OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction (FHD) in treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who persistently tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Shanghai New International Expo Center shelter hospital in China between April 1 and May 30, 2022. Patients diagnosed as COVID-19 with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for ⩾8 days after diagnosis were enrolled. Patients in the control group received conventional Western medicine (WM) treatment, while those in the FHD group received conventional WM plus FHD for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was viral clearance time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate within 14 days, length of hospital stay, cycle threshold (Ct) values of the open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab) and nucleocapsid protein (N) genes, and incidence of new-onset symptoms during hospitalization. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study period were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1,765 eligible patients were enrolled in this study (546 in the FHD group and 1,219 in the control group). Compared with the control group, patients receiving FHD treatment showed shorter viral clearance time for nucleic acids [hazard ratio (HR): 1.500, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.353-1.664, P<0.001] and hospital stays (HR: 1.371, 95% CI: 1.238-1.519, P<0.001), and a higher negative conversion rate within 14 days (96.2% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001). The incidence of new-onset symptoms was 59.5% in the FHD group, similar to 57.8% in the control group (P>0.05). The Ct values of ORF1ab and N genes increased more rapidly over time in the FHD group than those in the control group post-randomization (ORF1ab gene: β =0.436±0.053, P<0.001; N gene: β =0.415 ±0.053, P<0.001). The incidence of AEs in the FHD group was lower than that in the control group (24.2% vs. 35.4%, P<0.001). No serious AEs were observed. CONCLUSION FHD was effective and safe for patients with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063956).
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/virology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Dendrobium officinale (Tiepi Shihu) extract (DOE) on insomnia. METHODS: Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=7 per group): normal control, model control, melatonin (MT, 40 mg/kg), and 3-dose DOE (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g/kg) groups. Rats were raised in a strong-light (10,000 LUX) and -noise (>80 db) environment (12 h/d) for 16 weeks to induce insomnia, and from week 10 to week 16, MT and DOE were correspondingly administered to rats. The behavior tests including sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep experiment, sucrose preference test, and autonomous activity test were used to evaluate changes in sleep and emotions of rats. The metabolic-related indicators such as blood pressure, blood viscosity, blood glucose, and uric acid in rats were measured. The pathological changes in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of rat brain were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining. Additionally, the sleep-related factors gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (GA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we screened potential sleep-improving receptors of DOE using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and validated the results with quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DOE significantly improved rats' sleep and mood, increased the sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep time and sucrose preference index, and reduced autonomic activity times (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE also had a good effect on metabolic abnormalities, significantly reducing triglyceride, blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood viscosity indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE significantly increased the GABA content in hippocampus and reduced the GA/GABA ratio and IL-6 level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, DOE improved the pathological changes such as the disorder of cell arrangement in the hippocampus and the decrease of Nissel bodies. Seven differential genes were screened by PCR array, and the GABA_A receptors (Gabra5, Gabra6, Gabrq) were selected for verification. The results showed that DOE could up-regulate their expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION DOE demonstrated remarkable potential for improving insomnia, which may be through regulating GABA_A receptors expressions and GA/GABA ratio.
Animals ; Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism* ; Noise/adverse effects* ; Light/adverse effects* ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism* ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA/metabolism*

Nasojejunal feeding tubes are widely used in surgical,intensive care,and older patients.Manual blind insertion of nasojejunal feeding tubes is technically challenging,associated with a high failure rate,and prone to complications.The primary causes of suboptimal placement outcomes are the uncertainty and weak controllability of the interaction forces during the coordination between manual posterior advancement and the patient's physiological state.While current auxiliary techniques such as X-ray,ultrasound,and endoscopy can improve the success rate of nasojejunal tube placement and reduce complications to some extent,the accuracy and safety of placement remain constrained by challenges in controlling insertion forces and achieving precise positional localization.Robotic technology holds promise for addressing the uncertainties and controllability issues inherent in the placement process.By leveraging precise sensing,real-time navigation,and efficient control,robots can achieve intelligent positioning and precise control over the direction and location of the catheter tip during nasojejunal intubation.However,current research on robotic applications for nasojejunal feeding tube placement is still in an early stage,facing challenges such as high costs,operational complexity,and concerns over safety and reliability.Herein,we analyzed the limitations and causes of failure in existing placement methods and explored the application prospects of robotic technologies for precise control and intelligent positioning in nasojejunal feeding tube placement.The paper provides new insights for developing nursing techniques that enable safer and more effective,comfortable,and rapid intubation.Future efforts should focus on deepening the integration of artificial intelligence and robotics,optimizing drive technologies,and accelerating the translation of these technologies from the laboratory to clinical practice.This will drive the advancement of nasojejunal feeding tube placement techniques towards intelligent,precise,and accessible solutions.

Aim To explore the mechanism by which dioscin regulates IL-17+γδT cells in the treatment of arthritis.Methods A collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)model was established in DBA/1 mice using bovine type Ⅱ collagen.The mice were randomly divid-ed into the CIA model group,methotrexate(MTX)positive control group,and dioscin low-dose(Dioscin-L),medium-dose(Dioscin-M),and high-dose(Dios-cin-H)groups.After intervention,the therapeutic effects were evaluated using scoring methods.Joint pathological damage was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.The levels of anti-collagen-spe-cific antibodies and the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 were measured by ELISA.The expressions of γδT cells and their subtypes,as well as the secretion level of IL-17,were detected by flow cytometry.Results Dioscin significantly reduced the arthritis severity score in collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)mice,alleviated joint pathological damage,inhibited the production of IL-17 by splenic lymphocytes and the levels of anti-col-lagen-specific antibodies total IgG and IgG3,and de-creased the proportion of γδT cells in the lymph nodes,splenic γδT cells,and the Vδ4+T-cell subset.The level of IL-17 produced by the Vδ4 subtype in the lymph nodes of the intervention groups was lower than that in the model group,but the difference was not sta-tistically significant.Conclusion Dioscin has signifi-cant therapeutic effect on CIA,and its mechanism may be through the inhibition of γδT cells,but it is unlikely to be related to IL-17 derived from γδT cells.

Objective:To investigate the mediating role of psychological capital between the perception of decent work and work engagement among Operating Room nurses, and to provide insights for improving their work engagement.Methods:From December 2023 to February 2024, a total of 307 Operating Room nurses from four class ⅢGrade A hospitals in Beijing, Chongqing, Dalian, and Zhuhai were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, Work Engagement Scale, Decent Work Scale, and Nurses' Psychological Capital Scale. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among psychological capital, perception of decent work, and work engagement. Structural equation modeling and mediation analysis were performed using AMOS 24.0 software.Results:A total of 307 questionnaires were distributed, and 301 valid responses were collected, with an effective response rate of 98.05%. The mean scores for work engagement, perception of decent work, and psychological capital were (41.01±10.76), (67.30±17.86), and (93.30±15.15), respectively. Work engagement was positively correlated with both the perception of decent work and psychological capital (all P<0.01), and the perception of decent work was positively correlated with psychological capital ( P<0.01). Psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between the perception of decent work and work engagement, with the mediating effect accounting for 62.63%. Conclusions:Psychological capital plays a partial mediating role between the perception of decent work and work engagement among Operating Room nurses. Nursing managers can enhance nurses' work engagement by improving their perception of decent work and strengthening their psychological capital.

Aim To explore the mechanism by which dioscin regulates IL-17+γδT cells in the treatment of arthritis.Methods A collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)model was established in DBA/1 mice using bovine type Ⅱ collagen.The mice were randomly divid-ed into the CIA model group,methotrexate(MTX)positive control group,and dioscin low-dose(Dioscin-L),medium-dose(Dioscin-M),and high-dose(Dios-cin-H)groups.After intervention,the therapeutic effects were evaluated using scoring methods.Joint pathological damage was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.The levels of anti-collagen-spe-cific antibodies and the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 were measured by ELISA.The expressions of γδT cells and their subtypes,as well as the secretion level of IL-17,were detected by flow cytometry.Results Dioscin significantly reduced the arthritis severity score in collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)mice,alleviated joint pathological damage,inhibited the production of IL-17 by splenic lymphocytes and the levels of anti-col-lagen-specific antibodies total IgG and IgG3,and de-creased the proportion of γδT cells in the lymph nodes,splenic γδT cells,and the Vδ4+T-cell subset.The level of IL-17 produced by the Vδ4 subtype in the lymph nodes of the intervention groups was lower than that in the model group,but the difference was not sta-tistically significant.Conclusion Dioscin has signifi-cant therapeutic effect on CIA,and its mechanism may be through the inhibition of γδT cells,but it is unlikely to be related to IL-17 derived from γδT cells.

Objective:To investigate the mediating role of psychological capital between the perception of decent work and work engagement among Operating Room nurses, and to provide insights for improving their work engagement.Methods:From December 2023 to February 2024, a total of 307 Operating Room nurses from four class ⅢGrade A hospitals in Beijing, Chongqing, Dalian, and Zhuhai were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, Work Engagement Scale, Decent Work Scale, and Nurses' Psychological Capital Scale. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among psychological capital, perception of decent work, and work engagement. Structural equation modeling and mediation analysis were performed using AMOS 24.0 software.Results:A total of 307 questionnaires were distributed, and 301 valid responses were collected, with an effective response rate of 98.05%. The mean scores for work engagement, perception of decent work, and psychological capital were (41.01±10.76), (67.30±17.86), and (93.30±15.15), respectively. Work engagement was positively correlated with both the perception of decent work and psychological capital (all P<0.01), and the perception of decent work was positively correlated with psychological capital ( P<0.01). Psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between the perception of decent work and work engagement, with the mediating effect accounting for 62.63%. Conclusions:Psychological capital plays a partial mediating role between the perception of decent work and work engagement among Operating Room nurses. Nursing managers can enhance nurses' work engagement by improving their perception of decent work and strengthening their psychological capital.

Although social cognitive impairment is commonly observed in patients with schizophrenia, how to effectively assess it and the clinical value of such evaluations warrant further discussion. In 2022, the release of the "European Psychiatric Association guidance on assessment of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia" provided guidance for research and clinical practices in this field. This article aims to analyze the necessity, effectiveness, and feasibility of conducting assessments in clinical settings based on the recommended approaches outlined in the guidance, considering the current clinical landscape in China.

Although cognitive impairment is considered a core symptom of schizophrenia and significantly impacts functional outcomes, it is often overlooked in clinical practice. The European Psychiatric Association released “Guideline on Assessment of Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia” in 2022, providing recommendations for research and clinical practice. This paper interprets the neurocognitive aspects of schizophrenia covered in the guidelines, introduces neurocognitive assessment tools used in China and their application settings, examines the relationship between subjective and objective assessments of cognitive impairment, and briefly discusses the connections between neurocognition and positive and negative symptoms. The paper also considers the future development of neurocognitive assessment tools in China.

Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia emerges early and persists, is a core symptom that severely affects social functioning. In 2022, the European Psychiatric Association published the " European Psychiatric Association guidance on assessment of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia", presenting the latest evidence and systematic review results. The guidance recommends comprehensive and detailed cognitive assessments for all individuals with schizophrenia, emphasizing the phase of early intervention. In conjunction with the recommendations of the guidance and the current state of research both domestically and internationally, this article provides an overview of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, including definition, impact, selection of assessment tools, and limitations of cognitive assessments. It also connects with clinical practice in China, outlining the development and shortcomings of cognitive assessments for schizophrenia. It is suggested that a clinically simple questionnaire suitable for the Chinese population is needed to help physicians quickly identify cognitive impairment.