Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and osteoporosis (OP) are two very common metabolic diseases. A growing body of experimental evidence supports a pathophysiological link between MAFLD and OP. MAFLD is often associated with the development of OP. Rutaecarpine (RUT) is one of the main active components of Chinese medicine Euodiae Fructus. Our previous studies have demonstrated that RUT has lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and can improve the OP of rats. However, whether RUT can improve both fatty liver and OP symptoms of MAFLD mice at the same time remains to be investigated. In this study, we used C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 months to construct a MAFLD model, and gave the mice a low dose (5 mg·kg^-1) and a high dose (15 mg·kg^-1) of RUT by gavage for 4 weeks. The effects of RUT on liver steatosis and bone metabolism were then evaluated at the end of the experiment [this experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (approval number: IMB-20190124D₃03)]. The results showed that RUT treatment significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation, and significantly reduced bone loss and promoted bone formation. In summary, this study shows that RUT has an effect of improving fatty liver and OP in MAFLD mice.

The genome tagging project (GTP) plays a pivotal role in addressing a critical gap in the understanding of protein functions. Within this framework, we successfully generated a human influenza hemagglutinin-tagged sperm-specific protein 411 (HA-tagged Ssp411) mouse model. This model is instrumental in probing the expression and function of Ssp411. Our research revealed that Ssp411 is expressed in the round spermatids, elongating spermatids, elongated spermatids, and epididymal spermatozoa. The comprehensive examination of the distribution of Ssp411 in these germ cells offers new perspectives on its involvement in spermiogenesis. Nevertheless, rigorous further inquiry is imperative to elucidate the precise mechanistic underpinnings of these functions. Ssp411 is not detectable in metaphase II (MII) oocytes, zygotes, or 2-cell stage embryos, highlighting its intricate role in early embryonic development. These findings not only advance our understanding of the role of Ssp411 in reproductive physiology but also significantly contribute to the overarching goals of the GTP, fostering groundbreaking advancements in the fields of spermiogenesis and reproductive biology.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatids/metabolism* ; Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Thioredoxins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

ObjectiveTo investigate the changing trend of the disease burden of hepatitis B and its related liver cirrhosis in China， to identify related influencing factors， and to provide a basis for optimizing prevention and treatment strategies. MethodsBased on the data from Global Burden of Disease Study in 2021， the Joinpoint regression model was used to calculate the average annual percentage change of the age-standardized incidence rate， prevalence rate， mortality rate， and disability-adjusted life year （DALY） rate of chronic hepatitis B and its related liver cirrhosis from 1992 to 2021. An age-period-cohort model was established to assess the risk of disease onset， and the ARIMA model was used to predict the trend of disease burden from 2022 to 2031. ResultsFrom 1992 to 2021， there was a tendency of reduction in the overall age-standardized incidence rate， prevalence rate， mortality rate， and DALY rate of hepatitis B and its related liver cirrhosis in China， with an average annual decline of 4.52% （95% confidence interval ［CI］： -4.63% to -4.44%， P<0.05）， 2.73% （95%CI： -2.80% to -2.66%， P<0.05）， 3.41% （95%CI： -3.50% to -3.33%， P<0.05）， and 3.55% （95%CI： -3.65% to -3.48%， P<0.05）， respectively. Compared with female individuals， male individuals had significantly higher age-standardized incidence rate， prevalence rate， mortality rate， and DALY rate. From 1992 to 2021， the risk of hepatitis B and its related liver cirrhosis in China first decreased， then increased， and decreased again with age， and it showed an tendency of reduction with time， while it first increased and then decreased with birth cohort. The predictive model showed that there would be a tendency of reduction in the age-standardized incidence rate， prevalence rate， mortality rate， and DALY rate of hepatitis B and its related liver cirrhosis in China from 2022 to 2031. ConclusionFrom 1992 to 2021， there was a tendency of reduction in the disease burden of hepatitis B and its related liver cirrhosis in China， and it would maintain a downward trend in the next decade. There are sex and age differences in the risk of hepatitis B and its related liver cirrhosis.

Objective To explore the impact of artificial intelligence(AI)-assisted computing systems on the success rate of surgery,stereoscopic vision,and quality of life in patients with intermittent exotropia.Methods A total of 108 children(216 eyes)with intermittent exotropia who visited Ziyang Hospital of West China Hospital,Sichuan University from March 2021 to April 2023 were collected and randomly divided into Group A and Group B,with 54 children(108 eyes)in each group.Group A used the traditional calculation method,while Group B used the AI-assisted calculation method to determine the surgical volume of strabismus in children by the angles of strabismus at 6m and 33 cm.The success rate of surgery,postoperative angle of strabismus,stereoscopic visual function,horizontal and vertical perceptual eye positions,and quality of life[Child Intermittent Exotropia Questionnaire(CIXTQ)score]were compared between the two groups at 1 day,1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery.Results At 1 day,1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery,the success rate of surgery in Group B was significantly higher than that in Group A(all P＜0.05).Compared with the val-ues at 1 day after surgery,the angles of strabismus at 6 m and 33 cm in the two groups were significantly reduced at 1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery(all P＜0.05);Group B had significantly lower angles of strabismus at 6 m and 33 cm than Group A at 1 day,1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery(all P＜0.05).At 1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery,the central and far stereoscopic visions of children in the two groups gradually increased,with the increase rate in Group B being significantly higher than that in Group A(Finter-group=76.59,P＜0.05);the proportion of children without stereoscopic vision in both groups gradually decreased,with a decrease rate in Group B being significantly higher than that in Group A(Finter-group=137.74,P＜0.05).At 1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery,the horizon-tal and vertical perceptual eye positions in Group B showed a significant descend range compared with those in Group A(all P＜0.05).At 1 day,1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery,the exotropia displacement of children in both groups gradually increased,and the displacement of children in Group B was significantly smaller than that in Group A at 1 month,3 months and 6 months postoperatively(all P＜0.05).At 1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery,the CIX-TQ scores of children in the two groups increased gradually,with CIXTQ scores in Group B being significantly higher than those of Group A(all P＜0.05).Conclusion AI-assisted computing systems can effectively improve the success rate of intermittent exotropia surgery,enhance the establishment of stereoscopic visual function,improve visual quality,and sig-nificantly improve the quality of life of children.

A 64-year-old woman was treated with Sindillizumab immunotherapy for classic Hodgkin lymphoma.After 7 cycles,the patient developed fever,fatigue,poor appetite,and other symptoms.Auxiliary examination after admission showed that hemoglobin,platelets,white blood cells,and fibrinogen decreased,liver enzymes increased,serum ferritin increased significantly(3 727.56 μg·L-1),and spleen enlargement,which was finally considered to be sindilizumab associated hemophagic cell syndrome.The patient was given methylprednisolone sodium succinate 60 mg·d-1 intravenously for 2 days,40 mg·d-1 intravenously for 4 days,and 30 mg·d-1 intravenously for 1 day,and their symptoms improved significantly,and the temperature,blood count,aminotransferase and other indicators gradually returned to normal.After discharge,she was changed to prednisone 30 mg·d-1 oral therapy,and the dose was reduced by 10 mg per week until withdrawal.The patient did not restart sindilizumab after discharge,and the serum ferritin gradually returned to normal level during follow-up,and no hemophagocytic syndrome-related symptoms appeared again.It was suggested that during the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors,patients with unexplained fever and decreased blood counts,in the absence of improvement in anti-infection,the possibility of hemophagocytic syndrome should be considered and relevant diagnostic tests such as serum ferritin should be improved as soon as possible,and glucocorticoid therapy should be turned on to avoid delay of the disease.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective To develop a scheme for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infection(CAUTI)based on project management method,and evaluate its application effect on the prevention and control of CAUTI in patients with indwelling urinary catheters in the medical intensive care unit(MICU).Methods A total of 153 pa-tients with indwelling urinary catheters admitted to the MICU of a hospital were selected for analysis.Patients from July 2021 to March 2022 were set as the control group(n=78),adopting routine nursing methods.Patients from July to December 2022 were set as the intervention group(n=75),and intervened with nursing measures of project management.Catheterization days,length of hospital stay,and incidence of CAUTI between two groups of patients were compared.Difference in the main indicators of patients with brought catheters and those receiving catheters in this department in the intervention group during three quality cycles was compared.Results The duration of in-dwelling urinary catheters in the intervention group was shorter than that in the control group([9.51±2.57]days vs[11.10±2.82]days),with a statistically significant difference(t=8.207,P=0.038).There was no statistically significant difference in the length of hospital stay between two groups of patients(P＞0.365).In terms of cathe-terization days of patients,those in the second quality cycle was shorter than in the first quality cycle,and those in the third quality cycle was shorter than in the second quality cycle,both with statistically significant differences(both P＜0.05).The overall incidence of CAUTI in patients with indwelling catheters in the intervention group was shor-ter than that of the control group(20.00％vs 24.36％),with statistically significant differences(x2=6.937,P=0.026).Catheterization days between patients with brought catheters and those receiving catheters in this depart-ment were statistically significantly different both in the first and second quality cycles(both P＜0.05).The inci-dences of CAUTI between patients with brought catheters and those receiving catheters in this department were sig-nificantly different in the intervention group,as well as in the first and second quality cycles,respectively(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The application of project management method can reduce the incidence of CAUTI and catheter-ization duration of patients with indwelling urinary catheters in MICU,and improve the nursing quality of the entire process of indwelling catheters.

Objective To understand the change in distribution and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from blood specimens of Hunan Province,and provide for the initial diagnosis and treatment of clinical bloodstream infection(BSI).Methods Data reported from member units of Hunan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Survei-llance System from 2012 to 2021 were collected.Bacterial antimicrobial resistance surveillance method was imple-mented according to the technical scheme of China Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System(CARSS).Bacteria from blood specimens and bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility testing results were analyzed by WHONET 5.6 soft-ware and SPSS 27.0 software.Results A total of 207 054 bacterial strains were isolated from blood specimens from member units in Hunan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System from 2012 to 2021,including 107 135(51.7％)Gram-positive bacteria and 99 919(48.3％)Gram-negative bacteria.There was no change in the top 6 pathogenic bacteria from 2012 to 2021,with Escherichia coli(n=51 537,24.9％)ranking first,followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis(n=29 115,14.1％),Staphylococcus aureus(n=17 402,8.4％),Klebsiella pneu-moniae(17 325,8.4％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(n=4 010,1.9％)and Acinetobacter baumannii(n=3 598,1.7％).The detection rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)decreased from 30.3％in 2015 to 20.7％in 2021,while the detection rate of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(MRCNS)showed an upward trend year by year(57.9％-66.8％).No Staphylococcus was found to be resistant to vancomy-cin,linezolid,and teicoplanin.Among Gram-negative bacteria,constituent ratios of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were 43.9％-53.9％and 14.2％-19.5％,respectively,both showing an upward trend(both P＜0.001).Constituent ratios of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were 3.6％-5.1％and 3.0％-4.5％,respectively,both showing a downward trend year by year(both P＜0.001).From 2012 to 2021,resistance rates of Escherichia coli to imipenem and ertapenem were 1.0％-2.0％and 0.6％-1.1％,respectively;presenting a downward trend(P＜0.001).The resistant rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae to meropenem and ertapenem were 7.4％-13.7％and 4.8％-6.4％,respectively,presenting a downward trend(both P＜0.001).The resistance rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii to carbapenem antibiotics were 7.1％-15.6％and 34.7％-45.7％,respectively.The trend of resistance to carbapenem antibiotics was relatively stable,but has de-creased compared with 2012-2016.The resistance rates of Escherichia coli to the third-generation cephalosporins from 2012 to 2021 were 41.0％-65.4％,showing a downward trend year by year.Conclusion The constituent ra-tio of Gram-negative bacillus from blood specimens in Hunan Province has been increasing year by year,while the detection rate of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacillus remained relatively stable in the past 5 years,and the detection rate of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus has shown a downward trend.