ObjectiveTo analyze the genomic characteristics of Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) isolated from children with respiratory tract infections in a tertiary hospital in Jinshan District of Shanghai during 2013‒2024, to compare the changes in trend for genomic characteristics before and after 2000, and to provide scientific data for the prevention and control of GAS infections. MethodsGAS strains isolated from children with respiratory tract infections in this hospital were collected from 2013 to 2024. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated strains to 12 antibiotics, including penicillin, cefotaxime, cefepime, linezolid, vancomycin, meropenem, chloramphenicol, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline, was determined using broth microdilution plate method. Besides, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to analyze multilocus sequence type (MLST), emm typing, carriage of superantigen genes, mobile genetic element (MGE), carriage of virulence gene, and genomic phylogenetic tree of the isolated strains. ResultsA total of 50 GAS strains were collected and identified from children with respiratory tract infections aged 4‒14 years old, and the resistance rates of those isolates to erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline were 100.00%, 100.00%, and 86.00%, respectively. There were two emm types in the GAS isolates; the emm12 type accounted for 76.00% (38/50), corresponding to ST36 type, and the emm1 type accounted for 24.00% (12/50), corresponding to ST28, ST1274, and new-1 types. There was a statistically significant difference in the constitution of the MLST before and after 2020 (P=0.015). All the isolates carried the superantigen genes speC, speG, ssa, and smeZ. The predominant emm12 isolates belonged to the Clade Ⅱ, carrying the mobile elements ICE-emm12 (harboring erythromycin-resistance gene ermB and tetracycline-resistance gene tetM) and ΦHKU.vir (carrying virulence genes speC and ssa). The emm1 isolates carried the mobile elements ICE-HKU488 (harboring erythromycin-resistance gene ermB and tetracycline-resistance gene tetM) and ΦHKU488.vir (carrying virulence genes speC and ssa), and had close phylogenetical relationships with isolates from Hong Kong, China. No M1_UK new clone strains were found. The ST1274 isolates of emm1 were newly discovered in 2020‒2024, and belonged to a separate phylogenetic clade. ConclusionGAS strains isolated from children with respiratory tract infections in a tertiary hospital in Jinshan District of Shanghai exhibit a high resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline. It is recommended that the clinical treatments change to use other antimicrobial drugs, such as penicillin, third-generation cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones. During 2020‒2024, a new ST1274 clone strain is discovered in emm1 GAS isolates, without M1_UK new clone strains being found. It is essential to continuously concern locally prevalent GAS strains and perform early identification of MLST types to promptly monitor the internal changes of the bacterial population and potential prevalence of new clones.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of endoscopic grading of gastric intestinal metaplasia (EGGIM) score under acetic acid-enhanced narrow band imaging (AA-NBI) observation mode for gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM). Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent gastroscopy at Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University from February 2022 to February 2023 were selected. All patients underwent both white light and AA-NBI endoscopy, with photographic records of intestinal metaplasia in five areas: greater curvature of antrum, lesser curvature of antrum, greater curvature of corpus, lesser curvature of corpus and incisura. EGGIM score was performed: 0 for no intestinal metaplasia, 1 point for focal intestinal metaplasia (GIM area ratio≤30%), 2 points for extensive intestinal metaplasia (GIM area ratio＞30%), with a total score of 10 points. Targeted biopsies were performed on suspicious GIM lesions found during endoscopy. If no suspicious GIM lesions were observed, random biopsies were performed according to the updated Sydney system. The pathological histological examination results were staged based on the operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) system. The diagnostic value of EGGIM score for OLGIM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of AA-NBI in detecting GIM were 96.3%, 91.6%, 94.5%, 95.0%, and 93.6%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for EGGIM diagnosing OLGIM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ was 0.952 (95%CI 0.914-0.990). The optimal cut-off value for EGGIM was 5 points, with a sensitivity of 96.7% (95%CI 87.6%-99.4%) and specificity of 88.1% (95%CI 76.5%-94.7%). Conclusions EGGIM score (≥5 points) under AA-NBI mode has good diagnostic capability for patients with OLGIM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ.

With the widespread use of antimicrobial agents, bacterial drug resistance has become an increasingly severe issue, posing significant challenges to global healthcare. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has emerged as a research focus in the field of bacterial resistance due to its broad sources, high safety profile, low toxicity, and antimicrobial mechanisms distinct from those of chemical drugs. Studies have shown that various TCM herbs, such as Scutellaria baicalensis, exert antibacterial effects through multiple pathways, including disrupting the integrity of bacterial cell walls and membranes, inhibiting nucleic acid and protein synthesis, and impairing energy production and metabolism. Additionally, certain TCM herbs, including Scutellaria baicalensis, Coptis chinensis, and Fritillaria thunbergii, can reverse antimicrobial resistance by eliminating resistant plasmids, inhibiting bacterial efflux pump function, and suppressing β-lactamase activity. TCM holds promising potential for antibacterial applications and synergistically reversing antimicrobial resistance, though systematic analyses remain limited. This review summarizes the mechanisms of antibacterial action of TCM and current research on its synergistic use with antimicrobial agents to reverse drug resistance, aiming to provide insights for developing novel TCM-based antimicrobials and addressing bacterial resistance.

Although small in size, the eyeballs are extremely important in function, and are delicate and complex in structure. With the wide application of acupuncture for eye diseases and the high frequency of use of intra-orbital points, the incidence of acupuncture accidents increases accordingly in treatment. We reported two recent accident cases, retinal tear and ciliochoroidal detachment that occurred during the regular operation of acupuncture and acupoint injection at intra-orbital points, in order to strengthen people's awareness of acupuncture accidents caused by acupuncture at the points in the orbital region, and enhance the sound development and comprehensive promotion of acupuncture in treatment of eye diseases.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/adverse effects* ; Acupuncture Points ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Orbit ; Retinal Perforations/therapy*

Objective:To explore the factors influencing adherence to voice therapy among patients with voice disorders in China. Methods:Patients with voice disorders who visited the Voice Therapy Center at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, from February to May 2022 were enrolled in the study. Adherence was assessed using the URICA-Voice scale, while influencing factors were assessed through the Voice Handicap Index（VHI） scale and a general information questionnaire. Correlation analysis was conducted using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results:A total of 247 patients were included in the study, comprising 57 males（23.08%） and 190 females（76.92%）. The results revealed that: ①Female patients demonstrated higher likelihood of being in the contemplation stage（OR=0.22） compared to males. ②Patients with a monthly family income per capita>6 000 yuan were more likely to be in the contemplation stage than those with<3 000 yuan with an OR = 13.94. ③High vocal-demand occupations increased contemplation stage probability（OR=7.70） compared to moderate-demand occupations. ④Residence within 30-minute commute predicted action/maintenance stages（OR=7.14） versus≥60-minute commute. ⑤Patients whose occupations had high voice demands were more likely to be in the action and maintenance stages than those with average voice demands, with an OR of 16.20. Conclusion:Gender, monthly family income per capita, occupational voice demands, and distance to the hospital significantly impact the URICA-Voice compliance stages of patients. Patients who are female, have higher family income, have occupations with high voice demands, and live closer to the hospital exhibit higher compliance with voice training.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Voice Disorders/therapy* ; Patient Compliance ; Voice Training ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; China ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Voice Quality ; Logistic Models ; Aged

Objective:To investigate the clinical and imaging characteristics of patients with cryptogenic stroke with different right-to-left shunt (RLS) and possible mechanisms.Methods:Acute ischemic stroke patients aged 18-65 years, who admitted to the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from April 2012 to July 2022, were etiologically classified according to the TOAST criteria. Cryptogenic stroke patients further underwent contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler (cTCD) examination. Patients with RLS (RLS grade Ⅰ-Ⅳ) were divided into large shunt group (RLS grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ, under normal breathing or after Valsalva manoeuvre) and small shunt group (RLS grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ, under normal breathing or after Valsalva manoeuvre). The chi-square test,Fisher's exact probability method and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare clinical and neuroimaging data between the 2 groups. And the RLS related factors as well as mechanisms of RLS-related stroke were further discussed through Spearman correlation and multiple Logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 167 cryptogenic stroke patients with RLS were included in this study. The male to female ratio was 88∶79. The onest age was (45.27±9.02) years. In the large shunt group, there were 92 patients (55.1%) with onset age of (45.61±9.32) years. In this group, 35 patients (38.0%) were males, 9 (9.8%) had hypertension, and 18 (19.6%) had smoking history; the Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE) score was 7.08±0.12. In the small shunt group, there were 75 patients (44.9%) with onest age of (44.85±8.68) years. In this group, 53 patients (70.7%) were males, 29 (38.7%) had hypertension, and 31 (41.3%) had smoking history; the RoPE score was 6.20±0.14. Males (χ 2=17.640, P<0.001) as well as hypertension (χ 2=19.611, P<0.001) and smoking history (χ 2=9.443, P<0.01) were significantly less common in the large shunt group than in the small shunt group, while the RoPE score in the large shunt group was higher than that in the small shunt group ( F=21.580, P<0.001). All 6 pulmonary arteriovenous fistula cases (6.5%, 6/92) belonged to the large shunt group. There was no pulmonary arteriovenous fistula patient in the small shunt group ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in age of onset, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, previous stroke/transient ischemic attack, or family history of stroke between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that female ( OR=2.848, 95 %CI 1.223-6.632, P<0.05) and no history of hypertension ( OR=3.937, 95 %CI 1.593-9.727, P<0.01) were significantly associated with large shunt. The neuroimaging features were analyzed through comparing offending vessels as well as spatial distribution of lesions between the 2 groups. Results:showed that infarct location of 54 cases (58.7%) was in the unilateral anterior circulation area, 34 cases (37.0%) in the posterior circulation area, no case in the bilateral anterior circulation area, and both of anterior and posterior circulation areas were involved in 4 cases (4.3%) in the large shunt group. Of all the large shunt group patients, 31 (33.7%) had cortical infarcts, 9 (9.8%) had subcortical infarcts, 36 (39.1%) had deep infarcts, and 16 (17.4%) had mixed multiple infarcts. In the small shunt group, infarct location of 36 cases (48.0%) was in the unilateral anterior circulation area, 29 cases (38.7%) in the posterior circulation area, 4 cases (5.3%) in the bilateral anterior circulation area, and both of anterior and posterior circulation areas were involved in 7 cases (9.3%). Of all the small shunt group patients, 7 (9.3%) had cortical infarcts, 8 (10.7%) had subcortical infarcts, 39 (52.0%) had deep infarcts, and 21 (28.0%) had mixed multiple infarcts. Logistic regression analysis showed that cortical infarction was associated with large shunt ( OR=5.981,95 %CI 1.882-19.007, P<0.01), and there was no statistically significant difference in other types of infarction distribution between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Among cryptogenic stroke patients with RLS, large shunt was more common in females, patients with no history of hypertension, and those with higher RoPE score as well as more cortical infarction, suggesting that there was a strong link between stroke and large RLS, which revealed the underlying mechanism of embolism in patients with stroke and large RLS. In the small shunt group, there were more males and hypertensive patients, suggesting atherosclerosis was more likely involved in pathogenic mechanism of stroke patients with small RLS.

Objective:To explore the effect and safety of local spraying tranexamic acid after thyroidectomy.Methods:Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study method was used. Sixty-four patients underwent scheduled thyroidectomy from December 2022 to August 2023 in Baotou Cancer Hospital were selected. The patients were divided into tranexamic acid group and control group by random digits table method with 32 cases each. Before closing the wound during surgery, 16 ml of tranexamic acid injection with concentration of 25 mg/ml was used to wash the wound and 1 ml of tranexamic acid injection (tranexamic acid 100 mg) used to locally spray in tranexamic acid group; 16 ml of the sterile water for injection was used to wash the wound and 1 ml of sterile water for injection was used locally spray in control group, and then the drainage tube was clipped for 20 min. The neck drainage volume on the first to fourth day after surgery and complication were recorded; the C-reactive protein level before and after surgery was detected.Results:Two patients in each group withdrew from the study midway. The drainage volume on the first, second and third day and total drainage volume in tranexamic acid group were significantly lower than those in control group: (29.10 ± 8.04) ml vs. (38.50 ± 8.67) ml, (18.00 ± 7.33) ml vs. (27.20 ± 10.66) ml, (10.70 ± 5.75) ml vs. (14.60 ± 6.83) ml and (69.20 ± 24.48) ml vs. (96.70 ± 31.90) ml, and there was statistical difference ( P<0.01); there was no statistical difference in the drainage volume on the fourth day after surgery between two groups ( P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in C-reactive protein before and after surgery between two groups ( P>0.05). There was 1 case of fever (body temperature 37.5 ℃) in the control group, and there were no complications such as intermuscular thrombosis, venous thrombosis, incision infection and delayed wound healing in both groups. Conclusions:Local application of tranexamic acid after thyroidectomy can reduce postoperative drainage volume and does not increase the risk of thrombosis, infection and delayed healing.

The aim of this study was to explore the optimal timing of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in patients presenting benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). A retrospective analysis was conducted based on the perioperative and postoperative outcome data of 1212 patients who underwent HoLEP in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (Shanghai, China) between January 2009 and December 2018. According to the preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), all patients whom we analyzed were divided into Group A (IPSS of 8-18) and Group B (IPSS of 19-35). Peri- and postoperative outcome data were obtained during the 1-year follow-up. IPSS changes were the main postoperative outcomes. The postoperative IPSS, quality of life, peak urinary flow rate, postvoid residual, and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) improved significantly. The IPSS improved further in the group with severe LUTS symptoms, but the postoperative IPSS was still higher than that in the moderate LUTS group. OABSSs showing moderate and severe cases after follow-up were more frequent in Group B (9.1%) than in Group A (5.2%) (P < 0.05). There were no significant intergroup differences in the intraoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists or hospitalization expense scores, and the medication costs, as well as the total costs, were significantly higher in Group B. In this retrospective study, HoLEP was an effective treatment for symptomatic BPH. For patients with LUTS, earlier surgery in patients with moderate severity may result in a marginally better 12-month IPSS than that in men with severe symptoms.
Male ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/surgery* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Holmium ; Quality of Life ; China ; Treatment Outcome ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/surgery* ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use*

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is characterized by diffuse alveolar injury primarily caused by an excessive inflammatory response. Regrettably, the lack of effective pharmacotherapy currently available contributes to the high mortality rate in patients with this condition. Xuebijing (XBJ), a traditional Chinese medicine recognized for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, exhibits promise as a potential therapeutic agent for ALI/ARDS. This study aimed to explore the preventive effects of XBJ on ALI and its underlying mechanism. To this end, we established an LPS-induced ALI model and treated ALI mice with XBJ. Our results demonstrated that pre-treatment with XBJ significantly alleviated lung inflammation and increased the survival rate of ALI mice by 37.5%. Moreover, XBJ substantially suppressed the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the lung tissue. Subsequently, we performed a network pharmacology analysis and identified identified 109 potential target genes of XBJ that were mainly involved in multiple signaling pathways related to programmed cell death and anti-inflammatory responses. Furthermore, we found that XBJ exerted its inhibitory effect on gasdermin-E-mediated pyroptosis of lung cells by suppressing TNF-α production. Therefore, this study not only establishes the preventive efficacy of XBJ in ALI but also reveals its role in protecting alveolar epithelial cells against gasdermin-E-mediated pyroptosis by reducing TNF-α release.
Animals ; Mice ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells ; Pyroptosis ; Gasdermins ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Acute Lung Injury/drug therapy* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with mirror therapy on upper limb motor function and cortical neurophysiological indicators in stroke patients with hemiplegia. MethodsSixty stroke patients who were admitted to Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, from October, 2022 to March, 2023 were randomly assigned to control group (n = 15), rTMS group (n = 15), mirror therapy group (n = 15) and combined group (n = 15). All groups received routine medicine and rehabilitation. In addition, the control group received sham rTMS and sham mirror therapy, rTMS group received 1 Hz rTMS and sham mirror therapy, the mirror therapy group received sham rTMS and mirror therapy, and the combined group received 1Hz rTMS combined with mirror therapy, for four weeks. Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) were used to evaluate the motor function of the affected upper limb. The motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude and central motor conduction time (CMCT) of the affected cortex were measured using a transcranial magnetic stimulation device. ResultsAfter treatment, the scores of FMA-UE and ARAT, and the amplitude of MEP significantly improved in all groups (|t| > 3.854, P < 0.001), while the CMCT significantly shortened (t > 5.967, P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, rTMS group, the mirror therapy group and the combined group showed more significant improvement in the scores of FMA-UE and ARAT, and the amplitude of MEP, and shorter CMCT (P < 0.05). When compared to rTMS group and the mirror therapy group, the combined group showed more significant improvement the scores of FMA-UE and ARAT, and the amplitude of MEP, and shorter CMCT (P < 0.05). There was significant positive correlation of the scores of FMA-UE and ARAT with the amplitude of MEP, and negative correlation with the CMCT in all groups (R² > 0.804, P < 0.001). ConclusionThe combination of 1 Hz rTMS and mirror therapy contributes to the post-stroke brain functional remodeling and facilitates upper limb motor recovery in stroke patients with hemiplegia.