OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of Xuanshen Yishen Decoction (XYD) in the treatment of hypertension. METHODS: Hospital electronic medical records from 2019-2023 were utilized to emulate a randomized pragmatic clinical trial. Hypertensive participants were eligible if they were aged ⩾40 years with baseline systolic blood pressure (BP) ⩾140 mm Hg. Patients treated with XYD plus antihypertensive regimen were assigned to the treatment group, whereas those who followed only antihypertensive regimen were assigned to the control group. The primary outcome assessed was the attainment rate of intensive BP control at discharge, with the secondary outcome focusing on the 6-month all-cause readmission rate. RESULTS: The study included 3,302 patients, comprising 2,943 individuals in the control group and 359 in the treatment group. Compared with the control group, a higher proportion in the treatment group achieved the target BP for intensive BP control [8.09% vs. 17.5%; odds ratio (OR)=2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.68 to 3.13; P<0.001], particularly in individuals with high homocysteine levels (OR=3.13; 95% CI=1.72 to 5.71; P<0.001; P for interaction=0.041). Furthermore, the 6-month all-cause readmission rate in the treatment group was lower than in the control group (hazard ratio=0.58; 95% CI=0.36 to 0.91; P=0.019), and the robustness of the results was confirmed by sensitivity analyse. CONCLUSIONS XYD could be a complementary therapy for intensive BP control. Our study offers real-world evidence and guides the choice of complementary and alternative therapies. (Registration No. ChiCTR2400086589).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/pharmacology* ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Hypertension/physiopathology* ; Patient Readmission ; Treatment Outcome

Ambient air pollution is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for heart failure; however, its effects on cardiac biomarkers remain unclear. This scoping review assessed the existing evidence on the association between air pollution and cardiac biomarkers in heart failure, described the key concepts, synthesized data, and identified research gaps. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were searched for studies on air pollution, heart failure, and biomarkers. A total of 765 records were screened, and 81 full texts were assessed for eligibility, resulting in 15 studies. The results showed that the exposure to particulate matter was associated with elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin levels. Several studies have linked particulate matter exposure to a higher cardiovascular risk and heart failure biomarkers. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were consistently elevated across studies, supporting the biological relevance of these associations. However, few studies have focused specifically on populations with heart failure or clinically relevant biomarkers, and the evidence for gaseous pollutants remains inconclusive. These findings highlight the need to integrate environmental risk assessment into heart failure care and inform policy efforts to reduce the pollution-related cardiovascular burden. Further research should address these gaps through improved exposure assessments and the integration of mechanistic evidence.
Heart Failure/epidemiology* ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Humans ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Air Pollutants/adverse effects* ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Environmental Exposure ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain/blood* ; Oxidative Stress ; Troponin/blood*

Objective To observe the effect of matrine on intestinal mucosal injury in rats with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)by regulating interleukin 6(IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway.Methods IBD model rats were constructed by colon perfusion of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)method,and randomly divided into model group,matrine low-and high-dose groups,and matrine high-dose+ colivelin(STAT3 activator)group,with 10 rats in each group.Another 10 rats were selected for colon perfusion with equal volume of normal saline as the normal group.After treatment with matrine and colivelin,the body mass and disease activity index(DAI)of rats in each group were detected.The histopathological changes of colonic mucosa in rats were detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The ultrastructural changes of colonic mucosa in rats were observed by transmission electron microscopy.The levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),C-reactive protein(CRP),and superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA)in serum and colonic mucosa of rats in each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and colorimetry,respectively.The expression of IL-6/STAT3 pathway-related proteins in rat colonic mucosa was detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the normal group,the colonic mucosal tissue of rats in the model group had severe pathological damage and obvious ultrastructural damage,DAI,colonic mucosal histopathological score,serum and colonic mucosal tissue CRP,IL-6,MDA levels,and IL-6 protein expression and p-STAT3/STAT3 levels in colonic mucosal tissue were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and body mass,serum and colonic mucosal tissue SOD level were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the pathological damage and ultrastructural damage of colonic mucosa in the low-and high-dose of matrine groups were alleviated,DAI,pathological score of colonic mucosa,CRP,IL-6,MDA levels in serum and colonic mucosa,IL-6 protein expression and p-STAT3/STAT3 ratio in colonic mucosa were decreased(P＜0.05),and body mass,SOD level in serum and colonic mucosa were increased(P＜0.05),in a dose-dependent manner.Compared with the matrine high-dose group,the pathological damage and ultrastructural damage of colonic mucosa in the matrine high-dose + colivelin group were aggravated,DAI,colonic mucosa histopathological score,serum and colonic mucosa CRP,IL-6,MDA levels,colonic mucosa IL-6 protein expression and p-STAT3/STAT3 ratio were increased(P＜0.05),body mass,serum and colonic mucosa SOD level were decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Matrine can reduce the level of inflammation and oxidative stress by preventing the activation of IL-6/STAT3 signal pathway,thereby reducing intestinal mucosal injury in IBD rats.

Aim To observe the role of salvianolic acid B(Sal B)in enhancing the survival of random skin flaps and to preliminarily explore its potential mecha-nisms.Methods The appearance,degree of edema,color and hair condition of the skin flap were evaluated seven days after operation.The vascular network and blood flow of random flaps were measured by laser Doppler flow measurement.HE staining was used to detect the growth of microvessels in random flaps.The expressions of VEGF and CD34 were detected by im-munohistochemistry,the expressions of RIPK1,2 and LC3 Ⅱ were detected by immunofluorescence,and the effects of autophagy related proteins and signaling path-ways were detected by Western blot.Results The ex-perimental results showed that Sal B induced autophagy in the random skin flaps,promoted angiogenesis,and reduced oxidative stress and necrotic apoptosis,signifi-cantly increasing the survival rate of the flaps.Immu-nohistochemistry,immunofluorescence staining,and Western blot confirmed that Sal B induced autophagy in the random skin flaps by activating TFE3 protein.Conclusion Sal B can promote autophagy in cells of random skin flaps and reduce their necrotic apoptosis by activating TFE3 protein.

BACKGROUND: Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a less pressure-dependent type of glaucoma with characteristic optic neuropathy. Recently, the biomechanical mechanism has been thought to account for glaucomatous optic neuropathy to some degree. We intended to compare dynamic corneal response parameters (DCRs) among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with normal tension or hypertension and controls. The correlations between DCRs and known risk factors for glaucoma were also analyzed. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 49 NTG subjects, 45 hypertension glaucoma (HTG) subjects, and 50 control subjects were enrolled. We compared the differences in DCRs using corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology among the NTG, HTG, and control groups. We also analyzed the correlations between DCRs and known risk factors for glaucoma (eg, central corneal thickness [CCT], intraocular pressure [IOP], etc). RESULTS: The maximum inverse concave radius (NTG: 0.18 [0.17, 0.20] mm-1; control: 0.17 [0.16, 0.18] mm-1; P = 0.033), deformation amplitude ratio of 2 mm (DAR 2 mm, NTG: 4.87 [4.33, 5.39]; control: 4.37 [4.07, 4.88]; P < 0.001), and DAR 1 mm (NTG: 1.62 [1.58, 1.65]; control: 1.58 [1.54, 1.61]; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in NTG than in the controls. The integrated radius (IR, NTG: 8.40 ± 1.07 mm-1; HTG: 7.64 ± 1.31 mm-1; P = 0.026) and DAR 2 mm (NTG: 4.87 [4.33, 5.39]; HTG: 4.44 [4.12, 5.02]; P < 0.007) were significantly higher, whereas the stiffness parameter at the first applanation (SP-A1, NTG: 91.23 [77.45, 107.45]; HTG: 102.36 [85.77, 125.12]; P = 0.007) was lower in NTG than in HTG. There were no significant differences in the DCRs between HTG and control groups (P > 0.05). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, some of the DCRs, such as IR, were negatively correlated with CCT and IOP, whereas SP-A1 was positively correlated with CCT and IOP. CONCLUSIONS The cornea was more deformable in NTG than in HTG or controls. There were no significant differences in corneal deformability between HTG and controls. The cornea was more deformable with the thinner cornea and lower IOP.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cornea ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intraocular Pressure ; Low Tension Glaucoma

Objective: To investigate the variation of genes associated with Usher syndrome type 1(USH1)in 136 Chinese deafness families from Henan province. Methods: The data of 136 deafness families tested by next-generation sequencing(NGS) which identified in the center of genetics and prenatal diagnosis of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2016 to December 2019 were analysized and the variation frequency of six genes related to Usher syndrome type 1(MYO7A, USH1C, CDH23, PCDH15, USH1G, CIB2) were summarized. Results: Five deafness families were detected nine pathogenic or likely pathogenic variations in two genes, accounting for 3.7% of all families. Among them, four families were caused by MYO7A variations and one family was caused by CDH23 variation. Meanwhile, seven variations of two genes were reported for the first time. They were c.313delG, c.5257dupA, c.5435A>T, c.5636G>C, c.5722T>G of MYO7A, and c.155_166del, c.4802delA of CDH23. The patients' vision of family 2 and family 3 had no obvious abnormality at present, but according to genetic diagnosis and walking dealy, they were considered to be USH1. Conclusions: MYO7A is the most common caustive gene associated with USH1 in Henan deafness patients, the application of next-generation sequencing technology can make USH1 patients diagnosed earlier before the visual symptoms appear.
China/epidemiology* ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Deafness/genetics* ; Humans ; Mutation ; Myosin VIIa ; Myosins/genetics* ; Pedigree ; Usher Syndromes/genetics*

Oral and maxillofacial space infections (OMSI) are common diseases of the facial region involving fascial spaces. Recently, OMSI shows trends of multi drug-resistance, severe symptoms, and increased mortality. OMSI treatment principles need to be updated to improve the cure rate. Based on the clinical experiences of Chinese experts and with the incorporation of international counterparts′ expertise, the principles of preoperative checklist, interpretation of examination results, empirical medication principles, surgical treatment principles, postoperative drainage principles, prevention strategies of wisdom teeth pericoronitis-related OMSI, blood glucose management, physiotherapy principles, Ludwig′s angina treatment and perioperative care were systematically summarized and an expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of OMSI was reached. The consensus aims to provide criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of OMSI in China so as to improve the level of OMSI treatment.

ObjectiveTo investigate the drug-resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum imported from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province. MethodsFrom 2015 to 2016, blood samples were collected from imported P. falciparum malaria patients returning from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province, and genome DNA of the malaria parasite was extracted. The drug-resistant Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and K13 genes of P. falciparum were amplified using a PCR assay, followed by DNA sequencing, and the sequences were aligned. Results The target fragments of all 5 drug-resistant genes of P. falciparum were successfully amplified and sequenced. There were 72.8%, 18.6%, and 8.6% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfcrt gene, respectively, and all mutant haplotypes were CVIET (the underline indicates the mutation site). There were 20.0%, 61.4% and 18.6% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfmdr1 gene, respectively, and the mutant haplotypes mainly included YF and NF (the underlines indicate the mutation sites). There were 1.4%, 98.6%, and 0 of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfdhfr gene, respectively, and AIRNI was the predominant mutant haplotype (the underline indicates the mutation site). There were 1.4%, 94.3%, and 4.3% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfdhps gene, respectively, and SGKAA was the predominant mutant haplotype (the underline indicates the mutation site). The complete drug-resistant IRNGE genotype consisted of 8.6% of the Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes, and the K13 gene A578S mutation occurred in 1.4% of the parasite samples. Conclusions There are mutations in the Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and K13 genes of P. falciparum imported from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province, with a low frequency in the Pfcrt gene mutation and a high frequency in the Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, and Pfdhps gene mutations, and the K13 gene A578S mutation is detected in the parasite samples.

Objective: To evaluate the residual radioactivity after ¹³¹I treatment in postoperative inpatients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) using service robot in nuclear medicine ward, and assess the time for patients to be released from isolation. Methods: From September 2017 to June 2018, 297 patients (94 males, 203 females, age: 19-80 years) with DTC who underwent ¹³¹I treatment after surgery were included. According to the purpose of treatment and the prescription dosage of ¹³¹I, patients were divided into 8 groups: 4 groups accepted ¹³¹I remnant ablation therapy (RAT) with different dosages, which were 3 700 MBq (RAT1, n=34), 4 440 MBq (RAT2, n=122), 5 550 MBq (RAT3, n=81) and 7 400 MBq (RAT4, n=27), respectively; 4 groups had ¹³¹I treatment for recurrent/metastatic lesions (RMLT), and the dosages were 3 700 MBq (n=1), 4 440 MBq (n=2), 5 550 MBq (n=14) and 7 400 MBq (n=16). At 4, 24, 48 and 72 h after ¹³¹I administration, the dose equivalent rates at 2 cm away from the patient′s neck and at 1 m away from the body were measured by the robot designed for nuclear medicine ward. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. Results: Neck dose equivalent rates for patients with RAT at different time points (4, 24, 48 and 72 h) after ¹³¹I administration were significantly different among 4 groups (H values: 20.889-46.410, all P<0.05), as well as the body dose equivalent rates (H values: 27.181-35.497, all P<0.05). The neck dose equivalent rates at 24, 48 and 72 h after ¹³¹I administration were statistically different between group 3 and 4 for patients with RMLT (z values: 2.328-3.076, all P<0.05; data in group 1 and 2 were too limited to be compared), while there was no statistical difference for the body dose equivalent rates (z values: 0.333-1.621, all P>0.05). The radioactivity retention in patients decreased rapidly within 24 h, then slowed down gradually and became extremely low at 72 h. At 72 h after ¹³¹I administration, 96.6%(255/264) patients with RAT and 100%(33/33) patients with RMLT were lower than 23.3 μSv/h, which meant the patients could be discharged from hospitalization. Conclusions Nuclear medicine ward service robots may dynamically measure residual radioactivity in DTC patients who take ¹³¹I treatment, providing individualized isolation solutions.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint injection at Fenglong (ST 40) with Promethazine in treating posterior circulation ischemic vertigo (PCIV) due to turbid phlegm obstructing the middle.Method Sixty-two patients with PCIV due to turbid phlegm obstructing the middle were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 31 cases each. The two groups both received intravenous infusion of Vinpocetine injection, based on which, the treatment group was intervened by injection at Fenglong (ST 40) with Promethazine, while the control group was given gluteal intramuscular injection of Promethazine. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) were observed for the two groups before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were also compared.Result The TCM syndrome and DHI scores were significant changed after the intervention in both groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the TCM syndrome and DHI scores in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.5％ in the treatment group versus 80.6％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Injection at Fenglong (ST 40) with Promethazine is an effective method in treating PCIV due to turbid phlegm obstructing the middle.