Objective: To analyze characteristics of hepatitis B infection in HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ blood donors in Taiyuan, so as to provide evidence for adjusting blood screening strategies. Methods: Blood samples of HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ donors were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), chemiluminescence assay, nucleic acid qualitative test, and nucleic acid quantitative test. Data on HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ donors in Taiyuan region from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2024 were statistically analyzed to evaluate the detection rate, demographic characteristics, influencing factors of detection rate, nucleic acid quantitative results, and serological patterns of HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ donors. Results: From January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2024, 991 565 donor samples underwent nucleic acid testing in Taiyuan. A total of 309 HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ samples were detected, resulting in an HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ detection rate of 3.12 per 10 000. The detection rate varied significantly across different years (P<0.05). Males had a significantly higher HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ detection rate than females, first-time donors had a higher rate than repeat donors, and whole blood donors had a higher rate than apheresis donors (P<0.05). The detection rate also differed significantly among age groups (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age, donation frequency, and donation type were all influencing factors for HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ detection (all P<0.05). The predominant serological patterns among HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ donors were HBsAb+/HBcAb+ (43.69%, 135/309) or HBcAb+ alone (24.27%, 75/309). Viral load was detectable in 53.40% (165/309) of the HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ donors. Among these, 61.21% (101/165) donors had a viral load<20 IU/mL, and 94.55% (156/165) had a viral load<200 IU/mL. Donors with viral load<200 IU/mL primarily exhibited HBsAb+/HBcAb+ (41.67%, 65/156) or HBcAb+alone (36.54%, 57/156) serological patterns. Conclusion: The prevalence of HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ is low among blood donors in Taiyuan. Higher detection rates were observed in the 46-55 years age group, males, first-time donors, and whole blood donors. HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ donors exhibit specific serological patterns and generally have low viral loads, indicating a potential residual transfusion risk. It is recommended to add HBcAb testing, together with high-sensitivity nucleic acid testing technologies and donor follow-up, to ensure blood safety and guide donor reentry.

OBJECTIVE To prepare the β -cyclodextrin （ β -CD） inclusion complex with volatile oil from Qianghuo qushi qingwen granules， and to characterize and quantitatively analyze the inclusion complex. METHODS The comprehensive scores calculated by inclusion rate and inclusion compound yield were used as indicators for screening the inclusion method. The single-factor experiments and Box-Behnken response surface experiments were used to op timize the inclusion conditions， with the above comprehensive score as response value， and taking the ratio of β -CD to volatile oil， inclusion temperature and inclusion time as indexes. The volatile oil inclusion complex of Qianghuo qushi qingwen granules was prepared according to the determined optimal process， followed by validation. Ultraviolet （UV）-visible spectroscopy， thin-layer chromatography （TLC）， and microscopic imaging were also performed. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the contents of perillaldehyde， pogostone and atractylodin. RESULTS The saturation aqueous solution method was adopted. The optimal inclusion process conditions were as follows： the ratio of β -CD to volatile oil was 7.5∶1， the inclusion temperature was 40 ℃， and the inclusion time was 2.2 h. In three verification experiments， the average inclusion rate was 72.32%， the average yield of inclusion compound was 74.45%， the average comprehensive score was 72.96 points， and the relative error with the predicted value （74.15 points） of the model was 1.61%. UV-visible spectroscopy， TLC and microscopic imaging showed that β -CD and volatile oil successfully formed a new inclusion complex. The average contents of perillaldehyde， pogostone and atractylodin were 4.498 2， 0.814 9， 0.905 7 mg/g， respectively， with RSDs of 0.31%， 0.56% and 0.63% （ n ＝3）. CONCLUSIONS A stable and feasible preparation process of the volatile oil inclusion complex of Qianghuo qushi qingwen granules is successfully established.

Objective To examine the safety, efficacy and durability of totally endoscopic minimally invasive (TEMI) mitral valve repair in Barlow’s disease (BD). Methods A retrospective study was performed on patients who underwent mitral valve repair for BD from January 2010 to June 2021 in the Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital. The patients were divided into a MS group and a TEMI group according to the surgery approaches. A comparison of the clinical data between the two groups was conducted. Results A total of 196 patients were enrolled, including 133 males and 63 females aged (43.8±14.9) years. There were 103 patients in the MS group and 93 patients in the TEMI group. No hospital death was observed. There was a higher percentage of artificial chordae implantation in the TEMI group compared to the MS group (P=0.020), but there was no statistical difference between the two groups in the other repair techniques (P>0.05). Although the total operation time between the two groups was not statistically different (P=0.265), the TEMI group had longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (P<0.001) and aortic clamp time (P<0.001), and shorter mechanical ventilation time (P<0.001) and postoperative hospitalization time (P<0.001). No statistical difference between the two groups in the adverse perioperative complications (P>0.05). The follow-up rate was 94.2% (180/191) with a mean time of 0.2-12.4 (4.0±2.4) years. Two patients in the MS group died with non-cardiac reasons during the follow-up period. The 3-year, 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates of all patients were 100.0%, 99.2%, 99.2%, respectively. Compared with the MS group, there was no statistical difference in the survival rate, recurrence rate of mitral regurgitation, reoperation rate of mitral valve or adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in the TEMI group (P＞0.05). Conclusion TEMI approach is a safe, feasible and effective approach for BD with a satisfying long-term efficacy.

In recent years, with the endless emergence of meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)diagnostic equipment, rich treatment methods, and in-depth clinical and basic research on MGD at home and abroad, the understanding of MGD has entered a new stage. MGD-related dry eye is considered to be the main cause of lipid abnormal dry eye, and its occurrence and development is a chronic and multi-factorial pathological process. This article reviews the pathogenesis, imaging analysis and clinical treatment progress of MGD-related dry eye, in order to provide scientific evidence and ideas for clinical diagnosis and therapy of MGD-related dry eye.

BACKGROUND:Leonurine has many biological activities such as improving microcirculation,anti-oxidation,anti-apoptosis,scavenging free radicals,anti-inflammation,and anti-fibrosis,and can promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,which has the potential to be applied in the treatment of periodontitis. OBJECTIVE:To explore the anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects of leonurine loading into chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate hydrogel. METHODS:(1)Chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate hydrogel(blank hydrogel)and chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate/leonurus alkali hydrogel were prepared respectively.RAW 264.7 and MC3T3-E1 cells were inoculated with the two kinds of hydrogel.The cytotoxicity of hydrogels was detected by CCK-8 assay and live/dead cell staining.(2)RAW 264.7 cells were cultured in five groups.The blank group was cultured for 24 hours routinely.The lipopolysaccharide group was treated with lipopolysaccharide.The simple hydrogel group was treated with lipopolysaccharide and blank hydrogel.The drug-loaded hydrogel group was treated with lipopolysaccharide and drug-loaded hydrogel.The inhibitor group was treated with lippolysaccharide,drug-loaded hydrogel,and PI3K inhibitor LY294002.24 hours later,mRNA expression of inflammation-related factors was detected by qRT-PCR.Western blot assay was utilized to detect the protein expression of inflammation-related factors and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.(3)MC3T3-E1 cells were inoculated in four groups.The blank group was cultured without any material.The simple hydrogel group was treated with blank hydrogel.The drug-loaded hydrogel group was treated with drug-loaded hydrogel.The inhibitor group was treated with drug-loaded hydrogel and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 for 7 days.Alkaline phosphatase staining was performed.mRNA expression levels of osteogenic factors were detected by qRT-PCR.The protein expression levels of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of CCK-8 assay and live/dead cell staining showed that the two kinds of hydrogels had no cytotoxic effect and had good cytocompatibility.(2)Compared with the blank group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factor α,and interleukin 1β were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of p-AKT,p-PI3K,p-p65,and p-IκBα were significantly increased in the lipopolysaccharide group(P<0.05).Compared with lipopolysaccharide group,mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were decreased in drug-loaded hydrogel group(P<0.05).Compared with the drug-loaded hydrogel group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were decreased in the inhibitor group(P<0.05).(3)The activity of alkaline phosphatase in drug-loaded hydrogel group was higher than that in the blank group,simple hydrogel group,and inhibitor group(P<0.05).Compared with blank group,the mRNA expression levels of alkaline phosphatase,Runx2,osteocalcin,and type I collagen were increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of p-AKT and p-PI3K were increased in the simple hydrogel group(P<0.05).Compared with the simple hydrogel group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were increased in the drug-loaded hydrogel group(P<0.05).Compared with the drug-loaded hydrogel group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of the above indexes were decreased in the inhibitor group(P<0.05).(4)These findings conclude that chitosan/sodium glycerophosphate/sodium alginate/leonurine hydrogel has anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects,which may be related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

As activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) play a central role in fibrogenesis, they have become key target cells for anti-fibrotic treatment. Nevertheless, the therapeutic efficiency is constrained by the exosomes they secrete, which are linked to energy metabolism and continuously stimulate the activation of neighboring quiescent hepatic stellate cells (qHSCs). Herein, an intercellular communication interference strategy is designed utilizing paeoniflorin (PF) loaded and hyaluronic acid (HA) coated copper-doped ZIF-8 (PF@HA-Cu/ZIF-8, PF@HCZ) to reduce energy-related exosome secretion from aHSCs, thus preserving neighboring qHSCs in a quiescent state. Simultaneously, the released copper and zinc ions disrupt key enzymes involved in glycolysis to reduce bioenergy synthesis in aHSCs, thereby promoting the reversion of aHSCs to a quiescent state and further decreasing exosome secretion. Therefore, PF@HCZ can effectively sustain both aHSCs and qHSCs in a metabolically dormant state to ultimately alleviate liver fibrosis. The study provides an enlightening strategy for interrupting exosome-mediated intercellular communication and remodeling the energy metabolic status of HSCs with boosted antifibrogenic activity.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that nucleic acid-based therapies are promising for atherosclerosis. However, nearly all nucleic acid delivery systems developed for atherosclerosis necessitate injection, which results in rapid elimination and poor patient compliance. Consequently, oral delivery strategies capable of targeting atherosclerotic plaques are imperative for nucleic acid therapeutics. Herein we report the development of yeast-derived capsules (YCs) packaging an antisense oligonucleotide (AM33) targeting microRNA-33 (miR-33) for the oral treatment of atherosclerosis. YCs provide stability for AM33, preventing its premature release in the gastrointestinal tract. AM33-containing YCs, defined as YAM33, showed high transfection in macrophages, thus promoting cholesterol efflux and inhibiting foam cell formation by regulating the target genes/proteins of miR-33. Orally delivered YAM33 effectively accumulated within atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE ^-/- mice, primarily by transepithelial absorption via M cells in Peyer's patches and subsequent translocation via macrophages through the lymphatic system. Inhibition of miR-33 by oral YAM33 significantly delayed the progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, oral treatment with YCs co-delivering AM33 and atorvastatin afforded significantly enhanced anti-atherosclerotic effects. Our findings suggest that yeast-based microcapsules represent an effective carrier for oral delivery of nucleic acids, either alone or in combination with existing drugs, offering a promising approach for precision therapy of atherosclerotic diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To propose a new method for optimizing radiotherapy planning for lung cancer by incorporating prognostic models that take into account individual patient information and assess the feasibility of treatment planning optimization directly guided by minimizing the predicted prognostic risk. METHODS: A mixed fluence map optimization objective was constructed, incorporating the outcome-based objective and the physical dose constraints. The outcome-based objective function was constructed as an equally weighted summation of prognostic prediction models for local control failure, radiation-induced cardiac toxicity, and radiation pneumonitis considering clinical risk factors. These models were derived using Cox regression analysis or Logistic regression. The primary goal was to minimize the outcome-based objective with the physical dose constraints recommended by the clinical guidelines. The efficacy of the proposed method for optimizing treatment plans was tested in 15 cases of non-small cell lung cancer in comparison with the conventional dose-based optimization method (clinical plan), and the dosimetric indicators and predicted prognostic outcomes were compared between different plans. RESULTS: In terms of the dosemetric indicators, D_95% of the planning target volume obtained using the proposed method was basically consistent with that of the clinical plan (100.33% vs 102.57%, P=0.056), and the average dose of the heart and lungs was significantly decreased from 9.83 Gy and 9.50 Gy to 7.02 Gy (t=4.537, P<0.05) and 8.40 Gy (t=4.104, P<0.05), respectively. The predicted probability of local control failure was similar between the proposed plan and the clinical plan (60.05% vs 59.66%), while the probability of radiation-induced cardiac toxicity was reduced by 1.41% in the proposed plan. CONCLUSIONS The proposed optimization method based on a mixed objective function of outcome prediction and physical dose provides effective protection against normal tissue exposure to improve the outcomes of lung cancer patients following radiotherapy.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/radiotherapy* ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated/methods* ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/radiotherapy* ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged

Understory planting of medicinal plants is a new planting mode that connects Chinese herbal medicine(CHM) with forest resources.The complex and variable understory environmental factors will inevitably affect the yield and quality of understory CHM.This research summarized the research progress on understory planting of medicinal plants based on forest types and environmental factors within the forest from the perspectives of understory light, air temperature and humidity, soil characteristics, and the interaction between crops within the forest.The results showed that the complex and variable light, temperature and humidity, and soil factors(such as fertility, acidity and alkalinity, and microorganisms) under the forest could affect the yield and quality of medicinal plants to varying degrees through physiological activities such as photosynthesis and respiration, resulting in a significant increase or decrease in yield and quality compared to open field cultivation.In addition, the competition or mutual benefit between different crops within the forest could lead to differences in the yield and quality of understory medicinal plants compared to open field cultivation.A reasonable combination of planting could achieve resource sharing and complementary advantages.Therefore, conducting systematic research on the effects of understory environmental factors on the yield and content of medicinal plants with different growth and development characteristics can provide theoretical guidance and technical references for formulating comprehensive strategies for understory planting of medicinal plants, such as selecting suitable medicinal plant varieties, optimizing planting density, and conducting reasonable forest management, thus contributing to the sustainable development and ecological protection of CHM.
Plants, Medicinal/growth & development* ; Forests ; Soil/chemistry* ; Environment ; Ecosystem ; Temperature

Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans ; Consensus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Surveys and Questionnaires