Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute infectious respiratory disease that has been prevalent since December 2019. Chinese medicine (CM) has demonstrated its unique advantages in the fight against COVID-19 in the areas of disease prevention, improvement of clinical symptoms, and control of disease progression. This review summarized the relevant material components of CM in the treatment of COVID-19 by searching the relevant literature and reports on CM in the treatment of COVID-19 and combining with the physiological and pathological characteristics of the novel coronavirus. On the basis of sorting out experimental methods in vivo and in vitro, the mechanism of herb action was further clarified in terms of inhibiting virus invasion and replication and improving related complications. The aim of the article is to explore the strengths and characteristics of CM in the treatment of COVID-19, and to provide a basis for the research and scientific, standardized treatment of COVID-19 with CM.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) among < 5-year-old children in three provinces of China during 2020-2024 via a propensity score-matched test-negative case-control study. METHODS: Electronic health records and immunization information systems were used to obtain data on acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases tested for rotavirus (RV) infection. RV-positive cases were propensity score matched with RV-negative controls for age, visit month, and province. RESULTS: The study included 27,472 children with AGE aged 8 weeks to 4 years at the time of AGE diagnosis; 7.98% (2,192) were RV-positive. The VE (95% confidence interval, CI) of 1-2 and 3 doses of RV5 against any medically attended RV infection (inpatient or outpatient) was 57.6% (39.8%, 70.2%) and 67.2% (60.3%, 72.9%), respectively. Among children who received the 3rd dose before turning 5 months of age, 3-dose VE decreased from 70.4% (53.9%, 81.1%) (< 5 months since the 3rd dose) to 63.0% (49.1%, 73.0%) (≥ 1 year since the 3rd dose). The three-dose VE rate was 69.4% (41.3%, 84.0%) for RVGE hospitalization and 57.5% (38.9%, 70.5%) for outpatient-only medically attended RVGE. CONCLUSION Three-dose RV5 VE against rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in children aged < 5 years was higher than 1-2-dose VE. Three-dose VE decreased with time since the 3rd dose in children who received the 3rd dose before turning five months of age, but remained above 60% for at least one year. VE was higher for RVGE hospitalizations than for medically attended outpatient visits.
Humans ; Rotavirus Vaccines/immunology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Case-Control Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology* ; Male ; Propensity Score ; Female ; Vaccine Efficacy ; Gastroenteritis/virology* ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; Rotavirus

Objective To analyze the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab(UST)in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease(CD),and to identify factors influencing clinical outcomes.Methods Data were retrospectively collected from patients with moderate-to-severe CD treated with UST in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University and Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between November 2020 and May 2023.Patients were categorized into first-line(not treated with biologic agents,n=68)and second-line(treated with biologic agents,n=66)treatment groups based on prior use of biologic agents.Baseline characteristics,including age,sex,smoking status,disease duration,age at diagnosis,lesion site,disease behavior,perianal disease,history of intestinal surgery,and CD-related drug use,were compared between the two groups.Crohn's disease activity indices(CDAI)were recorded at baseline,week 14,and week 52 to assess the clinical efficacy at weeks 14 and 52.Endoscopic evaluations were performed at baseline and week 52 to evaluate endoscopic efficacy at week 52.The 52-week drug persistence rate and safety profile were also analyzed.Influencing factors related to clinical outcomes were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results A total of 134 patients with moderate-to-severe CD treated with UST were included.At week 14,clinical response and remission rates were 75.4%(101/134)and 33.6%(45/134),respectively,with no significant difference in clinical efficacy between first-line and second-line groups(clinical response rate:77.9%vs.72.7%,P=0.484;clinical remission rate:38.2%vs.28.8%,P=0.247).At week 52,clinical response and remission rates were 79.9%(107/134)and 56.0%(75/134),respectively.The rates of endoscopic response and remission were 70.9%(95/134)and 38.8%(52/134),respectively.There were no significant differences in clinical efficacy(clinical response rate:80.9%vs.78.8%,P=0.763;clinical remission rate:60.3%vs.51.5%,P=0.306)and endoscopic efficacy(endoscopic response rate:76.5%vs.65.2%,P=0.149;endoscopic remission rate:42.6%vs.34.8%,P=0.354)between the two groups.The 52-week drug persistence rate was 85.8%(115/134),and the adverse reaction rate was 4.5%(6/134).Compared with first-line treatment group,biologic-experienced patients had a significantly higher proportion of dose-optimized therapy in second-line treatment group(45.5%vs.22.1%,P=0.004).Multivariate logistic regression showed that the 14-week clinical response was a significant predictor of 52-week clinical remission,while perianal disease and intestinal surgery history were significant factors associated with treatment failure(P<0.05).Conclusions UST demonstrates significant efficacy in improving clinical and endoscopic outcomes for moderate-to-severe CD patients,with a favorable safety profile.Clinical response at 14 weeks is strongly predictive of clinical remission at 52 weeks.Patients with perianal disease or a history of intestinal surgery were at higher risk of treatment failure.

Bovine rotavirus(BRV)is an important pathogen causing diarrhea in calves.To understand the genomic charac-teristics and genetic variations in bovine rotavirus,and to further enrich data on the biological characteristics of rotavirus,we aimed to amplify 11 gene segments of the isolated and cultured G6P[1]bovine rotavirus BLL strain,perform whole genome se-quencing,and analyze the molecular characteristics.MEGA7.0 and DNAMAN software were used for homology and typing a-nalysis,and the whole genome phylogenetic tree was constructed to analyze genetic evolution relationships.The complete geno-type of the BLL strain was G6-P[1]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3.Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 and VP4 genes of the BLL strain showed that the VP7 gene had the highest homology with RVA/Cow-wt/HB01/China/2021,and the VP4 gene of the BLL strain was in the same branch as RVA/Human-tc/ISR/Ro8059/1995.From the sequence alignment of VP8*amino acids,the sialic acid domain of the BLL strain was found to be similar to that in other P[1]strains,but different from those in other types of strains,except for residue 189,which was the same as that in Ro8059 but different from that in other strains.The results suggested that the BLL strain might potentially infect humans.Therefore,continued monitoring and study of the biological characteristics of this strain are necessary to provide more information and evidence supporting further research on the cross-species transmission of group A rotavirus in China.

Objective:To analyze the predictive factors associated with late-onset sepsis(LOS) in very low birth weight infants,and to develop a risk prediction score scale applicable to these infants three days postnatal.This will provide valuable insights for early diagnosis and timely intervention.Methods:Very low birth weight infants admitted to the Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January 1,2022,to June 30,2024,were selected as research subjects.These infants were categorized into two groups:the LOS group and the non-LOS group,based on whether they developed LOS.LASSO regression analysis,alongside univariate and multivariate regression analyses,was employed to identify predictive factors for LOS in this population.A Logistic model was constructed using the optimal combination of predictive variables,and a risk assessment scale was subsequently developed.The prediction performance of the model was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-square test and the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results:A total of 444 cases of very low birth weight infants were included,of which 185 had LOS and 259 did not.After screening the variables,seven independent factors were included into the model:birth weight,gestational age,tracheal intubation,abnormal skin color,abdominal distension,elevated C-reactive protein levels,and right hand perfusion index.A predictive scoring scale was developed based on the regression coefficients of each variable,with corresponding risk scores assigned as follows:1,4,3,2,1,1,and 2; a score of ≥3.5 indicated high-risk groups.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test results demonstrated that χ2 = 7.602( P = 0.473).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.792 ( P<0.001),with a sensitivity of 73.5% and specificity of 71.0%. Conclusion:The risk score scale developed in this study exhibits significant predictive capability,providing valuable insights for clinical medical personnel to assess the risk of LOS in very low birth weight infants during the early postnatal period.

Objective:To analyze the predictive factors associated with late-onset sepsis(LOS) in very low birth weight infants,and to develop a risk prediction score scale applicable to these infants three days postnatal.This will provide valuable insights for early diagnosis and timely intervention.Methods:Very low birth weight infants admitted to the Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January 1,2022,to June 30,2024,were selected as research subjects.These infants were categorized into two groups:the LOS group and the non-LOS group,based on whether they developed LOS.LASSO regression analysis,alongside univariate and multivariate regression analyses,was employed to identify predictive factors for LOS in this population.A Logistic model was constructed using the optimal combination of predictive variables,and a risk assessment scale was subsequently developed.The prediction performance of the model was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-square test and the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results:A total of 444 cases of very low birth weight infants were included,of which 185 had LOS and 259 did not.After screening the variables,seven independent factors were included into the model:birth weight,gestational age,tracheal intubation,abnormal skin color,abdominal distension,elevated C-reactive protein levels,and right hand perfusion index.A predictive scoring scale was developed based on the regression coefficients of each variable,with corresponding risk scores assigned as follows:1,4,3,2,1,1,and 2; a score of ≥3.5 indicated high-risk groups.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test results demonstrated that χ2 = 7.602( P = 0.473).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.792 ( P<0.001),with a sensitivity of 73.5% and specificity of 71.0%. Conclusion:The risk score scale developed in this study exhibits significant predictive capability,providing valuable insights for clinical medical personnel to assess the risk of LOS in very low birth weight infants during the early postnatal period.

Bovine rotavirus(BRV)is an important pathogen causing diarrhea in calves.To understand the genomic charac-teristics and genetic variations in bovine rotavirus,and to further enrich data on the biological characteristics of rotavirus,we aimed to amplify 11 gene segments of the isolated and cultured G6P[1]bovine rotavirus BLL strain,perform whole genome se-quencing,and analyze the molecular characteristics.MEGA7.0 and DNAMAN software were used for homology and typing a-nalysis,and the whole genome phylogenetic tree was constructed to analyze genetic evolution relationships.The complete geno-type of the BLL strain was G6-P[1]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3.Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 and VP4 genes of the BLL strain showed that the VP7 gene had the highest homology with RVA/Cow-wt/HB01/China/2021,and the VP4 gene of the BLL strain was in the same branch as RVA/Human-tc/ISR/Ro8059/1995.From the sequence alignment of VP8*amino acids,the sialic acid domain of the BLL strain was found to be similar to that in other P[1]strains,but different from those in other types of strains,except for residue 189,which was the same as that in Ro8059 but different from that in other strains.The results suggested that the BLL strain might potentially infect humans.Therefore,continued monitoring and study of the biological characteristics of this strain are necessary to provide more information and evidence supporting further research on the cross-species transmission of group A rotavirus in China.

Background/Aims: The histological characteristics and natural history of precirrhotic primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) with portal hypertension (PH) are unclear. Our aim was to clarify the prevalence, risk factors, and histological characteristics of precirrhotic PBC patients with PH. Methods: This retrospective study compared the clinical features, histological characteristics, and response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) between the PH and non-PH groups of precirrhotic PBC patients. Results: Out of 165 precirrhotic PBC patients, 40 (24.2%) also had PH. According to histological stage 1, 2 and 3 disease, 5.3% (1/19), 17.3% (17/98), and 45.8% (22/48) of patients also had PH, respectively. Precirrhotic PBC with PH was significantly positively correlated with bile duct loss, degree of cytokeratin 7 positivity, and degree of fibrosis in the portal area, but significantly negatively correlated with lymphoid follicular aggregation. Compared to the non-PH group, patients in the PH group showed a higher prevalence of obliterative portal venopathy, incomplete septal fibrosis, portal tract abnormalities and non-zonal sinusoidal dilatation (p<0.05). In addition, patients with PH were more likely to present with symptoms of jaundice, ascites, epigastric discomfort, a poorer response to UDCA, and more decompensation events (p<0.05). High alkaline phosphatase levels, low white blood cell counts, high Mayo scores, and high FIB-4 index values were risk factors for precirrhotic PBC with PH. Conclusions Approximately 24.2% of precirrhotic PBC patients have PH, which is histologically related to the injury of bile ducts. High alkaline phosphatase levels, low white blood cell counts, high Mayo scores, and high FIB-4 index values are associated with increased risk of precirrhotic PBC with PH.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between subjective hearing impairment and cognitive function in the elderly in the community of Changzhou City.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 1 132 elderly people recruited from 4 communities in Changzhou City from August to October in 2023 were selected as the research objects. The social demographic and cognitive function were collected, cognitive function was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), while the connected test, replica cube, and clock draw in the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) were selected to assess visuospatial and executive function. The subjects were divided into the no-hearing impairment group (726 subjects) and hearing impairment group (406 subjects) according to the self-reported hearing impairment of the elderly. The basic data of the two groups and the differences in different cognitive domains were analyzed, and the correlation between subjective hearing impairment and cognitive function of the elderly in the community was analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:The incidence of cognitive impairment in the hearing impairment group was significantly higher than that in the no-hearing impairment group (20.2% vs 6.6%), the scores of location orientation, memory, attention and calculation, recall, language ability, clock draw, and the total score of MMSE, visuospatial and executive function in the hearing impairment group were all significantly lower than those in the normal hearing group [(4.76±0.78) vs (4.91±0.45) points, (2.79±0.59) vs (2.90±0.36) points, 4 (3, 5) vs 5 (4, 5) points, 2 (1, 3) vs 2 (2, 3) points, 8 (7, 9) vs 9 (8, 9) points, 2 (2, 3) vs 3 (2, 3) points, 27 (24, 29) vs 27 (26, 29) points, 3 (2, 3) vs 3 (2, 4) points] (all P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between subjective hearing impairment and cognitive function impairment in community-dwelling elderly ( OR=3.544, 95% CI: 2.410-5.213) ( P<0.001). Conclusion:The incidence of cognitive impairment is higher in the community-dwelling elderly with subjective hearing impairment, and hearing impairment is a positive correlation factor of cognitive impairment.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which mycobacterial antigen 85B (Ag85B) inhibits autophagy and promotes apoptosis in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cells. Methods The clinical data and pathological tissue slides were retrospectively collected from 80 HL children and 30 children with reactive lymphadenopathy (control group) treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assess the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3),sequestosome 1 (P62/SQSTM1),and Beclin-1 in the pathological tissues of HL and control groups. Human Hodgkin lymphoma cells (HDLM-2) were divided into the HDLM-2 group and the HDLM-2+Ag85B groups (with Ag85B concentrations of 0.5,1,2,and 4 μg/mL). The CCK8 method was used to measure HDLM-2 cell proliferation;qRT-PCR was employed to detect the expression of LC3,P62,Beclin-1,Akt,and mTOR mRNA in cells. An apoptosis kit was used to detect cell apoptosis. Results The positive expression of LC3 and Beclin-1 in the HL group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05),while the positive expression of P62 was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). In stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ compared to stages Ⅰ-Ⅱ,the positive expression of LC3 and Beclin-1 increased,while the positive expression of P62 decreased (P<0.05). Cell experiment results showed that the HDLM-2+Ag85B group had suppressed cell proliferation compared to the HDLM-2 group,with decreased mRNA expression of LC3 and Beclin-1,and increased mRNA expression of P62,PI3K,Akt,and mTOR,leading to increased cell apoptosis. Notably,when Ag85B was at a concentration of 2 μg/mL,it had the strongest effect on HDLM-2 cells after 24 hours (P<0.05). Conclusions Autophagy is enhanced in children with HL and increases with disease stage. Ag85B can inhibit the proliferation and autophagy of HL tumor cells and promote apoptosis,possibly related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.