Objective::To evaluate the early pregnancy loss (EPL) rates in women with and without low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment during early pregnancy.Methods::A retrospective, non-randomized study was conducted at Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center between June 2019 and March 2022, involving women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). All participants conceived following standard preconception care and voluntarily chose either the control group or the LMWH intervention group during the first month of pregnancy. The intervention was administered throughout the entire first trimester. Early and final pregnancy outcomes were recorded, with a particular focus on EPL rates. In addition, venous blood samples and clinical data were collected to compare hormonal profiles, blood lipid levels, and anthropometric parameters between the two groups. Statistical analyses included the two-tailed unpaired Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. A value of P < 0.050 was considered statistically significant. Results::Thirty-eight women in the LMWH group and 102 women in the control group were included. The EPL rates in the LMWH and control groups were 5.3% (2/38) and 26.5% (27/102), respectively ( χ2 = 7.582, P = 0.006, odds ratio ( OR) = 0.154, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.035-0.685). The age ( P = 0.005), PCOS subtype ( P = 0.012), and levels of total cholesterol ( P = 0.003), and high-density lipoprotein ( P = 0.018) were significantly different between these two groups. Continued follow-up was performed to observe the long-time effects of LMWH treatment in early pregnancy. Seventy-three patients were successfully delivered, 23 patients in the LMWH group and 50 patients in the control group. There was no significant difference between the LMWH and control groups in gestation length, bleeding during delivery, birth weight, gender of the newborn, or mode of delivery. In addition, Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that LMWH treatment may decrease the risk of EPL in PCOS patients in the first trimester ( χ2 = 4.144, P = 0.040). Conclusion::LMWH treatment during early pregnancy may reduce the EPL rate in women with PCOS.

Objective:To analyze the current preparation and usage situation of first-aid drugs in the rescue vehicles in children's medical institutions, and provide references for optimizing the list of emergency drugs.Methods:First-aid drug lists in the rescue vehicles of 12 children's medical institutions from 11 provinces and municipalities in China were collected through questionnaire surveys, and the drugs as well as their quantities were compared. The existing problems in the use of first-aid drugs in the 12 medical institutions were investigated by on-site interviews. The usage information of first-aid drugs in the rescue vehicles of the General Surgery and Cardiology Department of Shanxi Children's Hospital from May 2022 to April 2023 was collected through the hospital information center, and usage frequency and dosage per patient of the drugs were calculated. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the collected data.Results:The first-aid drug lists in 12 hospitals were various, including 7 to 22 kinds of drugs and involving a total of 23 drugs. These mainly included vasoactive drugs, cardiotonic drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs, antiangina and anti-ischemic drugs for the heart, antispasmodic drugs, diuretics, dehydrating drugs, sedative-hypnotic drugs, and glucocorticoids, all of which were injections. The drugs that were included in all the lists of 12 hospitals were epinephrine, dopamine, dexamethasone, furosemide, and atropine. The drug lists of different rescue vehicles throughout the hospital were the same in 4 hospitals, while the lists varied among departments based on their specific clinical needs in the other 8 hospitals. None of the 12 hospitals had a first-aid drug usage manual. The on-site interview results showed that, the existing problems about drug preparation and use in rescue vehicles mainly involved the following 6 aspects: drug types, quantities, labels, storage, procurement, and usage. In Shanxi Children's Hospital, the types and quantities of first-aid drugs in rescue vehicles of General Surgery Department and Cardiology Department were the same. There were 6 and 9 kinds of drugs were used in the 2 departments during rescue operations, respectively. The drugs that were never used in either department included promethazine, lidocaine, diazepam, phenobarbital, raceanisodamine, sodium bicarbonate, atropine, glucose, and calcium gluconate.Conclusions:The phenomenon of unreasonable kinds and quantities of first-aid drugs in the rescue vehicles existed in the children's medical institutions, and the drugs provided did not fully match the actual clinical needs. There was an urgent need for preparation guidelines and usage manuals of first-aid drugs that were suitable for children's medical institutions to enhance the scientificity of drug supply and the correctness of usage.

Objective::To evaluate the early pregnancy loss (EPL) rates in women with and without low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment during early pregnancy.Methods::A retrospective, non-randomized study was conducted at Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center between June 2019 and March 2022, involving women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). All participants conceived following standard preconception care and voluntarily chose either the control group or the LMWH intervention group during the first month of pregnancy. The intervention was administered throughout the entire first trimester. Early and final pregnancy outcomes were recorded, with a particular focus on EPL rates. In addition, venous blood samples and clinical data were collected to compare hormonal profiles, blood lipid levels, and anthropometric parameters between the two groups. Statistical analyses included the two-tailed unpaired Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. A value of P < 0.050 was considered statistically significant. Results::Thirty-eight women in the LMWH group and 102 women in the control group were included. The EPL rates in the LMWH and control groups were 5.3% (2/38) and 26.5% (27/102), respectively ( χ2 = 7.582, P = 0.006, odds ratio ( OR) = 0.154, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.035-0.685). The age ( P = 0.005), PCOS subtype ( P = 0.012), and levels of total cholesterol ( P = 0.003), and high-density lipoprotein ( P = 0.018) were significantly different between these two groups. Continued follow-up was performed to observe the long-time effects of LMWH treatment in early pregnancy. Seventy-three patients were successfully delivered, 23 patients in the LMWH group and 50 patients in the control group. There was no significant difference between the LMWH and control groups in gestation length, bleeding during delivery, birth weight, gender of the newborn, or mode of delivery. In addition, Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that LMWH treatment may decrease the risk of EPL in PCOS patients in the first trimester ( χ2 = 4.144, P = 0.040). Conclusion::LMWH treatment during early pregnancy may reduce the EPL rate in women with PCOS.

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative transfusion for gynecologic surgery, when appropriately used, can improve patient outcomes. However, when utilized incorrectly, blood transfusion can worsen patient outcomes and increase patient cost. This study aimed to evaluate the blood transfusion practices of tertiary hospitals in the Philippines.

The study utilized a cross-sectional design wherein prospective data were gathered through multiple sources across seven tertiary-level hospitals. Women admitted to undergo gynecologic surgery were recruited based on a set of criteria. A chart review was conducted, and blood utilization indices were calculated. Outcomes were compared between public versus private facilities and transfused versus nontransfused patients.

Among 514 patients, 79.7% underwent cross-matching and 75.1% received transfusions. Adverse events were rare, with no transfusion-related deaths. The overall crossmatch-to-transfusion ratio (C/T ratio) was 2.8, exceeding the 2.5 optimal benchmark; all public hospitals recorded a C/T ratio >2.5, whereas private centers had more efficient usage. Six hospitals met acceptable benchmarks for transfusion probability and transfusion index. Open abdominal procedures, particularly hysterectomy, accounted for the most blood used. Transfused patients had longer operative times, greater blood loss, lower preoperative hemoglobin, and more frequently involved resident physicians in training. Public hospitals recorded higher cross-match and transfusion rates, greater resident physician participation, and broader use of general anesthesia.

Results of the study highlight the importance of monitoring blood transfusion parameters to optimize blood utilization. The observed differences between public and private institutions in the country highlight the urgent need for standardized and evidence-based practice to ensure efficient transfusion protocols nationwide.

Background/Aims: Pediatric patients with suspected gastroparesis often undergo antroduodenal manometry (ADM) and gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) for diagnostic purposes. However, it is unknown if delayed gastric emptying (DGE) correlates with manometric findings. This study evaluates whether ADM parameters differ between normal and abnormal GES in pediatric patients. Methods: Data from pediatric patients undergoing ADM and GES at Nationwide Children’s Hospital from 2011-2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Manometry parameters including motility index (Ln [sum of amplitudes × number of contractions + 1]), number of antral contractions, and direction of the phase III migrating motor complex (MMC) were compared to GES results from age-matched patients with DGE (n = 32) and normal gastric emptying (NGE) (n = 32) of similar sex, body mass index, and weight. Results: Children with DGE had a lower post-prandial antral motility index and antral contraction number than those with NGE (9.4 vs 11.2, P = 0.005; 21.8 vs 49.6, P < 0.001). The gastric emptying percentage at 4 hours was lower in patients with retrograde phase III (59.2% vs 83.9%,P = 0.022) and in those without an antral component in the fasting phase III of the migrating motor complex (70.3% vs 86.5%, P = 0.003). Post-prandial antral hypomotility occurred more frequently in the DGE group than in the NGE group (41% vs 9%, P = 0.008). Conclusions ADM findings differ between children with DGE and NGE. Children with DGE are more likely to have abnormal fasting phase III patterns and decreased post-prandial antral activity during ADM testing.

Background/Aims: Pediatric patients with suspected gastroparesis often undergo antroduodenal manometry (ADM) and gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) for diagnostic purposes. However, it is unknown if delayed gastric emptying (DGE) correlates with manometric findings. This study evaluates whether ADM parameters differ between normal and abnormal GES in pediatric patients. Methods: Data from pediatric patients undergoing ADM and GES at Nationwide Children’s Hospital from 2011-2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Manometry parameters including motility index (Ln [sum of amplitudes × number of contractions + 1]), number of antral contractions, and direction of the phase III migrating motor complex (MMC) were compared to GES results from age-matched patients with DGE (n = 32) and normal gastric emptying (NGE) (n = 32) of similar sex, body mass index, and weight. Results: Children with DGE had a lower post-prandial antral motility index and antral contraction number than those with NGE (9.4 vs 11.2, P = 0.005; 21.8 vs 49.6, P < 0.001). The gastric emptying percentage at 4 hours was lower in patients with retrograde phase III (59.2% vs 83.9%,P = 0.022) and in those without an antral component in the fasting phase III of the migrating motor complex (70.3% vs 86.5%, P = 0.003). Post-prandial antral hypomotility occurred more frequently in the DGE group than in the NGE group (41% vs 9%, P = 0.008). Conclusions ADM findings differ between children with DGE and NGE. Children with DGE are more likely to have abnormal fasting phase III patterns and decreased post-prandial antral activity during ADM testing.

In order to clarify the effects of drought stress training on the quality and drought resistance of Codonopsis pilosula, this study used PEG to simulate drought stress and employed potting with water control for the drought stress training of C. pilosula plants. The polysaccharide content, secondary metabolites, antioxidant system, and photosynthetic pigment system of C. pilosula after drought stress training were analyzed. The results showed that the content of fructans in the root of C. pilosula increased after two rounds of drought stress treatment, and it was significantly higher than that of the control group. The accumulation of fructans in the root of C. pilosula showed an upward trend during the rehydration treatment. The content of lobetyolin and tangshenoside Ⅰ increased after drought stress treatment compared with that of the control group. The rehydration treatment caused first increasing and then decreasing in the content of lobetyolin, while it had no significant effect on the tangshenoside Ⅰcontent. The content of photosynthetic pigments decreased after drought stress treatment, and it gradually increased during the first round of rehydration and the second round of rehydration. Moreover, the increase was faster in the second round of rehydration than in the first round of rehydration. The content of the peroxidation product malondialdehyde(MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD), peroxidase(POD), and catalase(CAT) increased after drought stress treatment compared with those of the control group, and they showed a tendency of decreasing during rehydration. Moreover, the decrease was faster in the second round of rehydration than in the first round of rehydration. When the plants of C. pilosula after drought stress training were again subjected to severe drought stress, the wilting rate decreased significantly, and the biomass increases significantly. This study showed that the drought stress training could promote the accumulation of polysaccharides and secondary metabolites in the root of C. pilosula. When encountering drought stress again, C. pilosula plants could quickly regulate the antioxidant system and delay the decomposition of chlorophyll to respond to drought stress. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the ecological cultivation of C. pilosula in arid and semi-arid areas.
Codonopsis/growth & development* ; Droughts ; Polysaccharides/metabolism* ; Stress, Physiological ; Water/metabolism* ; Antioxidants/metabolism* ; Photosynthesis ; Drought Resistance

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction pieces are a core carrier for the inheritance and innovation of TCM, and their quality and safety are critical to public health and the sustainable development of the industry. Conventional quality control models, while having established a well-developed system through long-term practice, still face challenges such as relatively long inspection cycles, insufficient objectivity in characterizing complex traits, and urgent needs for improving the efficiency of integrating multidimensional quality information when confronted with the dual demands of large-scale production and precision quality control. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, machine learning can deeply analyze multidimensional data of the morphology, spectroscopy, and chemical fingerprints of decoction pieces by constructing high-dimensional feature space analysis models, significantly improving the standardization level and decision-making efficiency of quality evaluation. This article reviews the research progress in the application of machine learning in the processing, production, and rapid quality evaluation of TCM decoction pieces. It further analyzes current challenges in technological implementation and proposes potential solutions, offering theoretical and technical references to advance the digital and intelligent transformation of the industry.
Machine Learning ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Quality Control ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans

Objective The prevalence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains is exacerbating the global burden of tuberculosis (TB), highlighting the urgent need for new treatment strategies for TB. Methods The recombinant adenovirus vaccine expressing cyclic di-adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) phosphodiesterase B (CnpB) (rAd-CnpB), was administered to normal mice via mucosal immunization, either alone or in combination with drug therapy, to treat Mtb respiratory infections in mice.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of antibodies in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to assess the transcription levels of cytokines interferon γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin 10(IL-10) in mouse lungs. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportions of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell subsets in the lungs and spleens. ELISA was employed to measure the levels of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10, inflammatory factors IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) secreted by spleen cells following antigen stimulation. The bacteria loads in the lungs and spleens of Mtb-infected mice were enumerated by plate counting methods. Resluts Intranasal immunization with rAd-CnpB induced high titers of IgG in mouse serum and the production of IgG and IgA in BALF, along with alterations in T lymphocyte subsets in the lungs and spleens. Administration of rAd-CnpB, either alone or in combination with drugs, to Mtb-infected mice significantly increased serum IgG levels as well as IgA and IgG levels in BALF. rAd-CnpB immunization promoted the secretion of CnpB-specific cytokines and inflammatory factors by splenocytes in Mtb-infected mice. However, rAd-CnpB immunotherapy, either alone or combined with drugs, did not significantly affect the bacterial loads in the lungs and spleens of mice with Mtb respiratory infections. Conclusion Mucosal immunization with rAd-CnpB induced significant mucosal, humoral and cellular immune responses in mice, and significantly enhanced CnpB-specific cellular immune responses in Mtb-infected mice.
Animals ; Adenoviridae/immunology* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genetics* ; Mice ; Female ; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases/genetics* ; Tuberculosis Vaccines/administration & dosage* ; Tuberculosis/prevention & control* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Cytokines ; Lung/microbiology* ; Immunization ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/immunology* ; Immunity, Mucosal

Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which exosomes (Exo) derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) carrying HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (lncRNA HOTAIR) promote the metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods CAFs were collected from tumor tissues, and non-cancer associated fibroblasts (NFs) were obtained from adjacent normal tissues at least 5 cm away from the tumor. Exosomes (CAFs-Exo and NFs-Exo) were isolated from conditioned media collected from CAFs or NFs. CAFs-Exo and NFs-Exo were incubated with human ESCC cell line TE-1 for 24 hours, and CCK-8 was used to determine the cell proliferation ability. Scratch test and Transwell test were performed to determine the cell migration and invasion ability. TE-1 cells were divided into the following two groups: NC group and KD group. The NC group and KD group were transfected with control siRNAs or siRNAs targeting HOTAIR respectively. The effects of HOTAIR knock-down on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis were determined. Results CAFs-Exo promoted the proliferation of TE-1 cells more significantly than NFs-Exo. Compared with NFs-Exo group, the migration and invasion ability of TE-1 cells treated with CAFs-Exo were improved significantly. In addition, CAFs-Exo treatment inhibited the expression of E-cadherin and enhanced the expression of N-cadherin. The expression of HOTAIR in CAFs was significantly higher than that in NFs. Compared with NFs-Exo, the expression level of HOTAIR in CAFs-Exo increased significantly. Compared with NC group, the proliferation, migration and invasion of TE-1 cells in KD group decreased significantly. Compared with NC group, hexokinase 2 (HK2), extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and ATP/ADP ratio of TE-1 cells in KD group decreased significantly. Conclusion HOTAIR, an exosome derived from CAFs, may be involved in metastasis and EMT by regulating glycolysis in ESCC cells.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ; Exosomes/genetics* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glycolysis/genetics* ; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Cadherins/genetics*