OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) in children with acute leukemia (AL) following chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on children diagnosed with CDC (including confirmed, clinically diagnosed, and suspected cases) after AL chemotherapy from January 2015 to December 2023 at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital, and Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University. Clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of CDC in children with AL following chemotherapy was 1.92% (32/1 668). Among the children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the incidence of CDC in the high-risk group was significantly higher than in the low-risk group (P=0.002). All patients presented with fever unresponsive to antibiotics during the neutropenic period, with 81% (26/32) involving the liver. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly elevated (≥50 mg/L) in 97% (31/32) of the patients. The efficacy of combined therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin or posaconazole for CDC was 66% (19/29), higher than with caspofungin (9%, 2/22) or liposomal amphotericin B (18%, 2/11) monotherapy. The overall cure rate was 72% (23/32). The proportion of patients with CRP ≥50 mg/L and/or a positive β-D-glucan test for more than 2 weeks and breakthrough infections during caspofungin treatment was significantly higher in the treatment failure group compared to the successful treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS CDC in children with AL after chemotherapy may be associated with prolonged neutropenia due to intensive chemotherapy. Combination antifungal regimens based on liposomal amphotericin B have a higher cure rate, while persistently high CRP levels and positive β-D-glucan tests may indicate poor prognosis.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use* ; Candidiasis/diagnosis* ; Chronic Disease ; Leukemia/complications* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/complications* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: To determine the pharmacological impact of hesperidin, the main component of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, on depressive behavior and elucidate the mechanism by which hesperidin treats depression, focusing on the gut-brain axis. METHODS: Fifty-four Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups using a random number table, including control, model, hesperidin, probiotics, fluoxetine, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium groups. Except for the control group, rats in the remaining 5 groups were challenged with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 21 days and housed in single cages. The sucrose preference test (SPT), immobility time in the forced swim test (FST), and number in the open field test (OFT) were performed to measure the behavioral changes in the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain tissue, and the histopathology was performed to evaluate the changes of colon tissue, together with sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene on feces to explore the changes of intestinal flora in the rats. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the rats in the model group showed notable reductions in body weight, SPF, and number in OFT (P<0.01). Hesperidin was found to ameliorate depression induced by CUMS, as seen by improvements in body weight, SPT, immobility time in FST, and number in OFT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Regarding neurotransmitters, it was found that at a dose of 50 mg/kg hesperidin treatment upregulated the levels of 5-HT and BDNF in depressed rats (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the colon tissue of the model group exhibited greater inflammatory cell infiltration, with markedly reduced numbers of goblet cells and crypts and were significantly improved following treatment with hesperidin. Simultaneously, the administration of hesperidin demonstrated a positive impact on the gut microbiome of rats treated with CUMS, such as Shannon index increased and Simpson index decreased (P<0.01), while the abundance of Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota increased in the hesperidin-treated group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of hesperidin on depressive behavior in rats may be related to inhibition of the expressions of BDNF and 5-HT and preservation of the gut microbiota.
Animals ; Hesperidin/therapeutic use* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Male ; Stress, Psychological/drug therapy* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects* ; Rats ; Brain-Gut Axis/drug effects* ; Chronic Disease ; Colon/drug effects*

Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

Aim To express and purify recombinant hCGH-CTP fusion protein in high-density suspension culture of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-S), and to verify the lipid accumulation effect of rhCGH-CTP on 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. Methods The recombinant protein expression vector (pcDNA3. 1-rhCGH-CTP) was constructed, achieved by fusing the human glycoprotein hormone beta 5/alpha 2 cDNA with CTP Linker. The expression plasmid was transiently transfected into the suspended CHO-S to express rhCGH-CTP protein and then purified, and the protein biological activity was verified. Intervention with 3T3-L1 mature adipocyte cells for 24 h was performed to detect the changes of intracellular triglyceride (TG) level. Results Western blot results showed that rhCGH-CTP protein was successfully expressed in CHO-S cells, and the yield was up to 715. 4 mg • L~ . The secreted protein was purified by AKTA pure system with higher purity that was up to 90% as identified by SDS-PAGE. In addition, the intracellular cAMP content of mature adipocytes with high expression of TSHR gene significantly increased after intervention with different concentrations of rhCGH-CTP protein by ELISA kit, indicating that rhCGH-CTP protein had biological activity. Oil red 0 staining showed that compared with the control group, the lipid content of mature adipocytes in the intervention groups with different concentrations of rhCGH-CTP protein significantly decreased (P < 0. 05) . Conclusions The rhCGH-CTP protein has been successfully expressed and purified with biological activity, and effectively reduce TG. This research provides an important theoretical basis for further revealing the physiological role of CGH protein and its potential application in clinical practice.

Objective:To study lncRNA MEG3 expression and its relationship with Th17/CD4+T cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)with different pleural effusion severity and prognosis.Methods:A total of 104 NSCLC malignant pleural effusion patients admitted to Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as research subjects,and divided into three groups based on amount of pleural effusion,including small amount of pleural effusion group(35 cases),moderate amount of pleural effusion group(42 cases)and large amount of pleural effusion group(27 cases).According to actual development and prognosis of patient's disease,they were divided into good prognosis group(29 cases without recurrence and metastasis)and poor prognosis group(75 cases with recurrence and metastasis).Another 60 patients with benign pleural effusion due to pneumonia who were treated in Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University at same time were selected as control group.MEG3 expression in pleural effusion of two groups was detected by real-time fluorescent quantita-tive PCR,and peripheral venous blood of subjects was collected.Th17 cell and CD4+T cell ratios of peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry,and Th17/CD4+T was calculated.lncRNA MEG3 and peripheral blood Th17 and CD4+T levels in each group of patients compared.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze pleural effusion and prognostic factors in NSCLC.Results:lncRNA MEG3 expression and CD4+T percentage in pleural effusion in NSCLC group were lower than control group,while Th17 percentage and Th17/CD4+T were higher than control group(P<0.05).lncRNA MEG3 expression and CD4+T percentage in large pleural effusion group were lower than small and moderate pleural effusion groups.lncRNA MEG3 expression and CD4+T percentage in modarate pleural effusion group were lower than small pleural effusion group,while Th17 percentage and Th17/CD4+T in large pleural effusion group were higher than small and moderate pleural effusion groups.Th17/CD4+T was higher in small amount pleural effusion group(P<0.05).lncRNA MEG3 expression and CD4+T percentage in poor prognosis group were lower than those in good prognosis group,while Th17 percentage and Th17/CD4+T were higher than good prognosis group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that lncRNA MEG3 was a protective factor for NSCLC pleural effusion,and Th17/CD4+T was a risk factor(P<0.05),lncRNA MEG3 was a protective factor of NSCLC prognosis,and Th17/CD4+T was a risk factor(P<0.05).Conclusion:lncRNA MEG3 expression and Th17/CD4+T in NSCLC patients with different pleural effusion severity and prognosis is not same.lncRNA MEG3 is a risk factor for NSCLC pleural effusion and prognosis,while Th17/CD4+T is a risk factor,which can be used as an effective biomarker for pleural effusion severity and progno-sis diagnosis.

Objective:To analyze the occurrence of concomitant gene mutations in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia(CN-AML)patients with CEBPA mutation and its impact on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the patients.Methods:151 newly diagnosed patients with CN-AML in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from June 2013 to June 2020 were analyzed retrospectively.34 common genetic mutations associated with hematologic malignancies were detected by next-generation sequencing technology.The occurrence of concomitant gene mutations in patients with CEBPA positive and negative groups was compared,and the correlation between concomitant mutations in different functional groups and the clinical characteristics and prognosis of CN-AML patients with CEBPA mutation was analyzed.Results:In 151 patients with CN-AML,55(36.42％)were positive for CEBPA mutation(including 36 cases of CEBPAdm and 19 cases of CEBPAsm),of which 41(74.55％)had co-mutations with other genes.The main mutated genes were GATA2(25.45％,14/55),TET2(21.82％,12/55),FLT3(20.00％,11/55),NRAS(12.73％,7/55)and WT1(9.09％,9/55),etc.Some cases had two or more concomitant gene mutations.Grouping the mutant genes according to their functions showed that CEBPA+group had lower mutation rates of histone methylation(P=0.002)and chromatin modification genes(P=0.002,P=0.033),and higher mutation rates of transcription factors(P=0.037)than CEBPA-group.In 55 patients with CEBPA+CN-AML,the platelet count at diagnosis in signaling pathway gene mutation-positive group was lower than that in the mutation-negative group(P=0.005),the proportion of bone marrow blasts in transcription factor mutation-positive group was higher than that in the mutation-negative group(P=0.003),and the onset age in DNA methylation gene mutation-positive group and chromatin modifier mutation-positive group was older than that in the mutation-negative group,respectively(P=0.002,P=0.008).DFS of CEBPA+CN-AML patients in signaling pathway gene mutation group was shorter than that in signaling pathway gene mutation-negative group(median DFS:12 months vs not reached)(P=0.034).Compared with DNA methylation gene mutation-negative group,CEBPA+CN-AML patients with DNA methylation gene mutation had lower CR rate(P=0.025)significantly shorter OS and DFS(median OS:20 months vs not reached,P=0.006;median DFS:15 months vs not reached,P=0.049).OS in patients with histone methylation gene mutation was significantly shorter than that in the histone methylation gene mutation-negative group(median OS:12 months vs 40 months)(P=0.008).Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors showed that the proportion of bone marrow blasts(P=0.046),concomitant DNA methylation gene mutation(P=0.006)and histone methylation gene mutation(P=0.036)were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis.Conclusion:CN-AML patients with CEBPA mutation have specific concomitant gene profile,and the concomitant mutations of different functional genes have a certain impact on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the patients.

Aim To investigate the effect of recombi-nant glycoprotein hormone β5/α2(rCGH)on lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes,and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured and induced to differentiate into mature adipo-cytes,then treated with different concentrations of rCGH for 24 h in vitro.Cell viability of 3T3-L1 adipo-cytes was evaluated by CCK-8 assay,the levels of in-tracellular triglyceride(TG)and glycerol in the culture supernatant were measured by enzymatic method,and the changes of lipid droplets were observed by oil red O staining.The expression levels of HSL and ATGL lipo-lytic proteins in adipocytes were detected by Western blot.To carry out the intervention experiment with dif-ferent concentrations of rCGH with or without the PKA inhibitor,H89,on the mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes,the cultured cells were divided into the control group,H89 pre treatment group,1 μmol·L-1 rCGH group,and(1 μmol·L-1 rCGH+H89)combined intervention group.The contents of intracellular TG and free glycer-ol were measured by enzymatic method,and the ex-pression of CREB and lipolysis-related proteins was de-tected using Western blot.Results Different concen-trations of rCGH(0.25,0.5,1,and 2 μmol·L-1)had no significant effect on the cell viability of adipo-cytes(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the treatment with rCGH significantly decreased the size of lipid droplets and intracellular TG content,while significantly elevated glycerol concentration in cell supernatant.rCGH treatment also stimulated the protein expression of p-HSL,ATGL,and p-PKA.In addition,the addition of a PKA inhibitor,H89,atten-uated the effects of rCGH on free glycerol level,intra-cellular TG content,and the expression of p-HSL,p-PLIN1,and p-CREB.Conclusions rCGH enhances the lipolysis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes by up-regulating the activities of HSL,ATGL and PKA,promoting glycerol release,inhibiting TG synthesis and lipid accumula-tion,and its mechanism of action is related to the acti-vation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prospective association between cumulative resting heart rate (cumRHR) and rapid renal function decline (RRFD) in a cohort of individuals aged 60 and older. METHODS: In the Tianjin Chronic Kidney Disease Cohort Study, the individuals who underwent three consecutive physical examinations between 2014 and 2017, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m² and aged 60 years or older were enrolled. A total of 27,564 patients were prospectively followed up from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020. The 3-year cumRHR was calculated. The primary outcome was RRFD, defined as an annualized decline in eGFR of 5 mL/min per 1.73 m² or greater. Logistic and restricted spline regression models and subgroup analysis were used to investigate the association of cumRHR with RRFD after adjusting for all confounders. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.2 years, a total of 4,347 (15.77%) subjects developed RRFD. In fully-adjusted models, compared with the lowest quartile of cumRHR, the odds ratio (OR) for the highest was 1.44 (1.28-1.61), P < 0.001. Furthermore, each 1-standard deviation (27.97 beats/min per year) increment in cumRHR was associated with a 17% (P < 0.001) increased risk of RRFD, with a linear positive correlation (P for non-linear = 0.803). Participants with a 3-year cumRHR ≥ 207 (beats/min) * year (equivalent to ≥ 69 beats/min per year in 3 years) were found to be at a higher risk of RRFD. CONCLUSIONS The cumRHR is significantly associated with a higher risk of RRFD among older adults. These results might provide an effective goal for managing and delaying the decline of renal function in the older adults.

Aim To investigate the effects of menthol, a transient receptor potential melastatin-8 channel activator, on treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in PAH model rats caused by monocrotaline (MCT). Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups randomly (control group, MCT group, MCT + menthol 1 mg • kg

Child ; Humans ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; HIV Infections/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use*