OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an adverse event that occurs during long-term peritoneal dialysis, significantly impairing treatment efficiency and adversely affecting patient outcomes. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a principal active component derived from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, has exhibited anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in various settings. This study aims to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of AS-IV in the treatment of PF. METHODS: The PF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 4.25% peritoneal dialysis fluid (100 mL/kg). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HMrSV5 cells was induced by the addition of 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). The differentially expressed genes in HMrSV5 cells treated with AS-IV were screened using transcriptome sequencing analysis. The potential targets of AS-IV were screened using network pharmacology and analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. RESULTS: Administration of AS-IV at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg effectively mitigated the increase in peritoneal thickness and the development of fibrosis in mice with PF. The expression of the fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin in the peritoneum was significantly decreased in AS-IV-treated mice. The treatment of AS-IV (10, 20, and 40 μmol/L) significantly delayed the EMT of HMrSV5 cells induced by TGF-β, as demonstrated by the decreased number of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells, reduced migrated area, and decreased expression of fibrosis markers. A total of 460 differentially expressed genes were detected in AS-IV-treated HMrSV5 cells through transcriptome sequencing, with notable enrichment in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) signaling pathway. The reduced levels of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K) and p-AKT were detected in HMrSV5 cells with AS-IV treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was predicted as a direct target of AS-IV, exhibiting strong hydrogen bond interactions. The activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway by the compound 740Y-P, and the activation of the EGFR pathway by NSC 228155 each partially counteracted the inhibitory effect of AS-IV on the EMT of HMrSV5 cells. CONCLUSION AS-IV delayed the EMT process in peritoneal mesothelial cells and slowed the progression of PF, potentially serving as a therapeutic agent for the early prevention and treatment of PF. Please cite this article as: Huang Y, Chu CL, Qiu WH, Chen JY, Cao LX, Ji SY, Zhu B, Wang GK, Shen QQ. Astragaloside IV delayed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of EGFR and PI3K-AKT pathways. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):694-705.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Animals ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Peritoneal Fibrosis/pathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective:To understand the prevalence of peer-recommended self-HIV testing in men who have sex with men (MSM), and provide clue for identifying key individuals who can promote self-HIV testing.Methods:Data were derived from the self-HIV testing kits application system operated by Shijiazhuang Tongxing Non-Governmental Organization from July 1, 2022 to May 31, 2024. Statistical analysis was conducted by using software SPSS 29.0, and χ2 test was used to analyze differences between groups. Visual analysis of recommendation networks was performed by using software yEd Graph Editor 3.24. Results:A total of 1 574 MSM applied for HIV self-testing kits. The majority of the MSM were unmarried (74.7%), with education level of college or abvoe (65.5%), and employed (53.2%). Among them, 54.8% (862/1 574) reported consistent condom use at each sex in the past three months, while 37.2% (585/1 574) uploaded their HIV test results. Additionally, 53 MSM (3.4%) recommended self-HIV testing to other MSM. Notably, MSM aged ≥30 years and MSM who had occasional condoms use at each sex in the past three months were more likely to recommend self-HIV testing to other MSM. The 53 MSM collectively recommended self-HIV testing to another 740 MSM, the average was 13.9 MSM recommended by 1 MSM. Among MSM who accepted recommendation, 3 HIV-positive cases were identified, indicating that 1 HIV infection was detected by 17.7 recommendations. In the four-round recommendation, 10 MSM participated in more than one round recommendation, all of them were HIV prevention volunteers. Others only participating in one round were common MSM. Eleven MSM recommended self-HIV testing to two or more MSM.Conclusions:Peer-recommendation has high efficiency in the promotion of self-HIV testing, with HIV prevention volunteers serving as the primary force and the common MSM acting as a supportive force. Future efforts should be made to fully use key individuals to promote self-HIV testing.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term protective efficacy of the recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cell-derived hepatitis B vaccine（CHO-HepB）26 years post-vaccination in the rural China.Methods:Zhengding county，Hebei province was designated as a rural monitoring site for CHO-HepB efficacy. Study participants included individuals born between 1997 and 1999 who had completed the three-dose CHO-HepB primary series without booster doses. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in late 2024 using random sampling. Demographic and vaccination history data were collected via questionnaires，and hepatitis B virus（HBV）serological markers were detected using chemiluminescence. Historical surveillance data were integrated to infer infection statuses of HBsAg-positive individuals and evaluate longitudinal trends in anti-HBs seropositivity and antibody titers.Results:Among 178 participants（mean time since vaccination：26.2 years），the seroprevalence rates were 0.6% for HBsAg（95% CI：0.0%-1.6%），64.6% for anti-HBs（95% CI：57.6%-71.6%），and 1.1% for anti-HBc（95% CI：0.0%-2.7%）. Compared to the pre-vaccination baseline HBsAg positivity of 11.3% in children under 10 years of age，the estimated vaccine protection rate was 95%. Two notable cases were identified：one with concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBc positivity and one with anti-HBs and anti-HBc positivity，suggestive of transient HBV exposure（1999—2009）without chronicity. Natural immune boosting was inferred for the latter case based on anti-HBs titer dynamics. Longitudinal analysis of four prior cross-sectional surveys（2005，2009，2013，and 2017）revealed no significant upward trends in HBsAg and anti-HBc positivity（both P>0.05）over 26 years，while anti-HBs seropositivity declined significantly（ P<0.05）from 6 to 26 years post-vaccination. Conclusion:The CHO-HepB vaccine demonstrates sustained immunological persistence and robust long-term protection up to 26 years post-immunization. Continued emphasis on rigorous implementation of mother-to-child transmission prevention strategies is critical for future hepatitis B control.

Objective:To understand the prevalence of peer-recommended self-HIV testing in men who have sex with men (MSM), and provide clue for identifying key individuals who can promote self-HIV testing.Methods:Data were derived from the self-HIV testing kits application system operated by Shijiazhuang Tongxing Non-Governmental Organization from July 1, 2022 to May 31, 2024. Statistical analysis was conducted by using software SPSS 29.0, and χ2 test was used to analyze differences between groups. Visual analysis of recommendation networks was performed by using software yEd Graph Editor 3.24. Results:A total of 1 574 MSM applied for HIV self-testing kits. The majority of the MSM were unmarried (74.7%), with education level of college or abvoe (65.5%), and employed (53.2%). Among them, 54.8% (862/1 574) reported consistent condom use at each sex in the past three months, while 37.2% (585/1 574) uploaded their HIV test results. Additionally, 53 MSM (3.4%) recommended self-HIV testing to other MSM. Notably, MSM aged ≥30 years and MSM who had occasional condoms use at each sex in the past three months were more likely to recommend self-HIV testing to other MSM. The 53 MSM collectively recommended self-HIV testing to another 740 MSM, the average was 13.9 MSM recommended by 1 MSM. Among MSM who accepted recommendation, 3 HIV-positive cases were identified, indicating that 1 HIV infection was detected by 17.7 recommendations. In the four-round recommendation, 10 MSM participated in more than one round recommendation, all of them were HIV prevention volunteers. Others only participating in one round were common MSM. Eleven MSM recommended self-HIV testing to two or more MSM.Conclusions:Peer-recommendation has high efficiency in the promotion of self-HIV testing, with HIV prevention volunteers serving as the primary force and the common MSM acting as a supportive force. Future efforts should be made to fully use key individuals to promote self-HIV testing.

With the improvement of people's living standards and the development of medical and health technologies, the trend of population aging in China has become increasingly severe. The long-term care insurance system is an important strategic measure to address population aging and the long-term care of disabled elderly people. By introducing the current implementation situation of the long-term care insurance system in some provinces and cities, this paper explores and excavates the experience of how to develop and deepen the long-term care insurance, aiming to provide a reference for improving and developing China's long-term care insurance system for the elderly.

With the improvement of people's living standards and the development of medical and health technologies, the trend of population aging in China has become increasingly severe. The long-term care insurance system is an important strategic measure to address population aging and the long-term care of disabled elderly people. By introducing the current implementation situation of the long-term care insurance system in some provinces and cities, this paper explores and excavates the experience of how to develop and deepen the long-term care insurance, aiming to provide a reference for improving and developing China's long-term care insurance system for the elderly.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term protective efficacy of the recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cell-derived hepatitis B vaccine（CHO-HepB）26 years post-vaccination in the rural China.Methods:Zhengding county，Hebei province was designated as a rural monitoring site for CHO-HepB efficacy. Study participants included individuals born between 1997 and 1999 who had completed the three-dose CHO-HepB primary series without booster doses. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in late 2024 using random sampling. Demographic and vaccination history data were collected via questionnaires，and hepatitis B virus（HBV）serological markers were detected using chemiluminescence. Historical surveillance data were integrated to infer infection statuses of HBsAg-positive individuals and evaluate longitudinal trends in anti-HBs seropositivity and antibody titers.Results:Among 178 participants（mean time since vaccination：26.2 years），the seroprevalence rates were 0.6% for HBsAg（95% CI：0.0%-1.6%），64.6% for anti-HBs（95% CI：57.6%-71.6%），and 1.1% for anti-HBc（95% CI：0.0%-2.7%）. Compared to the pre-vaccination baseline HBsAg positivity of 11.3% in children under 10 years of age，the estimated vaccine protection rate was 95%. Two notable cases were identified：one with concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBc positivity and one with anti-HBs and anti-HBc positivity，suggestive of transient HBV exposure（1999—2009）without chronicity. Natural immune boosting was inferred for the latter case based on anti-HBs titer dynamics. Longitudinal analysis of four prior cross-sectional surveys（2005，2009，2013，and 2017）revealed no significant upward trends in HBsAg and anti-HBc positivity（both P>0.05）over 26 years，while anti-HBs seropositivity declined significantly（ P<0.05）from 6 to 26 years post-vaccination. Conclusion:The CHO-HepB vaccine demonstrates sustained immunological persistence and robust long-term protection up to 26 years post-immunization. Continued emphasis on rigorous implementation of mother-to-child transmission prevention strategies is critical for future hepatitis B control.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Objective To investigate the current situation of skin tests for β-lactams in 155 hospitals in Beijing.Methods The questionnaires were sent to medical institutions in Beijing to statistically described the current situation of β-lactams skin test,and the relevant influencing factors were analyzed by Fisher exact test,and Chi-square test.Results A total of 3 097 questionnaires were received from 155 medical institutions,of which 3 057 were valid questionnaires(effective rate is 98.71％).In this study,122 hospitals conducted skin test before using intravenous penicillins,accounting for 99.19％of 123 hospitals with intravenous penicillins.Hospitals with infectious disease pharmacists conducted more skin tests before using intravenous penicillins(98.59％vs 88.46％,P＜0.001),and some hospitals didn't conduct skin tests before using oral penicillins.Seventy hospitals(45.16％)had not yet cancelled skin tests for cephalosporins,more hospitals with infectious disease pharmacists cancelled routine skin test(59.74％vs 50.00％,P＜0.05),and more tertiary hospitals cancelled cephalosporin skin test(80.65％vs 51.40％,29.41％,all P＜0.01).After the promulgation of the"Guiding Principle for Skin Test of β-lactams(2021 edition)",more primary hospitals have developed or updated the rules or regulation for skin test of β-lactams according to the Guiding Principle,compared with secondary hospitals(72.22％vs 41.18％,P＜0.05).Hospitals with infectious disease pharmacists developed or updated the rules or regulation for skin test of β-lactams in their hospitals(78.57％vs 60.00％,P＜0.05).Infectious disease pharmacists had promoting effect on the publicity of the rules or regulation of skin test in the hospital(92.65％vs 80.46％,P＜0.05).Conclusion Many hospitals in Beijing have not cancelled cephalosporins skin test,and the current situation of cancelling cephalosporins skin test in tertiary hospitals is better than that in primary and secondary hospitals.

Objective To investigate the current situation of skin tests for β-lactams in 155 hospitals in Beijing.Methods The questionnaires were sent to medical institutions in Beijing to statistically described the current situation of β-lactams skin test,and the relevant influencing factors were analyzed by Fisher exact test,and Chi-square test.Results A total of 3 097 questionnaires were received from 155 medical institutions,of which 3 057 were valid questionnaires(effective rate is 98.71％).In this study,122 hospitals conducted skin test before using intravenous penicillins,accounting for 99.19％of 123 hospitals with intravenous penicillins.Hospitals with infectious disease pharmacists conducted more skin tests before using intravenous penicillins(98.59％vs 88.46％,P＜0.001),and some hospitals didn't conduct skin tests before using oral penicillins.Seventy hospitals(45.16％)had not yet cancelled skin tests for cephalosporins,more hospitals with infectious disease pharmacists cancelled routine skin test(59.74％vs 50.00％,P＜0.05),and more tertiary hospitals cancelled cephalosporin skin test(80.65％vs 51.40％,29.41％,all P＜0.01).After the promulgation of the"Guiding Principle for Skin Test of β-lactams(2021 edition)",more primary hospitals have developed or updated the rules or regulation for skin test of β-lactams according to the Guiding Principle,compared with secondary hospitals(72.22％vs 41.18％,P＜0.05).Hospitals with infectious disease pharmacists developed or updated the rules or regulation for skin test of β-lactams in their hospitals(78.57％vs 60.00％,P＜0.05).Infectious disease pharmacists had promoting effect on the publicity of the rules or regulation of skin test in the hospital(92.65％vs 80.46％,P＜0.05).Conclusion Many hospitals in Beijing have not cancelled cephalosporins skin test,and the current situation of cancelling cephalosporins skin test in tertiary hospitals is better than that in primary and secondary hospitals.