Objective: To investigate the environmental contamination of norovirus in nurseries and primary/secondary schools, so as to provide a scientific basis for effective prevention and control measures. Methods: A total of 483 external environmental samples were collected from 34 cluster outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis in kindergartens and primary/secondary schools in Linhai City from 2021 to 2024. Pathogen detection was conducted using a rapid nucleic acid extraction kit and realtime fluorescence RT-PCR, and the results were analyzed using the χ2 test or Fishers exact test. Results: Among the collected external environmental samples, the total positive rate of surface contamination was 13.66%. The positive rates in kindergartens and primary/secondary schools were 12.20% and 15.82%, respectively. In kindergartens, the five surfaces with the highest detection rates were desks/chairs (23.33%), toilet stool troughs (20.69%), urinal troughs (12.00%), washbasins/sinks (11.11%), and toilet mops (9.38%). In primary/secondary schools, the top five were toilet stool troughs (38.30%), urinal troughs (23.53%), toilet door handles (13.04%), toilet mops (12.50%), and drinking cups (11.11%). The difference in positive detection rates among different external environments in primary/secondary schools was statistically significant (Fishers exact probability test, P<0.01). The positive detection rate in sanitary toilets was higher than that in classroom environments (χ2=17.38), while the positive detection rate in classroom environments of kindergartens was higher than that in primary/secondary schools (χ2=5.42)(P<0.05). Conclusions Norovirus exhibits a high contamination rate in nurseries and schools, particularly in restroom areas. Strengthening sanitation and disinfection in highrisk environments, and improving hygiene awareness among children and staff, are essential for the effective prevent and control of norovirus.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Shaoyaotang （SYD） on the lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced damage of tight junction proteins in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma （Caco-2） cell model of inflammation via the Ras homolog gene family member A （RhoA）/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase （ROCK） pathway. MethodsCaco-2 cells were grouped as follows： Blank， model （LPS， 10 mg·L^-1）， SYD-containing serum （10%， 15%， and 20%）， and inhibitor （Fasudil， 25 μmol·L^-1）. After 24 hours of intervention， the cell viability in each group was examined by the cell-counting kit 8 （CCK-8） method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of endothelin-1 （ET-1）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of RhoA， ROCK2， claudin-5， and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） in cells of each group. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showcased a marked reduction in the cell viability （P<0.01）， elevations in the levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， declines in both mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.01）， and rises in mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Shaoyaotang-containing serum （10%， 15%， and 20%） groups had enhanced cell viability （P<0.01）， lowered levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.01）. Moreover， the inhibitor group and the 15% and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups had lower levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， higher mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） than the 10% Shaoyaotang-containing serum group. ConclusionThe Shaoyaotang-containing serum can lower the levels of LPS-induced increases in levels of inflammatory cytokines and endothelin to ameliorate the damage of tight junction proteins of the Caco-2 cell model of inflammation by regulating the expression of proteins in the RhoA/ROCK pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Shaoyaotang （SYD） on the lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced damage of tight junction proteins in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma （Caco-2） cell model of inflammation via the Ras homolog gene family member A （RhoA）/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase （ROCK） pathway. MethodsCaco-2 cells were grouped as follows： Blank， model （LPS， 10 mg·L^-1）， SYD-containing serum （10%， 15%， and 20%）， and inhibitor （Fasudil， 25 μmol·L^-1）. After 24 hours of intervention， the cell viability in each group was examined by the cell-counting kit 8 （CCK-8） method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of endothelin-1 （ET-1）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of RhoA， ROCK2， claudin-5， and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） in cells of each group. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showcased a marked reduction in the cell viability （P<0.01）， elevations in the levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， declines in both mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.01）， and rises in mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Shaoyaotang-containing serum （10%， 15%， and 20%） groups had enhanced cell viability （P<0.01）， lowered levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.01）. Moreover， the inhibitor group and the 15% and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups had lower levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， higher mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） than the 10% Shaoyaotang-containing serum group. ConclusionThe Shaoyaotang-containing serum can lower the levels of LPS-induced increases in levels of inflammatory cytokines and endothelin to ameliorate the damage of tight junction proteins of the Caco-2 cell model of inflammation by regulating the expression of proteins in the RhoA/ROCK pathway.

BACKGROUND: Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is a skeletal pathology associated with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) that is characterized by aberrant bone mineralization and remodeling. ROD increases the risk of fracture and mortality in CKD patients. The underlying mechanisms of ROD remain elusive, partially due to the absence of an appropriate animal model. To address this gap, we established a stable mouse model of ROD using an optimized adenine-enriched diet and conducted exploratory analyses through ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq). METHODS: Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into three groups: control group ( n = 5), adenine and high-phosphate (HP) diet group ( n = 20), and the optimized adenine-containing diet group ( n = 20) for 12 weeks. We assessed the skeletal characteristics of model mice through blood biochemistry, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), and bone histomorphometry. RNA-seq was utilized to profile gene expression changes of ROD. We elucidated the functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). DEGs were validated via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: By the fifth week, adenine followed by an HP diet induced rapid weight loss and high mortality rates in the mouse group, precluding further model development. Mice with optimized adenine diet-induced ROD displayed significant abnormalities in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, accompanied by pronounced hyperparathyroidism and hyperphosphatemia. The femur bone mineral density (BMD) of the model mice was lower than that of control mice, with substantial bone loss and cortical porosity. ROD mice exhibited substantial bone turnover with an increase in osteoblast and osteoclast markers. Transcriptomic profiling revealed 1907 genes with upregulated expression and 723 genes with downregulated expression in the femurs of ROD mice relative to those of control mice. Pathway analyses indicated significant enrichment of upregulated genes in the sphingolipid metabolism pathway. The significant upregulation of alkaline ceramidase 1 ( Acer1 ), alkaline ceramidase 2 ( Acer2 ), prosaposin-like 1 ( Psapl1 ), adenosine A1 receptor ( Adora1 ), and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 5 ( S1pr5 ) were successfully validated in mouse femurs by qRT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS Optimized adenine diet mouse model may be a valuable proxy for studying ROD. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the sphingolipid metabolism pathway is likely a key player in ROD pathogenesis, thereby providing new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Animals ; Mice ; Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder/genetics* ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Sphingolipids/metabolism* ; Transcriptome/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; X-Ray Microtomography ; Adenine

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Due to the treatment intolerance and side effects, CRC rank the top among various cancers regarding the incidence and mortality rates. Therefore, exploring new therapies is of great significance for the treatment of CRC. Aerobic glycolysis(AEG) plays an important role in the microenvironment formation, proliferation, metastasis, and recurrence of CRC and other tumor cells. It has been confirmed that intervening in the AEG pathway can effectively curb CRC. The active ingredients and compound prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) can effectively inhibit the proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance and regulate the apoptosis of tumor cells by modulating AEG-associated transport proteins [eg, glucose transporters(GLUT)], key enzymes [hexokinase(HK) and phosphofructokinase(PFK)], key genes [hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1) and oncogene(c-Myc)], and signaling pathways(MET/PI3K/Akt/mTOR). Accordingly, they can treat CRC, reduce the recurrence, and improve the prognosis of CRC. Although AEG plays a key role in the development and progression of CRC, the specific mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this article delves into the intrinsic connection of the targets and mechanisms of the AEG pathway with CRC from the perspective of tumor cell glycolysis and explores how active ingredients(oxymatrine, kaempferol, and dioscin) and compound prescriptions(Quxie Capsules, Jiedu Sangen Decoction, and Xianlian Jiedu Prescription) of TCM treat CRC by intervening in the AEG pathway. Additionally, this article explores the shortcomings in the current research, aiming to provide reliable targets and a theoretical basis for treating CRC with TCM.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Prostate cancer(PCa) is a common malignant tumor among elderly men, with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide, posing a serious threat to human health. Traditional treatments face limitations, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Recent studies on the regulatory mechanisms of micro ribonucleic acid(microRNA, miRNA) in tumor development has identified miRNA as new targets for PCa diagnosis and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), with its multi-mechanism, multi-target, and multi-pathway regulatory properties, shows promising potential in miRNA-based PCa therapy. This review summarized recent findings on miRNA' roles in PCa and research progress of TCM intervention and found that a variety of miRNA played important regulatory roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, immune microenvironment, and drug resistance, and their potential as biomarkers for PCa diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy, indicating the potential to be a biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and treatment of PCa. The review concluded that the active components of TCM(terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and others) and compounds(Yishen Tonglong Decoction, Shenhu Decoction, Zhoushi Qiling Decoction, Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction, and Qilan Formula) could regulate the expression of their downstream target genes by acting on specific miRNA and affect the above biological behaviors of PCa cells, thus playing a role in the treatment of PCa. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for miRNA as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PCa and suggest new avenues for further development of targeted therapy strategies against miRNA.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*

PURPOSE: This study aims to identify the prevalence and risk factors of military training-related abdominal injuries and help plan and conduct training properly. METHODS: This questionnaire survey study was conducted from October 2021 to May 2022 among military personnel from 6 military units and 8 military medical centers and participants' medical records were consulted to identify the training-related abdominal injuries. All the military personnel who ever participated in military training were included. Those who refused to participate in this study or provided an incomplete questionnaire were excluded. The questionnaire collected demographic information, type of abdominal injury, frequency, training subjects, triggers, treatment, and training disturbance. Chi-square test and t-test were used to compare baseline information. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to explore the risk factors associated with military training-related abdominal injuries. RESULTS: A total of 3058 participants were involved in this study, among which 1797 (58.8%) had suffered training-related abdominal injuries (the mean age was 24.3 years and the service time was 5.6 years), while 1261 (41.2%) had no training-related abdominal injuries (the mean age was 23.1 years and the service time was 4.3 years). There were 546 injured patients (30.4%) suspended the training and 84 (4.6%) needed to be referred to higher-level hospitals. The most common triggers included inadequate warm-up, fatigue, and intense training. The training subjects with the most abdominal injuries were long-distance running (589, 32.8%). Civil servants had the highest rate of abdominal trauma (17.1%). Age ≥ 25 years, military service ≥ 3 years, poor sleep status, and previous abdominal history were independent risk factors for training-related abdominal injury. CONCLUSION More than half of the military personnel have suffered military training-related abdominal injuries. Inadequate warm-up, fatigue, and high training intensity are the most common inducing factors. Scientific and proper training should be conducted according to the factors causing abdominal injuries.
Humans ; Military Personnel ; Risk Factors ; Prevalence ; Male ; Abdominal Injuries/etiology* ; Female ; Adult ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms distinguishing metabolically healthy from unhealthy phenotypes within the same BMI categories remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between regional fat distribution and metabolically unhealthy phenotypes in Chinese adults across different BMI categories. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involving 11833 Chinese adults aged 20 years and older. Covariance analysis, adjusted for age, compared the percentage of regional fat (trunk, leg, or arm fat divided by whole-body fat) between metabolically healthy and unhealthy participants. Trends in regional fat percentage with the number of metabolic abnormalities were assessed by the Jonckheere-Terpstra test. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by logistic regression models. All analyses were performed separately by sex. RESULTS: In non-obese individuals, metabolically unhealthy participants exhibited higher percent trunk fat and lower percent leg fat compared to healthy participants. Additionally, percent trunk fat increased and percent leg fat decreased with the number of metabolic abnormalities. After adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors, as well as BMI, higher percent trunk fat was associated with increased odds of being metabolically unhealthy [highest vs. lowest quartile: ORs (95%CI) of 1.64 (1.35, 2.00) for men and 2.00 (1.63, 2.46) for women]. Conversely, compared with the lowest quartile, the ORs (95%CI) of metabolically unhealthy phenotype in the highest quartile for percent arm and leg fat were 0.64 (0.53, 0.78) and 0.60 (0.49, 0.74) for men, and 0.72 (0.56, 0.93) and 0.46 (0.36, 0.59) for women, respectively. Significant interactions between BMI and percentage of trunk and leg fat were observed in both sexes, with stronger associations found in individuals with normal weight and overweight. CONCLUSIONS Trunk fat is associated with a higher risk of metabolically unhealthy phenotype, while leg and arm fat are protective factors. Regional fat distribution assessments are crucial for identifying metabolically unhealthy phenotypes, particularly in non-obese individuals.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Adipose Tissue ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Surveys ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of Chinese medicine (CM) Lianhua Qingwen Granule (LHQW) and Jingyin Gubiao Prescription (JYGB) in asymptomatic or mild patients with Omicron infection in the shelter hospital. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in the largest shelter hospital in Shanghai, China, from April 10, 2022 to May 30, 2022. A total of 56,244 asymptomatic and mild Omicron cases were included and divided into 4 groups, i.e., non-administration group (23,702 cases), LHQW group (11,576 cases), JYGB group (12,112 cases), and dual combination of LHQW and JYGB group (8,854 cases). The length of stay (LOS) in the hospital was used to assess the effectiveness of LHQW and JYGB treatment on Omicron infection. RESULTS: Patients aged 41-60 years, with nadir threshold cycle (C_T) value of N gene <25, or those fully vaccinated preferred to receive CM therapy. Before or after propensity score matching (PSM), the multiple linear regression showed that LHQW and JYGB treatment were independent influence factors of LOS (both P<0.001). After PSM, there were significant differences in LOS between the LHQW/JYGB combination and the other groups (P<0.01). The results of factorial design ANOVA proved that the LHQW/JYGB combination therapy synergistically shortened LOS (P=0.032). CONCLUSIONS Patients with a nadir C_T value <25 were more likely to accept CM. The LHQW/JYGB combination therapy could shorten the LOS of Omicron-infected individuals in an isolated environment.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Hospitalization ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Length of Stay ; Young Adult ; Aged