1.Investigation on an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis at a boarding middle school in Guangdong Province
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):878-882
Objective:
To investigate the characteristics and risk factors of an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) in a boarding middle school in Guangdong Province, in order to provide a scientific evidence for effective prevention and control of campus AHC outbreaks.
Methods:
From September 1st to 28th 2023, case identification was conducted among 559 students and 60 faculty members using standardized definition. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the three distrubution patterns of the outbreak. Questionnaires were designed, and a case-control study was adopted to analyze the possible risk factors of the disease transmission. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to control the difference of baseline data.
Results:
A total of 269 cases of AHC were identified, with an attack rate of 43.46%. The pathogen was confirmed as Coxsackie virus A24 variant (CA24v). Among these, 264 cases were students (attack rate of 47.23%) and 5 were staff (attack rate of 8.33%). A total of 153 pairs of PSM were successfully matched. After PSM matching, there were no statistically significant differences in gender, grade and class between the case group and the control group ( χ 2=0.12, 5.41, 11.24, P >0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that middle school students whose towels contacted with others ( OR =1.81), and direct contact with other AHC cases recently ( OR =4.89) were more likely to have AHC; while wearing glasses ( OR =0.43) and frequent use of hand sanitizer ( OR = 0.37 ) were less likely to have AHC ( P <0.05).
Conclusion
The outbreak of AHC is caused by CA24v, demonstrating rapid spread and extensive impact within the school setting.
2.Mechanism prediction and validation of Kaixinsan in ameliorating neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease
Dandan XU ; Yongchang ZENG ; Shaoyu LIANG ; Qi LIU ; Junhong WU ; Kang HE
China Pharmacy 2025;36(12):1476-1482
OBJECTIVE To predict and validate the potential mechanisms of Kaixinsan (KXS) in ameliorating neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify core anti- inflammatory components and key inflammatory targets of KXS for AD. Gene ontology (GO) functional annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, and molecular docking were performed. Based on these findings, male SD rats were used to establish an AD model via chronic D-galactose induction. The effects of KXS on AD rats were evaluated, including quantitative behavioral score, learning and memory parameters (escape latency, platform crossings, platform quadrant distance and time), organ indexes (heart, liver, spleen, thymus), histopathological alterations in the hippocampus, and expressions of inflammation-related pathway proteins and their upstream/downstream regulators. RESULTS Core anti-inflammatory components of KXS for AD included gomisin B, panaxytriol, gomisin A, enhydrin, vulgarin and panaxydol, while key inflammatory targets involved nuclear factor-kappa B subunit 1( NFKB1), nuclear factor-κB p65( NF-κB p65), interleukin-1β( IL- 1β), IL-6, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor, nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain- containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1 (CASP1). GO and KEGG pathway enrichment involved inflammatory response, phosphorylation and the NF-κB signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities between core components and key targets. Animal experiments demonstrated that, compared to the model group, KXS significantly alleviated histopathological damage (e.g., neuronal shrinkage, reduced Nissl bodies in hippocampal CA1, CA3, and DG regions), increased organ indexes (except for liver index) and Nissl-stained positive cells, improved learning and memory performance, and reduced behavioral scores (at the 8 and 12 weeks of the experiment) and protein expression of NF- κB p65, phosphorylated NF- κB p65, TLR4, NLRP3, CASP1 and IL-1β. CONCLUSIONS KXS effectively mitigates neuroinflammation, reduces hippocampal neuronal injury, and enhances learning and memory ability in AD rats, potentially through suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway and its upstream/ downstream regulators.
3.Comparison of the efficacy of heat and acid elution methods for IgG anti-M and anti-Ku
Qunjuan ZENG ; Huaiying KANG ; Dong XIANG ; Wei SHEN ; Chengrui QIAN ; Zhongying WANG ; Guoqin GONG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(7):964-968
Objective: To compare the efficacy of heat and acid elution methods for IgG anti-M and anti-Ku. Methods: Ten samples with IgG anti-M and two samples with IgG anti-Ku were selected and standardized to a titer of 64. These antibodies underwent overnight absorption at 4℃ with O-type MM and kk-type erythrocytes, and then heat and acid elution methods were used on the absorbed sensitized erythrocytes respectively by detecting the titer of anti-M and anti-Ku in the eluate to compare the differences in the elution efficiency of IgG anti-M and anti-Ku between the two elution methods. Results: In heat elution tests, all 10 anti-M samples showed positive results with titers ranging from 8 to 64, while 2 anti-Ku samples yielded negative results. In acid elution tests, all 10 anti-M samples demonstrated negative results, whereas both anti-Ku (n=2) samples exhibited positive reactions with consistent titers of 32. Following acid elution with subsequent heat elution, 8 of 10 anti-M samples showed positive results with titers ranging from 8 to 32, while 2 remained negative. Both anti-Ku samples demonstrated positive with titers of 4. Conclusion: Heat elution demonstrated superior efficiency for IgG anti-M compared to acid elution, whereas acid elution showed greater efficacy for IgG anti-Ku than heat elution.
4.Study on the mechanism of berberine in improving diabetes mellitus type 2 combined with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease
Yi LI ; Shuyu KANG ; Qiwen WANG ; Manting HUANG ; Congyan ZENG ; Jun TONG ; Gengting DONG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(16):1975-1980
OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential mechanism of berberine improving diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) combined with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) by regulating ceramide. METHODS Thirty-two db/db mice with blood glucose levels>11.1 mmol/L (T2DM model) were divided into four groups: model group, berberine low- and high-dose groups [100, 200 mg/(kg·d)] and metformin group [300 mg/(kg·d)], with 8 mice in each group. Additionally, 8 wt/wt mice were selected as the normal control group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or water by gavage once daily for a continuous period of 6 weeks. During the experiment, the body weight of the mice was monitored, and the differences in final body weight were analyzed. After the last administration, the body shape of the mice in each group was observed, and their fasting blood glucose (FBG) and the lipid indicators [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] were measured. Fasting serum insulin (FINS) levels were also measured, and the insulin resistance index HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated. Liver weight, liver index and serum liver function indicators [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST)] were assessed, and hepatic histopathological changes were observed. Additionally, the expression of fatty acid synthesis-related proteins [sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FASN), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1)] in liver tissue was examined. Serum samples from the normal control group, model group, and berberine high-dose group were collected for non-targeted lipidomics analysis and validation. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the pathological changes, including disordered liver tissue cell arrangement and lipid vacuoles, were significantly improved in the berberine low- and high-dose groups. The significant decreases or down-regulations were observed in body weight in the last week, as well as FBG, TC, TG, and LDL-C levels, HOMA-IR (except for the berberine low-dose group), liver weight, liver index, AST and ALT levels, and protein expressions of SREBP1, FASN and ACC1. Additionally, HDL-C levels, FINS (except for the berberine high-dose group), and ISI (except for the berberine low-dose group) were significantly increased (P<0.05). A total of 21 potential differential metabolites, including multiple types of ceramides, were identified; these metabolites were primarily enriched in sphingolipid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Verification experiments confirmed that high-dose berberine significantly reduced the serum content of ceramide in model mice (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Berberine reduces insulin resistance, improves liver damage and lipid accumulation in the T2DM combined with MAFLD mice, and these effects may be related to the reduction of ceramide content.
5.Comparison of the efficacy of heat and acid elution methods for IgG anti-M and anti-Ku
Qunjuan ZENG ; Huaiying KANG ; Dong XIANG ; Wei SHEN ; Chengrui QIAN ; Zhongying WANG ; Guoqin GONG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(7):964-968
Objective: To compare the efficacy of heat and acid elution methods for IgG anti-M and anti-Ku. Methods: Ten samples with IgG anti-M and two samples with IgG anti-Ku were selected and standardized to a titer of 64. These antibodies underwent overnight absorption at 4℃ with O-type MM and kk-type erythrocytes, and then heat and acid elution methods were used on the absorbed sensitized erythrocytes respectively by detecting the titer of anti-M and anti-Ku in the eluate to compare the differences in the elution efficiency of IgG anti-M and anti-Ku between the two elution methods. Results: In heat elution tests, all 10 anti-M samples showed positive results with titers ranging from 8 to 64, while 2 anti-Ku samples yielded negative results. In acid elution tests, all 10 anti-M samples demonstrated negative results, whereas both anti-Ku (n=2) samples exhibited positive reactions with consistent titers of 32. Following acid elution with subsequent heat elution, 8 of 10 anti-M samples showed positive results with titers ranging from 8 to 32, while 2 remained negative. Both anti-Ku samples demonstrated positive with titers of 4. Conclusion: Heat elution demonstrated superior efficiency for IgG anti-M compared to acid elution, whereas acid elution showed greater efficacy for IgG anti-Ku than heat elution.
6.Artificial intelligence system for outcome evaluations of human in vitro fertilization-derived embryos
Ling SUN ; Jiahui LI ; Simiao ZENG ; Qiangxiang LUO ; Hanpei MIAO ; Yunhao LIANG ; Linling CHENG ; Zhuo SUN ; Hou Wa TAI ; Yibing HAN ; Yun YIN ; Keliang WU ; Kang ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(16):1939-1949
Background::In vitro fertilization (IVF) has emerged as a transformative solution for infertility. However, achieving favorable live-birth outcomes remains challenging. Current clinical IVF practices in IVF involve the collection of heterogeneous embryo data through diverse methods, including static images and temporal videos. However, traditional embryo selection methods, primarily reliant on visual inspection of morphology, exhibit variability and are contingent on the experience of practitioners. Therefore, an automated system that can evaluate heterogeneous embryo data to predict the final outcomes of live births is highly desirable. Methods::We employed artificial intelligence (AI) for embryo morphological grading, blastocyst embryo selection, aneuploidy prediction, and final live-birth outcome prediction. We developed and validated the AI models using multitask learning for embryo morphological assessment, including pronucleus type on day 1 and the number of blastomeres, asymmetry, and fragmentation of blastomeres on day 3, using 19,201 embryo photographs from 8271 patients. A neural network was trained on embryo and clinical metadata to identify good-quality embryos for implantation on day 3 or day 5, and predict live-birth outcomes. Additionally, a 3D convolutional neural network was trained on 418 time-lapse videos of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)-based ploidy outcomes for the prediction of aneuploidy and consequent live-birth outcomes.Results::These two approaches enabled us to automatically assess the implantation potential. By combining embryo and maternal metrics in an ensemble AI model, we evaluated live-birth outcomes in a prospective cohort that achieved higher accuracy than experienced embryologists (46.1% vs. 30.7% on day 3, 55.0% vs. 40.7% on day 5). Our results demonstrate the potential for AI-based selection of embryos based on characteristics beyond the observational abilities of human clinicians (area under the curve: 0.769, 95% confidence interval: 0.709–0.820). These findings could potentially provide a noninvasive, high-throughput, and low-cost screening tool to facilitate embryo selection and achieve better outcomes. Conclusions::Our study underscores the AI model’s ability to provide interpretable evidence for clinicians in assisted reproduction, highlighting its potential as a noninvasive, efficient, and cost-effective tool for improved embryo selection and enhanced IVF outcomes. The convergence of cutting-edge technology and reproductive medicine has opened new avenues for addressing infertility challenges and optimizing IVF success rates.
7.Lessons and enlightments of health insurance drug renewal policy in some countries and regions
Xin-Ru HAN ; Kang-Ni ZENG ; Jia-Long TAN ; Jian WANG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2024;17(7):75-80
Objective:Summarizing and analyzing the rules of access and renewal of drugs in Australia,Japan,South Korea,and Chinese Taiwan,this paper aims to provide experience for the improvement of China's policy on national drug reimbursement list renewal.Methods:Through literature review,expert interviews,and other academic methods,it compares the different experience of drug renewal policy from the perspectives of the type,content,and renewal period.Results:Internationally representative national or regional medical insurance drug renewal policies are broadly categorized into single-drug price-volume agreements,joint price-volume agreements,and efficacy-based risk-sharing agreements.Conclusion:It is recommended that China should introduce new content such as joint measurement for renewal of exclusive drugs,combination consideration of quantity,price,and effectiveness,risk-sharing agreement for renewal of non-exclusive drugs,and placing an upper limit on the rate of reduction for the first renewal in its medical insurance policy.
8.Distribution and resistance surveillance of common pathogens of nosocomial infections in 10 teaching hospitals in China from 2020 to 2021
Shuguang LI ; Binghuai LU ; Yunzhuo CHU ; Rong ZHANG ; Ji ZENG ; Danhong SU ; Chao ZHUO ; Yan JIN ; Xiuli XU ; Kang LIAO ; Zhidong HU ; Hui WANG
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(6):619-628
Objective:To investigate the spectrum and antimicrobial resistance of major pathogens causing nosocomial infections in China during 2020-2021.Methods:A total of 1 311 non-duplicated nosocomial pathogens causing bloodstream infections (BSI, n=670), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP, n=394) and intra-abdominal infections (IAI, n=297) were collected from 10 teaching hospitals across China. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of clinical common strains were determined using agar dilution or broth microdilution method. Interpretation of reults followed the CLSI M100-Ed33 criteria, with data analysis conducted using WHONET-5.6 software. The Chi-square test was used to compare rates. Results:The most prevalent pathogens causing BSI were Escherichia coli (21.2%, 142/670), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.9%, 100/670) and Staphylococcus aureus (11.5%, 77/670); the most prevalent pathogens causing HAP were K. pneumoniae (27.7%, 109/394), Acinetobacter baumanii (22.1%, 87/394) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.3%, 72/394). IN IAI, E. coli (24.3%, 60/247), Enterococcus faecium and K. pneumoniae (both 14.6%, 36/247) were dominated. All S. aureus strains were susceptible to tigecycline, linezolid, daptomycin and glycopeptides. Rates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MRCNS) were 36.5% (42/115) and 74.5% (38/51), respectively. The rate of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium and E. faecalis was 3.3% (3/90) and 1.9% (1/53), respectively. The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) was 23.7% (58/245) in K. pneumonia and 60.5% (130/215) in E. coli.The rate of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumonia and E. coli was 29.8% (73/245) and 4.2% (9/215), respectively; the percentage of tigecycline-resistant K. pneumonia and E. coli was 1.6% (4/245) and 0, respectively; the rate of colistin-resistant K. pneumonia and E. coli was 1.6% (4/245) and 2.8% (6/215), respectively; the percentage of ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant K. pneumonia and E. coli was 2.0% (5/245) and 2.3% (5/215), respectively. The rate of carbapenem-resistant A. baumanii and P. aeruginosa was 76.7% (125/163) and 28.4% (33/116), respectively. A. baumanii showed low susceptibility to most antimicrobial agents except colistin (98.8%, 161/163) and tigecycline (89.6%, 146/163). Colistin, amikacin and ceftazidime/avibactam demonstrated high antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa with susceptility rates of 99.1% (115/116), 94.0% (109/116) and 83.6% (97/116), respectively. Conclusions:The major pathogens of nosocomial infections were K. pneumonia, E. coli, A. baumanii, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Nosocomial Gram-negative pathogens exhibited high susceptibilities to tigecycline, colistin and ceftazidime/avibactam. Antimicrobial resistance in A. baumannii remains a significant challenge. The increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales underscores the urgency of antibiotics rational applications and hospital infection controls.
9.Study on the Pharmacodynamic Substances of Simiao Wan for Treatment of Hyperuricemia and Gout Based on Disease and Syndrome Model
Yongchang ZENG ; Shaoyu LIANG ; Junhong WU ; Dandan XU ; Changqing LIU ; Kang HE ; Yu JIN ; Zhengzhi WU
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(8):1152-1162
Objective To explore the pharmacodynamic substances of Simiao Wan for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout.Methods The pharmacological model of hyperuricemia was established.The chemical components in vivo and in vitro of Simiao Wan were analyzed by UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS.Based on the components absorbed in blood,the"active ingredient-target-pathway"network of Simiao Wan for regulating hyperuricemia and gout was constructed by network pharmacology method.The key ingredients were used for molecular docking with key targets[uricogenase(XDH),uric acid transporter(ABCG2,GLUT9,OAT1,URAT1)and inflammatory targets(PTGS2,TLR2,TLR4)]of hyperuricemia and gout.Finally,experimental verification was conducted according to the results of molecular docking.Our aim is to identify the key pharmacodynamic substances of Simiao Wan for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout.Results Eighty-nine components of Simiao Wan were identified by UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS analysis,including 74 components absorbed in blood,which were confirmed as candidate ingredients.Network pharmacology was used to constructed"components absorbed in blood-target-pathway"network,and components absorbed in blood were matched with 116 targets of hyperuricemia and 173 targets of gout.It is involved in the regulation of biological processes,such as glucose and lipid metabolism,oxidative stress,inflammatory response,ERK1 and ERK2 cascade,MAPK cascade,PI3K signal transduction.Moreover,Simiao Wan plays a role in regulating the network of hyperuricemia and gout through regulating blood lipids and atherosclerosis,apoptosis,AGE-RAGE,TNF,PI3K-Akt,MAPK,TLRs,JAK-STAT,NF-κB and other signaling pathways.Molecular docking studies showed that berberine,phellodendrine,magnoflorine,jatrorrhizine,palmatine,obacunone,limonin,atractylodin,taxifolin,atractylenolide Ⅲ and β-ecdysterone had good affinity with uric acid synthase,uric acid transporter and inflammatory targets.Western Blot test showed that taxifolin negatively regulates the expression of URAT1.The above-mentioned compounds were the main pharmacodynamic substances of Simiao Wan for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout.Conclusion This article describes the main pharmacodynamic substances of Simiao Wan in the regulation of hyperuricemia and gout,which can provides a scientific basis for the clinical application,improvement in quality evaluation and standard of Simiao Wan.
10.HCV micro-elimination mode for patients in a tertiary first-class hospital in Jiangxi Province based on healthcare-associated infection early warning system
Yi-Lin XU ; Jia-Xin TU ; Ling ZENG ; Ji-Wei ZHANG ; Yi KANG ; Jing LIU ; Min-Yu LIU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(8):993-1000
Objective To explore and evaluate the micro-elimination mode of hepatitis C virus(HCV)in patients in a general hospital in Jiangxi Province,and provide reference for formulating provincial strategies to eliminate the public health hazards of HCV.Methods Relevant data of hospitalized patients who received HCV screening at the hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were collected.Data from 2021 were set as the baseline and data from 2022 as the HCV micro-elimination mode operating data.Indexes such as gender,age,department,anti-HCV posi-tive rate,HCV-RNA positive rate,etc.were analyzed.The operational effect was analyzed based on specialty de-partment visiting rate,treatment rate,and loss-to-follow-up(LTFU)rate.The development of the mode was quan-titatively evaluated by superiority weakness opportunity threats-analytic hierarchy process(SWOT-AHP)method.Results A total of 397 744 hospitalized patients underwent anti-HCV screening from 2021 to 2022,with a male to female ratio of 1.34∶1 and an average age of 54 years old.The main departments for patients receiving screening were infectious diseases/gastroenterology departments.HCV gene subtypes in specimens from 62 patients was mainly subtype 1b(43 specimens),followed by subtype 6(9 specimens).The first HCV early warning rate after mode operation was 81.20%,the anti-HCV detection rate after warning was 93.15%,and the anti-HCV detection rate after subsequent pop-up window early warning was 100%.Compared with 2021,the treatment rate of HCV hospi-talized patients in 2022 has increased,with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).However,there were no statistically significant differences in patients'specialty department visiting rate and LTFU rate(both P>0.05).Barycentric coordinates calculation P(X,Y)=(0.018 2,0.006 9)located in the first quadrant.Conclusion The HCV micro-elimination mode for patients in a general hospital in Jiangxi Province is feasible and effective.Further mode optimization should focus on strengths/opportunities(SO)strategy,to rely on internal advantages and utilize external opportunities.


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