This study aimed to compare the ameliorative effects of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at different ratios on retinal damage in mice and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. A retinal injury model was established by intraperitoneal injection of sodium iodate(NaIO_3) solution. The mice were divided into the following groups: blank group, model group, positive drug(AREDS 2) group, low-and high-dose groups of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at 1∶1, low-and high-dose groups at 3∶1, and low-and high-dose groups at 1∶3. Administration was carried out 15 days after modeling. The visual acuity of the mice was assessed using the black-and-white box test. The fundus was observed using an optical coherence tomography device, and retinal thickness was measured. HE staining was used to observe the morphology and pathological changes of the retina. The levels of oxidative factors in serum and ocular tissues were measured using assay kits. The levels of inflammatory factors in serum and ocular tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NF-κB proteins in ocular tissues was analyzed by Western blot. The results showed that after administration of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at different ratios, the model group showed improved retinal thinning and disordered arrangement of retinal layers, elevated content of SOD and GSH in the serum and ocular tissues, and reduced levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at 1∶1 and 1∶3 showed better improvement effects. The combination significantly upregulated the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and downregulated the expression of NF-κB p65. These results indicate that Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos at different ratios can improve retinal damage, reduce oxidative stress, and alleviate inflammation in both the body and ocular tissues of mice. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways in ocular tissues. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Lycii Fructus and Chrysanthemi Flos in the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration.
Animals ; Mice ; Retina/injuries* ; Male ; Lycium/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Chrysanthemum/chemistry* ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Humans ; Retinal Diseases/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics*

Japanese spotted fever(JSF)is an infectious disease caused by Rickettsia japonica,with nonspecific clinical symptoms and a high risk of misdiagnosis.We reported a case of JSF,in which Rickettsia japonica was detected in blood cells by metagenomic next-generation sequencing.The patient recovered after treatment with doxycycline.This report provides a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of JSF.
Humans ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Metagenomics ; Rickettsia/isolation & purification* ; Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis/microbiology*

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence and influencing factors of multimorbidity among the HIV-infected individuals receiving anti-viral therapy (ART) in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan Province, so as to provide a reference for the long-term follow-up management of HIV-infected patients and the comprehensive prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the multimorbidity burden among the HIV-infected adults receiving ART in Dehong Prefecture from January to July 2021 and a self-designed questionnaire was used to analyze relevant disease indicators. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors of multimorbidity among the HIV-infected individuals. ResultsA total of 3 946 HIV-infected individuals receiving ART were enrolled in this study, of which 63.7% aged ≤50 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.1∶1. Among the 3 946 cases, 825 of them had ≥2 comorbidities, with a co-prevalence rate of 20.9% (95%CI:19.6%‒22.2%), and the main comorbidities were dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 40≤ aged <50 years (aOR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.45‒2.40, P<0.001), 50≤ aged ≤85 years (aOR=3.75, 95%CI: 2.93‒4.80, P<0.001), Dai nationality (aOR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.01‒1.47, P=0.043), BMI≥24.0 kg∙m^-2 (aOR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.49‒2.14, P<0.001), 10.0≤ with ART duration for <12.5 years (aOR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.05‒2.12, P=0.024), with ART duration for ≥12.5 years (aOR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.05‒2.15, P=0.026), use of second-line HIV therapy (aOR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.19‒1.70, P<0.001) and other therapy options (aOR=3.16, 95%CI: 2.17‒4.61, P<0.001) were positively correlated with multimorbidity. ConclusionThe prevalence of multimorbidity among the HIV-infected individuals receiving ART in Dehong Prefecture is high, which is associated with the advancing age and prolonged treatment time, particularly with a significant burden of dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. Comprehensive surveillance and targeted management of comorbidities, along with ART follow-up, need to be strengthened in the future.

Evaluate the interventional effect of Lycium barbarum leaves extract on cataract rats and its effects on plasma and liver tissue metabolites. The ultimate goal is to explore the scientific connotation of Lycium barbarum leaves extract on vision improvement. All experiments were approved by the experimental animal ethics committee from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (202306A067). D-Galactose (D-gal) induced cataract model in rats was established. The lens opacity, lens and liver tissue pathology, level of oxidative stress and polyol metabolism regulation in the lens, level of oxidative stress in serum and liver tissue, and the content of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum and liver tissue were analysed to evaluate the effect of Lycium barbarum leaves extract on cataract. The metabolite profiles of plasma and liver tissue of rats were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to compare and analyze the metabolic data in control group and cataract group, and screen potential biomarkers. The related metabolic pathways were further constructed by KEGG database analysis. The results showed that lens and liver pathology of cataract rats were improved after being intervened by the leaves extract of Lycium barbarum. The contents of AR and Ca²⁺ were significantly decreased in lens, and the contents of SDH and GSH and the ability of CAT were significantly increased; the content of GSH and the ability of SOD were significantly improved in serum and liver tissue, the content of MDA, the abilities of ALT and AST and the level of inflammatory factors were significantly reduced. The metabolomics results showed that there were 15 different metabolites in plasma and liver tissue of cataract rats, and 9 different biomarkers including retinyl ester, stearic acid, and palmitic acid, were returned by Lycium barbarum leaves extract. As revealed by pathway enrichment in plasma and liver tissue, it was found that the retinol metabolic pathway was mainly regulated by Lycium barbarum leaves extract. In summary, Lycium barbarum leaves can effectively alleviate the pathological changes of cataract, inhibit inflammation and improve antioxidant capacity, which may relate to the retinol metabolic pathway. It provides scientific basis and support for revealing the scientific connotation of the effect of Lycium barbarum leaves on vision improvement.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Lycium barbarum leaves on letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mice. The PCOS model was prepared by letrozole combined with high-fat diet. After successful modeling, 40 mice were randomly divided into PCOS group, positive drug metformin group, low-dose Lycium barbarum leaves group, and high-dose Lycium barbarum leaves group. The corresponding drugs were given by gavage for 29 days. At the end of the experiment, the eyeballs were removed for blood collection and ovarian tissue was collected. The ovarian mass, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), testosterone (T), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E₂) levels were measured in each group. The morphology of ovarian tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the oocytes, cystic follicles and corpus luteum were counted. Cecal contents of mice were collected for analysis of intestinal flora composition and differential flora. The animal experiment process was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The results showed that the estrous cycle of PCOS mice was disordered. Compared with the PCOS group, the Lycium barbarum leaves group can significantly reduce the ovarian damage of mice, reduce the number of cystic dilated follicles, and normalize the estrous cycle. After the intervention of Lycium barbarum leaves, the levels of FBG, FINS, T, AMH, LH, FSH and LH/FSH were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while the level of E₂ was significantly increased (P < 0.001). In addition, Lycium barbarum leaves can regulate the disorder of intestinal flora diversity in PCOS mice, increase the abundance of Bacteroidetes, and reduce the abundance of Firmicutes, Ileibacterium, Romboutsia and Faecalibaculum. In summary, Lycium barbarum leaves can play a therapeutic role in PCOS mice by improving insulin resistance, regulating reproductive hormone disorders and gut microbiota imbalance. It provides scientific basis and useful reference for the rational utilization and development of Lycium barbarum leaves.

Objective To investigate the genetic causes of auditory neuropathy with optic atrophy in a family.Methods The proband's medical history and family history were inquired in detail,and relevant clinical examina-tions were performed to confirm the diagnosis of auditory neuropathy with optic atrophy,and the genetic pedigree of the family was drawn.Peripheral blood of proband(Ⅲ-7)was collected for whole exome sequencing,and the patho-genicity of the detected mutations were interpreted.Blood samples of proband's wife(Ⅲ-8),eldest daughter(Ⅳ-7),second daughter(Ⅳ-9)and son(Ⅳ-10)were tested for mutation sites by Sanger sequencing.Combined with clinical manifestations and examination results,the family was studied.Results The genetic pattern of this family was autosomal dominant.The proband showed decreased visual acuity at the age of 19,bilateral sensorineural deaf-ness at the age of 30,and decreased speech recognition rate.Among 20 members of the family of 5 generations,10(2 deceased)showed similar symptoms of hearing and visual impairment.Proband(Ⅲ-7),eldest daughter(Ⅳ-7)and son(Ⅳ-10)underwent relevant examination.Pure tone audiometry showed bilateral sensorineural deafness.ABR showed no response bilaterally.The 40 Hz AERP showed no response in both ears.OAE showed responses in some or all of the frequencies.No stapedial reflex was detected.The eye movement of Ⅲ-7 and Ⅳ-10 were reasona-ble in all directions,and color vision was normal.Ocular papilla atrophy was observed in different degrees in fundus examination.OCT showed thinning of optic disc nerve fibers in both eyes,and visual evoked potential showed pro-longed P100 wave peak.They were diagnosed as hereditary auditory neuropathy with optic atrophy.A mutation of the OPA1 gene c.1334G＞A(p.Arg445His,NM_015560.2)at a pathogenic locus on chromosome 3 was detected by whole exon detection in Ⅲ-7.The results of generation sequencing analysis showed that the OPA1 gene c.1334G＞A(p.Arg445His,NM_015560.2)mutation of chromosome 3 was also found in Ⅳ-7 and Ⅳ-10.Meanwhile,the gen-otypes of Ⅲ-8 and Ⅳ-9 were wild homozygous,that is,no mutation occurred.Conclusion The OPA1 c.1334G＞A(p.Arg445His,NM_015560.2)mutation site might be the pathogenic mutation in this family.

Food additives are a kind of chemical substances added to food to enhance the taste,color and shelf life of food,and have become an indispensable part of the modern food industry.However,growing researches showed that synthetic chemicals used as food additives can be potentially harmful to health.Some food additives may be closely related to asthma,attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,heart disease,cancer,obesity and other health problems.In addition,some food additives may also interfere with hormone secretion,affect growth and development,and affect the healthy growth of children.This study reviews the damage effects of various food additives,such as preservatives,antioxidants,and colorants on body,and proposes the need to improve the safety evaluation of food additives from the perspective of the combined action of chemicals,in order to provide a scientific basis for food safety supervision and consumer health protection.

Malocclusion,identified by the World Health Organization(WHO)as one of three major oral diseases,profoundly impacts the dental-maxillofacial functions,facial esthetics,and long-term development of～260 million children in China.Beyond its physical manifestations,malocclusion also significantly influences the psycho-social well-being of these children.Timely intervention in malocclusion can foster an environment conducive to dental-maxillofacial development and substantially decrease the incidence of malocclusion or reduce the severity and complexity of malocclusion in the permanent dentition,by mitigating the negative impact of abnormal environmental influences on the growth.Early orthodontic treatment encompasses accurate identification and treatment of dental and maxillofacial morphological and functional abnormalities during various stages of dental-maxillofacial development,ranging from fetal stages to the early permanent dentition phase.From an economic and societal standpoint,the urgency for effective early orthodontic treatments for malocclusions in childhood cannot be overstated,underlining its profound practical and social importance.This consensus paper discusses the characteristics and the detrimental effects of malocclusion in children,emphasizing critical need for early treatment.It elaborates on corresponding core principles and fundamental approaches in early orthodontics,proposing comprehensive guidance for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment,serving as a reference for clinicians engaged in early orthodontic treatment.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of the common pathogens isolated from urine from 2015 to 2021 in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program.Methods The bacterial strains were isolated from urine and identified routinely in 51 hospitals across China in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program from 2015 to 2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by Kirby-Bauer method,automatic microbiological analysis system and E-test according to the unified protocol.Results A total of 261 893 nonduplicate strains were isolated from urine specimen from 2015 to 2021,of which gram-positive bacteria accounted for 23.8％(62 219/261 893),and gram-negative bacteria 76.2％(199 674/261 893).The most common species were E.coli(46.7％),E.faecium(10.4％),K.pneumoniae(9.8％),E.faecalis(8.7％),P.mirabilis(3.5％),P.aeruginosa(3.4％),SS.agalactiae(2.6％),and E.cloacae(2.1％).The strains were more frequently isolated from inpatients versus outpatients and emergency patients,from females versus males,and from adults versus children.The prevalence of ESBLs-producing strains in E.coli,K.pneumoniae and P.mirabilis was 53.2％,52.8％and 37.0％,respectively.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant strains in E.coli,K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa and A.baumannii was 1.7％,18.5％,16.4％,and 40.3％,respectively.Lower than 10％of the E.faecalis isolates were resistant to ampicillin,nitrofurantoin,linezolid,vancomycin,teicoplanin and fosfomycin.More than 90％of the E.faecium isolates were ressitant to ampicillin,levofloxacin and erythromycin.The percentage of strains resistant to vancomycin,linezolid or teicoplanin was＜2％.The E.coli,K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa and A.baumannii strains isolated from ICU inpatients showed significantly higher resistance rates than the corresponding strains isolated from outpatients and non-ICU inpatients.Conclusions E.coli,Enterococcus and K.pneumoniae are the most common pathogens in urinary tract infection.The bacterial species and antimicrobial resistance of urinary isolates vary with different populations.More attention should be paid to antimicrobial resistance surveillance and reduce the irrational use of antimicrobial agents.