ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Shenling Guben Granules on quality of life and immune function in patients with HIV classified as immunological non-responders （INRs）. MethodsA prospective， multicenter， randomized， double-blind， controlled trial was conducted from August 21， 2018， to January 6， 2021， across eight hospitals in China. A total of 300 INR patients， diagnosed with spleen-kidney yang deficiency or lung-spleen Qi deficiency syndromes， were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the observation group or the control group， with 150 patients in each group. The control group received antiretroviral therapy （ART） combined with placebo， while the observation group received ART combined with Shenling Guben Granules. After 72 consecutive weeks of treatment， the World Health Organization Quality of Life for HIV brief version （WHOQOL-HIV BREF） was used to assess quality of life before and after treatment in both groups. Immune indicators （CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell counts）， complete blood count， liver and renal function， and adverse events during treatment were also evaluated to assess safety. ResultsA total of 279 patients were included in the final analysis （140 in the observation group and 139 in the control group）. After treatment， CD4⁺ T cell counts in the observation group increased significantly compared to baseline （P< 0.05）， whereas the control group showed an upward trend without statistical significance. Compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group showed a significantly greater increase in CD4⁺ levels （P<0.05）. There were no significant differences in the total score or domain scores of quality of life （physical， psychological， independence， social relationships， environment， and spirituality）， or in CD8⁺ T cell counts， before and after treatment in either group. The incidence of adverse events during treatment was 10% （14/140） in the observation group and 10.07% （14/139） in the control group， with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. ConclusionAlthough Shenling Guben Granules did not significantly improve quality of life in INR patients， they significantly increased CD4⁺ cell counts and demonstrated good safety， providing scientific evidence to support their use as a treatment option for INR patients.

Objective:To identify and analyze the genuine medicinal plant Gentiana scabra Bge. from 9 regions in Liaoning Province using DNA barcode technology based on the base sequence of internal transcribed spacer. Methods:DNA was extracted from the medicinal parts of 26 Gentiana scabra Bge. samples by using DNA kit extraction method. The ITS sequence was amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then two-way sequencing was carried out. Other sources and outgroup sequences of the medicinal plant Gentiana scabra Bge. were downloaded from Genbank. After the sequencing results were spliced by using SeqMan 7.1.0 software, MEGA 7.0 software was used to analyze and compare the data, and calculate the genetic distance of K2P (Kimura 2-parameter). The phylogenetic tree was established by Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method for analysis. Results:According to the results of NJ cluster tree, all Gentiana scabra Bge. samples from different sources were clustered into one large branch, and Gentiana scabra Franch. and Gentiana triflora Pall. were clustered into one branch respectively, with obvious differences; Gentiana scabra and Gentiana manshurica Kitag. were clustered into one branch, and the genetic relationship was relatively close. In combination with the variation site and genetic distance, the base sequences of Gentiana scabra and Gentianamanshurica were very similar, and the interspecific differences were very small. Except for the intraspecific variation of only one sample collected in Liaoning Province, the base sequences of the other samples were the same, and there was no difference between " Gentiana scabra Bge. in Qingyuan" and Gentiana scabra Bge. samples from other regions in Liaoning Province. Conclusion:The DNA barcode technology of ITS sequence can be used to differentiate and identify medicinal plant Gentiana scabra Bge. and its original plants from different sources with a high success rate.

Objective:To use rbcL sequences to identify the rhizomes of the Liaoning collection of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz.; To provide a basis for ensuring the feasibility of cultivation of the native herb in Liaoning Province. Methods:A total of 30 rhizomes of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. were collected from 10 regions cultivated in Liaoning Province, and the total DNA was extracted. DNA barcodes were screened by PCR, and the rbcL sequences of the samples were amplified and sequenced, and the amplification and sequencing success rates were calculated. Sequence alignment was performed using MEGA 7.0 software; a systematic clustering tree was constructed using the neighbour-joining method. Results:The success rates of DNA extraction from the rhizomes of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. were all 93.3%, and the success rates of PCR amplification and sequencing were all 100%. Among the 30 samples of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. in Liaoning Province, two samples had intraspecific variation, and the rest of the base sequences of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. were identical. Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. was closer to the herbs of the genus Cangzhu, a relative species of Asteraceae, and was genetically more distant from the rest of Asteraceae. The NJ tree could distinguish Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. and its relatives. Conclusion:The quality of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. cultivars in Liaoning Province is basically similar, and the rbcL sequence can be used as a valid sequence fragment for the identification of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. DNA barcode.

Objective For patient-specific open-wedge high tibial osteotomy(OWHTO),a novel anatomical fixation plate was designed,and the effects of geometric parameters and material selection on biomechanical fixation were studied.Methods A patient-specific OWHTO anatomical fixation plate was designed and constructed,and the effects of design parameters(thickness,width,and length of the fixation plate)and four different materials(stainless steel,titanium alloy,magnesium alloy,and PEEK)on the biomechanics of the OWHTO fixation system were studied using finite element analysis.The biomechanical differences between the anatomical fixation plate and TomoFix fixation plate were also compared.Results The thickness had a greater effect on the micromotion of the osteotomy space than the length and width of the fixation plate did.Titanium alloy or magnesium alloy fixation plates were more conducive than stainless steel and PEEK materials in obtaining reasonable stability and mechanical transfer simultaneously.Compared with that of the TomoFix plate,the maximum von Mises stress of the anatomical fixation plate was reduced by 13.5%;the maximum von Mises stress of the screws and tibia was increased by 9.8%and 18.4%,respectively;and the micromotion at the maximum osteotomy space cc was increased by 49.3%.Conclusions Anatomical fixation plates have a positive effect on reducing the stress-shielding effect and improving biomechanical properties under the premise of ensuring stability.This study provides a reference for the development of OWHTO anatomical fixation plates.

A 3-year-old male patient was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) for two years. The patient has multiple neurofibromas in retroperitoneum, lumbococcygeal paravertebral, lumbosacral spinal canal, and foramina. Due to retroperitoneal mass compression, the child suffered from urological complications such as hydronephrosis, ureterdilation, neurogenic bladder, etc., which seriously affected the urination function and resulted in multiple surgical treatments. Currently, the patient has been treated with mitogen activates extracelluar signal-regulated kinases(MEK) inhibitor selumetinib targeted therapy, and has voluntarily urinated, and his general state is better than before medication. The diagnosis and treatment of this case reflects the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of salbutamol in the treatment of children with later-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). METHODS: This study is a prospective single-arm phase Ⅲ clinical study. Pediatric patients with SMA type Ⅱ and Ⅲ who visited Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from December 2020 to June 2022 were enrolled. All patients were evaluated with motor function scales, pulmonary function test and drug safety before study. Patients were treated with salbutamol tablets orally, with an initial dose of 1 mg (tid). If tolerable, the dose was increased to 1.5 mg (tid) in the second week, then increased to 2 mg (tid) from the third week and maintained for 6 months. Patients were followed up at 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were enrolled, including 10 boys and 16 girls. There were 16 cases of SMA type Ⅱ and 10 cases of type Ⅲ with age at treatment initiation of 5.67 (3.13, 7.02) years and disease duration of 2.54 (1.31, 4.71) years. The Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale-Expanded (HFMSE) scores were increased from 14.0 (6.5, 43.0) before treatment to 26.0 (15.0, 46.5) after treatment (Z=－4.144, P<0.01) in 25 cases. The Revised Upper Limb Module Scale scores were increased from 33.0 (25.5, 36.0) before treatment to 35.0 (31.0, 36.5) after treatment (Z=－2.214, P<0.05) in 9 cases. In 7 ambulant children with SMA type Ⅲ, the six minutes walking distance was increased by 30 (15, 52) m after a 6-month treatment (Z=－2.366, P<0.05). Compared with the baseline pulmonary functions the patients showed a significant increase in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in 15 cases after treatment (all P<0.05). According to patients and caregivers subjective reporting, there were various degrees of improvement in coughing, sputum production ability and exercise endurance. No serious adverse events were observed during the study. CONCLUSIONS Short-term oral administration of salbutamol may improve motor and pulmonary functions in later-onset SMA children with good safety.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Albuterol/therapeutic use* ; Prospective Studies ; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/drug therapy* ; Spinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To conduct a scoping review of domestic and international guidelines on high-intensity physical activity, low-intensity physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in adults, in order to understand the best combination of 24-hour activity and behavior for promoting adult health development, and to provide guidance for research in this field.Methods:Based on the scoping review guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) of Australia as a methodological framework, we searched PubMed, Embase, Ovid, CINAHL, ClinicalKey, CNKI, Wanfang, MEDLINK Clinical Guidelines Network, UpToDate, BMJ Best Practice, International Guidelines Network, US National Guidelines Library, UK National Clinical Optimization Research Institute and Scotland Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Guidelines that made recommendations for different intensity physical activities, sedentary behavior, and sleep in adults over a 24-hour period were included. The search time limit was from January 1, 2010, to August 31, 2022, and included literature was summarized and analyzed.Results:A total of 11 guidelines were included, of which only 2 guidelines from Canada and Saudi Arabia made specific time recommendations for 24-hour physical activity (frequency, intensity, type, and time) , sedentary time, and sleep in adults. The remaining 9 guidelines only made recommendations for adult physical activity and sedentary behavior, or only for physical activity.Conclusions:Future research should comprehensively measure the impact of the best time distribution of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep on physical and mental health, and develop personalized guidelines on 24-hour activity suitable for the national conditions of China.

The association among plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), FMO3 polymorphisms, and chronic heart failure (CHF) remains to be elucidated. TMAO is a microbiota-dependent metabolite from dietary choline and carnitine. A prospective study was performed including 955 consecutively diagnosed CHF patients with reduced ejection fraction, with the longest follow-up of 7 years. The concentrations of plasma TMAO and its precursors, namely, choline and carnitine, were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the FMO3 E158K polymorphisms (rs2266782) were genotyped. The top tertile of plasma TMAO was associated with a significant increment in hazard ratio (HR) for the composite outcome of cardiovascular death or heart transplantation (HR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.13-1.91, P = 0.004) compared with the lowest tertile. After adjustments of the potential confounders, higher TMAO could still be used to predict the risk of the primary endpoint (adjusted HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.01-1.74, P = 0.039). This result was also obtained after further adjustment for carnitine (adjusted HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.01-1.74, P = 0.039). The FMO3 rs2266782 polymorphism was associated with the plasma TMAO concentrations in our cohort, and lower TMAO levels were found in the AA-genotype. Thus, higher plasma TMAO levels indicated increased risk of the composite outcome of cardiovascular death or heart transplantation independent of potential confounders, and the FMO3 AA-genotype in rs2266782 was related to lower plasma TMAO levels.
Carnitine ; Choline/metabolism* ; Chronic Disease ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; Humans ; Methylamines ; Oxygenases ; Prospective Studies

Exploring the genetic basis of human infertility is currently under intensive investigation.However,only a handful of genes have been validated in animal models as disease-causing genes in infertile men.Thus,to better understand the genetic basis of human spermatogenesis and bridge the knowledge gap between humans and other animal species,we construct the FertilityOnline,a data-base integrating the literature-curated functional genes during spermatogenesis into an existing sper-matogenic database,SpermatogenesisOnline 1.0.Additional features,including the functional annotation and genetic variants of human genes,are also incorporated into FertilityOnline.By searching this database,users can browse the functional genes involved in spermatogenesis and instantly narrow down the number of candidates of genetic mutations underlying male infertility in a user-friendly web interface.Clinical application of this database was exampled by the identifi-cation of novel causative mutations in synaptonemal complex central element protein 1(SYCE1)and stromal antigen 3(STAG3)in azoospermic men.In conclusion,FertilityOnline is not only an integrated resource for spermatogenic genes but also a useful tool facilitating the exploration of the genetic basis of male infertility.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of disease-modifying drug nusinersen on children with spinal muscular atrophy.Methods:The baseline and longitudinal clinical data of 15 children who were treated with nusinersen in the Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from October 2019 to October 2021 were retrospectively collected. The general data (gender, age, genotype, and clinical classification, etc.), motor function, nutritional status, scoliosis and respiratory function were analyzed. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparing multi-system conditions before and after treatment.Results:The age of 15 cases (7 males, 8 females) was 6.8 (2.8, 8.3) years, with 2 cases of type 1, 6 cases of type 2, and 7 cases of type 3 respectively, and the course of disease was 55.0 (21.0, 69.0) months. After 9.0 (9.0, 24.0) months of treatment, the motor function scale evaluations of the Hammersmith neurological examination section 2 (13.0 (7.0, 23.0) vs. 18.0 (10.0, 25.0) scores, Z=-2.67, P=0.018) of 15 children, the Hammersmith functional motor scale expanded (38.0 (18.5, 45.5) vs. 42.0 (23.0, 51.0) scores, Z=-2.38, P=0.018), and the revised upper limb module (27.0 (19.5, 32.0) vs. 33.0 (22.5, 35.5) scores, Z=-2.52, P=0.012) of children with type 2 and 3 had significantly improved. Thirteen patients achieved clinically significant motor function improvement, and 2 of them had kept stable scale scores. Subjective reports also indicated that the muscle strength and daily exercise ability of these children improved after treatment, and no serious adverse reactions were reported. Supplemented by the multi-disciplinary team management, the levels of some indicators such as Cobbs angle of scoliosis and forced vital capacity all had significantly improved (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Nusinersen can improve the motor function of patients with 5q spinal muscular atrophy, which is also proved safe to be used in children. The drug treatment supplemented by the multi-disciplinary team management is helpful to improve the multi-system function of the children with spinal muscular atrophy.