Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

The pharmaceutical manufacturing model is gradually changing from intermittent manufacturing to continuous manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing. This paper briefly reviewed the supervision and research progress in continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing in China and abroad and described the definition and advantages of continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing. The continuous manufacturing of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) at the current stage was summarized in the following three terms: the enhancement of the continuity of intermittent manufacturing operations, the integration of continuous equipment to improve physical continuity between units, and the application of advanced process control strategies to improve process continuity. To achieve continuous manufacturing of TCM, the corresponding key technologies, such as material property characterization, process modeling and simulation, process analysis technology, and system integration, were analyzed from the process and equipment, respectively. It was proposed that the continuous manufacturing equipment system should have the characteristics of high speed, high response, and high reliability, "three high(H~3)" for short. Considering the characteristics and current situation of TCM manufacturing, based on the two dimensions of product quality control and production efficiency, a maturity assessment model for continuous manufacturing of TCM, consisting of operation continuity, equipment continuity, process continuity, and quality control continuity, was proposed to provide references for the application of continuous manufacturing technology for TCM. The implementation of continuous manufacturing or the application of key continuous manufacturing technologies in TCM can help to systematically integrate advanced pharmaceutical technology elements and promote the uniformity of TCM quality and the improvement of production efficiency.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Reproducibility of Results ; China ; Quality Control ; Pharmaceutical Preparations

Uric acid (UA) is the final product of purine metabolism in human body,and its metabolic disorder will induce hyperuricemia (HUA).The occurrence and development of HUA are associated with a variety of pathological mechanisms such as oxidative stress injury,activation of inflammatory cytokines,and activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.These mechanisms directly or indirectly affect the bioavailability of endogenous nitric oxide (NO).The decrease in NO bioavailability is common in the diseases with high concentration of UA as an independent risk factor.In this review,we summarize the mechanisms by which high concentrations of UA affect the endogenous NO bioavailability,with a focus on the mechanisms of high-concentration UA in decreasing the synthesis and/or increasing the consumption of NO.This review aims to provide references for alleviating the multisystem symptoms and improving the prognosis of HUA,and lay a theoretical foundation for in-depth study of the correlations between HUA and other metabolic diseases.
Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; Uric Acid ; Hyperuricemia ; Biological Availability ; Cytokines

Objective: To summarize and analyze the clinical effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) combined with nutritional support and psychotherapy in patients with "Tetralogy of Tongji" (comprising chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction, mental and psychological disorders, malnutrition, and endocrine disorders). Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) patients were under 70 years of age; (2) patients exhibited chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction (in accordance with the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome ie. chronic functional constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and abdominal distention) with onset occurring more than one year previously; (3) patients exhibited malnutrition (body mass index ≤ 18.5 kg/m²); (4) patients exhibited depression, anxiety, or state as diagnosed by a psychologist using the Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA) and the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD); (5) patients were women of childbearing age with amenorrhea or menstrual disorder with a duration ≥6 months. Patients were excluded if they exhibited gastrointestinal bleeding, short bowel syndrome, radiation-induced intestinal injury, intestinal obstruction or inflammatory bowel disease, recurrent/metastatic tumors, systemic infectious diseases, life-threatening systemic comorbidities, intorlerate to nasojejunal, percutaneous gastrostomy / jejunostomy or FMT. The clinical data of 43 patients at Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital exhibiting the "Tetralogy of Tongji" and who received microflora transplantation combined with nutritional support and psychotherapy from June 2017 to June 2021 was prospectively collected. There were 12 males and 31 females with a mean age of 35.2±16.7 years. All 43 patients had chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction. Of these, 24 patients had depression and 19 had anxiety. There were 26 women of reproductive age, including 13 cases of menstrual disorder and 9 cases of amenorrhea. The treatment intervention was a combination of FMT (microflora solution or microflora capsule), nutritional support (enteral nutrition) and psychological intervention. The following were assessed before treatment and 1, 3, 6 months after treatment: (1) gastrointestinal function was assessed using the gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale (GSRS), where a higher score is indicative of more serious gastrointestinal symptoms, and the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI), where a higher score is indicative of higher quality of life; (2) psychological status was assessed using HAMA and HAMD scores, where a lower score is indicative of reduced severity of anxiety or depression symptoms, respectively; (3) nutritional status was assessed by measurements of total blood protein, albumin, fibrinogen and prealbumin, as well as measurements of body mass and body mass index (BMI); (4) neuroendocrine function was assessed by measurement of blood levels of cortisol, dopamine and noradrenaline, as well as menstruation in women of reproductive age. Results: The follow-up rates at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment were 90.7% (39/43), 72.1% (31/43) and 55.8% (24/43), respectively. The total effective rate for chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction was 81.4% (35/43), of which the average GSRS score decreased from 29.35±3.56 before treatment to 18.25±2.56 in the sixth month (P<0.001). The average GIQLI score increased from 56.23±10.34 before treatment to 91.04±20.39 in the sixth month (P<0.001). All patients had malnutrition before treatment. After 6 months, their body weight had increased from 40.61±8.88 kg to 50.45±6.23 kg (P<0.001), and BMI had increased from 15.17±1.87 kg/m² to 19.58±1.42 kg/m² (P<0.001). The average total protein level was 60.99± 5.99 g/L before treatment. After 6 months, this had increased to 64.21±4.23 g/L (F=2.715, P=0.022). The average prealbumin level increased from 150.14±56.04 mg/L before treatment to 258.17±86.94 mg/L after 6 months (F=15.124, P<0.001). In this study, 24 patients with depression/depressed state were included. After treatment, the average HAMD score in these patients decreased from 22.79±6.63 before treatment to 9.92±7.24 after 6 months (P<0.001). There were 19 patients with anxiety disorder/anxiety state. After treatment, the average HAMA score in these patients decreased from 17.15±4.34 before treatment to 7.73±4.10 after 6 months (P<0.001). Observing the endocrine efficacy of 26 women of childbearing age, it was found that the effective rate of this treatment on endocrine regulation was 69.2% (18/26). Although there was no significant change in blood cortisol levels after 6 months, average blood dopamine levels decreased from 32.91±10.65 nmol/L before treatment to 13.02±5.58 nmol/L after 6 months (P<0.001). Average blood norepinephrine levels decreased from 49.75±15.23 ng/L before treatment to 19.21±9.58 ng/L after 6 months (P<0.001). Conclusion: The strategy of FMT combined with nutritional support and psychological intervention is effective in improving the symptoms of the "Tetralogy of Tongji".
Adolescent ; Adult ; Amenorrhea ; China ; Constipation ; Dopamine ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Infant ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Malnutrition ; Middle Aged ; Norepinephrine ; Nutritional Support ; Prealbumin ; Psychosocial Intervention ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Computed tomography (CT) examination is the major measure for detecting and diagnosis of foreign bodies in human body. Although CT has high sensitivity in diagnosis of foreign body, some interference factors may still lead to missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Here we report a rare case that a bamboo stick accidentally pierced into the left chest of a young man who was drunk and unware of this hurt. The patient experienced cough, chest pain, fever, hemoptysis, and was misdiagnosed as primary and secondary tuberculosis based on chest CT examinations at a local hospital, although no tubercular bacillus detected by sputum smear. He subsequently received anti-tuberculous treatments in the following three years, but no improvement of his symptoms was observed. Until one month before his death, the bamboo stick was detected by spiral CT examination as well as three-dimensional image reconstruction at another hospital. Postmortem examination revealed pneumonia, pulmonary infarction, and abscess as the causes of his death. We analyze the potential reasons of misdiagnosis in this case, aiming to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary inflammation associated with foreign body in the future.
Abscess ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Male ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Infarction ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Shaoyao Gancaotang, first seen in Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases, is composed of Paeoniae Radix Alba and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle in equal proportion.It has the functions of preserving Yin to nourish blood, harmonizing liver and spleen, relieving spasm and pain.This formula is applied in leg and foot spasm and abdominal pain caused by blood deficiency, body fluid consuming and the unmoistened muscles and veins.It has been highly praised and used by medical experts throughout the ages and has extended its application scope.Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Shaoyao Gancaotang has significant effects in antispasmodic, analgesic, antitussive and other areas, and is used to treat spastic diseases, painful diseases, inflammatory diseases and so on.This paper will systematically elaborate the historical evolution, compatibility analysis, pharmacological and pharmacodynamic studies, modern clinical application of Shaoyao Gancaotang, in order to provide theoretical basis and reference for the development of this famous classical formula.

Objective:To establish autoverification rules for coagulation tests in multicenter cooperative units, in order to reduce workload for manual review of suspected results and shorten turnaround time (TAT) of test reports, while ensure the accuracy of results.Methods:A total of 14 394 blood samples were collected from fourteen hospitals during December 2019 to March 2020. These samples included: Rules Establishment Group 11 230 cases, including 1 182 cases for Delta check rules; Rules Validation Group 3 164 cases, including 487cases for Delta check; Clinical Application Trial Group 77 269 cases. Samples were analyzed for coagulation tests using Sysmex CS series automatic coagulation analyzers, and the clinical information, instrument parameters, test results, clinical diagnosis, medication history of anticoagulant and other relative results such as HCT, TG, TBIL, DBIL were summarized; on the basis of historical data, the 2.5 and 97.5 percentile of all data arranged from low to high were initially accumulated; on the basis of clinical suggestions, critical values and specific drug use as well as relative guidelines, autoverification rules and limits were established.The rules were then input into middleware, in which Stage I/Stage II validation was done. Positive coincidence, negative coincidence, false negative, false positive, autoverification pass rate, passing accuracy (coincidence of autoverification and manual verification) were calculated. Autoverification rules underwent trial application in coagulation results reports.Results:(1) The autoverification algorisms involve 33 rules regarding PT/INR, APTT, FBG, D-dimer, FDP,Delta check, reaction curve and sample abnormalities; (2)Autoverification Establishment Group showed autoverification pass rate was 68.42% (7 684/11 230), the false negative rate was 0%(0/11230), coincidence of autoverification and manual verification was 98.51%(11 063/11 230), in which positive coincidence and negative coincidence were respectively 30.09% (3 379/11 230) and 68.42%(7 684/11 230); Autoverification Validation Group showed autoverification pass rate was 60.37%(1 910/3 164), the false negative rate was 0%(0/11 230), coincidence of autoverification and manual verification was 97.79%(3 094/3 164), in which positive coincidence and negative coincidence were respectively 37.42%(1 184/3 164) and 60.37%(1 910/3 164); (3) Trialed implementation of these autoverification rules on 77 269 coagulation samples showed that the average TAT shortened by 8.5 min-83.1 min.Conclusions:This study established 33 autoverification rules in coagulation tests. Validation showedthese rules could ensure test quality while shortening TAT and lighten manual workload.

Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid has effects in clearing away heat and detoxifying,and is used to treat pharynx and throat swelling caused by the syndrome of excessive heat and toxin accumulation. Its efficacy is to relieve swelling and pain( redness,swelling and hot pain). It is included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia of 2015 Edition,and has been listed in provincial health insurance directories of Shaanxi,Jiangsu,Liaoning,Hunan,Tianjin,Xinjiang and Hebei. It has been recommended by health departments of Beijing,Chongqing and other provinces as a preferred drug for the prevention and treatment of H1 N1 and HFMD,and listed in the diagnosis and Treatment Guide of HFMD by the Ministry of Health,the Clinical Application Guide of Chinese Patent Medicine edited by the Lung Department Disease Branch of China Association of Chinese Medicine,and the Clinical Practice Guide of Single Administration/Combined Administration of Antibiotics in Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases by China Association of Chinese Medicine. To further improve the clinician's understanding of drugs and better guide the rational clinical application,we invited front-line clinical experts from respiratory department,infectious department and dermatology of traditional Chinese and Western medicine to develop and compile the expert consensus. The consensus fully considered the clinical evidence and the expert clinical experience to give recommendations for clinical problems with evidence support and consensus suggestions for clinical problems without evidence support by the nominal group method.This consensus is based on clinical research evidence and expert experience in a simple and clear format,which provides a preliminary reference for the clinical use of the drug.
China ; Consensus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nonprescription Drugs

Exposure to free silica induces silicosis and myofibroblasts are regarded as primary effector cells. Fibrocytes can differentiate into myofibroblast. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate whether fibrocytes participate in silicosis. The rat model of silicosis was established. Hematoxylin-eosin stainings and Masson stainings were used to evaluate the histopathology and collagen deposition. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the number of fibrocytes and their contribution to myofibroblasts. Results showed that fibrocytes participate in silicosis. Trend analysis of different sources of myofibroblasts during silicosis indicated that fibrocytes and lung type II epithelial cell-derived myofibroblasts play an important role in the early stage of silicosis, while resident lung fibroblast-derived myofibroblasts play a predominant role during the fibrosis formative period.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lung ; cytology ; Myofibroblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity ; Silicosis ; etiology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of the Chinese medicine (CM) Compound Zhuye Shigao Granule (, CZSG) on acute radiation-induced esophagitis (ARIE) in cancer patients.

METHODSIn a blinded, randomized, Kangfuxin Solution (, KFX)-controlled, single-centre clinical trial, 120 patients with lung, esophagus or mediastinal cancer were prospectively enrolled and assigned to the treatment group (60 cases) and control group (60 cases) by the random number table method. All patients received concurrent or sequential radiotherapy (2 Gy per day, 5 times per week, for 4 weeks) and were treated for 4 weeks since the radiation therapy. Patients in the treatment group were given 12 mg CZSG orally, thrice daily, while patients in the control group were given 10 mL KFX orally, thrice daily. The major indicators were observed, including the incidence and grade of esophagitis, time of occurrence and duration. Minor indicators were changes of CM symptoms, weight and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Scale during 4 weeks from the beginning, recorded once a week. Blood routine examination and hepatorenal function were detected at the 2nd and 4th weeks.

RESULTSThe incidence and grade of ARIE were significantly decreased in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). CZSG appeared to significantly delay the time of ARIE occurrence and reduce the duration compared with KFX (P<0.05). The scores of CM symptoms, KPS and weight were improved significantly in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). There were no blood routine and hepatorenal function abnormal or obvious side-effects in both groups. Hemoglobin was improved and neutrophil and interleukin 6 were decreased in both groups after 4-week treatment compared with before treatment (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCZSG can decrease the incidence and grade of ARIE, delay the time of occurrence, reduce duration and alleviate the damage of ARIE. It is safe and effective in the prevention and cure of ARIE.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Esophagitis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Radiation Injuries ; drug therapy ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Treatment Outcome