ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy on the long-term prognosis for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy （DCM） of yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 371 DCM patients with yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. The yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy was defined as the exposure factor. Patients were categorized into exposure group （186 cases） and non-exposure group （185 cases） according to whether they received yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy combined with conventional western medicine for 6 months or longer. The follow-up period was set at 48 months， and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events （MACE） in both groups. Cox regression analysis was used to explore the impact of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy on the risk of MACE， and subgroup analysis was performed. Changes in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， left ventricular fractional shortening （LVFS）， left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDD）， and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire （MLHFQ） score were compared between groups at the time of first combined use of yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy （before treatment） and 1 year after receiving the therapy （after treatment）. ResultsMACE occurred in 31 cases （16.67%） in the exposure group and 47 cases （25.41%） in the non-exposure group. The cumulative incidence of MACE in the exposure group was significantly lower than that in the non-exposure group ［HR=0.559， 95%CI（0.361，0.895）， P=0.014］. Cox regression analysis showed that yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy was an independent factor for reducing the risk of MACE in DCM patients ［HR=0.623， 95%CI（0.396，0.980）， P=0.041］， and consistent results were observed in different subgroups. Compared with pre-treatment， the exposure group showed decreased TCM syndrome score and MLHFQ score， reduced LVEDD， and increased LVEF and LVFS after treatment （P＜0.05）； in the non-exposure group， TCM syndrome score decreased， LVEF and LVFS increased， and LVEDD reduced after treatment （P＜0.05）. After treatment， the exposure group had higher LVEF and LVFS， smaller LVEDD， and lower TCM syndrome score and MLHFQ score compared with the non-exposure group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionCombining yang-reinforcing and blood-activating therapy with conventional western medicine can reduce the risk of MACE in DCM patients with yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome， meanwhile improving their clinical symptoms， cardiac function， and quality of life.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to clarify the material basis of Gualou Niubangtang and establish a quantitative analysis method for its main constituents， providing a reference for the overall quality control of this preparation. MethodsThe constituents in the formula were systematically characterized based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS）. Identification was performed by matching with the UNIFI 9.6 software and utilizing database platforms such as PubChem， ChemicalBook， and ChemSpider， combined with relevant literature reports. A quantitative analysis method for the seven main constituents in Gualou Niubangtang was established by using high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. ResultsUPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis identified 155 constituents， including 69 flavonoids， 36 terpenoids， 23 phenylpropanoids， 8 phenylethanoid glycosides， and 19 other types of constituents. In the established quantitative analysis method， the seven main constituents showed good linearity within their respective linear ranges. The precision， repeatability， stability， and spike recovery all met the required standards. The results showed that the content ranges of geniposide， liquiritin， hesperidin， arctiin， baicalin， oroxylin A-7-O-β-D-glucuronide， and wogonoside in 15 batches of Gualou Niubangtang were 13.67-21.25， 1.20-7.64， 5.45-7.45， 22.97-33.51， 29.95-39.07， 2.58-4.80， and 6.56-9.31 mg·g^-1， respectively. ConclusionThis study successfully characterizes and attributes multi-category constituents in Gualou Niubangtang， clarifying that its material basis is primarily composed of flavonoids， terpenoids， phenylethanoid glycosides， and phenylpropanoids. Furthermore， it enables the quantification of seven constituents within the formula. This work lays a foundation for research on the quality control， action mechanism， and clinical application of this formula.

ObjectiveTo integrate network pharmacology prediction with multi-level experimental verification methods， and to explore in depth the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism of luteolin in treating gout. MethodsDatabases were used to obtain potential pharmacodynamic targets of luteolin. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） network construction and network pharmacology analysis techniques were used to screen key core targets of luteolin in gout treatment. Further biological function enrichment analysis and signaling pathway analysis were performed on these targets. Molecular docking simulation was used to calculate the binding energy between luteolin and potential core targets， clarifying the strength of their interactions. In the in vivo experiment for hyperuricemia， 48 mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， an allopurinol group （5 mg·kg^-1）， and low-dose （10 mg·kg^-1）， medium-dose （30 mg·kg^-1）， and high-dose （90 mg·kg^-1） luteolin groups. For the first three days， the blank and model groups were gavaged with an equal volume of normal saline， while the allopurinol group and luteolin groups were gavaged with corresponding drugs. From day 4 onwards， modeling was performed by intraperitoneal injection at 12：00 daily （normal saline for the blank group， and oxonic acid potassium-hypoxanthine mixture for other groups， with 300 mg·kg^-1 for each group）. Gavage intervention was administered at 18：00 daily （normal saline for the blank/model groups， and corresponding drugs for the treatment groups） until day 7. After sampling， levels of serum uric acid （UA）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were measured. Levels of xanthine oxidase （XO） in the liver and kidney， ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 （ABCG2） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in the kidney， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in the liver were determined. Renal HE staining was also performed. In the pharmacodynamic study of gouty arthritis， 36 rats were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a colchicine group （0.315 mg·kg^-1）， and low-dose （7 mg·kg^-1）， medium-dose （21 mg·kg^-1）， and high-dose （63 mg·kg^-1） luteolin groups. The model was established by vertically injecting 100 µL of 25 g·L^-1 monosodium urate suspension into the posterior lateral aspect of the right ankle joint （the blank group was injected with an equal volume of normal saline）， with repeated injections every two days for reinforcement. From day 2 after modeling， daily gavage administration was performed （normal saline for the blank/model groups， and corresponding drugs for the treatment groups） for a total of 16 days. During the experiment， ankle swelling and pain threshold were measured regularly. After sampling， levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） were determined. Ankle joints were subjected to HE， Masson， and safranin O-fast green staining， and HE staining was also performed on ankle synovial tissue and various organs. Western blot was used to determine the expression levels of key proteins in gout-related signaling pathways. ResultsNetwork pharmacology analysis predicted that luteolin may regulate over 20 core targets， such as XO， ABCG2， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， and SOD， through acting on signaling pathways including NF-κB， phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， and ABC transporters， thereby affecting uric acid metabolism and inflammatory responses. In the hyperuricemia model， compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly increased serum UA level， liver and kidney XO activity， renal ABCG2 expression， and liver SOD activity （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose luteolin group significantly reduced serum UA level （P<0.01）， inhibited liver and kidney XO activity （P<0.01）， and significantly increased renal ABCG2 expression and liver SOD activity （P<0.01）， effectively alleviating renal oxidative stress damage and improving renal histopathological status. In the gouty arthritis model， compared with the blank group， the model group showed significant ankle swelling， decreased pain threshold， and significantly increased levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in serum and synovial tissue （P<0.01）. The high-dose luteolin group significantly reduced ankle swelling， prolonged hot plate pain threshold， effectively decreased the levels of the above inflammatory factors in serum and synovial tissue （P<0.01）， and significantly improved ankle pathological damage， showing good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Western blot results further confirmed that luteolin significantly upregulated Nrf2 protein expression and downregulated XO and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain （NOD）-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） expression in animals. ConclusionLuteolin can improve symptoms of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis， and its potential mechanism may be related to inhibiting XO activity， increasing ABCG2 and SOD levels， and regulating Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress-related pathways.

ObjectiveTo analyze the influencing factors of pulmonary dysfunction among community-based population at high-risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to establish a risk assessment model to provide a reference basis for accelerating the beforehand prevention and control of COPD and promoting the respiratory health of community-based residents. MethodsIndividuals aged >35 years old, with at least one risk factor except age illustrated in the Guidelines for Primary Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (2018), and participated in the early screening for COPD from July 2022 to December 2023 were selected as the research subjects, and their lung function was assessed by the forceful expiratory volume in the first second after inhalation of bronchodilator (FEV₁)/ forced vital capacity (FVC) <70% and/or the ratio of FEV₁ to predicted value (FEV₁%Pred) <80% as the diagnostic criteria. In addition, risk factors related to pulmonary dysfunction were analyzed for the establishment of risk assessment model. ResultsA total of 823 individuals aged between 35‒76 years were included, among which 298 (36.21%) were diagnosed with pulmonary dysfunction, 167 (20.29%) with COPD, and 131 (15.92%) with preserved ratio but impaired spirometry. Logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender, increasing age, more frequent smoking, insufficient physical activity, recurrent wheezing, the presence of post-exercise wheezing or coughing, insensitive to airborne allergens, and history of chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma were correlated with pulmonary dysfunction. The incidence rate of pulmonary dysfunction was 1.99 times higher in males than that in females, 1.81 times more common in those aged between 70‒76 years than those aged <60 years, 2.42 times more common in those who smoked 50‒200 pack-years than in those who smoked 0‒14 pack-years, 1.78 times higher in those who underwent physical activity <600 MET‑min·week^-1 than in those who underwent physical activity ≥600 MET‑min·week^-1, 2.61 times higher in those suffered recurrent wheezing than in those did not, 1.53 times higher in those with symptoms of post-exercise wheezing or coughing than in those without, 1.61 times higher in those insensitive to airborne allergens than those sensitive, 2.02 times higher in patients with chronic bronchitis than in those without, and 2.41 times higher in patients with bronchial asthma than in those without. The risk assessment model for pulmonary dysfunction constructed on this basis had a total score of 28 points, and the area under the subject operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.72, reaching the cut-off point of ROC curve while taking scores ≥10 points as the cut-off value for pulmonary dysfunction. ConclusionIn community-based high-risk COPD population, the incidence rate of pulmonary dysfunction is higher in males than that in females, in addition, which increases with the advancement of age. Smoking,insufficient physical activity,recurrent wheezing,post-exercise wheezing or coughing,insensitive to airborne allergens,and history of chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma are high risk factors for pulmonary dysfunction. The risk assessment model constructed based on these factors has a good predictive effect in screening high-risk population of COPD, but its effectiveness in screening people at general risk needs to be further validated.

Objective: To examine the relationship among physical education core literacy, exercise self efficacy, physical self esteem and subjective exercise experience among middle school students, and to analyze the latent classes of exercise self efficacy, so as to provide evidence for enhancing adolescents subjective exercise experience. Methods: Using stratified cluster random sampling, 2 569 students from 12 provinces, autonomous regions or municipality directly under the central govement (Jiangxi, Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou, Henan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Shandong, Hubei, Hebei) were surveyed from September to November in 2024 with Core Competency Scale of Physical Education, Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale, Exercise Self Efficacy Scale, and Physical Self esteem Scale. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationships among physical education core literacy, exercise self efficacy, physical self esteem, and subjective exercise experience. Mediation models with Bootstrap testing were employed to examine the mediating roles of exercise self efficacy and physical self esteem in the relationship between physical education core literacy and subjective exercise experience. Latent profile analysis (LPA) of exercise self efficacy was performed using Mplus 8.3. Results: Pearson correlation analysis revealed positive associations between physical education core literacy and exercise self efficacy ( r =0.21), physical self esteem ( r =0.38), and subjective exercise experience ( r =0.40); exercise self efficacy was positively correlated with physical self esteem ( r =0.25) and subjective exercise experience ( r =0.45); and physical self esteem was positively correlated with subjective exercise experience ( r =0.34) (all P <0.01). Mediation analysis indicated that physical education core literacy positively predicted subjective exercise experience ( β =0.41, P <0.05), with exercise self efficacy and physical self esteem serving as partial mediators (effect size=0.14, P <0.01), accounting for 34% of the total effect. LPA identified three latent classes of exercise self efficacy:low (14.71%, n =378), moderate (65.51%, n =1 683), and high (19.78%, n =508) exercise self efficacy groups. Conclusion Adolescents exercise self efficacy demonstrates heterogeneity, and both exercise self efficacy and physical self esteem mediate the relationship between physical education core literacy and subjective exercise experience.

ObjectiveTo analyze the distribution, drug resistance characteristics, and changing trends of Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) isolated from environmental surfaces and healthcare workers’ hands in a grade Ⅱ level A general hospital in Xuhui District of Shanghai from 2018 to 2023, and to provide reference for infection control in the hospital. MethodsEnvironmental samples were collected quarterly from critical surfaces and healthcare workers’ hands in the intensive care unit (ICU), geriatrics, and respiratory departments from 2018 to 2023. Clinical isolates were obtained from all patients with AB infections in ICU, geriatrics, respiratory department, rehabilitation department, infectious diseases department, emergency department, cardiology department, and orthopedics of the hospital from 2018 to 2023. Retrospective analyses were performed on AB detection rates, strain origins, resistance rates to commonly used antimicrobial agents, and resistance gene features, comparing the antimicrobial resistance between clinically isolated strains and environmentally isolated strains. ResultsFrom 2018 to 2023, a total of 1 416 samples were collected from the hospital and a total of 272 strains of AB were detected, with a positive detection rate of 19.21%. The detection rate gradually decreased year-on-year (χ²_trend=45.290, P<0.001). The majority of samples originated from patient-contacted items (34.56%, 94/272), followed by shared items (26.84%, 73/272) and healthcare worker-contacted items (15.07%, 41/272). From 2018 to 2023, the resistance rate of AB on environmental surfaces and healthcare workers’ hands to commonly tested antibiotics in the hospital ranged from 10% to 40%. The resistance rates to cefotaxime (42.52%) and piperacillin (38.58%) were relative high, while the resistance to polymyxin E (1.57%), polymyxin B (2.36%), and doxycycline (3.94%) maintained low. The annual fluctuations in resistance to cefotaxime, piperacillin, ceftriaxone, tobramycin, doxycycline, minocycline and cotrimoxazole were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the resistance of clinical and environmental isolates to ampicillin/sulbactam, cefepime, ceftazidime, subamphetamine, meropenem, piperacillin, aztreonam, gentamicin, tobramycin, minocycline, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and cotrimoxazole in the hospital from 2018 to 2023 (all P<0.05). The resistance rate of clinical isolates was generally high, especially to β-lactam and quinolone drugs, which were mostly above 80% [such as cefepime (93.86%), cefotaxime (97.37%), imipenem (98.25%), and ciprofloxacin (99.12%)]. The resistance rate of environmental isolated strains to similar antibiotics was relatively lower, mostly concentrated at 10%‒30%. The whole-genome sequencing of 34 carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) strains isolated from the hospital environment in 2023 revealed that the main resistance mechanism was overexpression of efflux pumps (51.97%), followed by changes in target sites (32.46%). Among the 34 CRAB strains, carbapenem resistance genes OXA-23 and OXA-51 were detected in 6 strains (17.65%), while genes such as KPC, IMP, VIM, and SIM were not detected. ConclusionFrom 2018 to 2023, AB in the hospital environment exhibited high resistance rates to certain antimicrobial agents and carried multiple resistance genes, indicating a potential transmission risk. It is necessary to further strengthen bacterial resistance monitoring and hospital infection control, and use antibiotics reasonably.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at back-shu points on patients with post-stroke tracheotomy on the basis of extracorporeal diaphragmatic pacing (EDP) combined with conventional acupuncture. METHODS: A total of 64 patients with post-stroke tracheotomy were randomly divided into an experiment group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped out). The control group received EDP combined with conventional acupuncture, acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20), Zhongwan (CV12) and bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Xuehai (SP10) , Yinlingquan (SP9), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Zusanli (ST36), 30 min each time. The experiment group was treated with acupuncture at bilateral Feishu (BL13), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23) on the basis of the treatment in the control group, 30 min each time. Acupuncture in both groups was given once a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the pulmonary function (forced vital capacity [FVC], first second forced expiratory volume [FEV₁], peak expiratory flow [PEF], maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP], maximal expiratory pressure [MEP]), diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF), diaphragm excursion (DE), postural assessment scale for stroke patients (PASS) score and Berg balance scale (BBS) score were observed in the two groups. The extubation success rate was recorded in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the FVC, FEV₁, PEF, MIP and MEP in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), and above indexes in the experiment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.001, P<0.01). After treatment, the DTF and DE in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), the DE in the experiment group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). After treatment, the PASS and BBS scores in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), and the BBS score in the experiment group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.001). The extubation success rate of the experiment group was 73.3% (22/30), which was higher than 46.7% (14/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION On the basis of EDP combined with conventional acupuncture, acupuncture at back-shu points can improve the pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, trunk control and balance abilities in patients with post-stroke tracheotomy, and increase the extubation success rate.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Acupuncture Points ; Tracheotomy ; Adult ; Airway Extubation ; Treatment Outcome

Autophagy is a fundamental biological metabolic process involved in immune defense, material metabolism, and homeostasis and closely linked to immune regulation. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a widespread connective tissue disorder primarily resulting from immune system imbalance. Due to the immune system's failure to recognize its own substances, it generates autoantibodies that can affect various tissues and organs, leading to diverse clinical manifestations. The pathogenesis and treatment of SLE are currently under extensive investigation. In normal metabolic processes, autophagy engages in both innate and adaptive immunity, regulates the immune response, and is crucial for maintaining normal immune function and the body's internal homeostasis. Research has indicated that SLE patients exhibit immune dysfunction and altered autophagy levels. Modulating autophagy expression can influence immune system functionality and alleviate SLE symptoms. Additionally, autophagy aids in the innate immune response and adaptive immunity by clearing metabolites and regulating the life cycle of immune cells. Studies suggest that drugs targeting autophagy can positively influence the progression of SLE. This article reviews advancements in research regarding the impact of autophagy on the pathogenesis of SLE through the regulation of immune system functions.
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology* ; Autophagy/immunology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Immunity, Innate ; Adaptive Immunity ; Disease Progression ; Immune System/immunology*

BACKGROUND: Meningeal metastasis (MM) is a form of malignant metastasis where tumor cells spread from the primary site to the pia mater, dura mater, arachnoid, subarachnoid space, and other cerebrospinal fluid compartments. Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumor types with MM. MM not only signifies that the lung cancer has progressed to an advanced stage but also leads to a range of severe clinical symptoms due to meningeal involvement. Currently, the risk factors associated with the development of MM are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for MM in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) who underwent non-surgical interventions, in order to identify LUAD patients at high risk for MM. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of patients diagnosed with LUAD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to July 2024. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation methods, and risk factors were identified through LASSO, univariate, and multivariate Logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 170 patients with LUAD were included in this study and divided into two groups: 87 patients with MM and 83 patients without MM. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age at diagnosis (P=0.004), presence of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) L858R gene mutation (P=0.008), and concurrent liver metastasis at baseline (P=0.004) were independent risk factors for developing MM in LUAD patients who did not undergo surgical intervention. Conversely, higher baseline globulin levels (P=0.039) and the presence of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene mutation (P=0.040) were associated with a reduced risk of MM development. CONCLUSIONS Age at diagnosis, EGFR L858R mutation status, ALK gene mutation status, concurrent liver metastasis, globulin levels at baseline were significantly associated with the risk of developing MM in patients with LUAD patients who did not undergo surgical intervention. For patients diagnosed at a younger age, carrying the EGFR L858R mutation, or presenting with baseline liver metastasis, early implementation of tertiary prevention strategies for MM is crucial. Regular monitoring of MM status should be conducted in these high-risk groups.
Humans ; Male ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/therapy* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Lung Neoplasms/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Meningeal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Adult

Objective:To explore the genetic and clinical characteristics of Guizhou patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct（EVA） syndrome through combined SLC26A4 variant analysis and clinical phenotype analysis. Methods:Seventy-two EVA patients underwent comprehensive genetic testing using a multiplex PCR-based deafness gene panel and next-generation sequencing（NGS）. The audiological and temporal bone imaging characteristics were compared across mutation subtypes. Results:A total of 27 pathogenic loci of SLC26A4 were detected in 72 patients, including c.919-2A>G in 79.2%（57/72）. A novel deletion（c.1703_1707+6del） was discovered. Among 65 cases, truncated mutations were 89.2%（58/65）, 52.3%（34/65）, 28（43.1%） and 7（10.8%）. No significant differences were observed in the midpoint diameter of the vestibular aqueduct and the incidence of incomplete partitioning typeⅡ（IP-Ⅱ） of the cochlea among the three groups of patients. Moreover, there was no difference in the midpoint diameter of different vestibular pipes or the combination with IP-Ⅱ. Conclusion:The most common mutation site of SLC26A4 in EVA patients in Guizhou is c.919-2A>G, though genotype-phenotype correlations remain elusive. The detection of 27 mutation sites and the discovery of new mutation sites suggested the precise diagnostic significance of NGS technology in EVA patients in Guizhou.
Humans ; Sulfate Transporters ; Vestibular Aqueduct/abnormalities* ; Mutation ; Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics* ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Phenotype ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing