that of control group ( t=13.490, P<0.001). The relative expression of GPX4 protein in AGEs group was 0.42±0.12, which was significantly lower than 1.00±0.04 in control group ( t=9.041, P<0.001). MDA concentration was higher and SOD activity was lower in retinal tissue of diabetic mice and AGEs group than those in respective control groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:Diabetes can reduce the GPX4 level in retinal photoreceptor cells and cause the imbalance of oxidation-antioxidant system, which may be the mechanism of the damage to retinal photoreceptor cells caused by diabetes.

BACKGROUND: LY01005 (Goserelin acetate sustained-release microsphere injection) is a modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist injected monthly. This phase III trial study aimed to evaluated the efficacy and safety of LY01005 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial across 49 sites in China. This study included 290 patients with prostate cancer who received either LY01005 or goserelin implants every 28 days for three injections. The primary efficacy endpoints were the percentage of patients with testosterone suppression ≤50 ng/dL at day 29 and the cumulative probability of testosterone ≤50 ng/dL from day 29 to 85. Non-inferiority was prespecified at a margin of -10%. Secondary endpoints included significant castration (≤20 ng/dL), testosterone surge within 72 h following repeated dosing, and changes in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prostate specific antigen levels. RESULTS: On day 29, in the LY01005 and goserelin implant groups, testosterone concentrations fell below medical-castration levels in 99.3% (142/143) and 100% (140/140) of patients, respectively, with a difference of -0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.9% to 2.0%) between the two groups. The cumulative probabilities of maintaining castration from days 29 to 85 were 99.3% and 97.8%, respectively, with a between-group difference of 1.5% (95% CI, -1.3% to 4.4%). Both results met the criterion for non-inferiority. Secondary endpoints were similar between groups. Both treatments were well-tolerated. LY01005 was associated with fewer injection-site reactions than the goserelin implant (0% vs . 1.4% [2/145]). CONCLUSION: LY01005 is as effective as goserelin implants in reducing testosterone to castration levels, with a similar safety profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04563936.
Humans ; Male ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use* ; East Asian People ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/agonists* ; Goserelin/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVE: Omicron, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant, is responsible for numerous infections in China. This study investigates the association between the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea (SFHT) and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection to develop precise and differentiated strategies for control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This case-control study was conducted at shelter hospitals and quarantine hotels in China. A total of 5348 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled between April 1 and May 31, 2022, while 2190 uninfected individuals served as healthy controls. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on demographics, underlying diseases, vaccination status, and use of SFHT. Patients were propensity-score-matched using 1:1 nearest-neighbor matching of the logit of the propensity score. Subsequently, a conditional logistic regression model was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 7538 eligible subjects were recruited, with an average age of [45.54 ± 16.94] years. The age of COVID-19 patients was significantly higher than that of uninfected individuals ([48.25 ± 17.48] years vs [38.92 ± 13.41] years; t = 22.437, P < 0.001). A total of 2190 COVID-19 cases were matched with uninfected individuals at a 1:1 ratio. The use of SFHT (odds ratio = 0.753, 95% confidence interval: 0.692, 0.820) was associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to untreated individuals. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that taking SFHT reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is a useful study in the larger picture of COVID-19 management, but data from large-sample multi-center, randomized clinical trial are warranted to confirm the finding. Please cite this article as: Zhang SX, Chen XX, Zheng Y, Cai BH, Shi W, Ru M, Li H, Zhang DD, Tian Y, Chen YL. Reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk is associated with the use of Seven-Flavor Herb Tea: A multi-center observational study in Shanghai, China. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(4):369-376.
Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Case-Control Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Tea

Objective:To investigate the epidemic characteristics of influenza in children and the features of severe influenza.Methods:From January 2016 to September 2022, 1 600 samples from hospitalized cases of severe acute respiratory tract infection and 7 660 samples from outpatients with influenza-like illness were collected. Influenza virus was detected by real-time RT-PCR. Other respiratory viruses in the samples of severe hospitalized cases and some samples of outpatients were detected. Clinical features of influenza virus infection and co-infection were analyzed.Results:The positive rate of influenza virus in the 1 600 hospitalized cases of severe acute respiratory infection was 6.63% (106 cases). H1N1, H3N2, BV and BY were deteted in 49.06% (52 cases), 17.92% (19 cases), 29.25% (31 cases) and 3.77% (4 cases) of the 106 cases, respectively. The positive rate of influenza virus in the 7 660 out-patient cases was 15.01% (1 150 cases), and H1N1, H3N2, BV and BY were detected in 22.17% (255 cases), 30.96% (356 cases), 41.39% (476 cases) and 5.48% (63 cases) of the infected cases, respectively. Influenza A (H1N1) virus was more likely to cause severe influenza in children (χ 2=37.978, P<0.001), while seasonal H3N2 and BV strains were less likely to cause severe influenza in children (χ 2=7.871, P=0.005; χ 2=5.948, P=0.015). There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rates of BY lineage in the two groups. Severe influenza mainly occured in the peak season of influenza epidemic. There was no significant difference in the clinical manifestations between the children infected with the four different influenza viruses. In the 106 severe cases of influenza, the co-infection rate of influenza virus with other respiratory viruses was 17.92% (19 cases), while the co-infection rate reached 34.81% (47 cases) in 135 outpatient cases of influenza. The difference in the co-infection rates was statistically significant between outpatient and hospitalized cases (χ 2=10.734, P=0.001). Conclusions:Influenza A (H1N1) virus was more likely to cause severe influenza in infants and young children in comparison with seasonal H3N2 and BV. There was no significant difference in the clinical features of influenza caused by H1N1, H3N2, BV and BY. Co-infection of influenza virus with other respiratory viruses is not a major risk factor for severe influenza in infants.