AIM To investigate the mechanism of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction in preventing meglumine diatrizoate-induced post-ERCP pancreatitis in rats through autophagy regulation.METHODS The rats were randomized into the normal group,the model group,the low-dose and high-dose Shaoyao Gancao Decoction(1.5,3.0 g/kg),and the indomethacin suppository group.A rat model of post-ERCP pancreatitis was induced by meglumine diatrizoate injection into the pancreatic duct under continuous pressure.The rats had their pancreatic tissues stained with HE to observe the pathological alterations,inflammatory cell infiltration,hemorrhage and necrosis;their serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α,AMS,and IL-10 identified by ELISA;their autophagic vacuoles in pancreatic acinar cells observed by transmission electron microscopy;their pancreatic protein expressions of Beclin1,LC3B,p62,TRAF2 and p-JNK detected by IHC and Western blot;and their pancreatic mRNA expressions of Beclin1 and TRAF2 detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the high-dose Shaoyao Gancao Decoction group displayed no obvious hemorrhage;improvement in edema of acinar and interstitial cells;obviously less cellular inflammatory infiltration;substantially decreased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and AMS(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);drastically reduced amount of autophagosomes in acinar cells;and down-regulated expressions of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1,LC3,p62,TRAF2 and p-JNK(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Shaoyao Gancao Decoction can prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis by ameliorating pancreatic tissue injury,decreasing serum inflammatory response level,and interfering with abnormal autophagy of pancreatic acinar cells.Its molecular mechanism may involve inhibition of TRAF2 protein expression and modulation of p-JNK activation.

Objective: To analyze the drug resistance of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) among hospitalized children in a children's hospital in Hebei Province from 2019 to 2023, so as to provide the basis for the rational clinical application of antibacterial drugs. Methods: Specimens including sputum, blood, urine, pus, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, secretions, pleural fluid, and peritoneal fluid of hospitalized children from January 2019 to December 2023 were collected. Pathogen identification and drug susceptibility tests were performed on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBLs-EC), extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBLs-KP), carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) and carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC). The department distribution, specimen distribution, and drug resistance of MDROs were analyzed. Results: A total of 279 086 samples were submitted for testing, with 3 512 MDROs detected. Among these, MRSA and ESBLs-EC had relatively high detection rates of 35.76% and 41.50%, respectively. In the internal medicine pediatric patients, 1 869 MDROs were detected, accounting for 53.22%. The main departments were respiratory medicine, neonatology, and intensive care. In the surgical department, 1 643 MDROs were detected, accounting for 46.78%, with the main sources being general surgery and cardiac surgery. The highest numbers of MDROs were detected in sputum, pus, and urine samples, with 1 372, 527, and 494 isolates, representing 39.07%, 15.01%, and 14.07%, respectively. The resistance rates of MRSA to penicillin, oxacillin, and erythromycin were between 81.76% and 100.00%. ESBLs-EC and ESBLs-KP had a resistance rate of 100.00% to ceftriaxone. CRKP had a resistance rate of 100.00% to ampicillin/sulbactam and imipenem. CRAB had a resistance rate of 100.00% to cefoxitin, imipenem, and meropenem. CRPA had a resistance rate of 100.00% to ampicillin/sulbactam, ceftriaxone, cefoxitin, and imipenem. CREC had a resistance rate of 100.00% to imipenem. Conclusions In a children's hospital in Hebei Province, infections with MDROs among hospitalized pediatric patients are primarily caused by MRSA and ESBLs-EC. These infections are mainly distributed in the departments of respiratory medicine, neonatology, intensive care, general surgery, and cardiac surgery, with the highest detection rates in sputum, pus, and urine samples. Additionally, MRSA, ESBLs-EC, ESBLs-KP, CRKP, CRAB, CRPA, and CREC show high resistance rate to most antimicrobial agents.

Environmental damage affects many aspects of healthcare, from extreme weather events to evolving population disease. Singapore's healthcare sector has the world's second highest healthcare emissions per capita, hampering the nation's pledge to reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In this review, we provide an overview of the impact environmental damage has on healthcare, including facilities, supply chain and human health, and examine measures to address healthcare's impact on the environment. Utilising the 'R's of sustainability - rethinking, reducing/refusing, reusing/repurposing/reprocessing, repairing, recycling and research - we have summarised the opportunities and challenges across medical disciplines. Awareness and advocacy to adopt strategies at institutional and individual levels is needed to revolutionise our environmental footprint and improve healthcare sustainability. By leveraging evidence from ongoing trials and integrating sustainable practices, our healthcare system can remain resilient against environment-driven challenges and evolving healthcare demands while minimising further impacts of environmental destruction.
Humans ; Climate Change ; Delivery of Health Care ; Singapore ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Sustainable Development ; Environment

INTRODUCTION: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with significant long-term impacts, yet few interventions specifically target ACE exposure, especially in Asian populations. Anchor, Singapore's first home visitation programme, addresses maltreat-ment among preschool children. This study evaluated Anchor's impact on children's developmental and behavioural outcomes. METHOD: We conducted a prospective evaluation of children under 4 years assessed for maltreatment from November 2019 to July 2023. Developmental and behavioural progress was measured every 6 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) and ASQ:Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE-2), and annually using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS: The results of 125 children (mean age 20.0 months, 48% female) were analysed. The mean length of stay in programme was 21.2 (7.3) months. At baseline, 92 (73.6%) children were at risk of develop-mental delay and 25 (31.7%) children aged ≥18 months had behavioural concerns. The programme was associated with significant improvements in gross motor (P=0.002) and fine motor (P=0.001) domains of the ASQ-3 and internalising problem scale (P=0.001) of the CBCL. CONCLUSION Anchor effectively enhances develop-mental and behavioural outcomes for children exposed to maltreatment. Targeted early intervention through such programmes can mitigate adverse impacts, optimising developmental trajectories and potentially reducing the long-term clinical and economic burdens associated with ACEs.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Child Abuse/therapy* ; Child, Preschool ; Singapore ; House Calls ; Infant ; Prospective Studies ; Child Development ; Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology* ; Program Evaluation ; Child Behavior Disorders ; Child Behavior

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease involving multiple inflammatory cells and cytokines. Its pathogenesis is complex, involving various cells and cytokines. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory suggests that the pathogenesis of asthma is closely related to the dysfunction of internal organs such as the lungs, spleen, and kidneys. In contrast, modern immunological studies have revealed the central role of T helper 1(Th1)/T helper 2(Th2) and T helper 17(Th17)/regulatory T(Treg) cellular immune imbalance in the pathogenesis of asthma. Th1/Th2 imbalance is manifested as hyperfunction of Th2 cells, which promotes the synthesis of immunoglobulin E(IgE) and the activation of eosinophil granulocytes, leading to airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation.Meanwhile, Th17/Treg imbalance exacerbates the inflammatory response in the airways, further contributing to asthma pathology.Currently, therapeutic strategies for asthma are actively exploring potential targets for regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune responses. These targets include cytokines, transcription factors, key proteins, and non-coding RNAs. Precisely regulating the expression and function of these targets can effectively modulate the activation and differentiation of immune cells. In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients have shown unique potential and prospects in the field of asthma treatment. Based on this, the present study systematically summarizes the efficacy and specific mechanisms of TCM active ingredients in treating asthma by regulating Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune balance through literature review and analysis. These active ingredients, including flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, exert their effects through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting the activation of inflammatory cells, reducing the release of cytokines, and promoting the normal differentiation of immune cells. This study aims to provide a solid foundation for the widespread application and in-depth development of TCM in asthma treatment and to offer new ideas for clinical research and drug development of asthma.
Asthma/genetics* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Th2 Cells/drug effects* ; Th17 Cells/drug effects* ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects* ; Th1 Cells/drug effects* ; Animals ; Cytokines/immunology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between white matter injury (WMI) and cerebral perfusion in preterm infants using arterial spin labeling (ASL). METHODS: A total of 293 preterm infants (gestational age <34 weeks) hospitalized at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between June 2022 and June 2024 were included. After achieving clinical stability, the infants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ASL. Based on MRI findings, infants were classified into WMI (n=66) and non-WMI (n=227) groups. Cerebral perfusion parameters were compared between groups, and the association between WMI and perfusion alterations was evaluated. RESULTS: The WMI group showed a higher incidence of mild intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) than the non-WMI group (P<0.05). Significantly lower cerebral perfusion was observed in the WMI group across bilateral frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes, as well as the basal ganglia and thalamus (P<0.05). After adjusting for gestational age, corrected gestational age at ASL scan, and mild IVH, WMI remained significantly associated with reduced regional perfusion (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS WMI in preterm infants correlates with localized cerebral hypoperfusion. ASL-detected perfusion abnormalities may provide novel insights into WMI pathogenesis.
Humans ; White Matter/blood supply* ; Infant, Newborn ; Spin Labels ; Infant, Premature ; Female ; Male ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

AIM To investigate the mechanism of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction in preventing meglumine diatrizoate-induced post-ERCP pancreatitis in rats through autophagy regulation.METHODS The rats were randomized into the normal group,the model group,the low-dose and high-dose Shaoyao Gancao Decoction(1.5,3.0 g/kg),and the indomethacin suppository group.A rat model of post-ERCP pancreatitis was induced by meglumine diatrizoate injection into the pancreatic duct under continuous pressure.The rats had their pancreatic tissues stained with HE to observe the pathological alterations,inflammatory cell infiltration,hemorrhage and necrosis;their serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α,AMS,and IL-10 identified by ELISA;their autophagic vacuoles in pancreatic acinar cells observed by transmission electron microscopy;their pancreatic protein expressions of Beclin1,LC3B,p62,TRAF2 and p-JNK detected by IHC and Western blot;and their pancreatic mRNA expressions of Beclin1 and TRAF2 detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the high-dose Shaoyao Gancao Decoction group displayed no obvious hemorrhage;improvement in edema of acinar and interstitial cells;obviously less cellular inflammatory infiltration;substantially decreased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and AMS(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);drastically reduced amount of autophagosomes in acinar cells;and down-regulated expressions of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1,LC3,p62,TRAF2 and p-JNK(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Shaoyao Gancao Decoction can prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis by ameliorating pancreatic tissue injury,decreasing serum inflammatory response level,and interfering with abnormal autophagy of pancreatic acinar cells.Its molecular mechanism may involve inhibition of TRAF2 protein expression and modulation of p-JNK activation.

The traditional commodity specifications of Chinese medicinal materials are mainly divided into different grades based on macroscopic characteristics. As the basis for high quality and good price, there is still a lack of systematic evaluation on whether they are consistent with the current standards and whether they can reflect the internal quality of medicinal material. Panax notoginseng is a commonly used, large consumption of Chinese medicinal material. At present, it is divided into 8 grades in the market based on "Tou" (the number of crude drug /500 g), but it is not related to the standard of total saponins of Panax notoginseng (the sum of three saponins) in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) coupled with mass spectrometry molecular network were used for the rapid identification of saponins of Panax notoginseng with different "Tou" and a total of 64 saponins were identified. Seventeen saponins related to "Tou" were screened by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The content of five saponins R₁, Rb₁, Rg₁, Rd, and Re in Panax notoginseng with different "Tou" was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results of correlation analysis showed that Rd and R₁ with the largest VIP values among the differential saponins, which significantly negatively correlated with "Tou" (P < 0.05). Based on the determination results of 36 batches of samples, using Rd/Total Panax notoginseng saponins (TPNS) ratio ( > 0.08) as the index, Panax notoginseng can be divided into two grades: 20-60 "Tou" (superior) and 80-200 "Tou" (qualified). Based on the concept of "macroscopic characteristics and chemical profiling", this study integrates the non-targeted analysis and quantitative determination methods to provide a new strategy for quality evaluation of Panax notoginseng.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in healthcare facilities in major regions of China in 2023.Methods Clinical isolates collected from 73 hospitals across China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2023 Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints.Results A total of 445199 clinical isolates were collected in 2023,of which 29.0％ were gram-positive and 71.0％ were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi) (MRSA,MRSE and MRCNS) was 29.6％,81.9％ and 78.5％,respectively.Methicillin-resistant strains showed significantly higher resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents than methicillin-susceptible strains (MSSA,MSSE and MSCNS).Overall,92.9％ of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 91.4％ of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis had significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 93.1％ in the isolates from children and and 95.9％ in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 15.0％ for most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,22.5％ and 23.6％ of which were resistant to imipenem and meropenem,respectively .Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.6％ to 10.0％.The resistance rate to imipenem and meropenem was 21.9％ and 17.4％ for Pseudomonas aeruginosa,respectively,and 67.5％ and 68.1％ for Acinetobacter baumannii,respectively.Conclusions Increasing resistance to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still observed in clinical bacterial isolates.However,the prevalence of important crabapenem-resistant organisms such as crabapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a slightly decreasing trend.This finding suggests that strengthening bacterial resistance surveillance and multidisciplinary linkage are important for preventing the occurrence and development of bacterial resistance.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare cognitive, non-cognitive, and overall learning outcomes for sepsis and trauma resuscitation skills in novices with virtual patient simulation (VPS) versus in-person simulation (IPS). Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on junior doctors in 1 emergency department from January to December 2022, comparing 70 minutes of VPS (n=19) versus IPS (n=21) in sepsis and trauma resuscitation. Using the nominal group technique, we created skills assessment checklists and determined Bloom’s taxonomy domains for each checklist item. Two blinded raters observed participants leading 1 sepsis and 1 trauma resuscitation simulation. Satisfaction was measured using the Student Satisfaction with Learning Scale (SSLS). The SSLS and checklist scores were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and 2-tailed t-test respectively. Results: For sepsis, there was no significant difference between VPS and IPS in overall scores (2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.4 to 5.4; Cohen’s d=0.38), as well as in items that were cognitive (1.1; 95% CI, -1.5 to 3.7) and not only cognitive (0.9; 95% CI, -0.4 to 2.2). Likewise, for trauma, there was no significant difference in overall scores (-0.9; 95% CI, -4.1 to 2.3; Cohen’s d=0.19), as well as in items that were cognitive (-0.3; 95% CI, -2.8 to 2.1) and not only cognitive (-0.6; 95% CI, -2.4 to 1.3). The median SSLS scores were lower with VPS than with IPS (-3.0; 95% CI, -1.0 to -5.0). Conclusion For novices, there were no major differences in overall and non-cognitive learning outcomes for sepsis and trauma resuscitation between VPS and IPS. Learners were more satisfied with IPS than with VPS (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05201950).