OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on podocyte injury of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and reveal its potential mechanism. METHODS: In in vitro experiment, podocytes were divided into 4 groups, normal, high glucose (HG), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE-1) α activator (HG+thapsigargin 1 µmol/L), and IRE-1α inhibitor (HG+STF-083010, 20 µmol/L) groups. Additionally, podocytes were divided into 4 groups, including normal, HG, AS-IV (HG+AS-IV 20 µmol/L), and IRE-1α inhibitor (HG+STF-083010, 20 µmol/L) groups, respectively. After 24 h treatment, the morphology of podocytes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was observed by electron microscopy. The expressions of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and IRE-1α were detected by cellular immunofluorescence. In in vivo experiment, DN rat model was established via a consecutive 3-day intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) injections. A total of 40 rats were assigned into the normal, DN, AS-IV [AS-IV 40 mg/(kg·d)], and IRE-1α inhibitor [STF-083010, 10 mg/(kg·d)] groups (n=10), respectively. The general condition, 24-h urine volume, random blood glucose, urinary protein excretion rate (UAER), urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels of rats were measured after 8 weeks of intervention. Pathological changes in the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of GRP78, IRE-1α, nuclear factor kappa Bp65 (NF-κBp65), interleukin (IL)-1β, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, gasdermin D-N (GSDMD-N), and nephrin at the mRNA and protein levels in vivo and in vitro, respectively. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic vacuolation and ER swelling were observed in the HG and IRE-1α activator groups. Podocyte morphology and ER expansion were improved in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups compared with HG group. Cellular immunofluorescence showed that compared with the normal group, the fluorescence intensity of GRP78 and IRE-1α in the HG and IRE-1α activator groups were significantly increased whereas decreased in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, IRE-1α, NF-κ Bp65, IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD-N in the HG group was increased (P<0.05). Compared with HG group, the expression of above indices was decreased in the AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups, and the expression in the IRE-1α activator group was increased (P<0.05). The expression of nephrin was decreased in the HG group, and increased in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups (P<0.05). The in vivo experiment results revealed that compared to the normal group, the levels of blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, BUN, blood creatinine and urinary protein in the DN group were higher (P<0.05). Compared with DN group, the above indices in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups were decreased (P<0.05). HE staining revealed glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial widening and mesangial cell proliferation in the renal tissue of the DN group. Compared with the DN group, the above pathological changes in renal tissue of AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups were alleviated. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot results of GRP78, IRE-1α, NF-κ Bp65, IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD-N were consistent with immunofluorescence analysis. CONCLUSION AS-IV could reduce ERS and inflammation, improve podocyte pyroptosis, thus exerting a podocyte-protective effect in DN, through regulating IRE-1α/NF-κ B/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
Podocytes/metabolism* ; Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; Saponins/therapeutic use* ; Triterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Endoribonucleases/metabolism* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; Rats ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/complications* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism* ; Multienzyme Complexes

Further evidence is needed to explore the impact of high-altitude environments on the neurologic function of neonates.Non-invasive techniques such as cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography can provide data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity.This study will conduct multiple cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography monitoring sessions at various time points within the first 3 days postpartum for healthy full-term neonates at different altitudes.The obtained data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity will be compared between different altitudes,and corresponding reference ranges will be established.The study involves 6 participating centers in the Chinese High Altitude Neonatal Medicine Alliance,with altitude gradients divided into 4 categories:800 m,1 900 m,2 400 m,and 3 500 m,with an anticipated sample size of 170 neonates per altitude gradient.This multicenter prospective cohort study aims to provide evidence supporting the impact of high-altitude environments on early brain function and metabolism in neonates.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(4):403-409]

Objective:To explore the effect of comprehensive moxibustion with Huolong cupping in patients with lung-spleen qi deficiency type allergic rhinitis.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. From October 2022 to April 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 66 patients with lung-spleen qi deficiency type allergic rhinitis who visited the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Clinic of Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine as the research subject. The patients were randomly divided into an experimental group ( n=33) and a control group ( n=33). Both groups received routine oral Chinese medicine treatment. On the basis of routine treatment, the experimental group performed comprehensive moxibustion with Huolong cupping on the meridians of the Du meridian and bladder meridian. This study compared the scores of Nasal Airway Resistance (NAR), Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Chinese version of Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) between two groups of patients before and after intervention. Results:Eventually 30 patients in each of the experimental group and control group completed the study. After intervention, the NAR score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that with the increase of treatment time, the TNSS, VAS, and RQLQ scores of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group with statistical differences ( P<0.05), and the time effect, inter group effect, and interaction effect were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Huolong cupping comprehensive moxibustion can reduce nasal resistance, meliorate nasal symptoms and accompanying nasal symptoms, and improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective:Based on an exploratory case study of the National Major Science and Technology Infrastructure for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), this study aims to investigate the current development status of the construction and governance of the achievement transformation system in China′s new research and development institutions, explore the tools and means to improve the efficiency of scientific and technological achievement transformation in the biopharmaceutical field, and explore effective ways for medical institutions to promote scientific and technological achievement transformation in the biopharmaceutical achievement transformation chain.Methods:By reviewing the policies and regulations issued by national and local departments in recent years, and reviewing literature and real cases related to the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in medical institutions in the past five years, an analysis was conducted.Results:Based on an exploratory case study of the National Major Science and Technology Infrastructure for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), strategies and suggestions were proposed to promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in new research and development institutions.Conclusions:A scientific research and development and verification platform mainly based on large scientific facilities, through the establishment of a professional transfer office team, is more conducive to the construction and governance of a hospital park close transformation model of scientific and technological achievements, promoting the two-way integration and development of the biopharmaceutical industry and medical institutions, and promoting the rapid marketization of medical scientific and technological achievements.

Objective:Based on an exploratory case study of the National Major Science and Technology Infrastructure for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), this study aims to investigate the current development status of the construction and governance of the achievement transformation system in China′s new research and development institutions, explore the tools and means to improve the efficiency of scientific and technological achievement transformation in the biopharmaceutical field, and explore effective ways for medical institutions to promote scientific and technological achievement transformation in the biopharmaceutical achievement transformation chain.Methods:By reviewing the policies and regulations issued by national and local departments in recent years, and reviewing literature and real cases related to the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in medical institutions in the past five years, an analysis was conducted.Results:Based on an exploratory case study of the National Major Science and Technology Infrastructure for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), strategies and suggestions were proposed to promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in new research and development institutions.Conclusions:A scientific research and development and verification platform mainly based on large scientific facilities, through the establishment of a professional transfer office team, is more conducive to the construction and governance of a hospital park close transformation model of scientific and technological achievements, promoting the two-way integration and development of the biopharmaceutical industry and medical institutions, and promoting the rapid marketization of medical scientific and technological achievements.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the skin surface microcirculation of acupoints of conception vessel, governor vessel and thoroughfare vessel in patients with primary dysmenorrhea using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), and provide acupoint selection basis of acupuncture-moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: Ninety-nine healthy female college students with regular menstrual cycles (normal group) and 94 female college students with primary dysmenorrhea (dysmenorrhea group) were recruited. Before menstrual period, on the first day of menstruation, and on the third day after menstruation, LSCI was used to observe the surface microcirculation at the abdominal acupoints of conception vessel, i. e. Yinjiao (CV 7), Qihai (CV 6), Shimen (CV 5), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and Qugou (CV 2), acupoints of thoroughfare vessel, i. e. Huangshu (KI 16), Zhongzhu (KI 15), Siman (KI 14), Qixue (KI 13), Dahe (KI 12), Henggu (KI 11) and acupoints of lumbosacral region of governor vessel, i. e. Xuanshu (GV 5), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Yaoshu (GV 2) as well as two non-acupoints. RESULTS: Before menstrual period, there was no significant difference in the surface blood perfusion of the acupoints between the dysmenorrhea group and the normal group (P>0.05). On the first day of menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of Xuanshu (GV 5), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and right Huangshu (KI 16) in the dysmenorrhea group was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05, P<0.01). On the third day after menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of the right Henggu (KI 11) in the dysmenorrhea group was lower than that in the normal group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION In patients with primary dysmenorrhea, on the first day of menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of Xuanshu (GV 5), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) of governor vessel, and the right Huangshu (KI 16) of thoroughfare vessel is increased, while on the third day after menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of the right Henggu (KI 11) of thoroughfare vessel is decreased. These findings might provide a basis for acupoint selection in the acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.
Humans ; Female ; Microcirculation ; Dysmenorrhea/therapy* ; Menstrual Cycle ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy

Objective To measure the prevalence of mental health symptoms and identify the associated factors among college students at the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)outbreak in China. Methods We carried out a multi-center cross-sectional study via snowball sampling and convenience sampling of the college students in different areas of China.The rates of self-reported depression,anxiety,and stress and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)were assessed via the 21-item Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale(DASS-21)and the 6-item Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-6),respectively.Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics,health-related data,and information of the social environment.Data pertaining to mental health service seeking were also collected.Multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors. Results A total of 3641 valid questionnaires were collected from college students.At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak,535(14.69%)students had negative emotions,among which 402(11.04%),381(10.49%),and 171(4.90%)students had the symptoms of depression,anxiety,and stress,respectively.Meanwhile,1245(34.19%)college students had PTSD.Among the risk factors identified,male gender was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting depression symptoms(AOR=0.755,P=0.037],and medical students were at higher risk of depression and stress symptoms than liberal arts students(AOR=1.497,P=0.003;AOR=1.494,P=0.045).Family support was associated with lower risks of negative emotions and PTSD in college students(AOR=0.918,P<0.001;AOR=0.913,P<0.001;AOR=0.899,P<0.001;AOR=0.971,P=0.021). Conclusions College students were more sensitive to public health emergencies,and the incidence of negative emotions and PTSD was significantly higher than that before the outbreak of COVID-19.More attention should be paid to female college students who were more likely to develop negative emotions.We should strengthen positive and proper propaganda via mass media and help college students understand the situation and impact of COVID-19.Furthermore,we should enhance family support for college students.The government and relevant agencies need to provide appropriate mental health services to the students under similar circumstances to avoid the deterioration of their mental well-being.
COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Students/psychology* ; Universities

INTRODUCTION: Institutional surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) guidelines are in place at all public hospitals in Singapore, but variations exist and adherence to guidelines is not tracked consistently. A national point prevalence survey carried out in 2020 showed that about 60% of surgical prophylactic antibiotics were administered for more than 24 hours. This guideline aims to align best practices nationally and provides a framework for audit and surveillance. METHOD: This guideline was developed by the National Antimicrobial Stewardship Expert Panel's National Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis Guideline Development Workgroup Panel, which comprises infectious diseases physicians, pharmacists, surgeons and anaesthesiologists. The Workgroup adopted the ADAPTE methodology framework with modifications for the development of the guideline. The recommended duration of antibiotic prophylaxis was graded according to the strength of consolidated evidence based on the scoring system of the Singapore Ministry of Health Clinical Practice Guidelines. RESULTS: This National SAP Guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the rational use of antibiotic prophylaxis. These include recommended agents, dose, timing and duration for patients undergoing common surgeries based on surgical disciplines. The Workgroup also provides antibiotic recommendations for special patient population groups (such as patients with β-lactam allergy and patients colonised with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), as well as for monitoring and surveillance of SAP. CONCLUSION This evidence-based National SAP Guideline for hospitals in Singapore aims to align practices and optimise the use of antibiotics for surgical prophylaxis for the prevention of surgical site infections while reducing adverse events from prolonged durations of SAP.
Humans ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Singapore ; Surgeons ; Hospitals, Public