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.

OBJECTIVE To screen the primary processing methods of Ligusticum sinense slice based on differential metabolites， and provide theoretical basis for the scientific processing of L. sinense. METHODS Using 13 groups of L. sinense slice processed by fresh-cutting or traditional methods as samples， UHPLC-QE-MS was employed for metabolite identification. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to screen differential metabolites among the 13 sample groups， analyzing the effects of washing， soaking， drying methods， and drying cycles on both the relative expressions of differential metabolites and the contents of carboxylic acids and their derivatives in the samples （to reflect the total amino acid content）. RESULTS Principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis both showed significant intergroup differences among the 13 sample groups. A total of 688 differential metabolites were screened from the 13 sample groups， with carboxylic acids and their derivatives showing the highest proportion. The relative expression levels of phosphatidylcholine significantly increased after washing treatment， while tryptophan expression significantly decreased after soaking treatment. Samples dried at 50-60 ℃ showed significantly increased expression of psoralen， whereas those dried at 40 ℃ showed significantly decreased expression of methyl -p- methoxycinnamate. Both washing and soaking treatments significantly reduced the total amino acid content in samples， while secondary drying significantly increased it. The three controlled-temperature drying methods maintained relatively stable total content of amino acids in samples. CONCLUSIONS The optimal processing protocol for L. sinense slice is as follows: fresh L. sinense slice should be freshly cut at the production site， undergo quick washing after soil removal， and be dried twice at 40 ℃ （before and after slicing）.

A UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap/MS method was developed to identify the related substances in apixaban tablets. Complete separation was accomplished with a Waters Xbridge C18 (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) column by linear gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of 30 mmol/L ammonium acetate buffer solution (pH 4.50) and acetonitrile. The related substances were successfully characterized through the accurate mass and elemental composition of the parent ions and their product ions determined by electrospray positive ionization high-resolution Q-Orbitrap/MS methods. Under the established analytical condition, apixaban and its related substances were well separated, and 30 related substances were detected and identified by hyphenated techniques in apixaban tablets and their stressed samples. Among them, 11 were known impurities and the rest 19 were unknown related substances identified for the first time in this study. The results obtained are valuable for apixaban manufacturing process optimization and quality control.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with clinical hallmarks of progressive cognitive impairment. Synergistic effects of the Aβ-Tau cascade reaction are tightly implicated in AD pathology, and microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation drives neuronal tauopathy. However, the underlying mechanism of how Aβ mediates NLRP3 inflammasome remains unclear. Herein, we determined that oligomeric Aβ (o-Aβ) bound to microglial Kv2.1 and promoted Kv2.1-dependent potassium efflux to activate NLRP3 inflammasome resulting in neuronal tauopathy by using Kv2.1 inhibitor drofenine (Dfe) as a probe. The underlying mechanism has been intensively investigated by assays with Kv2.1 knockdown in vitro (si-Kv2.1) and in vivo (AAV-ePHP-si-Kv2.1). Dfe deprived o-Aβ of its capability to promote microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuronal Tau hyperphosphorylation by inhibiting the Kv2.1/JNK/NF-κB pathway while improving the cognitive impairment of 5×FAD-AD model mice. Our results have highly addressed that the Kv2.1 channel is required for o-Aβ-driven microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuronal tauopathy in AD model mice and highlighted that Dfe as a Kv2.1 inhibitor shows potential in the treatment of AD.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze bone mass distribution and the factors affecting bone mass in a general Chinese Han cohort undergoing physical examinations at our center. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements from 30 599 healthy Han Chinese adults (age≥20 years) who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans at our hospital from July, 2013 to July, 2023. Basic parameters including height, body weight, and gender were recorded, and descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were performed using R software. RESULTS: In this cohort, the male individuals had a mean peak BMD of 1.00±0.12 g/cm² in the lumbar vertebrae, 0.94±0.14 g/cm² in the femoral neck, and 0.99±0.13 g/cm² in the total hip, significantly higher than the values in the female individuals [0.99±0.12 g/cm² in the lumbar vertebrae (P=0.022), 0.79±0.11 g/cm² in the femoral neck (P<0.001), and 0.88±0.11 g/cm² in the total hip (P<0.001)]. In the overall cohort, the BMD values of the lumbar spine and femur decreased with age after reaching their peak levels. There was a positive correlation between BMD value and body mass index (BMI) in both male and female individuals. The 2013-2014 period recorded the lowest BMD values in the lumbar, hip, and femoral neck, which tended to increase steadily in the following years (2015-2023). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the BMD values vary among different populations, and future multi-center studies using more accurate BMD detection technology are warranted to capture the variation patterns of BMD with demographic characteristics of specific populations.
Humans ; Bone Density ; Absorptiometry, Photon ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Osteoporosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; China/epidemiology* ; Femur Neck/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous colistin sulfate combined with nebulized inhalation versus intravenous monotherapy for pulmonary infections caused by carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data were collected from patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of 10 tertiary class-A hospitals in Henan Province between July 2021 and May 2023, who received colistin sulfate for CRO pulmonary infections. Data included baseline characteristics, inflammatory markers [white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP)], renal function indicators [serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], life support measures, anti-infection regimens, clinical efficacy, microbiological clearance rate, and prognostic outcomes. Patients were divided into two groups: intravenous group (colistin sulfate monotherapy via intravenous infusion) and combination group ((intravenous infusion combined with nebulized inhalation of colistin sulfate). Changes in parameters before and after treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients with CRO pulmonary infections were enrolled, including 89 in the intravenous group and 48 in the combination group. Baseline characteristics, life support measures, daily colistin dose, and combination regimens (most commonly colistin sulfate plus carbapenems in both groups) showed no significant differences between two groups. The combination group exhibited higher clinical efficacy [77.1% (37/48) vs. 59.6% (52/89)] and microbiological clearance rate [60.4% (29/48) vs. 39.3% (35/89)], both P < 0.05. Pre-treatment inflammatory and renal parameters showed no significant differences between two groups. Post-treatment, the combination group showed significantly lower WBC and CRP [WBC (×10⁹/L): 8.2±0.5 vs. 10.9±0.6, CRP (mg/L): 14.0 (5.7, 26.6) vs. 52.1 (24.4, 109.6), both P < 0.05], whereas NEU, PCT, SCr, and BUN levels showed no significant between two groups. ICU length of stay was shorter in the combination group [days: 16 (10, 25) vs. 21 (14, 29), P < 0.05], although mechanical ventilation duration and total hospitalization showed no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous colistin sulfate combined with nebulized inhalation improved clinical efficacy and microbiological clearance in CRO pulmonary infections with an acceptable safety profile.
Humans ; Colistin/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Administration, Inhalation ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Carbapenems/pharmacology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects* ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Objective:Given the high incidence and mortality rate of sepsis,early identification of high-risk patients and timely intervention are crucial.However,existing mortality risk prediction models still have shortcomings in terms of operation,applicability,and evaluation on long-term prognosis.This study aims to investigate the risk factors for death in patients with sepsis,and to construct the prediction model of short-term and long-term mortality risk. Methods:Patients meeting sepsis 3.0 diagnostic criteria were selected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV(MIMIC-IV)database and randomly divided into a modeling group and a validation group at a ratio of 7?3.Baseline data of patients were analyzed.Univariate Cox regression analysis and full subset regression were used to determine the risk factors of death in patients with sepsis and to screen out the variables to construct the prediction model.The time-dependent area under the curve(AUC),calibration curve,and decision curve were used to evaluate the differentiation,calibration,and clinical practicability of the model. Results:A total of 14 240 patients with sepsis were included in our study.The 28-day and 1-year mortality were 21.45%(3 054 cases)and 36.50%(5 198 cases),respectively.Advanced age,female,high sepsis-related organ failure assessment(SOFA)score,high simplified acute physiology score II(SAPS II),rapid heart rate,rapid respiratory rate,septic shock,congestive heart failure,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,liver disease,kidney disease,diabetes,malignant tumor,high white blood cell count(WBC),long prothrombin time(PT),and high serum creatinine(SCr)levels were all risk factors for sepsis death(all P<0.05).Eight variables,including PT,respiratory rate,body temperature,malignant tumor,liver disease,septic shock,SAPS II,and age were used to construct the model.The AUCs for 28-day and 1-year survival were 0.717(95%CI 0.710 to 0.724)and 0.716(95%CI 0.707 to 0.725),respectively.The calibration curve and decision curve showed that the model had good calibration degree and clinical application value. Conclusion:The short-term and long-term mortality risk prediction models of patients with sepsis based on the MIMIC-IV database have good recognition ability and certain clinical reference significance for prognostic risk assessment and intervention treatment of patients.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Yiguan Decoction(YGJD)on the efficacy of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages(M1-BMDMs)in the treatment of rats with liver cirrhosis induced by 2-AAF/CCl4.Methods BMDMs were isolated and induced into M1-BMDMs by lipopolysaccharide.A total of 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group with 5 rats and model group with 45 rats.The rats for modeling were given subcutaneous injection of 50%CCl4 twice a week.Since week 7,the rats for modeling were randomly divided into model group(M group),YGJD group,M1-BMDM group,M1-BMDM+YGJD group,and sorafenib(SORA)group,and they were given subcutaneous injection of 30%CCl4 to maintain the progression of liver cirrhosis and intragastric administration of 2-AAF.CCR2 inhibitors were added to the drinking water,and each group was given the corresponding intervention.Related samples were collected at week 9.The rats were observed in terms of serum liver function parameters,liver pathology,hydroxyproline(Hyp)content in liver tissue,hepatic stellate cell activation,hepatic fibrosis and inflammation factors,and the expression levels of molecules associated with the Wnt signaling pathway.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups.Results Compared with the M group,the M1-BMDM+YGJD group had significant reductions in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,and total bilirubin(TBil)(all P<0.05)and a significant increase in the content of albumin(Alb)(P<0.05),and compared with the M1-BMDM group,the M1-BMDM+YGJD group had a significant reduction in the serum level of TBil(P<0.05)and a significant increase in the serum level of Alb(P<0.05).Compared with the M1-BMDM group,the M1-BMDM+YGJD group had significant reductions in the expression levels of CD68 and TNF-α(P<0.05).Compared with the M1-BMDM group,the M1-BMDM+YGJD group had significant reductions in Hyp content and Sirius red positive area(P<0.05).As for the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway molecules,compared with the M1-BMDM group,the M1-BMDM+YGJD group had significantly lower mRNA and protein expression levels of Wnt5a(P<0.05)and mRNA expression level of Fzd2(P<0.05),as well as significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of Wnt4,Wnt5b,and Fzd3(P<0.05),while there were no significant changes in the mRNA expression levels of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway molecules β-catenin,LRP5,LRP6,Fzd5,and TCF.Conclusion YGJD can enhance the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDMs on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by 2-AAF/CCl4,possibly by inhibiting the non-canonical Wnt5a/Fzd2 signaling pathway,which provides new ideas for the synergistic effect of traditional Chinese medicine on M1-BMDMs in the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） co-cultured with bone marrow-derived M2 macrophages （M2-BMDMs）， named as BMSC^M2， on a rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄）/2-acetaminofluorene （2-AAF）. MethodsRat BMDMs were isolated and polarized into M2 phenotype， and rat BMSCs were isolated and co-cultured with M2-BMDMs at the third generation to obtain BMSC^M2. The rats were given subcutaneous injection of CCl₄ for 6 weeks to establish a model of liver cirrhosis， and then they were randomly divided into model group （M group）， BMSC group， and BMSC^M2 group， with 6 rats in each group. A normal group （N group） with 6 rats was also established. Since week 7， the model rats were given 2-AAF by gavage in addition to the subcutaneous injection of CCl₄. Samples were collected at the end of week 10 to observe liver function， liver histopathology， and hydroxyproline （Hyp） content in liver tissue， as well as changes in the markers for hepatic stellate cells， hepatic progenitor cells， cholangiocytes， and hepatocytes. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the N group， the M group had significant increases in the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） （P<0.01）； compared with the M group， the BMSC and BMSC^M2 groups had significant reductions in ALT and AST （P<0.01）， and the BMSC^M2 group had significantly better activities than the BMSC group （P<0.05）. Compared with the N group， the M group had significant increases in Hyp content and the mRNA and protein expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in the liver （P<0.01）； compared with the M group， the BMSC and BMSC^M2 groups had significant reductions in Hyp content and the expression of α-SMA （P<0.05）， and the BMSC^M2 group had a significantly lower level of α-SMA than the BMSC group （P<0.01）. Compared with the N group， the M group had significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of the hepatic progenitor cell markers EpCam and Sox9 and the cholangiocyte markers CK7 and CK19 （P<0.01） and significant reductions in the expression levels of the hepatocyte markers HNF-4α and Alb （P<0.01）； compared with the M group， the BMSC and BMSC^M2 groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of EpCam， Sox9， CK7， and CK19 （P<0.05） and significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and Alb （P<0.05）， and compared with the BMSC group， the BMSC^M2 group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of EpCam and CK19 （P<0.05） and significant increase in the expression level of HNF-4α （P<0.05）. ConclusionM2-BMDMs can enhance the therapeutic effect of BMSCs on CCl₄/2-AAF-induced liver cirrhosis in rats， which provides new ideas for further improving the therapeutic effect of BMSCs on liver cirrhosis.