ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of psittacosis cases in Fuyang District of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and to provide evidence for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention and control of this disease. MethodsEpidemiological investigation data and clinical records of psittacosis cases residing in Fuyang District of Hangzhou from September 2020 to February 2025 were collected. Descriptive epidemiological methods were applied to analyze temporal-spatial-demographic distribution characteristics, exposure history, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and laboratory findings. Comprehensive analyses were further conducted incorporating environmental surveillance and case follow-up data. ResultsAmong the 16 psittacosis cases, the male-to-female ratio was 1∶1, with an incidence rate of 0.57/100 000 for both males and females. The mean age was (59.88±10.66) years old, and the highest incidence rates were in the 70‒79 years and 60‒69 years age groups, with an incidence rate of 1.41/100 000 and 1.30/100 000, respectively. Fourteen cases (87.50%) had a history of avian exposure. The predominant clinical symptoms included fever (15 cases, 93.75%), cough (11 cases, 68.75%), expectoration (9 cases, 56.25%), and fear of cold (8 cases, 50.00%). All cases showed elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and the results of chest computed tomography (CT) indicated pneumonia in every case. Neutrophil percentage was elevated in 87.50% (14/16) of cases, while lymphocyte percentage was reduced in 93.75% (15/16) of cases. The median time from onset to first medical consultation was 4.00 days, the median time from onset to confirmed diagnosis was 9.50 days, and the median time of hospitalization was 9.00 days. Compared with non-severe cases, the severe group had significantly higher neutrophil percentage, CRP levels, and longer intervals from onset to confirmed diagnosis, onset to first antibiotic administration, and duration of hospitalization. All cases recovered and were discharged, and more than 50% were treated with omadacycline following confirmed diagnosis. ConclusionMost psittacosis cases reported definitive avian exposure history in Fuyang District of Hangzhou. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for preventing disease progression to severe stages.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Shentong Zhuyutang combined with Dilongtang in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation （LDH） with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome， and its effect on nucleus pulposus reabsorption and immune-inflammatory factors， exploring its therapeutic mechanism from the perspective of reabsorption. MethodsA total of 120 patients with LDH from the Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine， treated between June 2020 and January 2023， were randomly divided into the control group （52 cases， with 8 dropouts） and the observation group （49 cases， with 11 dropouts） according to a random number table. The control group received routine treatment， while the observation group was treated with Shentong Zhuyutang combined with Dilongtang in addition to routine treatment. Visual Analogue Scale （VAS）， Oswestry Disability Index （ODI）， Japanese Orthopaedic Association （JOA） score， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score were measured before treatment and after 3 courses of treatment. Venous blood samples were collected for the determination of serological indexes. MR examination was performed during the 6-month follow-up to calculate the absorption rate. ResultsAfter treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in VAS， ODI， TCM syndrome score， serum tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， matrix metalloproteinase （MMP）-9， and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） levels， and a significant increase in JOA score compared with pre-treatment values （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the observation group showed significantly lower VAS， ODI， TCM syndrome score， serum TNF-α， MMP-9， and VEGF levels， and a significantly higher JOA score （P<0.05）. The proportion of nucleus pulposus reabsorption in the observation group was 57.14% （28/49）， significantly higher than 21.15% （11/52） in the control group （χ²=6.161， P<0.05）. ConclusionShentong Zhuyutang combined with Dilongtang can effectively relieve pain， improve lumbar function， and alleviate TCM clinical symptoms in LDH patients with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. Imaging findings suggest that the treatment promotes the reabsorption of nucleus pulposus protrusion， while laboratory testing shows reduced serum levels of TNF-α， MMP-9， and VEGF， which contribute to the rehabilitation of patients.

Nipah virus (NiV) and related viruses form a distinct henipavirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family. NiV continues to spillover into the humans causing deadly outbreaks with increasing human-bat interaction. NiV encodes the large protein (L) and phosphoprotein (P) to form the viral RNA polymerase machinery. Their sequences show limited homologies to those of non-henipavirus paramyxoviruses. We report two cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Nipah virus (NiV) polymerase L-P complex, expressed and purified in either its full-length or truncated form. The structures resolve the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and polyribonucleotidyl transferase (PRNTase) domains of the L protein, as well as a tetrameric P protein bundle bound to the L-RdRp domain. L-protein C-terminal regions are unresolved, indicating flexibility. Two PRNTase domain zinc-binding sites, conserved in most Mononegavirales, are confirmed essential for NiV polymerase activity. The structures further reveal anchoring of the P protein bundle and P protein X domain (XD) linkers on L, via an interaction pattern distinct among Paramyxoviridae. These interactions facilitate binding of a P protein XD linker in the nucleotide entry channel and distinct positioning of other XD linkers. We show that the disruption of the L-P interactions reduces NiV polymerase activity. The reported structures should facilitate rational antiviral-drug discovery and provide a guide for the functional study of NiV polymerase.
Nipah Virus/chemistry* ; Cryoelectron Microscopy ; Viral Proteins/genetics* ; RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase/genetics* ; Phosphoproteins/genetics* ; Humans ; Models, Molecular ; Protein Binding

Cervical spondylosis is a common degenerative spinal disease that severely impacts patients' quality of life and may lead to serious complications. Accurate diagnosis and early intervention are crucial for improving patient outcomes. However,traditional diagnostic methods have limitations in precision and efficiency,primarily relying on clinicians' subjective judgment and experience,which can result in misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology have shown significant potential in the field of medical diagnostics,particularly in medical imaging analysis and lesion identification. AI technologies,through deep learning algorithms such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs),can automatically segment and identify lesion areas in imaging data,significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. This paper reviews the latest research developments in AI for cervical spondylosis diagnosis,explores its potential in improving diagnostic precision and personalized treatment,and analyzes the current challenges and future research directions to promote further development and clinical application of AI technologies in cervical spondylosis diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effect and mechanism of sanguinarine （SG） on inflammatory pain in rats with lumbar disc herniation （LDH） and its mechanism. METHODS LDH model rats were established and divided into model group， SG low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （1.00， 2.50， 6.25 mg/kg）， high-dose of SG+Anisomycin [mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） activator] group （6.25 mg/kg SG+5 mg/kg Anisomycin）， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 rats were included as the control group. Each group was given corresponding drugs intraperitoneally， while the control group and model group were given an equal volume of normal saline intraperitoneally， once a day， for 7 consecutive days. The general situation and neurological changes of rats in each group were observed， and the pain threshold [including paw withdrawal mechanical threshold （PWMT） and paw withdrawal thermal latency （PWTL）] of rats was determined； the histopathological changes of dorsal root ganglion （DRG） were observed in rats. The serum levels of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）] and pain factors [neuropeptide Y （NPY）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）] in rats were detected.The positive expressions of ionized-calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 （Iba-1） in spinal cord microglia and glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） in astrocytes were observed. The expressions of proteins related to MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）/nuclear factor κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway， TNF-α and IL-1β proteins were detected in DRG tissue of rats. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the rats in the model group showed decreased appetite， hindlimb movement disorders， and disordered neuronal cell arrangement， the neurological score， the levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， NPY， the positive expressions of Iba-1 and GFAP， the phosphorylations of p38 MAPK， ERK1/2 and NF-κB p65， the protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； PWMT， PWTL and the levels of 5-HT were significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the rats of SG groups showed some relief in their mental appetite and hindlimb motor disorders， the intervertebral disc structure of DRG was restored， and the levels of the above quantitative indicators had significantly reversed （P＜0.05）. Anisomycin reversed the improvement effect of SG on inflammatory pain in LDH rats. CONCLUSIONS SG can improve inflammatory pain by inhibiting the activation of microglia in DRG tissue of LDH rats， reducing the release of inflammatory factors， and increasing pain threshold， and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of MAPK/ERK/NF- κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Diabetic ulcers are a common complication of diabetes mellitus,which is manifested as foot ulcers complicated with infection,long treatment cycle,high disability rate and mortality rate,and brings a heavy burden to patients and social care. OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanism of action and the latest treatment progress of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in the treatment of diabetic ulcers,and to provide a basis for further theoretical research and clinical application. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang Database and PubMed database were searched for relevant literature using the keywords of"diabetic ulcer,medicinal herb,inflammation,interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor,hypersensitive C-reactive protein,γ-interferon,interleukin-4,interleukin-10"in Chinese and English,respectively.The relevant literature in recent years was searched,and finally 75 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The high glucose environment of the body will increase the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines,so that diabetic ulcer wounds are in a state of chronic inflammatory response for a long time,and difficult to heal or even not heal.TCM has summed up a lot of experience in the long-term struggle with diabetic ulcer.At present,TCM divides diabetic ulcers into four syndrome types:dampness and heat poison syndrome,blood and blood stasis obstruction pattern,heat poison injury Yin pattern,and Qi and blood deficiency syndrome,as well as representative prescriptions for treatment.According to their clinical characteristics,diabetic ulcers can be also divided into three stages:primary,middle and late stages.Different treatment methods are proposed:"clear method,""warm and clear combined use"and"maintenance method."Under the guidance of dialectical typing and staging of TCM,TCM monomers,extracts and compounds inhibit the inflammatory response and promote the healing of diabetic ulcers by down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors and/or up-regulating the expression of anti-inflammatory factors.Compared with modern medicine,TCM has significant advantages in the treatment of diabetic ulcers.There are many TCM monomers,extracts and compounds for the treatment of diabetic ulcers,such as angelica,curcumin,improved Chonghe ointment,Sanhuang blood exhaustion prescription and sore-ulcer I.formula,etc.It has been found that TCM for the treatment of diabetic ulcers is mainly heat-clearing and detoxifying,invigorating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,and amassing sores and muscle-building drugs,and the frequency of use,treatment scope and therapeutic effect of TCM compounds are obviously better than those of TCM monomers and extracts.Among them,the most commonly used are the Sanhuang blood exhaustion prescription and the sore-ulcer I as well as prescription for the treatment of damp heat toxicity syndrome and Zizhu ointment for the treatment of non-ischemic diabetic ulcers.However,there are also some shortcomings in the treatment of diabetic ulcers with TCM.First,there are few clinical syndrome studies on diabetic ulcers.Secondly,there are a wide variety of TCM monomers,extracts and compounds for the treatment of diabetic ulcers,and the relevant research is insufficiently in-depth.Finally,the research on the mechanism underlying TCM treatment of diabetic ulcers is still in the preliminary exploration stage,and the mechanism of action still needs to be further explored.In the future,it is necessary to strengthen the research on the pharmacology of TCM and the clinical syndrome of diabetic ulcers,analyze the potential targets and related signaling pathways of TCM in the treatment of diabetic ulcers,give full play to the therapeutic advantages of TCM with multiple targets,multiple pathways,multiple levels and multiple systems,and develop TCM with significant efficacy,active ingredients and clear targets.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection, share diagnosis and treatment experience, and establish a rapid diagnosis procedure for this disease. Methods:This study was a retrospective case series study. From January 2009 to November 2022, 11 patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burns and Wound Repair of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University. The gender, age, time of onset of illness, time of admission, time of diagnosis, route of infection, underlying diseases, affected limbs, clinical manifestations and signs on admission, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine, procalcitonin, albumin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and blood sodium levels on admission, culture results and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) results of pathogenic bacteria and the Vibrio vulnificus drug susceptibility test results during hospitalization, treatment methods, length of hospital stay, and outcomes of all patients were recorded. Comparative analysis was conducted on the admission time and diagnosis time of patients with and without a history of exposure to seawater/marine products, as well as the fatality ratio and amputation of limbs/digits ratio of patients with and without early adequate antibiotic treatment. For the survived patients with hand involvement, the hand function was assessed using Brunnstrom staging at the last follow-up. Based on patients' clinical characteristics and treatment conditions, a rapid diagnosis procedure for Vibrio vulnificus infection was established. Results:There were 7 males and 4 females among the patients, aged (56±17) years. Most of the patients developed symptoms in summer and autumn. The admission time was 3.00 (1.00, 4.00) d after the onset of illness, and the diagnosis time was 4.00 (2.00, 8.00) d after the onset of illness. There were 7 and 4 patients with and without a history of contact with seawater/marine products, respectively, and the admission time of these two types of patients was similar ( P>0.05). The diagnosis time of patients with a history of contact with seawater/marine products was 2.00 (2.00, 5.00) d after the onset of illness, which was significantly shorter than 9.00 (4.25, 13.00) d after the onset of illness for patients without a history of contact with seawater/marine products ( Z=-2.01, P<0.05). Totally 10 patients had underlying diseases. The affected limbs were right-hand in 8 cases, left-hand in 1 case, and lower limb in 2 cases. On admission, a total of 9 patients had fever; 11 patients had pain at the infected site, and redness and swelling of the affected limb, and 9 patients each had ecchymosis/necrosis and blisters/blood blisters; 6 patients suffered from shock, and 2 patients developed multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. On admission, there were 8 patients with abnormal white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and albumin levels, 10 patients with abnormal CRP, procalcitonin, and NT-proBNP levels, 5 patients with abnormal creatinine and blood sodium levels, and fewer patients with abnormal platelet count, ALT, and AST levels. During hospitalization, 4 of the 11 wound tissue/exudation samples had positive pathogenic bacterial culture results, and the result reporting time was 5.00 (5.00, 5.00) d; 4 of the 9 blood specimens had positive pathogenic bacterial culture results, and the result reporting time was 3.50 (1.25, 5.00) d; the mNGS results of 7 wound tissue/exudation or blood samples were all positive, and the result reporting time was 1.00 (1.00, 2.00) d. The three strains of Vibrio vulnificus detected were sensitive to 10 commonly used clinical antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and amikacin, etc. A total of 10 patients received surgical treatment, 4 of whom had amputation of limbs/digits; all patients received anti-infection treatment. The length of hospital stay of 11 patients was (26±11) d, of whom 9 patients were cured and 2 patients died. Compared with that of the 6 patients who did not receive early adequate antibiotic treatment, the 5 patients who received early adequate antibiotic treatment had no significant changes in the fatality ratio or amputation of limbs/digits ratio ( P>0.05). In 3 months to 2 years after surgery, the hand function of 8 patients was assessed, with results showing 4 cases of disabled hands, 2 cases of incompletely disabled hands, and 2 cases of recovered hands. When a patient had clinical symptoms of limb redness and swelling and a history of contact with seawater/marine products or a pre-examination triage RiCH score of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis ≥1, the etiological testing should be initiated immediately to quickly diagnose Vibrio vulnificus infection. Conclusions:Vibrio vulnificus infection occurs most frequently in summer and autumn, with clinical manifestations and laboratory test results showing obvious infection characteristics, and may be accompanied by damage to multiple organ functions. Both the fatality and disability ratios are high and have a great impact on the function of the affected limbs. Early diagnosis is difficult and treatment is easily delayed, but mNGS could facilitate rapid detection. For patients with red and swollen limbs accompanied by a history of contact with seawater/marine products or with a pre-examination triage RiCH score of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis ≥1, the etiological testing should be initiated immediately to quickly diagnose Vibrio vulnificus infection.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)plus electroacupuncture in treating migraine due to liver-Yang hyperactivity and the effects on the serum levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)and prostaglandin(PG)E2. Methods:A total of 122 patients with migraine due to liver-Yang hyperactivity were recruited and randomized into a control group and an observation group,each consisting of 61 cases.The control group was given Tong Nao Huo Luo acupuncture(acupuncture treatment for unblocking brain collaterals),and the observation group was Tuina treatment focusing on cervical Ashi points in addition to the intervention received by the control group.Both groups were treated once daily for 21 consecutive days.When the intervention finished,the two groups were observed for changes in the headache score,symptom and sign scores of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the severity of impact on life,and serum CGRP and PGE2 levels.The clinical efficacy was compared after 21 d of treatment. Results:The observation group had a higher total effective rate than the control group,90.2%versus 73.8%(P<0.05);after treatment,the headache and TCM symptom and sign scores decreased in both groups(P<0.05)and were lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05);the migraine's impact on life was less severe in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05);the levels of serum CGRP and PGE2 dropped in the two groups(P<0.05)and were lower in the observation group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Tong Nao Huo Luo acupuncture can produce more significant efficacy in treating migraine due to liver-Yang hyperactivity when combined with cervical Tuina at Ashi points,better alleviating the headache,improving TCM symptoms and body signs,and reducing the impact of headache on life.The mechanism may be associated with inhibiting the expression of serum pain factors CGRP and PGE2.

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of HIV-1 subtypes,the status of transmitted drug resistance(TDR),and the influencing factors of TDR in treatment-naive patients with AIDS who are hospitalized.Methods Treatment-naive patients with AIDS who were admitted to the Infectious Disease Department,Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu between January 2020 and December 2022 were enrolled in the study.The diagnosis and confirmation diagnosis of all the subjects were made at the same hospital.Blood samples were collected from the subjects before antiretroviral therapy(ART).The in-house method was used for HIV gene amplification and sequencing.A phylogenetic tree was constructed to analyze the HIV-1 subtypes.The Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database was used to conduct an online comparative analysis of the drug resistance mutation sites and to determine the types and levels of drug resistance.The distribution characteristics of HIV-1 subtypes,the occurrence of TDR,and the influencing factors of TDR were analyzed.Results A total of 213 patients were included in the study and their blood samples were collected.HIV-1 subtypes were successfully amplified in 83.10％(177/213)of the subjects.Ten HIV subtypes were identified,with CRF07_BC being the most common subtypes,accounting for 43.50％(77/177),which was followed by CRF01_AE at 37.85％.Unique recombinant forms(URFs)were relatively uncommon,accounting for 8.47％.The other subtypes accounted for 10.17％.These 4 categories of HIV-1 subtypes were distributed with statistically significant differences in different age groups(P=0.024).Further analysis revealed significant differences in the distribution of the HIV-1 subtypes of CRF01_AE and URFs between the groups of patients aged 30-50 years and those over 50.In addition,URFs accounted for a higher proportion in patients aged 30 to 50 years(P=0.008).The incidences of TDR were 6.49％,8.96％,13.33％,and 5.56％for CRF07_BC,CRF01_AE,URFs,and other subtypes,respectively,showing no significant difference(P＞0.05).The overall TDR was 6.57％.The TDR for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NNRTIs)was 5.16％,and the main mutation sites were V179D/E,E138A/G,V106M/I,and Y181C.The TDR for nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTIs)was 1.88％,and the main mutation site was M184V.One patient was found to be resistant to both NNRTIs and NRTIs.The highly resistant rate was 4.23％,moderate resistance was 0.47％,and low resistance was 1.88％.No significant effects of the specific years,demographic characteristics,transmission route,baseline condition,and opportunistic infections on TDR were found in this study(P＞0.05).Conclusions The HIV-1 subtypes are diverse and complex in treatment-naive patients with AIDS who were hospitalized.The overall prevalence of TDR is relatively high.It is necessary to strengthen HIV drug resistance testing to optimize ART treatment and reduce the risk of drug resistance transmission.

Humans ; Asthma/drug therapy* ; Biological Therapy