The liver performs multiple life-sustaining functions. Hepatic diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatoma, pose significant health and economic burdens globally. Along with the advances in nanotechnology, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) exhibiting diversiform size and shape, distinct morphological properties, and favorable physico-chemical features have become an ideal choice for drug delivery systems and inspire alternative thinking for the management of hepatic diseases. Initially, we introduce the physiological structure of the liver and highlight its intrinsic cell types and correlative functions. Next, we detail the synthesis methods and physicochemical properties of MSNs and their capacity for controlled drug loading and release. Particularly, we discuss the interactions between liver and MSNs with respect to the passive targeting mechanisms of MSNs within the liver by adjusting their particle size, pore diameter, surface charge, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, and surface functionalization. Subsequently, we emphasize the role of MSNs in regulating liver pathophysiology, exploring their value in addressing liver pathological states, such as tumors and inflammation, combined with multi-functional designs and intelligent modes to enhance drug targeting and minimize side effects. Lastly, we put forward the problems, challenges, opportunities, as well as clinical translational issues faced by MSNs in the management of liver diseases.

Objective:To learn about the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human brucellosis in Shaanxi Province, and to provide reference for brucellosis prevention and control.Methods:Through the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System and the Shaanxi Provincial Brucellosis Prevention and Control Work System, report data and case investigation data on human brucellosis cases in Shaanxi Province from 2020 to 2022 were collected, respectively, and the epidemiological characteristics, exposure history and clinical manifestations of the cases were analyzed descriptively.Results:A total of 4 240 human cases of brucellosis were reported in Shaanxi Province from 2020 to 2022, with no death. The average annual incidence was 3.60/100 000, with an average growth rate of 22.33%. Cases of brucellosis were reported from January to December throughout the year, mainly from April to August, accounting for 63.40% (2 688/4 240). Cases of brucellosis were reported in 12 prefectures (including Yangling District and prefecture-level administrative divisions directly administered by the province) and 90 counties (districts and cities), accounting for 79.65% (90/113) of the total number of counties (districts and cities). The male to female ratio of the cases was 2.92 ∶ 1.00 (3 159 ∶ 1 081). The onset age was mainly from 30 to 74 years old, accounting for 89.81% (3 808/4 240). Farmer was the main occupation, accounting for 87.12% (3 694/4 240). A total of 4 223 cases were investigated in Shaanxi Province from 2020 to 2022, with the acute phase being the main stage of disease progression, accounting for 94.67% (3 998/4 223); hospitalized cases accounted for 59.79% (2 525/4 223); the main risk occupations of brucellosis were rearing and grazing, accounting for 78.43% (3 312/4 223). The main exposure routes were direct contact through skin and mucous membranes and respiratory infection, accounting for 95.07% (4 015/4 223). There were 4 015 cases with a history of contact with livestock and their products, with sheep being the main type of contact (accounting for 96.91%, 3 891/4 015), and the possible infection sites were mainly at home (58.53%, 2 350/4 015). The main clinical symptoms were fever, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and excessive sweating, accounting for 75.49% (3 188/4 223), 58.23% (2 463/4 223), 68.17% (2 879/4 223) and 63.65% (2 688/4 223), respectively. A total of 139 Brucella strains were isolated and cultured, with sheep type 3 being the main bacterial type, accounting for 75.54% (105/139). Conclusions:The epidemic of brucellosis in Shaanxi Province is showing a clear upward trend, and the scope of the epidemic is becoming wider and wider. The incidence of brucellosis is mainly in free-range households, and the course of the disease is mostly in the acute phase. Brucellosis is mainly caused through direct contact with the skin and mucous membranes and respiratory infections. The clinical manifestations are diverse but non-specific. It is necessary to effectively improve the personal protection awareness and level of high-risk groups to reduce the occurrence of brucellosis.

Uncovering the risk factors of pulmonary hypertension and its mechanisms is crucial for the prevention and treatment of the disease.In the current study,we showed that experimental periodontitis,which was established by ligation of molars followed by orally smearing subgingival plaques from patients with periodontitis,exacerbated hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice.Mechanistically,periodontitis dysregulated the pulmonary microbiota by promoting ectopic colonization and enrichment of oral bacteria in the lungs,contributing to pulmonary infiltration of interferon gamma positive(IFNγ+)T cells and aggravating the progression of pulmonary hypertension.In addition,we identified Prevotella zoogleoformans as the critical periodontitis-associated bacterium driving the exacerbation of pulmonary hypertension by periodontitis,and the exacerbation was potently ameliorated by both cervical lymph node excision and IFNγ neutralizing antibodies.Our study suggests a proof of concept that the combined prevention and treatment of periodontitis and pulmonary hypertension are necessary.

Objective To establish a viable bacteria assay for Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)by assessing the cgt gene expression,and to develop accordingly a rapid and novel testing method for clinical precision treatment.Methods Viable bacteria count was determined in bacterial cultures.The transcriptional expression level of cgt(hp0421),the conserved gene that encodes cholesterol-α-glucosyltransferase(CGT)in H.pylori,was measured by RT-PCR.The correlation between the number of colonies and cgt gene transcription expression was analyzed and the regression model was constructed.The linear range,sensitivity,and specificity of the new method were examined accordingly.The bactericidal action of clarithromycin was assessed using this method to verify the performance of the method in determining clinical bacterial drug resistance.Results The Ct values of cgt for H.pylori colony counts of 102,104,106,and 108 CFU/mL were 29.67±0.14,23.37±0.36,17.65±0.37,and 11.38±0.39,respectively.In the range of 101-108 CFU/mL,the regression equation for cgt gene expression and viable bacterial counts determined by RT-qPCR was y=-0.350 1x+12.49,with the correlation coefficient being R2=0.9992 and the sensitivity being 101 CFU/mL,showing no cross-reaction with 13 other bacteria.The lg values of live H.pylori bacteria treated with clarithromycin at 0,5,10,20,and 40 μg/mL for 12 h were 2.57±0.02,2.45±0.01,2.19±0.02,1.91±0.07,and 1.33±0.05,respectively.The corresponding cgt gene Ct values were 27.76±0.09,28.37±0.24,29.51±0.14,30.11±0.12,and 31.66±0.11.By applying the cgt gene expression in the equation,the estimated counts of viable bacteria were found to be 2.73±0.03,2.52±0.08,2.11±0.05,1.89±0.02,and 1.33±0.04,showing no significant difference in statistical analysis(P＞0.05).Conclusion The method for assessing viable bacteria account by evaluating cgt gene expression in H.pylori was successfully established,significantly reducing the time required to determine viable bacteria count and providing a new method for clinical viable bacteria testing.

Objective:To construct a follow-up evaluation index system for "Diagnosis of Brucellosis" (WS 269-2019), and provide a reference basis for the next revision and improvement of the standard.Methods:The evaluation index system for "Diagnosis of Brucellosis" (WS 269-2019) was preliminarily established by consulting relevant references and materials. The experts in the field of diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of brucellosis were selected, and two rounds of expert consultation were carried out in the form of questionnaires using the Delphi method. The necessity and availability of evaluation indicators were scored, and suggestions for modifying and adding indicators were put forward. Based on this, a standard follow-up evaluation index system was established. At the same time, a judgment matrix was constructed combined with the Saaty scale, and the analytic hierarchy process was used to calculate the weight of each index in the system.Results:After 2 rounds of expert ( n = 10) consultation, a standard follow-up evaluation index system for "Diagnosis of Brucellosis" (WS 269-2019) was constructed with 3 first-level indexes, 8 second-level indexes and 21 third-level indexes. The positive coefficients of experts in 2 rounds of questionnaires were both 100%; the coefficient of authority of experts was 0.82; the Kendall's coefficients of concordance of first-level, second-level and third-level indexes were 0.722, 0.260, and 0.181, respectively, with P < 0.05. Among the first-level indexes, the weight of standard quality evaluation was the highest (0.364), and the weight of standard implementation status was the lowest (0.278); among the second-level indexes, the combined weight of social benefits was the highest (0.186), and the combined weight of advanced nature was the lowest (0.043); among the third-level indexes, the combined weight of timely diagnosis rate was the highest (0.096), and the combined weight of consistency with technical data was the lowest (0.009). Conclusions:The constructed follow-up evaluation index system for "Diagnosis of Brucellosis" (WS 269-2019) is scientific and reliable, which evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively, reduces the defects of a single evaluation, and provides a basis for subsequent revision and improvement of the standard.

Objective:To investigate the pathogenic and epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Shaanxi Province, and to provide a basis for scientific prevention and control of human brucellosis in Shaanxi Province.Methods:The pathogenic culture data of 507 reported cases of human brucellosis reported in Shaanxi Province from 2014 to 2021 were collected from the Shaanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The epidemiological data of the cases were collected from the Infectious Disease Information Reporting Management System of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The data were summarized and analyzed using Excel 2016 software, and visualized using ArcGIS 10.6 software.Results:The 507 cases were concentrated from 2018 to 2021 (322 cases), with a peak incidence period from May to July (255 cases). Cases mainly distributed in Weinan City (129 cases), Yulin City (114 cases) and Yan'an City (97 cases). Farmers were the main occupation (415 cases). The cases were mainly aged 40 - 59 (272 cases). The male to female gender ratio was 3.22 ∶ 1.00 (387 ∶ 120). Totally 95.46% (484/507) of the cases had a history of close contact with cattle or sheep, mainly sheep (480 cases). The clinical symptoms included fever, fatigue, hyperhidrosis, joint and muscle pain, with rare liver, spleen and testicular enlargement. Totally 89.55% (454/507) of the cases were diagnosed during the acute phase. In vitro agglutination test, 1 ∶ 200 positive cases were the most common (139 cases). Totally 214 strains of Brucella were isolated and cultured, and the rate of bacterial production was 42.21%, all of which were Brucella melitensis, of which type 3 accounted for 79.91% (171/214). Conclusion:Human brucellosis cases in Shaanxi Province are mainly infected by contact with sheep, with the main source of infection being Brucella melitensis type 3.

OBJECTIVE：To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on regional cerebral oxygen saturation and cerebral function in patients undergoing intracranial aneurysm embolization. METHODS ：Totally 44 patients undergoing intracranial aneurysm embolization in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of TCM during Jun. 2017-Aug. 2019 were collected and randomly divided into group D （22 cases）and group C （22 cases）. Ten minutes before anesthesia induction ，group D was given intravenous injection of Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride injection 1 μg/kg；group C was given buffered normal saline 20 μL. Both groups were induced with Propofol emulsion injection+Midazolam injection+Fentanyl citrate injection+Cisatracurium besylate for injection. During the operation ，group D was given Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride injection 0.5 μg（/ kg·h）+Fentanyl citrate injection+Benzsulfosum atracurium for injection+Propofol emulsion injection to maintain anesthesia ；group C was continuously pumped with buffered normal saline 0.5 μg（/ kg·h）+Fentanyl citrate injection + Benzsulfosum aratracurium for injection Propofol emulsion injection to maintain anesthesia. Before anesthesia induction （T0）， immediately after anesthesia。induction （T1）， 1 min after tracheal intubation （T2）， immediately after operation finished （T3），immediately afte extubation（T4），the mean arterial pressure（MAP），heart rate 中国药房 2021年第32卷第7期 China Pharmacy 2021Vol. 32 No. 7 ·865· （HR），regional cerebral oxygen satur ation（rSO2）were observed in 2 groups. The levels of neuron specific enolase （NSE）and S100 β protein in serum were measured at T1，T3，6 h after operation （T6）. The recovery time ，intraoperative blood loss ， nitroglycerin amount and the occurrence of ADR were recorded. RESULTS ：MAP and HR of group D at T 2-T4 were significantly lower than those at T 0；MAP and HR of group C at T 2-T4 were significantly higher than those at T 0；the group D were significantly lower than the group C at the same period （P＜0.05）；there was no statistical significance in rSO 2 between 2 groups at T 0-T4（P＞ 0.05）. The levels of serum NSE and S 100β protein in 2 groups at T 3 were significantly higher than at T 1；those in 2 groups at T 6 were significantly lower than at T 3，but those of group D were significantly lower than the group C at T 3（P＜0.05）；there was no statistical significance in the levels of serum NSE or S 100β protein between 2 groups at T 1（P＞0.05）. The recovery time of anesthesia，the amount of nitroglycerin ，the incidence of tachycardia ，nausea and vomiting ，restlessness，shivering and cough in group D were significantly shorter or lower than group C （P＜0.05）；there was no statistical significance in the intraoperative blood loss between 2 groups（P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：Dexmedetomidine can maintain the hemodynamic stability of patients with intracranial aneurysm embolization during the perioperative period ，has little effect on rSO 2 and brain function ，and has good safety.