Objective To analyze the infection status and epidemic trends of soil-borne nematode infections in Yubei, Chongqing City, in 2010,2021, and 2022. Methods The local populations from four survey sites of four towns in 2010 and five sites of five towns in 2021 and 2022 were surveyed regarding their basic information using a unified form. Fecal samples of the participants were collected and tested for soil-borne nematode infections using the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method. Results In 2010, 2 049 participants were surveyed, followed by 1 000 participants in 2021 and 2022. The overall prevalence of parasitic infections declined significantly from 3.86% to 0.20%. In 2010, soil-transmitted nematode included hookworms(3.81%) and roundworms(0.29%). In 2021, the infection rates of roundworms and hookworms were 1.70% and 0.10% respectively. Notably, only Ascaris was identified in 2022(0.20%). The≥60 age group consistently exhibited the highest infection rates across all surveys, followed by the 40-59 age group. The infection rates of males in the three surveys were 3.31%,1.92%, and 0.20% respectively, and those of females were 4.37%, 1.46%, and 0.20% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the infection rates between males and females. Educational attainment was inversely associated with infection; in 2010, the highest prevalence was observed among those with primary education or below, whereas in 2021, illiterate or semi-literate individuals showed the highest susceptibility. The occupational distribution of infections in 2010 indicated that retirees (8.33%), farmers(4.86%), and homemakers or unemployed individuals(3.45%)were the most affected. However, in 2021 and 2022, farmers emerged as the predominant occupational group with soil-transmitted nematode infections. Conclusions The infection rate of soil-borne nematodes showed a decreasing trend in Yubei, and the infection species changed from hookworms in 2010 to Ascaris in 2022. Farmers, the elderly, and people with low education levels should continue to be the focus of preventive and control efforts.

Objective To understand mosquito density, species composition, and seasonal variations around the Beijing Capital International Airport(BCIA)and provide scientific evidence for mosquito-borne disease prevention and control. Methods Meteorological data were collected from 2016 to 2022, and mosquito density was monitored at seven surveillance sites around the BCIA from May to October each year using CO2-baited mosquito traps to analyze the relationship between mosquito density and meteorological factors. Results In total,68 518 female mosquitoes were captured, with a mosquito density of 10.20 per light · hour. The dominant species was Culex pipiens pallens(73.90%), followed by Aedes albopictus(9.71%)and Ae. vexans(9.29%);the mosquito density was highest in 2016(14.8 per light·hour)and lowest in 2022(4.46 per light·hour). Significant statistical differences were observed in mosquito density among different species(F=18.118, P<0.05). The density of Cx. pipiens pallens and other mosquito species showed a mutually exclusive trend; the peak of mosquito density varied based on years and habitats, with significant statistical differences in mosquito density among different habitats(F=8.504, P<0.05). The highest mosquito density was observed near the Wenyu River(21.50 per light·hour), whereas the lowest was recorded at the BCIA construction site(2.44 per light· hour). The monthly average temperature(r=0.595), monthly average highest temperature(r=0.575), and monthly average lowest temperature(r=0.624)showed moderate positive correlations, whereas the monthly average air pressure(r=-0.484)showed a moderate negative correlation. The monthly average minimum temperature was included in the regression model(F=25.575, P<0.000), and the equation Y=1.029X4-8.181 was used. The monthly average air pressure 2 months prior(b=-2.418, β=-1.619, P<0.05)and the monthly average relative humidity(b=-0.739, β=-1.201, P<0.05)significantly negatively predicted the mosquito density. Notably, the regression equation used was y=2526.170+(-2.418)X9+(-0.739)X13. The exposure-response analysis revealed that the density of mosquitoes was not linearly related to the average monthly air pressure, rainfall, and duration of sunshine. Conclusions The dominant mosquito species around the BCIA was Cx. pipiens pallens, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. vexans. During the control of Cx. pipiens pallens, the impact on other mosquito species must also be considered. Environmental management, breeding sites, and scientific use of pesticides should be prioritized based on the activity periods of mosquitoes. Further studies on mosquitoes and meteorological factors should be conducted to provide references and novel avenues for mosquito control.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) severs peripheral connections and induces profound reorganization of primary somatosensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortical maps, a dynamic process that critically shapes the extent and quality of functional recovery. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a central molecular hub linking the initial peripheral insult to subsequent central plastic changes. This review systematically examines BDNF-mediated cortical remodeling following PNI, with a particular emphasis on its spatiotemporally specific regulatory mechanisms and the therapeutic opportunities they present. Immediately after PNI, deafferented cortical territories undergo rapid functional silencing and, over time, become progressively encroached upon by adjacent intact representations. This maladaptive reorganization—characterized by sensory map fusion and motor compensatory invasion—actively impedes successful reinnervation and optimal recovery. Such phenomena have been consistently documented in both non-human primate models and human fMRI studies, spanning sensory and motor modalities. Motor remapping is also prominently observed in facial nerve injury and chronic nerve compression models, underscoring the universality of these plastic changes. Notably, a range of interventions including regional local anesthesia, auditory-tactile substitution, and guided tactile imagery can effectively mitigate this aberrant remodeling, revealing promising avenues for the therapeutic modulation of cortical plasticity during critical post-injury windows. BDNF coordinates post-PNI cortical remodeling through three mechanistically interconnected pathways. First, BDNF drives dendritic and axonal growth via TrkB receptor signaling: retrogradely transported axonal signaling endosomes integrate CREB-dependent transcriptional programs with mTOR-mediated local protein synthesis to bolster dendritic arborization and axonal elongation, while BDNF-induced Limk1 translation precisely fine-tunes actin cytoskeletal dynamics, thereby stabilizing dendritic spine morphology. Second, BDNF governs GABAergic interneuron maturation and perineuronal net formation through the JNK signaling cascade, thereby acting as a “plasticity brake” that preserves the delicate excitatory/inhibitory balance and constrains indiscriminate, maladaptive rewiring. Third, BDNF robustly potentiates NMDAR-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) by elevating NMDA channel open probability and increasing synaptic receptor density, thus tightly coupling structural remodeling with functional synaptic strengthening. Concurrently, long-term depression pathways are subject to modulation, with NMDAR antagonism exerting time-dependent, bidirectional effects that vary with the post-injury phase. Superimposed on these mechanisms, the functionally antagonistic actions of proBDNF/p75NTR (favoring pruning and growth cone collapse) and mature BDNF/TrkB (promoting survival and stabilization) add further layers of regulatory complexity, highlighting the absolute necessity for precise spatiotemporal control in any therapeutic strategy. Extending our previous experimental findings, we introduce a “cortical reclamation threshold” model. In this framework, early upregulation of BDNF-TrkB signaling enhances inhibitory tone to restrict cortical encroachment by neighboring intact regions, whereas delayed but precisely timed BDNF delivery following surgical nerve repair actively facilitates the reclamation of the original, deafferented cortical maps by regenerating afferent fibers. Importantly, the common BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may significantly modulate individual thresholds, providing a biologically grounded rationale for patient stratification and personalized timing of intervention. Despite this mechanistic promise, clinical translation faces considerable hurdles. These include inherently poor pharmacokinetics of BDNF, severely limited penetration across the blood-brain barrier, dose-dependent neurotoxicity mediated through the p75NTR receptor, and the overarching dual-edged nature of BDNF signaling, which can simultaneously promote both adaptive and maladaptive plasticity. Emerging delivery platforms——including engineered exosomes, polymeric nanoparticles, cryogel microcarriers, and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy——offer potential solutions, but all require rigorous pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and functional validation. Future research priorities should encompass: (1) comprehensive single-cell and spatial transcriptomic mapping to resolve BDNF cellular sources and real-time signaling dynamics across distinct cortical layers and cell types; (2) genotype-stratified dose-response studies to establish safe, effective, and personalized delivery protocols; and (3) large-scale multicenter clinical trials that seamlessly integrate BDNF-targeted interventions with multimodal rehabilitation strategies, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and mirror therapy, with longitudinal neuroimaging serving as a biomarker for cortical reclamation. By systematically addressing these priorities, we aim to transform BDNF from a critical endogenous regulator into a precisely controllable and titratable therapeutic target, ultimately enabling a paradigm shift from mere structural repair to true functional neural reconstruction following PNI.

Coronary heart disease （CHD） has a distinct circadian rhythmicity in its onset， which is closely related to the waxing and waning of qi and blood in the channel passages of the human body. Grounded in the circadian rhythm theory of "correspondence between heaven and humankind"， this paper explores the pathogenic evolution rules of qi-blood disharmony， channel obstruction， interacting as cause and effect with circadian rhythm disorders in CHD. Clinically， CHD can be observed to attack in the early morning， at night， in the afternoon， and at fixed or unfixed circadian intervals. The pathogenesis rhythms at different time nodes can correspondingly reflect the susceptibility tendencies and pathological stress responses of the human body to core pathogeneses such as yang deficiency with cold congelation， yin deficiency with yang floating， qi and yin deficiency， and liver constraint with qi stagnation under specific temporal states. Treatment should be adapted to the season and time， regulating yin and yang in accordance with biological rhythms. It is recommended to regulate qi during the daytime by promoting ascending and dispersing to unblock the channel passages， and select the appropriate timing for administration to harness natural timing. At the Mao （卯） hour， yang ascends while yin descends， and taking medication at this time conforms to the ascending of yang qi. At the Wu （午） hour， the heart meridian is active， and taking medication at this time warms the channel passages and assists heart yang， which can be treated with modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction （补中益气汤） or Shengyang Yiwei Decoction （升阳益胃汤）. At night， blood should be harmonized， when the channel passages are unblocked through nourishing， restraining， and searching， with Lianmei Decoction （连梅汤） combined with Dahuang Zhechong Pill （大黄䗪虫丸）. Following the temporal rhythm， the focus is put on the transitional time of day and night and the four seasons to treat disease before it arises， resonating and corresponding with the natural rhythm.

OBJECTIVE: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) incorporates traditional diagnostic methods and several major treatment modalities including Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese patent medicine, and non-pharmacological methods such as acupuncture and tuina. Even though TCM is used daily by more than 70,000 healthcare facilities and over 700,000 clinical practitioners in China, there is a poor understanding of the extent to which TCM diagnostic methods are used, how different treatment modalities are deployed in general, and what major factors may affect the integration of TCM and Western medicine. This study aimed to fill this void in the literature. METHODS: In the 2021 National Healthcare Improvement Evaluation Survey, we included three questions gauging the perception and practices of TCM amongst physicians working in TCM-related facilities, investigating the frequency of their deployment of TCM diagnostic methods, and predominant TCM treatment methods. Our empirical analysis included descriptive statistics, intergroup chi-square analysis, and binary logistic regression to examine the association between different types of facilities and individual characteristics and TCM utilization patterns. RESULTS: A total of 7618 clinical physicians comprised our study sample. Among them, 84.27% have integrated TCM and Western medicine in their clinical practice, and 80.77% of TCM practitioners used the 4 diagnostic methods as a tool in their clinical practice. Chinese herbal medicine was the most widely utilized modality by Chinese TCM physicians (used by 88.49% of respondents), compared with the Chinese patent medicine and non-pharmacological TCM methods, which were used by 73.14%, and 69.39%, respectively. Herbal tea as an out-of-pocket health-maintenance intervention is also a notable practice, recommended by 29.43% of physicians. Significant variations exist across certain institutions, departments, and individual practitioners. CONCLUSION Given that most of the surveyed physicians integrated TCM with Western medicine in their clinical practices, the practice of "pure TCM" appears to be obsolete in China's tertiary healthcare institutions. Notably, remarkable variation exists in the use of different TCM modalities across institutions and among individuals, which might be related to and thus limited by the practitioners' experience. Future research focusing on the efficacy and safety of TCM interventions for specific diseases, the development of standardized clinical guidelines, and the enhancement of TCM education and training are called for to optimize TCM-Western medicine integration. Please cite this article as: Guo R, Zeng D, Zhao Q, Zhang XY, Zhang XK, Liu YL. How are different traditional Chinese medicine modalities deployed by clinical practitioners in China? Findings from a national survey. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 36-45.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; China ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Female ; Male ; Physicians/statistics & numerical data* ; Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the impact of foam macrophages (FMs) on the intracellular survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and identify the molecular mechanisms influencing MTB survival. METHODS: An in vitro FM model was established using oleic acid induction. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were conducted to identify the key molecular pathways involved in FM-mediated MTB survival. RESULTS: Induced FMs effectively restricted MTB survival. Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling revealed distinct changes in gene and metabolite expression in FMs during MTB infection compared with normal macrophages. Integrated analyses identified significant alterations in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, indicating that its activation contributes to the FM-mediated restriction of MTB survival. CONCLUSIONS FMs inhibit MTB survival. The cAMP signaling pathway is a key contributor. These findings enhance the understanding of the role of FMs in tuberculosis progression, suggest potential targets for host-directed therapies, and offer new directions for developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis/physiology* ; Transcriptome ; Metabolomics ; Foam Cells/microbiology* ; Humans ; Metabolome ; Tuberculosis/microbiology* ; Gene Expression Profiling

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate the effects of exposure to multiple environmental organic pollutants on cardiopulmonary health with a focus on the potential mediating role of oxidative stress. METHODS: A repeated-measures randomized crossover study involving healthy college students in Beijing was conducted. Biological samples, including morning urine and venous blood, were collected to measure concentrations of 29 typical organic pollutants, including hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs), bisphenol A and its substitutes, phthalates and their metabolites, parabens, and five biomarkers of oxidative stress. Health assessments included blood pressure measurements and lung function indicators. RESULTS: Urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OH-PHE) ( β = 4.35% [95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.85%, 7.97%]), 3-hydroxyphenanthrene ( β = 3.44% [95% CI: 0.19%, 6.79%]), and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OH-PHE) ( β = 5.78% [95% CI: 1.27%, 10.5%]) were significantly and positively associated with systolic blood pressure. Exposures to 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR) ( β = 3.05% [95% CI: -4.66%, -1.41%]), 2-OH-PHE ( β = 2.68% [95% CI: -4%, -1.34%]), and 4-OH-PHE ( β = 3% [95% CI: -4.68%, -1.29%]) were negatively associated with the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity. These findings highlight the adverse effects of exposure to multiple pollutants on cardiopulmonary health. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and extracellular superoxide dismutase, mediated the effects of multiple OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function. CONCLUSION Exposure to multiple organic pollutants can adversely affect cardiopulmonary health. Oxidative stress is a key mediator of the effects of OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; Young Adult ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/urine* ; Beijing

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） is a common chronic liver disease with the pathological feature of lipid accumulation in the liver， and it is closely associated with liver metabolic disorders. The latest research has shown that the pathogenesis of MAFLD is associated with the abnormal expression of specific genes， especially the fat mass and obesity-associated （FTO） gene. The abnormal activity of the FTO gene may lead to an imbalance in liver lipid metabolism， which manifests as the increase in fatty acid synthesis and the reduction in fatty acid oxidation， thereby promoting liver fat deposition and inflammatory response. Therefore， regulating the expression or activity of the FTO gene is considered one of the potential strategies for the treatment of MAFLD. At present， drug research targeting the function of the FTO gene has achieved preliminary results， and inhibition of the activity of the FTO gene can help to regulate liver lipid metabolism and alleviate liver inflammatory injury. This article reviews the mechanism of action of the FTO gene in the development and progression of MAFLD， summarizes the advances in drug research on the FTO gene and related metabolic pathways in recent years， and analyzes their application prospect in research and treatment.

Thoracic anesthesia with spontaneous respiration represents a form of precision anesthesia meticulously customized to individual patients.Considering the more stringent requirements this anesthesia approach imposes on the regulation of respiratory function,the writing group of the"Consensus of Experts on the Management of Thoracic Anesthesia with Spontaneous Respiration"has formulated elaborate guidelines regarding indications and contraindications,preoperative evaluation,anesthesia implementation,common complications,and treatment strategies.This was accomplished by referencing relevant domestic and international literature and integrating it with actual clinical requirements.The objective is to standardize the rational application of this anesthesia method.

Objective To observe the value of noninvasive right ventricular pressure-strain loop(RVPSL)for quantitative evaluation on right ventricular myocardial function changes in liver cirrhosis patients after TIPS.Methods Totally 26 cases of liver cirrhosis who would undergo TIPS were prospectively recruited as liver cirrhosis group.Echocardiography was performed before and 1 week,1 month after TIPS,and parameters of right ventricular myocardial function,including routine right ventricular echocardiography,right ventricular strain and right ventricular myocardial work were acquired.Meanwhile,30 healthy adults were recruited as control group,and the above parameters were recorded.Then these parameters were compared between groups,also before and after TIPS within liver cirrhosis group,and the changes of right ventricular myocardial function after TIPS were evaluated.Results Right ventricular global work index(RVGWI),right ventricular global constructive work(RVGCW)and right ventricular global wasted work(RVGWW)in liver cirrhosis group were higher than those in control group at all time points(all P＜0.05).One weak and 1 month after TIPS,right ventricular global longitudinal strain(RVGLS)and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain(RVFWLS)in liver cirrhosis group were all higher than those in control group(all P＜0.05).In liver cirrhosis group,RVGWI,RVGCW and RVGWW 1 week after TIPS were all higher than those before TIPS and 1 month after TIPS(all P＜0.05),while RVGLS 1 weak and RVGWI 1 month after TIPS were both higher than those before TIPS(both P＜0.05).Conclusion Noninvasive RVPSL could be used to sensitively and quantitatively evaluate right ventricular function changes in patients with liver cirrhosis after TIPS.