Andrographolide sulfonate (AS) is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, and has been approved for several decades in China. The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling, improved body weights, and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced. Bioinformatics analysis, along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels, suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions. In vitro, AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4⁺ IL-17A⁺ T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis, as indicated by metabolomics analysis, reduced glucose uptake, and pH measurements. Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2 (HK2) to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signals in vivo and in vitro, which was abolished by the addition of lactate. In conclusion, AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Animals ; Th17 Cells/immunology* ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Andrographis paniculata/chemistry* ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-17/immunology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

"State-target-cause-result"is a new clinical theory combining macroscopic and microscopic syndrome differentiation based on the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine combined with Western medical research.The"inflammation-cancer transformation"of chronic pancreatitis is a complex pathological process that is associated with the interaction between the pancreas and various pathological factors and multiple objects,involving the imbalance of multiple homeostasis.The microscopic process of"inflammation-cancer transformation"in chronic pancreatitis is the"target,"whereas various factors that could induce its occurrence under chronic inflammatory conditions are the"state."The"inflammation-cancer transformation"of chronic pancreatitis is summarized as yin and yang imbalance,qi movement disorder,endogenous dampness,heat,blood stasis,and turbid phlegm stagnation,unresolved congestion resulting in deficiency caused by stagnation,intermingled deficiency and excess,and internal cancer toxin generation.This paper elucidates the pathogenesis and intervention strategies of the"inflammation-cancer transformation"of chronic pancreatitis from a macro perspective of"state,"focusing on reducing the impact of"state"imbalance on the"target"to establish a balanced pancreas-immune-microbiota state.The aim is to broaden the theory for exploring the mechanism and drug development related to chronic pancreatitis"inflammation-cancer transformation"in both traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

The purpose of this study was to identify the tick species native to Xindi Township,Yumin County,Xinjiang,China.Preliminary morphological identification of parasitic ticks collected from animals in the area was conducted with an ultra-depth of field three-dimensional VHX 600 digital stereo microscope.Total DNA of the ticks was extracted,amplified by PCR based on the COI and ITS2 gene loci,and the posi-tive PCR products were sequenced.The sequence were a-ligned with reference sequences from the NCBI database were aligned with the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool.A genet-ic phylogenetic tree was generated with the neighbor-joining method of MEGA 7.0 software to determine the evolutionary biological characteristics of ticks.Morphological identification showed that the ticks collected from Xindi Township of Yu-min County were consistent with the characteristics of Hya-lomma asiaticum.An evolutionary tree based on the COI and ITS2 gene sequences showed that the ticks collected in this study were clustered with known H.asiaticum sequences.The PCR products of COI and ITS2 were sequenced and compared,which confirmed that the collected tick species were H.asiaticum,in agreement with the morphological and molecular biological results.These findings help to clarify the distribution of ticks in Xindi Township of Xinjiang,and provide basic data for the analysis of tick genetic and evolutionary characteristics,as reference for surveillance and control of ticks in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions induced by subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients undergoing SCIT injections in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). Methods: This is a single center retrospective cohort study. Using the outpatient information system of PUMCH, the demographic information and injection-related reaction data of patients undergoing SCIT injection in Allergy Department of PUMCH from December 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to count the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions caused by SCIT. Mann-Whitney nonparametric test or chi-square test was used for single-factor analysis, and multiple logistic regression was used for multiple-factor analysis. Results: A total of 2 897 patients received 18 070 SCIT injections in Allergy Department during the four years, and 40 systemic allergic reactions occurred, with the overall incidence rate of 0.22%. The incidence of systemic allergic reaction was 0.37% when using imported dust mite preparation and 0.15% when using domestic multi-component allergen preparation. The risk factors significantly related with SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using imported dust mite preparation were age less than 18 years old (OR=3.186,95%CI: 1.255-8.085), highest injection concentration (OR value could not be calculated because all patients with systemic reactions were injected with highest concentration), and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=22.264,95%CI: 8.205-60.411). The risk factors for SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using domestic allergen preparation were 5 or more types of allergens (OR=3.455,95%CI: 1.147-10.402), highest injection concentration (OR=3.794,95%CI: 1.226-11.740) and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=63.577,95%CI: 22.248-181.683). However, SCIT injection in pollen allergic patients during the pollen season did not show a correlation with systemic allergic reaction. Conclusion: The incidence of SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions was low in the Chinese patient population of this study. Patients with one or more risk factors, such as multiple allergen injection, highest injection concentration, large local reaction in previous injection, should be given high attention and vigilance against systemic allergic reactions.
Humans ; Allergens ; Asian People ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Hypersensitivity/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions induced by subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients undergoing SCIT injections in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). Methods: This is a single center retrospective cohort study. Using the outpatient information system of PUMCH, the demographic information and injection-related reaction data of patients undergoing SCIT injection in Allergy Department of PUMCH from December 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to count the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions caused by SCIT. Mann-Whitney nonparametric test or chi-square test was used for single-factor analysis, and multiple logistic regression was used for multiple-factor analysis. Results: A total of 2 897 patients received 18 070 SCIT injections in Allergy Department during the four years, and 40 systemic allergic reactions occurred, with the overall incidence rate of 0.22%. The incidence of systemic allergic reaction was 0.37% when using imported dust mite preparation and 0.15% when using domestic multi-component allergen preparation. The risk factors significantly related with SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using imported dust mite preparation were age less than 18 years old (OR=3.186,95%CI: 1.255-8.085), highest injection concentration (OR value could not be calculated because all patients with systemic reactions were injected with highest concentration), and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=22.264,95%CI: 8.205-60.411). The risk factors for SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using domestic allergen preparation were 5 or more types of allergens (OR=3.455,95%CI: 1.147-10.402), highest injection concentration (OR=3.794,95%CI: 1.226-11.740) and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=63.577,95%CI: 22.248-181.683). However, SCIT injection in pollen allergic patients during the pollen season did not show a correlation with systemic allergic reaction. Conclusion: The incidence of SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions was low in the Chinese patient population of this study. Patients with one or more risk factors, such as multiple allergen injection, highest injection concentration, large local reaction in previous injection, should be given high attention and vigilance against systemic allergic reactions.
Humans ; Allergens ; Asian People ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Hypersensitivity/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To study the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in high incidence areas of brucellosis in Gansu Province, and provide a guidance for precise prevention and control of brucellosis in the areas with high incidence of the disease.Methods:Using a retrospective research method, human brucellosis monitoring data from five high incidence counties of brucellosis in Gansu Province from 2018 to 2020, including Huan County (eastern), Guazhou County (western), Zhangjiachuan County (southern), Gaotai County (northern), and Jingtai County (central), were collected from monitoring database of the Central Transfer Payment Project. The epidemic characteristics of brucellosis in high incidence areas were described and analyzed.Results:From 2018 to 2020, there were a total of 787 laboratory confirmed cases of brucellosis in high incidence areas of brucellosis in Gansu Province, with a prevalence rate of 3.64%. The incidence rates for each year were 2.63% (205/7 780), 4.60% (327/7 111), and 3.78% (255/6 746), with statistically significant differences between different years (χ 2 = 41.44, P < 0.001). The prevalence rates of brucellosis in Huan County, Guazhou County, Zhangjiachuan County, Gaotai County, and Jingtai County were 0.02% (1/4 263), 3.67% (140/3 817), 4.32% (182/4 209), 4.89% (237/4 847), and 5.04% (227/4 501), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in comparison between different regions (χ 2 = 211.59, P < 0.001). In 2018, the incidence rate was highest in Jingtai County in the central region, and scattered to Zhangjiachuan County in the south and Gaotai County in the north in 2019 and 2020. There were statistically significant differences in the prevalence rates among different genders, ages, ethnicities, educational levels, and occupational groups (χ 2 = 111.95, 212.76, 35.32, 89.59, 97.93, P < 0.001). From 2018 to 2020, the incidence of brucellosis in the < 20 (0.78%, 6.36%, 10.00%), 40 - 50 age groups (5.15%, 7.03%, 8.00%), students and young children (0.58%, 9.20%, 13.64%), and cadres (2.86%, 4.55%, 10.53%) showed an increasing trend year by year (χ 2trend = 21.55, 7.00, 30.63, 2.01, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The brucellosis in Gansu Province is still in a high level of growth stage, and the epidemic area is gradually dispersing; the cases are gradually becoming younger, and key occupational personnel are shifting from farmers and herdsmen to social workers. It is recommended to increase the scope of monitoring, increase publicity efforts, and enhance the self-protection and control awareness of key populations.

Objective:To learn about the epidemic dynamics and spatial epidemic characteristics of human brucellosis in Gansu Province.Methods:Data on human brucellosis in Gansu Province reported by China Disease Control and Prevention Information System from January 2016 to December 2020 were collected and analyzed by descriptive epidemiology and spatial clustering analysis.Results:A total of 10 025 cases of human brucellosis were reported in Gansu Province from 2016 to 2020, with a statistically significant difference in incidence rate between years (χ 2 = 242.86, P = 0.001). The incidence was the lowest in 2018 (6.03/100 000), and the highest in 2020 (11.39/100 000). The reported cases were concentrated in 45 - 55 years old, accounting for 34.52% (3 461/10 025); the male to female ratio was 2.91 ∶ 1.00 (7 458/2 567); farmers were the main occupation, accounting for 82.11% (8 232/10 025). Among the 86 counties (cities, districts) in Gansu Province, Yongchang County had the highest number of reported cases in 2020 (339 cases), and Sunan Yugur Autonomous County had the highest incidence in 2020 (190.89/100 000). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that there was significant spatial positive correlation between the incidence rate of human brucellosis in Gansu Province from 2016 to 2020 (global Moran's I > 0, Z > 1.96, P < 0.05), showing a spatial clustering distribution. The high-high clustering areas were concentrated in Yongchang County and Sunan Yugur Autonomous County. Conclusion:In Gansu Province, the main population of human brucellosis is middle-aged male farmers, and the incidence of brucellosis is spatially clustered.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with spinal fractures with thoracic and lumbar fracture as the most common type shows characteristics of unstable fracture, high incidence of nerve injury, high mortality and high disability rate. The diagnosis may be missed because it is mostly caused by low-energy injury, when spinal rigidity and osteoporosis have a great impact on the accuracy of imaging examination. At the same time, the treatment choices are controversial, with no relevant specifications. Non-operative treatments can easily lead to bone nonunion, pseudoarthrosis and delayed nerve injury, while surgeries may be failed due to internal fixation failure. At present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture. In this context, the Spinal Trauma Academic Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture ( version 2023) by following the principles of evidence-based medicine and systematically review related literatures. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, classification and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture were put forward, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such disorder.

The acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults have a higher rate of neurological injury and early death compared with atlas or axial fractures alone. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment choices of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults are controversial because of the lack of standards for implementation. Non-operative treatments have a high incidence of bone nonunion and complications, while surgeries may easily lead to the injury of the vertebral artery, spinal cord and nerve root. At present, there are no evidence-based Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults. To provide orthopedic surgeons with the most up-to-date and effective information in treating acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field of spinal trauma to develop the Evidence-based guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults ( version 2023) by referring to the "Management of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults" published by American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in 2013 and the relevant Chinese and English literatures. Ten recommendations were made concerning the radiological diagnosis, stability judgment, treatment rules, treatment options and complications based on medical evidence, aiming to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults.

Objective: To explore the promotion effect of laparoscopic standardized surgery for gastric cancer observational in some regional medical centers in Shanghai. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Eleven regional medical centers in Shanghai received the promotion program of laparoscopic standardized surgery for gastric cancer, which was led by Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine (Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center) from January to December 2020. Clinicopathological data of gastric cancer patients treated at these 11 regional medical centers before and after the promotion program were collected. Inclusion criteria were as follows: patients undergoing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy or total gastrectomy; gastric cancer confirmed by pathology; without distant metastasis or peritoneal metastasis. Patients who did not undergo laparoscopic D2 radical resection, or received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery, or without complete clinical data were excluded. Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery from January to December 2019 were included in the pre-promotion group (46 cases). Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery from January to December 2021 were included in the post-promotion group (102 cases). In addition, patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery at Ruijin Hospital from January 2021 to December were included in the control group (138 cases). The baseline data, perioperative measurements postoperative complications, and pathological results of the three groups were analyzed and compared. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics among the three groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the pre-promotion group, the operation time in post-promotion group was significantly shorter [(207.3±36.0) minutes vs. (254.2±47.1) minutes, t=7.038,P<0.001], and the number of harvested lymph node was significantly more (24.4±12.2 vs. 18.9±5.5, t=2.900, P=0.004). However, there were no significant differences in the extent of resection, time to fluid intake, and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the operation time [(207.3±36.0) minutes vs (172.6±26.0) minutes, t=8.281, P<0.001], time to fluid intake [(6.3±3.2) days than (5.5±3.0) days, t=2.029, P=0.044], and the postoperative hospital stay [(14.3±5.6) days vs. (10.1±4.8) days, t=6.036, P<0.001] in the post- promotion group were still longer. Total gastrectomy was less common in the post-promotion group compared with the control group [18 cases (17.6%) vs. 41 cases (29.7%), χ²=7.380, P=0.007]. However, there was no significant difference in the number of harvested lymph node between the two groups (P>0.05). The morbidity of postoperative complication in the post-promotion group (9.8%, 10/102) was significantly lower than that in the pre-promotion group (23.9%, 11/46) (χ²=5.183, P=0.023), while above morbidity was not significantly different between the post-promotion group and the control group [9.8% vs. 6.5% (9/138), χ²=0.867, P=0.352]. Conclusion: After the promotion of laparoscopic standardized surgery for gastric cancer in regional medical centers, the standardization degree of surgery has been improved, and the morbidity of postoperative complication decreases. Laparoscopic standardized surgery for gastric cancer can be promoted to more regional medical centers.
China ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision/methods* ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Treatment Outcome