ObjectiveThe exacerbating trend of global population aging poses profound socioeconomic and public health challenges, making the comprehensive elucidation of biological aging mechanisms and the discovery of effective anti-aging interventions an urgent priority in the life sciences. Based on our previous serum metabolomics findings that dimethylglycine, an intermediate metabolite of amino acid metabolism naturally present in the human body, was significantly enriched in the serum of longevity families, this study aimed to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of dimethylglycine both in living organisms and in controlled laboratory environments, and to preliminarily elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. While existing literature indicates that dimethylglycine possesses antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, its direct anti-aging efficacy and the specific molecular pathways through which it operates remain largely unexplored. MethodsTo comprehensively evaluate the anti-aging properties of dimethylglycine, we utilized replicative senescent human embryonic lung fibroblasts, specifically the WI-38 cell line, as an experimental model in a controlled laboratory environment. Cell viability and safety were thoroughly assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays across various concentrations of dimethylglycine. The impact of dimethylglycine on cellular senescence phenotypes, oxidative stress, and proliferative capacity was evaluated via senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, reactive oxygen species fluorescence detection, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assays. Furthermore, the molecular alterations of senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors and core senescence signaling pathways were quantified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for the messenger RNA levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, p21, and matrix metalloproteinase-1, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the measurement of p16 and p21 protein expression levels. For the living organism model, the wild-type nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used to evaluate systemic physiological effects. We conducted a comprehensive lifespan analysis at 20°C, heat stress resistance survival assays at 35℃, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, lipofuscin accumulation tracking, intracellular reactive oxygen species measurement, and Oil Red O staining to ascertain systemic lipid accumulation. Additionally, network pharmacology bioinformatics tools, including PharmMapper and STRING databases, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were utilized to predict target pathways, alongside highly detailed molecular docking simulations utilizing SwissDock and Protein-Ligand Interaction Profiler to examine interactions with the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 protein. ResultsThe experimental outcomes robustly demonstrate the potent anti-aging capabilities of dimethylglycine. At the cellular level, toxicity analyses firmly confirmed that dimethylglycine is highly safe; continuous treatment with 50 mol/L and 70 mol/L of dimethylglycine for 5 d did not induce any cellular membrane damage or cytotoxicity, but rather actively promoted cellular proliferation. Utilizing the optimal standardized concentration of 50 mol/L, dimethylglycine treatment significantly ameliorated senescent phenotypic markers in human embryonic lung fibroblasts, which was evidenced by a drastic and highly significant reduction in the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase positive cell percentage (P<0.000 1) and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels (P<0.000 1), alongside a marked increase in the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive proliferation rate (P=0.003 5). On a molecular expression scale, dimethylglycine significantly downregulated the messenger RNA expression of multiple core senescence-associated secretory phenotype inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6, interleukin-8, p21, and matrix metalloproteinase-1. Concurrently, it effectively suppressed the protein expression of critical cell cycle arrest markers, diminishing p16 protein levels by 57.3% (P=0.000 4) and p21 protein levels by 27.2% (P=0.000 7). In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans animal model, dimethylglycine significantly extended the mean lifespan from 20.402 d to an impressive 23.066 d (P<0.000 1) and notably enhanced overall survival rates under severe heat stress environmental conditions (P=0.017). Furthermore, systemic dimethylglycine intervention significantly mitigated age-related physiological decline by decreasing bodily lipofuscin accumulation (P<0.000 1), significantly reducing senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, lowering systemic reactive oxygen species fluorescence (P=0.008), and effectively alleviating overall fat accumulation (P<0.000 1). Mechanistically, extensive network pharmacology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses strongly revealed that the potential targets of dimethylglycine are significantly enriched in fundamental drug metabolism and oxidative stress response pathways. Precision molecular docking simulations conclusively demonstrated that dimethylglycine forms highly stable structural interactions with the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 protein, specifically highlighting the definitive formation of 5 stable hydrogen bonds involving serine 365, leucine 366, and serine 429 residues, as well as two critical salt bridge formations with arginine 97 and histidine 368 residues. It is additionally predicted to interact favorably with glutathione S-transferase family proteins. ConclusionDimethylglycine exhibits a profoundly significant and multifaceted anti-aging activity at both the cellular and entire living animal levels. By powerfully alleviating oxidative stress, heavily suppressing the core p16 and p21-dependent cellular senescence signaling pathways, and substantially mitigating the detrimental senescence-associated secretory phenotype, dimethylglycine effectively delays fundamental cellular senescence processes and drastically extends whole-organism lifespan. The biological mechanisms driving these robust protective effects are highly likely closely associated with its direct stable interactions with crucial metabolic and detoxifying enzyme systems, such as cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 9 and glutathione S-transferase family proteins, thereby systemically improving metabolic dysregulation and restoring critical redox homeostasis. This comprehensive study provides highly solid experimental evidence supporting dimethylglycine as a highly potent and safe potential anti-aging intervention agent, while simultaneously offering a clear molecular mechanistic explanation for the previously documented high abundance of dimethylglycine observed within exceptionally long-lived human populations.

OBJECTIVE To construct a clinical inapplicability evaluation system for the instructions of oral Chinese patent medicines containing toxic decoction pieces， so as to provide references for the revision and improvement of such drug instructions and the formulation of instructions for new drugs. METHODS The initial indicator framework was determined based on policy documents and literature related to instruction registration and revision. Two rounds of Delphi consultation were conducted among 25 experts to refine and optimize the indicator system. The analytic hierarchy process was employed to construct judgment matrices and obtain indicator weights. The comprehensive weights were converted into a 100-point scale to evaluate 11 instructions of oral Chinese patent medicines containing toxic decoction pieces from the medical institution of the research team. RESULTS The average questionnaire recovery rate of the two rounds of consultation was 96%. The expert authority coefficients were 0.87 and 0.88， respectively， and the Kendall’s W was statistically significant （ P ＜0.001）. The final evaluation system comprised 4 first-level indicators （defect of toxicity identification， defect of dosage information， defect of risk warning， and defect of information guidance） and 24 second-level indicators （e.g.， failure to label toxic decoction pieces in 【warnings】， failure to indicate all decoction piece compositions， absence of medication course specifications， etc.）. The total scores of the 11 oral Chinese patent medicine instructions ranged from 15.50 to 50.87 points. The main clinical inapplicability issues included the absence of medication course specifications and the failure to provide warnings in items such as 【precautions】 for decoction pieces involving the “eighteen incompatibilities and nineteen mutual antagonisms”. CONCLUSIONS The constructed indicator system can meet the requirements for evaluating the clinical inapplicability of instructions for oral Chinese patent medicines containing toxic decoction pieces. All evaluated instructions exhibited certain clinical applicability defects. Pharmaceutical manufacturers should revise the instructions in accordance with policy requirements and clinical needs.

Objective: To investigate the hemolytic phenotypes of Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates． Methods: The hemolytic phenotypes of 105 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were analyzed and summarized using the three-point inoculation method．Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of four hemolysin genes (hla，hlb，hlc，and hld) ; The VITEK 2 GP639 antimicrobial susceptibility card was used to detect resistance to commonly used antibiotics ; DNA gel electrophoresis was performed to determine the prevalence of the mecA，sea，tst，and pvl genes ; The microtiter plate crystal violet staining method was used to assess biofilm formation ability ; The CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity against macrophages． Results: Seven hemo- lytic phenotypes were identified among the Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates． Differences were found among Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates with different hemolytic phenotypes in terms of mRNA expression levels of he- molysin genes，antibiotic resistance，virulence gene prevalence，biofilm formation ability，and cytotoxicity to mouse macrophages (P ＜0. 05 ) ． Conclusion Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates exhibit diverse hemolytic pheno- types，which should be a focus across multiple dimensions，including microbiological testing，clinical treatment， and nosocomial infection prevention and control．

Objective:To explore the maintenance of sinus rhythm and the changes in functional tricuspid regurgitation(FTR) in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF) combined with FTR following the Mei Mini Maze Procedure, and to analyze the correlation between these two factors.Methods:We retrospectively included 180 patients with AF and FTR who underwent left-sided thoracoscopic AF ablation(the Mei Mini Maze Procedure) at Xinhua Hospital in Shanghai from January 2019 to December 2021. After propensity score matching to eliminate confounding factors, the patients were divided into two groups based on the severity of FTR before surgery: the non-significant FTR group(+ -+ +, 68 cases) and the significant FTR group(≥+ + +, 68 cases). Outpatient follow-up with 24-72 hour dynamic electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) was conducted at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months post-discharge. The maintenance of sinus rhythm and changes in FTR were compared between the two groups.Results:All patients successfully completed the Mei Mini Maze Procedure. Compared to preoperative values, the severity of FTR improved in both groups. Non-significant FTR group: 59% of patients(40 cases) had no regurgitation, 27%(18 cases) had mild FTR, 11%(8 cases) had moderate FTR, and 3%(2 cases) had severe FTR; significant FTR group: 19%(n=13) had no regurgitation, 25%(17 cases) had mild FTR, 25%(17 cases) had moderate FTR, and 31%(21 cases) had severe FTR. The Kaplan-Meier(KM) curve revealed that the sinus rhythm maintenance rate at 3 years post-surgery was significantly higher in the non-significant FTR group(72.06%) than in the significant FTR group (57.35%), with a statistically significant difference( P=0.011). Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative FTR ≥ moderate( HR=11.469), preoperative significant FTR( HR=1.206), age over 65 years( HR=3.734), non-paroxysmal AF( HR=2.346), and longer AF duration( HR=1.151) were risk factors for AF recurrence in this cohort. Conclusion:The recovery of sinus rhythm in AF patients is closely related to the severity of FTR. Patients with preoperative significant FTR had a lower rate of sinus rhythm maintenance after surgery. Both preoperative and postoperative significant FTR are risk factors for AF recurrence in AF patients with FTR. Therefore, for patients with significant FTR, simultaneous treatment of FTR during the surgery, including a standard Cox-Maze Ⅳ procedure, may be more beneficial for maintaining postoperative sinus rhythm.

Objective To summarize the clinical experience of the first case of sulbactam-durlobactam treatment for extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection after lung transplantation in China.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on a case of a patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who received sulbactam-durlobactam treatment after lung transplantation.Results A 68-year-old male patient with a history of drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection before surgery,experienced worsening infection and impaired renal function after lung transplantation,with sputum culture showing extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.After receiving combination treatment with sulbactam-durlobactam and meropenem,the infection was controlled,and the function of the transplanted lung was restored.Conclusions Sulbactam-durlobactam has potential therapeutic value for extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection after lung transplantation and provides a new strategy for clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of Chinese medicine (CM) Lianhua Qingwen Granule (LHQW) and Jingyin Gubiao Prescription (JYGB) in asymptomatic or mild patients with Omicron infection in the shelter hospital. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in the largest shelter hospital in Shanghai, China, from April 10, 2022 to May 30, 2022. A total of 56,244 asymptomatic and mild Omicron cases were included and divided into 4 groups, i.e., non-administration group (23,702 cases), LHQW group (11,576 cases), JYGB group (12,112 cases), and dual combination of LHQW and JYGB group (8,854 cases). The length of stay (LOS) in the hospital was used to assess the effectiveness of LHQW and JYGB treatment on Omicron infection. RESULTS: Patients aged 41-60 years, with nadir threshold cycle (C_T) value of N gene <25, or those fully vaccinated preferred to receive CM therapy. Before or after propensity score matching (PSM), the multiple linear regression showed that LHQW and JYGB treatment were independent influence factors of LOS (both P<0.001). After PSM, there were significant differences in LOS between the LHQW/JYGB combination and the other groups (P<0.01). The results of factorial design ANOVA proved that the LHQW/JYGB combination therapy synergistically shortened LOS (P=0.032). CONCLUSIONS Patients with a nadir C_T value <25 were more likely to accept CM. The LHQW/JYGB combination therapy could shorten the LOS of Omicron-infected individuals in an isolated environment.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Hospitalization ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Length of Stay ; Young Adult ; Aged

The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and safety of novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion strain protein derivatives,referred to as B/R strain active proteins.In cellular experiments,RAW264.7 cells were treated with each vaccine preparation,and apoptosis rates were measured.In subsequent animal experiments,C57BL/6 mice were immunized via subcutaneous injection,and their survival and body weight changes were monitored and recorded at 2,4,8,12,and 16 weeks.The lungs and spleens were harvested to calculate organ coefficients,and pathological examinations were conducted.At the eighth week of immunization,the mice were infected with high concentrations of BCG,and pathological changes in the lungs and spleens were observed 4 weeks post-infection.The apoptosis rate at 6 hours was significantly higher in the experimental group than the PBS group(P<0.05).At 12 and 24 hours,the apoptosis rate in the experimental group remained higher than that in the PBS group,although this difference was not statistically significant.After immunization,mice in all four groups exhibited normal growth patterns,as indicated by stable body weight changes.At 4 and 12 weeks post-immunization,the lung coefficients in the protein group were significantly higher than those in the PBS group at the same time points.Additionally,the lung coefficients in the BCG group were significantly elevated across all time periods(P<0.05).The spleen coefficients in the protein and BCG groups were significantly higher than those in the PBS group at 2,4,8,12,and 16 weeks,whereas the ICD B/R group showed higher spleen coefficients than the PBS group only at week 8(P<0.05).Pathological examination revealed normal lung and spleen tissues in the PBS group.However,during the 2-8 weeks immunization period,lung and spleen tissues in all experimental groups exhibited varying degrees of damage,which gradually diminished by 12-16 weeks.Notably,no tuberculosis nodules were observed in any experimental group.After infection with high concentrations of BCG,no overt pathological changes were observed on the surfaces of the lungs and spleens in any group.Microscopic examination revealed less severe pathological changes in the lungs and spleens of mice in the experimental groups than the PBS group.Furthermore,no statistically significant differences were observed between the protein group and the BCG group.Our findings suggested that the B/R strain active proteins'toxicity and safety profiles were comparable to those of BCG,and showed immunoprotective effects.This study provides an experimental foundation for the development of a novel tuberculosis vaccine.

Objective To explore the ultrasonic cleaning effect and influencing factors of emergency laparoscopic surgical instruments at night.Methods A total of 698 emergency laparoscopic surgical instruments cleaned by ultrasound at night were selected as the research subjects,and the unqualified ultrasonic cleaning of instruments was statistically analyzed.Univariate and multivariate binary Logistic regression equations were used to analyze the factors that may lead to unqualified ultrasonic cleaning.Results Among 698 ultrasonic cleaning sessions for emergency laparoscopic surgical instruments at night,a total of 55 times(7.88%)were unqualified.The results of univariate and multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the time from cleaning to the end of surgery≥10 hours,luminal surgical instruments,nonstandard pretreatment,unqualified cleaning water quality,and unqualified cleaning medium were the risk factors that lead to the occurrence of unqualified ultrasonic cleaning of emergency laparoscopic surgical instruments at night(OR>1,P<0.05),while manual+ultrasonic cleaning was the protective factor to avoid the occurrence of unqualified ultrasonic cleaning of emergency laparoscopic surgical instruments at night(OR<1,P<0.05).Conclusion The unqualified rate of ultrasonic cleaning of emergency laparoscopic surgical instruments at night is relatively high,so it should be cleaned as early as possible after the surgery.Before ultrasonic cleaning,manual clean-ing should be carried out as much as possible,especially for luminal surgical instruments that are difficult to clean,standardized pretreatment should be carried out,and qualified cleaning water quality and medium should be selected.

Objective:To investigate protective effect and mechanism of Tim-3 on sepsis-induced acute lung injury(ALI)by pro-moting mitophagy of alveolar macrophages and inhibiting activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.Methods:LPS-stimulated mouse alveo-lar macrophage(MH-S)model and sepsis-induced ALI mouse model were constructed.Tim-3 siRNA interference technique was used to knock down Tim-3 expression in MH-S cells,and anti-Tim-3 antibody mice were injected intraperitoneally to block Tim-3 function.Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC,cleaved-caspase-1 and mitophagy-related proteins(LC3B,P62,PINK1 and Parkin)in MH-S cells and lung tissue of mice with sepsis-induced ALI.Laser confocal fluorescence staining was used to measure ROS level and mitochondrial membrane potential of MH-S cells.Pathological examination of lung tissue was performed in mice with sepsis-induced ALI in each group,and degree of lung tissue injury was evaluated by Smith scoring system.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)and lung tissue were collected from mice with ALI induced by sepsis in each group.BCA protein quantification method was used to determine protein concentration in BALF.MPO activity in lung tissue was detected by colorimetry.MDA content in lung tissue was detected by TBA method.LC3B protein expression in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:In mouse alveolar macrophages,Tim-3 knockdown could promote expressions of NLRP3,ASC,cleaved-caspase-1 and P62 proteins,increase ROS release,inhibit PINK1/Parkin pathway activation and LC3B protein expression,and reduce mitochondrial membrane potential.In mice with sepsis-induced ALI,Tim-3 functional blockade could promote expressions of NLRP3,ASC,cleaved-caspase-1 and P62 proteins in lung tissue,aggravate lung pathological injury and pulmonary edema,increase MPO activity and MDA content in lung tissue,and reduce positive rate of LC3B protein.Conclusion:Tim-3 plays a protective role in sepsis-induced ALI by promoting mitophagy in alveolar macrophages and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via PINK1/Parkin.

Aim To construct a model of vascular endothelial cell(EC)-specific gene knockout mice of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2(Traf2)by using Cre-loxP technolo-gy,thus to provide basis for the research of vascular dysfunction-related diseases related to the regulation of vascular EC activity through TRAF2.Methods The Cre-loxP system was used to construct a mouse model with EC-specific knockout of Traf2 gene(Traf2flox/flox Tek-iCre+).The mouse genotype was identi-fied through PCR and gel electrophoresis.Primary vascular ECs were isolated from the mice using flow cytometry.The knockout efficiency of Traf2 in vascular ECs was validated by Western blot and immunofluorescence.The pathological changes in blood ves-sels and major organs of the mice were examined using hematox-ylin-eosin(HE)staining.The tube-forming ability of primary vascular EC was assessed using Matrigel tube formation.Results The knockout mice met the required genetic criteria.Flow cy-tometry results demonstrated the successful isolation of primary vascular EC,and TRAF2 expression in vascular EC of knockout mice was significantly reduced(P＜0.01).Histological results showed that TRAF2 expression in the vessel of knockout mice decreased,and the morphology had no significant changes in their blood vessels and major organs.The Matrigel tube forma-tion demonstrated that the tube-forming ability of primary vascu-lar EC from knockout mice was reduced.Conclusion Traf2 specific knockout mouse model in vascular ECs is successfully constructed,providing a reliable animal model for research into the regulatory mechanisms of TRAF2 on vascular ECs in vascular dysfunction related diseases.