This article describes a new species of Genus Xenodaeria Jordan(1932)(Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae), collected from the southern slope of Cangshan mountain in Dali, Yunnan. The new species is similar to Xenodayia telios, Jordan 1932, and X. laxiproceria Wu, Gu et Liu,1996, but more like X. telios. However, it can be distinguished from X. telios and other known species in the genus based on the following characteristics: The movable process of the male gripper is bent finger shaped, with a blunt end and no angular protrusion extending forward; The posterior St. VII in females has a semi-circular deep depression, with blunt rounded ends of the dorsal and ventral lobes, and the dorsal lobes are wider and longer than the ventral lobes. The type specimen was collected on November 2,1994 from the shrubbery at an altitude of approximately 2 450 m in the southern end of Cangshan Mountain in Dali City, Yunnan Province. The host species were Anourosorex squamipes and Crocidura rapax.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of hand-arm bimanual intensive training （HABIT） based on the FITT-CORRECT principles on upper limb function and functional independence in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. MethodsA total of 87 children with spastic hemiplegia were enrolled and randomly divided into an observation group （n=44）， which received HABIT based on the FITT-CORRECT principles， and a control group （n=43）， which received conventional HABIT. Both groups received intervention for 6 weeks. The quality of upper extremity skills test （QUEST）， peabody developmental motor scales-fine motor （PDMS-FM）， and the functional independence measure for children （WeeFIM） were administered before and after treatment. The root mean square （RMS） values of the biceps and triceps brachii during maximum isometric contraction of elbow flexion and extension on the affected side were also measured. ResultsBefore treatment， there were no significant differences between the two groups in QUEST， PDMS-FM， WeeFIM scores， or RMS values of the biceps and triceps during maximum isometric contraction of the affected elbow （P>0.05）. After 6 weeks of treatment， no significant change was observed in the RMS values of the triceps during elbow flexion in either group （P>0.05）. All other outcome measures improved significantly in both groups （P<0.05）. The observation group showed significantly greater improvements in dissociated movement and grasp scores of QUEST， grasp and visual-motor integration scores of PDMS-FM， WeeFIM scores， as well as RMS values of the biceps during elbow flexion and both the biceps and triceps during elbow extension on the affected side （P<0.05）. ConclusionCompared with conventional HABIT， HABIT based on the FITT-CORRECT principles is more effective in improving upper limb function and functional independence in children with spastic hemiplegia.

Objective To explore the physical function indicators of elderly women with fall experiences,so as to provide more data reference for fall prevention,risk assessment,and solving of aging-related health problems in elderly women.Methods The fall history of 167 elderly women in communities in Tianjin was investigated by a questionnaire.The participants were assigned into a fall group(more than 2 falls in the last 1 year)and a non-fall group according to the number of falls.Body composition was tested by an Inbody 770 Body Composition Analyzer,and the calcaneus bone mineral density was measured by a UBD2002A Ultrasound Bone Densitometer.The muscle strength and proprioception of knee and ankle joints of lower limbs were measured by a PRIMUS BTE Isokinetic Tester.The muscle strength of lower limbs was evaluated by the number of 30-second sitting-rising.The visual sensitivity was examined by two-contrast near point reading cards(with a small number of strokes).The dynamic and static balance abilities were determined by a Korebalance Tester,and the static balance ability was tested by one-leg standing with eyes closed.The dynamic and static balance was assessed based on the Berg balance scale,and walking gait characteristics were studied by a BTS three-dimensional motion capture system.Results The skeletal muscle content(P<0.001),strength of non-dominant knee flexor muscle(P=0.002),number of 30-second sitting-rising(P=0.006),and average walking speed(P=0.013)in the fall group were lower than those in the non-fall group.The visual acuity at 10% grayscale(P=0.001),active knee joint position sense(P<0.001),strength of non-dominant ankle flexor muscle(P<0.001),and one-leg standing time with eyes closed(P<0.001)in the fall group were lower than those in the non-fall group.The fall group outperformed the non-fall group in right-left balance rate(P=0.031)and forward-backward balance rate(P=0.028)during static and dynamic balance tests.Conclusion The ankle angle,proprioception,muscle strength,and skeletal muscle content of lower limbs,visual sensitivity,dynamic and static balance abilities,and walking ability of elderly women with fall experiences were lower than those without fall experiences.
Humans ; Accidental Falls ; Aged ; Female ; Postural Balance ; Muscle Strength ; Body Composition ; Bone Density ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Gait

BACKGROUND: Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD. METHODS & RESULTS: The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology. CONCLUSION The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Shehuang Ointment(mainly composed of Cnidii Fructus,Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex,and Zanthoxyli Pericarpium)for the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis(SD).Methods Seventy-two patients with facial SD were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 36 patients in each group.Both groups of patients were given oral use of Acrivastine Capsules and Vitamin B6 Tablets,and additionally,the observation group was given topical application of modified Shehuang Ointment and the control group was given topical application of 2%Ketoconazole cream.The course of treatment covered 4 weeks.The changes of clinical symptom scores and dermatology life quality index(DLQI)scores in the two groups were observed before and after treatment,and the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were also evaluated.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 88.89%(32/36),and that of the control group was 72.22%(26/36).The intergroup comparison showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the clinical symptom scores of erythema,scales,grease,rash area,itchiness and other clinical symptoms of the patients in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the clinical symptom scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group,the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the DLQI scores of patients in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the DLQI scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)During the treatment period,no significant adverse reactions occurred in the two groups of patients,with high safety.Conclusion The conventional western medicine treatment combined with topical application of modified Shehuang Ointment exerts certain effect in the treatment of facial SD,which can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of external application of Liangxue Chushi Zhiyang Powder(composed of Isatidis Folium,Chrysanthemi Flos,Sophorae Flavescentis Radix,Schizonepetae Spica,and Zanthoxyli Pericarpium,etc.)in the treatment of facial dermatitis,and to analyze its effect on skin barrier function of the patients.Methods Seventy-two patients with facial dermatitis were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group,with 36 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Butyl Flufenamic Ointment for external use and Ebastine Tablets orally,while the observation group was given cold and wet compress of Liangxue Chushi Zhiyang Powder on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment of both groups covered three weeks.Before and after the treatment,the changes of subjective and objective symptom scores as well as skin barrier function indicators of the two groups were observed.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions of the two groups were assessed.Results(1)After three weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 75.00%(27/36),and that of the control group was 47.22%(17/36);the intergroup comparison showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(χ2=5.844,P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of objective symptoms such as erythema,inflammatory papules,desquamation,swelling,and lesion area in the two groups were significantly decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of the scores of erythema,inflammatory papules and lesion area in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).The differences in the scores of desquamation and swelling between the two groups were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(3)After treatment,the scores of subjective symptoms such as itching,burning,stabbing pain,dryness/tightness of the skin in the two groups were significantly decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of the scores of each subjective symptom in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the skin barrier function indicators such as trans-epidermal water loss(TEWL)and skin pH value of the two groups were significantly lowered(P＜0.05),and stratum corneum hydration(SCH)and sebum(SEB)content were significantly increased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of TEWL and pH value as well as the increase of SCH and SEB content in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)During the treatment,no serious adverse reactions occurred in the two groups of patients.The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 8.33%(3/36),and that in the control group was 5.66%(2/36),and the difference was not statistically significant(χ2=0.215,P＞0.05).Conclusion The cold and wet compress of Liangxue Chushi Zhiyang Powder exerts certain efficacy in the treatment of facial dermatitis,which is effective on markedly relieving the subjective and objective symptoms of the patients,and improving the skin barrier function,with few and mild adverse reaction.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a user-friendly risk score for older mitral regurgitation (MR) patients, referred to as the Elder-MR score. METHODS: The China Senile Valvular Heart Disease (China-DVD) Cohort Study functioned as the development cohort, while the China Valvular Heart Disease (China-VHD) Study was employed for external validation. We included patients aged 60 years and above receiving medical treatment for moderate or severe MR (2274 patients in the development cohort and 1929 patients in the validation cohort). Candidate predictors were chosen using Cox's proportional hazards model and stepwise selection with Akaike's information criterion. RESULTS: Eight predictors were identified: age ≥ 75 years, body mass index < 20 kg/m², NYHA class III/IV, secondary MR, anemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m², albumin < 35 g/L, and left ventricular ejection fraction < 60%. The model displayed satisfactory performance in predicting one-year mortality in both the development cohort (C-statistic = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.69-0.77, Brier score = 0.06) and the validation cohort (C-statistic = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.68-0.78, Brier score = 0.06). The Elder-MR score ranges from 0 to 15 points. At a one-year follow-up, each point increase in the Elder-MR score represents a 1.27-fold risk of death (HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.21-1.34, P < 0.001) in the development cohort and a 1.24-fold risk of death (HR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.17-1.30, P < 0.001) in the validation cohort. Compared to EuroSCORE II, the Elder-MR score demonstrated superior predictive accuracy for one-year mortality in the validation cohort (C-statistic = 0.71 vs. 0.70, net reclassification improvement = 0.320, P < 0.01; integrated discrimination improvement = 0.029, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The Elder-MR score may serve as an effective risk stratification tool to assist clinical decision-making in older MR patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Huangqisan pellets （HQS） on the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin （PI3K/Akt/mTOR） signaling pathway and autophagy in the kidney of diabetic nephropathy （DN） rats. MethodDN rat model was established through high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （35 mg·kg^-1）. DN rats were randomly assigned into model group， irbesartan （0.027 g·kg^-1） group， low-dose HQS （0.54 g·kg^-1） group and high-dose HQS （1.08 g·kg^-1） group. The levels of 24 h urinary total protein （UTP）， serum albumin （Alb）， serum creatinine （SCr）， urea nitrogen （BUN）， triglyceride （TG） and total cholesterol （TC） were measured after 12 weeks of continuous administration. The pathological changes of renal tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The expression of podocyte split diaphragm proteins nephrin and podocin in the renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein levels and phosphorylation of key proteins in PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway， as well as the expression of yeast Atg6 homolog （Beclin1） and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） in the renal tissue were analyzed by Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showcased increased 24 h UTP， SCr， BUN， TG， and TC levels and decreased Alb level （P<0.01）. After modeling， the rats showed granulosity of epithelial cells of renal tubules， thickening of capillary basement membrane， proliferation of mesangial cells， and sclerosis of glomerulus. Furthermore， modeling down-regulated the expression of nephrin and podocin in the podocyte hiatus of glomerulus （P<0.01） as well as the protein levels of p-PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR and the autophagy markers LC3 and Beclin1 in renal tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， irbesartan and HQS decreased the 24 h UTP， Cr， BUN， TG， and TC levels， increased the Alb level， and alleviated the pathological damage of kidney. Moreover， they up-regulated the expression of Nephrin and Podocin in the podocyte hiatus of glomerulus， as well as the protein levels of p-PI3K， p-Akt， p-mTOR， LC3， and Beclin1 in renal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionHQS may inhibit the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance podocyte autophagy and protect the glomerulus， thus slowing down the development of DN.

The risk of plague epidemics and relapse of various types of plague foci persists in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. For Marmota sibirica plague foci, the animal plague has not been found but antibody has been detected positive. Nowadays, Marmota sibirica has been increasing in population and distribution in China. In bordering countries Mongolia and Russia, the animal plague has been continuously prevalent. For Spermophilus dauricus plague foci, the animal plague has been taken place now and then. Compared to the above foci, the animal plague is most prevalent in Meriones unguiculatus plague foci and frequently spread to humans. Due to higher strain virulence and historical disaster in Marmota sibirica plague foci and Spermophilus dauricus plague foci, plague prevention and control should be strengthened on these foci. In addition to routine surveillance, epidemic dynamics need to be further monitored in these two foci, in order to prevent their relapse and spread to humans.
Animals ; China/epidemiology* ; Epidemics ; Humans ; Plague/prevention & control* ; Prevalence ; Sciuridae ; Yersinia pestis

Objective: To express DNA-binding protein (DBP) of human adenovirus (HAdV) type 7 using the prokaryotic expression system, and product anti-HAdV-7 DBP rabbit polyclonal antibody. Methods: The HAdV-7 DBP gene was synthesized and cloned into prokaryotic expressing vector pET30a, and the recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) competent cell. The recombinant protein DBP was expressed by induced Isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and purified with Ni-NTA affinity column. The titer of anti-DBP polyclonal antibody produced in immunized rabbit was measured by indirect ELISA, and the specificity of the antibody was identified by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). In addition, purified rDBP was used as coating antigen for indirect ELISA assay to detect specific IgM and IgG antibodies against DBP in the serum of children infected with HAdV. Results: The HAdV-7 DBP plasmid was constructed successfully. The purified recombinant DBP was more than 95% after purification. The titer of polyclonal antibody was 1∶1 024 000. The polyclonal antibody showed high specificity in vitro using Western blotting and IFA. The positive rate of specific anti-DBP IgM and IgG antibody in acute-phase serum samples collected from children infected with HAdV were 50.0% (19/38) and 63.2% (24/38), respectively, using indirect ELISA. Conclusion: In summary, the HAdV-7 rDBP is expressed using prokaryotic expression system, and the recombinant HAdV-7 DBP protein and the anti-DBP rabbit polyclonal antibody with high titer are prepared.
Adenoviruses, Human/genetics* ; Animals ; Antibody Specificity ; Blotting, Western ; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli/genetics* ; Immunoglobulin G ; Rabbits