OBJECTIVE To preliminarily investigate the antiasthmatic effect and mechanism of Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum herb pair on the respiratory center. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， dexamethasone group （positive control）， and Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum 2∶1， 1∶1 and 1∶2 groups. Rats in each group were administered different ratios of the herb pair decoction [all at 18 g （crude drug）/kg]， dexamethasone suspension （0.5 mg/kg）， or normal saline intragastrically twice daily for seven consecutive days. Forty minutes after the last administration， medicated cerebrospinal fluid was collected to determine the content of effective components entering the brain. One and a half hours after the last administration， the nucleus tractus solitarius （NTS） was located using a stereotaxic apparatus. Histamine phosphate （1 μL） was injected into the NTS region at a constant rate of 1 μL/min using a 10 μL microsyringe to induce excitation of the respiratory center in rats； the blank group was injected with normal saline. The contents of neurotransmitters [nerve growth factor （NGF）， substance P （SP）， norepinephrine （NA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） and acetylcholine （Ach）] in the medulla oblongata brain tissue were detected. The mRNA expressions of neurokinin-1 receptor （NK-1R）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， and c-fos in the medulla oblongata， as well as the protein expressions of NK-1R， p38 MAPK， and c-fos in the NTS region， were determined. RESULTS The main active components of Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum herb pair entering the brain were ephedrine， pseudoephedrine， and methylephedrine. Compared with blank group， the contents of NGF， SP， NA， 5-HT and Ach， and the relative expression levels of NK-1R， p38 MAPK， and c-fos mRNA and protein were significantly increased in the model group （ P ＜0.01）. Compared with model group， Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum herb pair groups with different ratios significantly reduced the neurotransmitter contents and the relative expression levels of NK-1R， p38 MAPK， and c-fos mRNA and protein （ P ＜0.01）， with the 2∶1 Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum herb pair and 1∶1 mass ratios showing relatively better effects. CONCLUSIONS Ephedrae Herba alkaloids are the main active components in affecting the function of the respiratory center. The herb pair groups with a larger proportion of Ephedrae Herba exhibit stronger effects. Ephedrae Herba-Armeniacae Semen Amarum herb pair can reduce the excitability of the respiratory center by down-regulating the expression of the NK-1R/MAPK/c-fos pathway in the NTS and decreasing the abnormal release of neurotransmitters such as NGF and SP.

The liver regenerative capacity is crucial for patients with end-stage liver disease following partial hepatectomy (PHx). The specific bacteria and mechanisms regulating liver regeneration post-PHx remain unclear. This study demonstrated dynamic changes in the abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis (P. distasonis) post-PHx, correlating with hepatocyte proliferation. Treatment with live P. distasonis significantly promoted hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration after PHx. Targeted metabolomics revealed a significant positive correlation between P. distasonis and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), as well as hyodeoxycholic acid and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in the gut after PHx. Notably, treatment with BHB, but not hyodeoxycholic acid or 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, significantly promoted hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration in mice after PHx. Moreover, STAT3 inhibitor Stattic attenuated the promotive effects of BHB on cell proliferation and liver regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, P. distasonis upregulated the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related proteins, and increased BHB levels in the liver, and then BHB activated the STAT3 signaling pathway to promote liver regeneration. This study, for the first time, identifies the involvement of P. distasonis and its associated metabolite BHB in promoting liver regeneration after PHx, providing new insights for considering P. distasonis and BHB as potential strategies for promoting hepatic regeneration.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of interprofessional cooperative simulation in teaching emergency care for shock patients among intensive care unit (ICU) undergraduate nursing students.Methods:An interprofessional cooperative simulation-based teaching faculty team was established for ICU undergraduate nursing students, and a shock case library was developed. Using convenience sampling, 32 ICU undergraduate nursing students in 2022 were selected as the control group and received conventional simulation-based teaching, with students rotating through roles as nurses, standardized patients, doctors, and family members. In the experimental group, 34 ICU undergraduate nursing students in 2023 and 24 ICU clinical medicine interns were recruited to act as doctors for interprofessional cooperative simulation-based teaching. Each group was divided into subgroups, with each subgroup consisting of 4-5 nursing students. One group completed simulation-based training per month for a total of 8 sessions, with each session lasting 3 hours. The teaching adopted the on-site "tidal ward" in situ simulation, and the scenarios included patient history collection and health assessment, shock emergency care, nursing evaluation, and health education. The differences between the two groups of nursing students were compared in terms of ICU exit theoretical assessment score, objective structured clinical examination skill assessment score, and satisfaction with simulation-based teaching. SPSS 22.0 was used for independent samples t test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results:The experimental group achieved significantly higher scores in theoretical assessment (84.65±8.06), total score of satisfaction with simulation-based teaching (101.00±5.13), and clinical learning and multiprofessional team dimensions (47.32±3.35) compared to the control group ( P<0.001). The experimental group achieved higher scores in objective structured clinical examination skill assessment (81.40±7.22), guiding feedback and reflection (37.50±3.04), and judgmental thinking and clinical reasoning (16.00±2.03) compared to the control group, though the differences were not significant ( P=0.977, 0.668, and 0.636). Conclusions:Interprofessional cooperative simulation enhances the shock patient emergency care abilities and satisfaction with simulation-based teaching for undergraduate nursing students.

Objective:To assess the carrier frequency of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in women of childbearing age in Chongqing and to evaluate prenatal diagnostic outcomes in high-risk couples.Methods:A total of 17 926 women of childbearing age attending Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children between May 2021 and November 2023 were enrolled, including 3 398 pre-pregnant women and 14 528 pregnant women, all of whom had no clinical phenotype or family history of SMA or related neuromuscular disorders. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the copy number variations in exons 7 and 8 (E7, E8) of the SMN1 gene. High-risk carriers were identified based on the genetic screening results. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was employed for prenatal diagnosis of fetuses from high-risk couples. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children (Ethics No.2021-RGI-02). Results:① Among the 17 926 women of childbearing age, 298 (1.66%) were identified as heterozygous carriers, including 278 (1.55%) with concurrent deletions of E7 and E8, and 20 (0.11%) with isolated deletions of E7. ② Seven high-risk couples were identified, six of whom were prenatal couples. Of the two fetuses from these high-risk pregnancies, both exhibited heterozygous deletions of E7 and E8 in the SMN1 gene, while four fetuses showed no abnormalities. Conclusion:This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the carrier frequency of SMA among women of childbearing age in Chongqing, offering valuable data for the primary and secondary prevention of SMA-related birth defects in the region.

Objective To explore the application values of different detection methods in monitoring the decline pattern of syphilis-spe-cific antibody in the non-congenital syphilis children.Methods A total of 80 non-congenital syphilis children were included in the study.The serum specimens were collected after birth,and the syphilis-specific antibodies were detected using electrochemilumines-cence immunoassay(ECLIA),western blotting(WB),treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay(TPPA),enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay(ELISA),and toluidine red unheated serum test(TRUST).Follow-up was conducted every three months until the positive results of ELISA and TRUST turned to negative.Results The results of ECLIA showed that the syphilis-specific antibody lev-els in the non-congenital syphilis children declined to 25％of the level at birth within 2 to 3 months,and the rate of decline was inde-pendent of the initial concentration.WB analysis indicated that the specific IgG bands in non-congenital syphilis children at birth were consistent with those of their mother,and the sequence of specific antibodies decline was as follows:TPN47,TPN15,TPN45,and TPN17.Due to methodological limitations,the absorbance values of ELISA showed no significant change during the first three months after birth when high concentrations of antibodies were present in the samples,but it showed high sensitivity in the detection for the samples with low-concentration of syphilis antibodies.The detection rates of ECLIA,TPPA,and WB were compared by using ELISA as the reference method.At birth,the detection rates of syphilis antibodies were 100％,100％,and 90％,respectively.In 3 months after birth,the detection rates were 100％,100％,and 75％.In 6 months after birth,,they were 100％,46％,and 15％.In 9 months after birth,they were 83％,33％,and 0％.The positive rate of TRUST was 17.5％at birth.and turned to negative in 3 month of follow-up.Conclusion Syphilis specific IgG antibodies may fully transferred to the fetus and decline in a predictable pattern after birth.The comprehensive analysis for the results of the four methods suggested that dynamic detection using ECLIA method could be used to pre-dict the risk of non-congenital syphilis or terminate the follow-up at 3 months,while the seroconversion detected by WB was earlier than that by TPPA,while ELISA required the longest follow-up period.

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of early bedside plasma adsorption (PA) combined with pulse high-volume hemofiltration (PHVHF) in patients with septic shock and acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods:A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted, enrolling septic shock patients with AKI admitted to the intensive care unit of Linyi Central Hospital between January 2022 and January 2024. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration (CVVH) group or the integrated treatment group (PHVHF+PA). Both groups received standard care following the 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. Both groups received standard treatment according to the 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. The CVVH group received standard CVVH, while the integrated therapy group underwent PHVHF [substitution fluid rate: 85 mL/(kg·h)] combined with PA. Organ function indices, hemodynamic parameters, inflammatory markers, critical illness scores before treatment, at 24 h and 72 h after treatment, and 28-day survival outcomes were monitored. Categorical data were analyzed using the χ2 test, continuous variables were compared with independent samples t-test, repeated-measures data were analyzed by ANOVA, and 28-day survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves.Results:A total of 56 septic shock patients with AKI were enrolled and randomly divided into CVVH group ( n=27) and integrated therapy group ( n=29). The baseline characteristics including age, gender, and body mass index were comparable between groups (all P>0.05). No significant differences in organ function or hemodynamic parameters were observed before treatment (all P>0.05). At 24 h post-treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in serum creatinine (Scr), mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and lactate levels (all P<0.05), with reduced norepinephrine requirements ( P<0.05). The integrated treatment group demonstrated significant improvements in oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2), total bilirubin, APACHEⅡ and SOFA scores (all P<0.05). By 72 h, the integrated therapy group exhibited significantly higher PaO 2/FiO 2, platelet counts, and MAP, alongside lower total bilirubin, Scr, HR, norepinephrine dosage, and Lac (all P<0.05). Both groups showed reductions in APACHEⅡ, SOFA scores, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 (all P<0.05). The integrated treatment group had shorter ICU stays [(8.9±2.8) d vs. (11.2±3.6) d, P=0.005), and higher 28-day renal function recovery rates [15(51.7%) vs. 8(29.6%), P=0.033] than CVVH group, though no significant differences were observed in 7-day or 28-day survival rates between groups (both P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared to CVVH, the combined therapy of PHVHF and PA demonstrates superior efficacy in eliminating inflammatory mediators and enhancing organ function. However, this combination does not significantly influence 28-day survival outcomes in patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the carrier frequency of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in women of childbearing age in Chongqing and to evaluate prenatal diagnostic outcomes in high-risk couples. METHODS: A total of 17 926 women of childbearing age attending Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children between May 2021 and November 2023 were enrolled, including 3 398 pre-pregnant women and 14 528 pregnant women, all of whom had no clinical phenotype or family history of SMA or related neuromuscular disorders. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the copy number variations in exons 7 and 8 (E7, E8) of the SMN1 gene. High-risk carriers were identified based on the genetic screening results. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was employed for prenatal diagnosis of fetuses from high-risk couples. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children (Ethics No.2021-RGI-02). RESULTS: Among the 17 926 women of childbearing age, 298 (1.66%) were identified as heterozygous carriers, including 278 (1.55%) with concurrent deletions of E7 and E8, and 20 (0.11%) with isolated deletions of E7. Seven high-risk couples were identified, six of whom were prenatal couples. Of the two fetuses from these high-risk pregnancies, both exhibited heterozygous deletions of E7 and E8 in the SMN1 gene, while four fetuses showed no abnormalities. CONCLUSION This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the carrier frequency of SMA among women of childbearing age in Chongqing, offering valuable data for the primary and secondary prevention of SMA-related birth defects in the region.
Humans ; Female ; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/diagnosis* ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Adult ; Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/genetics* ; Genetic Carrier Screening/methods* ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; China ; Genetic Testing ; Heterozygote

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of respiratory pathogens in China.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study, which encompassed 19 core units of the clinical pathogen network and established a three-tiered clinical pathogen surveillance system. Thirty respiratory samples were collected every two weeks from various units from January to December 2024, and the clinical and pathogen diagnostic information were gathered. A total of 11 864 samples were tested using this system. The tier-1 clinical pathogen surveillance system covered influenza A virus (Flu-A), influenza B virus (Flu-B), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The tier-2 clinical pathogen surveillance system focused on 18 key respiratory pathogens. The tier-3 clinical pathogen surveillance system further clarified whether any emerging infectious diseases had occurred.Results:The tier-1 clinical pathogen surveillance system showed Flu-A predominated in December, Flu-B predominated in January, SARS-CoV-2 peaked in March and August, whereas RSV circulated sporadically throughout the year. Geographic trends were broadly consistent across the seven major regions, although Flu-A detection in December was notably higher in Northeast China (48.1%(111/231)) and East China (36.2%(148/409)), and RSV detection was concentrated in the Northwest and South China from January to March. Data from the tier-2 clinical pathogen surveillance system indicated that Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, rhinovirus, and adenovirus were detected year-round, of these, Streptococcus pneumoniae and rhinovirus showed elevated positive detection rates from August to September, while adenovirus peaked in January. Legionella pneumophila was not detected throughout the year, and other pathogens fluctuated throughout the year without a consistent pattern. The predominant etiologic agents of pediatric pneumonia were Mycoplasma pneumoniae (35.0%(105/300)), rhinovirus (25.7%(77/300)), and adenovirus (17.3%(52/300)), whereas adult pneumonia was mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (10.5%(29/277)), Staphylococcus aureus (6.9%(19/277)), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (6.9%(19/277)), and Flu-A (6.1%(17/277)). The tier-3 clinical pathogen surveillance system did not identify any emerging respiratory pathogens. Conclusion:Respiratory pathogens in China in 2024 exhibit distinct temporal and spatial distribution patterns and vary among different populations.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Zhuyu Tongluo Tang combined with manual release on isokinetic muscle strength and serum TGF-β1 and IGF-1 levels in patients with joint stiffness after ankle fracture surgery.Methods:A prospective study was conducted on 80 patients with ankle fractures who experienced joint stiffness during the recovery period after surgery at Nanchang Hongdu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from March 2021 to March 2024.The patients were randomly divided into control group(n=40)and observation group(n=40)using a random number table method.Both groups of patients received routine intervention,followed by manual release therapy in control group;observation group received treatment in combination with Zhuyu Tongluo Tang on the basis of control group,with a treatment course of 4 weeks.Compared treatment outcomes,isokinetic muscle strength test indicators,American Orthopaedic of Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS),ankle activity score(AAS),visual analog scale(VAS),traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score,and changes in dorsiflexion angle from two groups of patients before and after 4 weeks of treatment,and measured serum levels of TGF-β1 and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1).Results:After treatment,effective rate of control group was 75.00%,while effective rate of observation group was 92.50%(P<0.05);PT,PT/BW and TW of observation group and control group were significantly increased,and PT,PT/BW and TW of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group(all P<0.05);AOFAS and AAS scores of observation group and control group were significantly increased,while VAS score was significantly decreased.AOFAS and AAS scores of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group,while VAS score was significantly lower than those of control group(both P<0.05);scores and total scores of various traditional Chinese medicine symptoms in observation group and control group were significantly reduced,and observation group was significantly lower than that in control group(both P<0.05);dorsiflexion angle of the foot in both observation group and control group were significantly increased,and the increase in observation group was greater than that in control group(both P<0.05);levels of TGF-β1 and IGF-1 in both obser-vation group and control group were significantly increased,and levels of TGF-β1 and IGF-1 in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group(both P<0.05).Conclusion:Combination of Zhuyu Tongluo Tang and manual release can improve the symptoms of joint stiffness and traditional Chinese medicine syndromes during the recovery period of ankle fractures,increase the functional score and isokinetic muscle strength index of the ankle joint,raise the levels of TGF-β1 and IGF-1,and improve the patient's dorsiflexion angle.This treatment regimen has good clinical efficacy.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between antiretroviral drug efavirenz and anti-tuberculosis 1H3P3(isoniazid plus rifapentine)in people living with HIV.Methods HIV-positive individuals on efavirenz-containing(600 mg)antiretroviral therapy(ART)received 1H3P3 regimen containing rifapentine(450 mg)plus isoniazid(400 mg)3 times a week for 1 month.Efavirenz concentrations were measured at weeks 0,2,4,8.Rifapentine concentration was determined at weeks 2 and 4.HIV RNA load was determined at weeks 0 and 8.Treatment target was efavirenz concentration＞1 mg/L.The anti-TB prevention was considered acceptable if the target of efavirenz concentration was achieved in more than 80％of participants.The participants were followed up for 18 months to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.Results Thirty-one participants living with HIV were enrolled in the study.Two participants were excluded from PK analysis because his/her baseline efavirenz concentration＜1 mg/L,suggesting poor treatment adherence.Evaluable PK data were available for 29 participants,including 23(79.3％)males.The median[interquartile range(IQR)]age of the participants was 43.0(32.5,53.5)years.The median(IQR)efavirenz plasma concentration was 2.33(1.96,2.34)mg/L at week 0,2.32(1.90,3.28)mg/L at week 2,2.07(1.83,3.09)mg/L at week 4,and 2.71(2.14,3.33)mg/L at week 8.Efavirenz concentration did not show significant difference between the 4 time points(P＞0.05).Median(IQR)rifapentine concentration was 9.36(6.23,16.47)mg/L at week 2,and 9.36(6.41,15.56)mg/L at week 4.Rifapentine concentration did not show significant difference between week 2 and week 4(P＞0.05).Efavirenz concentrations was＞1 mg/L in all participants at weeks 2,4,and 8.Furthermore,efavirenz concentration was significantly higher in females and patients with body weight＜60 kg compared with males and those with body weight ≥60 kg(P＜0.05).None of the participants had symptoms or signs of active tuberculosis during 18-month follow-up.Conclusions Isoniazid plus rifapentine(1H3P3 regimen)did not have significant effect on the plasma concentrations of efavirenz.