Objective: To explore the plasma metabonomic characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome. Methods: One hundred and three patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome were enrolled from November 2023 to February 2024 in the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and 54 healthy individuals were recruited. The general data of the two groups were analyzed, and the plasma metabolite content was detected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Construct an orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model to screen metabolites with significant intergroup changes. The variable importance in projection≥ 1, |log2FC|>1, and P<0.05 were used as the criteria for the screening of differential metabolites. Annotate differential metabolites using internal databases and the human metabolome database, and perform pathway analysis using MetaboAnalyst website. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in gender and age between the two groups.Seventeen potential differential metabolites were identified. The D-4′-phosphopantothenate, 2, 6-dichloroindophenol, 4-methylphenol, hypoxanthine, 11, 12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, oleamide, 3-phenyllactic acid contents were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome than in healthy individuals(P<0.05); 3-anisic acid, 3-iodo-octadecanoic acid, mebendazole, β-alanine, citric acid, trans-aconitic acid, geranyl diphosphate, lysophosphatidylcholine(18∶2), phosphatidylethanolamine(18∶1), and caprolactam contents were lower in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome than in healthy individuals(P<0.05). Ten metabolic pathways were identified, including the key metabolic pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways. Conclusion Metabolic differences were observed between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and turbid toxin accumulation syndrome and healthy individuals, and the underlying mechanism may involve the pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways, jointly mediated by D-4′-phosphopantothenate and β-alanine.

Objective: To establish a "regular blood donor red blood cell gene database"(hereafter referred to as the "database") by applying molecular biology techniques for red blood cell antigens genotyping and utilizing information technology software, and to determine the significance and application value of this "database" in precise red blood cell transfusion. Methods: Fifteen antigens [C, c, E, e, M, N, S, s, Fy (a), Fy (b), Jk (a), Jk (b), Le (a), Le (b), P1] across six blood group systems (RHCE, MNS, FY, JK, Lewis and P1PK) were detected among 9 426 regular blood donors using the TaqMan-MGB method combined with an improved U-shaped microplate approach. With the assistance of information technology software, the "database" was integrated into the overall inventory management system of the blood supply chain. This enabled comprehensive management of regular blood donor and patient information, test results, specific antigen screening for regular blood donors, graded antigen matching between donors and patients, and rare blood type donor records. Results: The TaqMan-MGB method successfully detected paired antigens (C/c, E/e, M/N, S/s, Fy /Fy , Jk /Jk ) within a single reaction well using a standardized PCR amplification protocol. This method provided a reliable testing solution for clinical institutions and empowered blood collection and supply organizations with high-throughput screening capabilities. In the blood supply chain, genotyped red blood cells accounted for 13.2% (721/5 462 U) of the total inventory, with 95.34% (348/365) originating from donors who donated two units of blood. Moreover, the “database” fulfilled 94.06% (443/471 U) of compatible transfusion requirements from medical institutions and effectively managed rare blood type donors. Conclusion: The establishment of the "database" facilitated the transition of blood compatibility testing from traditional serological methods to molecular biology-based gold standard techniques, significantly advancing the implementation of precise transfusion strategies based on multi-antigen matching between donors and patients.

Stem cell treatment may enhance erectile dysfunction (ED) in individuals with cavernous nerve injury (CNI). Nevertheless, no investigations have directly ascertained the implications of varying amounts of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) on ED. We compare the efficacy of three various doses of HUC-MSCs as a therapeutic strategy for ED. Sprague-Dawley rats (total = 175) were randomly allocated into five groups. A total of 35 rats underwent sham surgery and 140 rats endured bilateral CNI and were treated with vehicles or doses of HUC-MSCs (1 × 10 6 cells, 5 × 10 6 cells, and 1 × 10 7 cells in 0.1 ml, respectively). Penile tissues were harvested for histological analysis on 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 28 days, 60 days, and 90 days postsurgery. It was found that varying dosages of HUC-MSCs enhanced the erectile function of rats with bilateral CNI and ED. Moreover, there was no significant disparity in the effectiveness of various dosages of HUC-MSCs. However, the expression of endothelial markers (rat endothelial cell antigen-1 [RECA-1] and endothelial nitric oxide synthase [eNOS]), smooth muscle markers (alpha smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] and desmin), and neural markers (neurofilament [RECA-1] and neurogenic nitric oxide synthase [nNOS]) increased significantly with prolonged treatment time. Masson's staining demonstrated an increased in the smooth muscle cell (SMC)/collagen ratio. Significant changes were detected in the microstructures of various types of cells. In vivo imaging system (IVIS) analysis showed that at the 1 st day, the HUC-MSCs implanted moved to the site of damage. Additionally, the oxidative stress levels were dramatically reduced in the penises of rats administered with HUC-MSCs.
Male ; Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/methods* ; Rats ; Penis/pathology* ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Umbilical Cord/cytology* ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/complications* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism* ; Actins/metabolism* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the combined effects of air pollutants and greenspace exposure on pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) treatment is limited, particularly in developing countries with high levels of air pollution. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the individual and combined effects of long-term exposure to air pollutants on PTB treatment outcomes while also investigating the potential modifying effect of greenspace. METHODS: This population-based study included 82,784 PTB cases notified in Zhejiang Province, China, from 2015 to 2019. The 24-month average concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM_2.5), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) before PTB diagnosis were estimated using a dataset derived from satellite-based machine learning models and monitoring stations. Greenspace exposure was assessed using the annual China Land Cover Dataset. We conducted analyses using time-varying Cox proportional hazards models and cumulative risk indices. RESULTS: In individual effect models, each 10 µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5, NO₂, O₃, and SO₂ concentrations was associated with hazard ratios for PTB treatment success of 0.95 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93-0.97), 0.92 (95% CI: 0.91-0.94), 0.98 (95% CI: 0.97-0.99), and 1.52 (95% CI: 1.49-1.56), respectively. In combined effect models, long-term exposure to the combination of air pollutants was negatively associated with PTB treatment success, with a joint hazard ratio (JHR) of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.63-0.96). Among the pollutants examined, O₃ contributed the most to the increased risks, followed by PM_2.5 and NO₂. Additionally, areas with moderate levels of greenspace showed a reduced risk (JHR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.62-0.98) compared with the estimate from the third quantile model (JHR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.52-0.83). CONCLUSIONS Combined air pollutants significantly impede successful PTB treatment outcomes, with O₃ and PM_2.5 accounting for nearly 75% of this detrimental effect. Moderate levels of greenspace can mitigate the adverse effects associated with combined air pollutants, leading to improved treatment success for patients with PTB.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/drug therapy* ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; Ozone/adverse effects* ; Adult ; Sulfur Dioxide/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Nitrogen Dioxide/adverse effects* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Along with the change in lifestyle and diet, diabetes mellitus with hyperlipidemia has been a major risk and death factor for cardiovascular disease with the increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus with hyperlipidemia year by year. In order to promote and make full use of unique characteristics and advantages of TCM, the guidance writing group adopted the pattern of combination with disease and syndrome to make a standardized approach to diagnosis and treatment based on emphasis on diagnosis and treatment. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperlipidemia Combined with Disease and Syndrome (hereinafter referred to as " the Guideline") was published in the World Chinese Medicine in August, 2021. Based on the pattern of combination with disease and syndrome, the Guideline highlights the significant characteristics, such as: precise diagnosis and treatment by combined with disease and syndrome, updating criteria, rehabilitation diet therapy and exercise and following the principles which include but not limited to evidence-based medicine. According to the evidence of evidence-based medicine and expert consensus, the Guideline gives recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diabetes mellitus with hyperlipidemia. In the article, the main contents and characteristics of the new guideline were interpreted in order to provide concise and practical guidance for clinicians and promote the clinical popularization and application of the Guideline.

To develop a traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） diagnostic scale for type 2 diabetes mellitus with turbid-toxin accumulation syndrome and to validate the performance of the scale. A candidate pool was established through literature review and expert consultation， and a clinical case information collection form was developed accordingly. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted to the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2021 to January 2022 were investigated， and 312 valid clinical case information collection forms were obtained， which were randomly divided into 235 cases in the study group and 77 cases in the validation group. Four statistical methods， namely， differentiation analysis， Cronbach's coefficient， correlation coefficient， and stepwise regression， were used to screen out the candidate items， and Logistic regression analysis and factor analysis were used to assign weights to the items， and the final diagnostic model was determined by the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， and the diagnostic thresholds were calculated for the Yoden index. The final TCM diagnostic scale for type 2 diabetes mellitus was composed of 8 items： turbid dirt coating （with a weight value of 23， the same below）， sticky stools （16）， fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen （12）， dark complexion （12）， irritability （11）， brown spots on the skin （11）， heaviness of head （10）， and chest stuffiness （5）， and the degree score was 0， 0.5， 1.0， and 1.5 points corresponding to no， mild， moderate and severe symptoms， respectively. The total score was the sum of the degree score multiplied by the weighted value of each item， and when the total score reached 33 points， it is diagnosed as the turbid-toxin accumulation syndrome. The established scale was tested and evaluated in the study group and the validation group， and the results showed that the sensitivity of the study group and the validation group was 89.38% and 89.47%， with the specificity of 95.90% and 89.74%， the Yoden index of 0.85 and 0.79， the positive predictive value of 95.28% and 89.47%， the negative predictive value of 90.70% and 89.74%， the diagnostic advantage ratios of 198.18 and 72.67， and the Kappa values of 0.86 and 0.79， which indicated that the TCM diagnostic scale for turbid-toxin accumulation syndrome of type 2 diabetes mellitus showed good diagnostic ability.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) plays a neuroprotective role in AD. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of MKP-1 on AD have not been extensively studied. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, thereby repressing mRNA translation. Here, we reported that the microRNA-429-3p (miR-429-3p) was significantly increased in the brain of APP23/PS45 AD model mice and N2A^APP AD model cells. We further found that miR-429-3p could downregulate MKP-1 expression by directly binding to its 3'-untranslated region (3' UTR). Inhibition of miR-429-3p by its antagomir (A-miR-429) restored the expression of MKP-1 to a control level and consequently reduced the amyloidogenic processing of APP and Aβ accumulation. More importantly, intranasal administration of A-miR-429 successfully ameliorated the deficits of hippocampal CA1 long-term potentiation and spatial learning and memory in AD model mice by suppressing extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2)-mediated GluA1 hyperphosphorylation at Ser831 site, thereby increasing the surface expression of GluA1-containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs). Together, these results demonstrate that inhibiting miR-429-3p to upregulate MKP-1 effectively improves cognitive and synaptic functions in AD model mice, suggesting that miR-429/MKP-1 pathway may be a novel therapeutic target for AD treatment.

Abstract: To investigate the factors affecting lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), so as to provide the reference for the prevention and treatment of lean NAFLD. Methods: Individuals who underwent physical examination at Huzhou Central Hospital from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 and had a body mass index (BMI) <23 kg/m2 was selected. Demographic information, lifestyle behaviors, dietary habits and physical examination data were collected through questionnaire surveys. Lean NAFLD was assessed using abdominal ultrasonography combined with BMI. Factors affecting lean NAFLD were analyzed by using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 627 individuals were surveyed, with a mean BMI of (20.83±2.01) kg/m2. There were 349 males (55.66%) and 278 females (44.34%). Lean NAFLD was detected in 74 cases, with a detection rate of 11.80%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified BMI (OR=1.830, 95%CI: 1.165-2.869), gender (male, OR=2.615, 95%CI: 1.402-4.875), triglycerides (OR=3.062, 95%CI: 1.613-5.812), alanine aminotransferase (OR=1.587, 95%CI: 1.106-2.277), vegetable and fruit intake (150-300 g/d, OR=0.416, 95%CI: 0.230-0.752; >300 g/d, OR=0.303, 95%CI: 0.141-0.649), dairy product intake (≥300 mL/d, OR=0.369, 95%CI: 0.195-0.701) and sugared beverage intake (1-250 mL/d, OR=1.601, 95%CI: 1.071-2.393; >250 mL/d, OR=2.438, 95%CI: 1.363-4.354) as factors affecting lean NAFLD. Conclusion The risk of lean NAFLD is associated with BMI, gender, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase, and the vegetable and fruit, dairy product and sugared beverage intake.

Objective To explore the effect of shikonin on the recovery of nerve function after acute spinal cord injury(SCI)in rats.Methods 96 male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were divided into 4 groups randomly:sham operation group(Group A),sham operation+shikonin group(Group B),SCI+DMSO(Group C),SCI+shikonin group(Group D).The acute SCI model of rats was made by clamp method in groups C and D.After subdural catheterization,no drug was given in group A.rats in groups B and D were injected with 100 mg·kg-1 of shikonin through catheter 30 min after modeling,and rats in group C were given with the same amount of DMSO,once a day until the time point of collection tissue.Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan(BBB)scores were performed on 8 rats in each group at 6,12,and 3 d after moneling,and oblique plate tests were performed on 1,3,7 and 14 d after modeling,and then spinal cord tissues were collected.Eight rats were intraperitoneally injected with propidine iodide(PI)1 h before sacrificed to detection PI positive cells at 24 h in each group.Eight rats were sacrificed in each group at 24 h after modeling,the spinal cord injury was observed by HE staining.The Nissl staining was used to observe survivor number of nerve cells.Western-blot technique was used to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2 protein and apoptosis related protein RIPK1.Results After modeling,BBB scores were normal in group A and B,but in group C and D were significantly higher than those in group A and B.And the scores in group D were higher than those in group C in each time point(P＜0.05).At 12 h after modeling,the PI red stained cells in group D were significantly reduced compared with that in group C,and the disintegration of neurons was alleviated(P＜0.05).HE and Nissl staining showed nerve cells with normal morphology in group A and B at 24h after operation.The degree of SCI and the number of neuronal survival in group D were better than those in group C,the differ-ence was statistically significant at 24h(P＜0.05).The expression of Bcl-2 and RIPK1 proteins was very low in group A and B;The expression of RIPK1 was significantly increased in Group C and decreased in Group D,with a statistically significant dif-ference(P＜0.05);The expression of Bcl-2 protein in group D was significantly higher than that in group C(P＜0.05).Conclu-sion Shikonin can alleviate the pathological changes after acute SCI in rats,improve the behavioral score,and promote the re-covery of spinal nerve function.The specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TNFR/RIPK1 signaling pathway mediated necrotic apoptosis.