Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

Objective To investigate the effects of Simo decoction on duodenal microinflammation and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1(Caspase-1)/gasdermin D(GSDMD)signaling pathway in rats with functional dyspepsia(FD).Methods The FD model was established by multifactorial method.SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group(FD model),positive control group(gavage administration of 0.305 mg·kg-1 mosapride injection)and experimental-H,-M,-L groups(gavage administration of 5.62,2.81,1.40 g·kg-1 Simo decoction).Small intestinal advancement rate and gastric emptying rate was determined;the levels of interleukin(IL)-1 β and IL-18 in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);the protein expression of NLRP3 and GSDMD in duodenal tissue was detected by Western blotting.Results The gastric emptying rates of normal,model,positive control and experimental-H,-M,-Lgroupswere(58.34±5.72)％,(29.16±8.37)％,(48.77±6.10)％,(48.35±6.04)％,(48.20±3.49)％and(39.24±4.20)％;the small intestinal propulsion rates were(82.01±7.55)％,(41.95±9.53)％,(64.61±10.18)％,(75.04±9.76)％,(60.58±7.13)％and(45.89±7.40)％;serum IL-1 β expression were(12.86±0.88),(43.73±4.60),(18.84±0.86),(24.61±1.57),(19.14±0.77)and(29.04±0.72)pg·mL-1;IL-18 expressions were(95.00±3.74),(170.60±8.78),(108.50±3.05),(118.90±3.45),(99.90±8.70)and(141.00±3.71)pg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of NLRP3 proteins were 0.32±0.02,0.84±0.05,0.42±0.03,0.48±0.02,0.61±0.04 and 0.62±0.05;the relative expression levels of GSDMD proteins were 0.34±0.05,0.93±0.06,0.35±0.03,0.52±0.02,0.53±0.06 and 0.55±0.05,respectively.Compared with the normal group,the above indexes in the model group have statistical significance;compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H group and the positive control group also have statistical significance(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).Conclusion Simo decoction can effectively improve the general condition and duodenal microinflammation in FD rats,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of duodenal NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostic methods are considered the gold standard for detecting infectious pathogens.However,when applied to portable or on-site rapid diagnostics,they still face various limitations and challenges,such as poor specificity,cumbersome operation,and portability difficulties.The CRISPR(Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/CRISPR-associated protein(Cas)-fluorescence detection method holds the potential to significantly enhance the specificity and signal-to-noise ratio of nucleic acid detection.In this study,we developed a portable grayscale reader detection system based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)-CRISPR/Cas.On one hand,in the presence of CRISPR RNA(crRNA),the CRISPR/Cas12a system was employed to achieve precise fluorescent detection of self-designed LAMP amplification reactions for influenza A and influenza B viruses.This further validated the high selectivity and versatility of the CRISPR/Cas system.On the other hand,the accompanying independently developed portable grayscale reader allowed for low-cost collection of fluorescence signals and high-reliability visual interpretation.At the end of the detection process,it directly provided positive or negative results.Practical sample analyses using this detection system have verified its reliability and utility,demonstrating that this system can achieve highly sensitive and highly specific portable analysis of influenza viruses.

Objective To make an epidemiological investigation on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)dampness syndrome manifestations in the population at risk of cerebrovascular diseases in Guangdong area.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the clinical data related to the risk of cerebrovascular diseases in 330 Guangdong permanent residents.The diagnosis of dampness syndrome,quantitative scoring of dampness syndrome and rating of the risk of stroke were performed for the investigation of the distribution pattern of dampness syndrome and its influencing factors.Results(1)A total of 306(92.73%)study subjects were diagnosed as dampness syndrome.The percentage of dampness syndrome in the risk group was 93.82%(258/275),which was slightly higher than that of the healthy group(48/55,87.27%),but the difference was not statistically significant(χ2 = 2.91,P = 0.112).The quantitative score of dampness syndrome in the risk group was higher than that of the healthy group,and the difference was statistically significance(Z =-2.24,P = 0.025).(2)Among the study subjects at risk of cerebrovascular disease,evaluation time(χ2 = 26.11,P = 0.001),stroke risk grading(χ2= 8.85,P = 0.031),and history of stroke or transient ischemic attack(TIA)(χ2 = 9.28,P = 0.015)were the factors influencing the grading of dampness syndrome in the population at risk of cerebrovascular disease.Conclusion Dampness syndrome is the common TCM syndrome in the population of Guangdong area.The manifestations of dampness syndrome are more obvious in the population with risk factors of cerebrovascular disease,especially in the population at high risk of stroke,and in the population with a history of stroke or TIA.The assessment and intervention of dampness syndrome should be taken into account for future project of stroke prevention in Guangdong.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of modified Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction(composed of Astragali Radix,Codonopsis Radix,Ligustri Lucidi Fructus,Hedyotis Diffusae Herba,Moutan Cortex,Visci Herba,etc.)combined with XELOX regimen(Oxaliplatin plus Capecitabine)for the treatment of postoperative patients with advanced gastric cancer of qi and yin deficiency type.Methods A total of 80 postoperative patients with advanced gastric cancer of qi and yin deficiency type were randomly divided into the Chinese medicine group and the control group,with 40 cases in each group.Both groups received chemotherapy with XELOX regimen,while the Chinese medicine group was given modified Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction.Three weeks constituted a course of treatment,the medication of Chinese medicine decoction lasted for two weeks or more in each course of treatment,and a total of 8 courses of treatment were performed.The incidence of adverse reactions during chemotherapy was monitored and changes in serum tumor markers of serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohydrate antigen 199(CA199)and alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)were observed in the two groups before and after treatment.Moreover,the patients'quality of life was assessed by the scores of Karnofsky's Performance Status(KPS)and World Health Organization Quality of Life Measurement Scale(WHOQOL-100).Long-term follow-up was carried out for the evaluation of the prognostic indicators such as overall survival and one-year and 2-year overall survival rates.Results(1)Patients in the two groups were all followed up,and the median follow-up time was 27 months(95%CI:23.59-27.86).(2)After treatment,the levels of serum CEA and AFP in the Chinese medicine group were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while serum CA199 tended to decrease compared with those before treatment,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05);in the control group,the levels of serum CEA,CA199,and AFP were not significantly decreased after treatment(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of serum CEA,CA199 and AFP levels in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(3)The adverse reactions during chemotherapy in the two groups mainly involved bone marrow suppression,gastrointestinal reactions and liver function abnormalities,etc.The incidences of all adverse reactions in the Chinese medicine group tended to be lower than those in the control group,but the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(4)After treatment,the KPS scores of patients in both groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the improvement in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the scores of the four dimensions of WHOQOL-100 such as health status,mobility,life feelings,and other activities of daily life in the Chinese medicine group were significantly improved compared with the pre-treatment(P＜0.05),whereas there was no significant improvement in the control group(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the improvement of the scores of each dimension of the WHOQOL-100 in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(6)The median survival in the Chinese medicine group was 29.0 months(95%CI:25.95-31.70)and that in the control group was 22.0 months(95%CI:19.67-25.58),indicating that the median survival was significantly prolonged in Chinese medicine group(P＜0.01).The one-year and 2-year postoperative survival rates were 97.5%and 77.5%in the Chinese medicine group and 92.5%and 47.5%in the control group,respectively.The intergroup comparison showed that the one-year and 2-year postoperative survival rates in the Chinese medicine group were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Modified Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction can effectively alleviate the adverse reactions during adjuvant chemotherapy for postoperative patients with advanced gastric cancer of qi and yin deficiency type,improve the quality of life of patients,and prolong the survival time of patients.

Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on interleukin(IL)-9/IL-9 receptor(IL-9R)in the colon tissue of rats with ulcerative colitis(UC)and investigate the protective mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion on the intestinal mucosal barrier in UC rats. Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal control(NC)group and a modeling group.UC models were prepared by giving 4%dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)water for 7 d.After the successful construction of the UC rat model,the modeling group was randomly divided into a UC group,a herb-insulated moxibustion(HM)group,and an electroacupuncture(EA)group.HM and EA interventions at bilateral Tianshu(ST25)were performed once a day for 7 d.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the colon.The serum concentrations of IL-9,IL-6,IL-1β,and hemoglobin-H(HbH)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The protein expression levels of IL-9,IL-9R,claudin-2,zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),and occludin in the colon tissue were measured by Western blotting or immuno-histochemistry.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the co-expression of PU.1 and CD4 with the IL-9 protein. Results:Compared with the NC group,the colon tissue of UC rats was severely damaged and ulcerated with congestion and edema,and the colonic histopathological score increased significantly(P<0.01).The serum HbH concentration decreased significantly(P<0.01),while the serum concentrations of IL-9,IL-6,and IL-1β increased(P<0.01).The protein expression of colonic ZO-1 and occludin decreased significantly(P<0.01),while the protein expression of colonic IL-9 and IL-9R increased(P<0.05).The positive co-expression levels of IL-9/PU.1 and IL-9/CD4 increased in the colon tissue(P<0.05).Compared with the UC group,the colonic mucosal structures were gradually repaired in both HM group and EA group,and healed ulcers could be observed,the colonic histopathological score decreased significantly(P<0.05).The serum concentration of HbH increased(P<0.01),while the serum concentrations of IL-9,IL-6,and IL-1β decreased(P<0.05).The protein expression levels of ZO-1 and occludin increased(P<0.05),while the protein expression levels of IL-9 and IL-9R decreased(P<0.01).The positive co-expression levels of IL-9/PU.1 and IL-9/CD4 decreased in the colon tissue(P<0.05). Conclusion:Both HM and EA can inhibit the protein expression levels of IL-9 and IL-9R in the UC colon by regulating the transcription factor PU.1,promote the repair of intestinal mucosal barrier,and down-regulate protein contents of proinflammatory factors IL-9,IL-6,and IL-1β in the serum,which may be one of the key mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion in reducing the inflammation of UC colonic mucosa and protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of adult anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery(AAOCA)and the causes of missed diagnosis by transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)so as to facilitate TTE in diagnosing adult AAOCA.Methods A total of 37 adult patients with AAOCA diagnosed by non-invasive coronary CT angiography(CCTA)and/or invasive coronary angiography(ICA)were selected as research samples at some hospital from January 2019 to December 2022,and their clinical symptoms and the findings of 12-lead electrocardiogram,cardiac enzymes and TTE were summarized;the patients were typed according to the site of origin of coronary artery anomalies,and the causes for the missed diagnosis of TTE were eplored.Chi-square test was used to compare the differences in TTE missed diagnoses.Results Of the 37 patients,31 ones had no or only mild symptoms;most ones had negative results in terms of 12-lead electrocardiography,cardiac enzymes,changes in the size of the cardiac chambers,segmental ventricular wall motion abnormalities and left ventricular systolic function.The patients with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from left sinus(ARCA-L)gained the largest proportion of 59.45％(22/37);21 patients were diagnosed with anomalous origin of coronary artery arising from the opposite sinus(ACAOS)in the two examinations of TTE,of whom there were 19 cases of ARCA-L,and the detection rate of ACAOS by TTE was 87.5％;all the 13 patients origins in branches and high-grade openings were missed by TTE.The detection rate of ACAOS by TTE was significantly higher than that of coronary artery anomalies originating in branches and in high openings,and the difference was statistically significant(21/24 vs 0/13,P＜0.001).Conclusion Most adult AAOCA patients lack specificity in symptoms and related examination results.TTE has a high detection rate of ACAOS,while it is easy to miss the diagnosis of coronary artery anomalies originating from branches and high openings.Ultrasonographers have to identify false negative AAOCA by multi-section and multi-angle scanning and color Doppler flow imaging in order to reduce the rate of missed diagnosis.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):71-75]

Objective To investigate the infection status and changing trend of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection in hospitalized patients in medical institutions,and provide reference for formulating HCV infection prevention and control strategies.Methods HCV infection surveillance results from cross-sectional survey data reported to China Healthcare-associated Infection(HAI)Surveillance System in 2020 were summarized and analyzed,HCV positive was serum anti-HCV positive or HCV RNA positive,survey result was compared with the survey results from 2003.Results In 2020,1 071 368 inpatients in 1 573 hospitals were surveyed,738 535 of whom underwent HCV test,4 014 patients were infected with HCV,with a detection rate of 68.93％and a HCV positive rate of 0.54％.The positive rate of HCV in male and female patients were 0.60％and 0.48％,respectively,with a statistically sig-nificant difference(x2=47.18,P＜0.001).The HCV positive rate in the 50-＜60 age group was the highest(0.76％),followed by the 40-＜50 age group(0.71％).Difference among all age groups was statistically signifi-cant(x2=696.74,P＜0.001).In 2003,91 113 inpatients were surveyed.35 145 of whom underwent HCV test,resulting in a detection rate of 38.57％;775 patients were infected with HCV,with a positive rate of 2.21％.In 2020,HCV positive rates in hospitals of different scales were 0.46％-0.63％,with the highest in hospital with bed numbers ranging 600-899.Patients'HCV positive rates in hospitals of different scales was statistically signifi-cant(X2=35.34,P＜0.001).In 2020,12 provinces/municipalities had over 10 000 patients underwent HCV-rela-ted test,and HCV positive rates ranged 0.19％-0.81％,with the highest rate from Hainan Province.HCV posi-tive rates in different departments were 0.06％-0.82％,with the lowest positive rate in the department of pedia-trics and the highest in the department of internal medicine.In 2003 and 2020,HCV positive rates in the depart-ment of infectious diseases were the highest,being 7.95％and 3.48％,respectively.Followed by departments of orthopedics(7.72％),gastroenterology(3.77％),nephrology(3.57％)and general intensive care unit(ICU,3.10％)in 2003,as well as departments of gastroenterology(1.35％),nephrology(1.18％),endocrinology(0.91％),and general intensive care unit(ICU,0.79％)in 2020.Conclusion Compared with 2003,HCV positive rate decreased significantly in 2020.HCV infected patients were mainly from the department of infectious diseases,followed by departments of gastroenterology,nephrology and general ICU.HCV infection positive rate varies with gender,age,and region.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Chang'an Juntai Granules(mainly composed of Pseudostellariae Radix,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Poria,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Saposhnikoviae Radix,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Coptidis Rhizoma,and Aucklandiae Radix)in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D)with liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome,and to evaluate its safety.Methods A single-center,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed.A total of 130 patients with IBS-D of liver depression and spleen deficiency were included.The patients were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group by random number table method,with 65 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with Chang'an Juntai Granules,and the control group was treated with Chang'an Juntai Placebo Granules.The course of treatment covered 12 weeks.The changes in the scores of IBS Symptom Severity Scale(IBS-SSS),Bristol Stool Form Scale(BSFS),IBS Quality of Life Questionnaire(IBS-QOL)and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and medication safety in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)During the trial,six cases in the treatment group and eight cases in the control group fell off.Eventually,a total of 116 patients completed the clinical trial,including 59 cases in the treatment group and 57 cases in the control group.(2)After 12 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 88.14％(52/59),and that of the control group was 45.61％(26/57).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the clinical efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the IBS-SSS scores of the two groups and the BSFS and IBS-QOL scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.01),while the scores of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale(HADA)and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression subscale(HADD)in the two groups and the BSFS and IBS-QOL scores in the control group showed no obvious changes(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the decrease of IBS-SSS,BSFS and IBS-QOL scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(4)During the trial,no serious adverse reactions or adverse events occurred in the two groups,no drug-related abnormalities of liver and kidney function,blood,and heart function were found,either.Conclusion Chang'an Juntai Granules are effective on improving the clinical symptoms and fecal characteristics of IBS-D patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome,and on enhancing the quality of life of patients.The granules excert definite curative effect and high safety,and has certain value of clinical application.

In the progression of end-stage liver disease,the incidence of sleep disorders in patients with liver cirrhosis is high.Currently,western medicine treatment has obvious liver and kidney damage and adverse reactions after discontinuation,which affects the therapeutic effect.Cirrhosis and sleep disorders can be separately attributed to the category of"abdominal mass"and"insomnia"in traditional Chinese medicine.The"abdominal mass"is caused by the disorder of liver and spleen qi movement,as well as the obstruction of phlegm-dampness and blood stasis.In the development of"abdominal mass",the liver failed in ensuring free movement of qi,the spleen failed in transportation and transformation,liver yin and liver blood became insufficiency and the imbalance of yin and yang in the zang-fu organs became imbalanced,and then the ethereal soul depart from the housing,which leads to"insomnia"as an outward manifestation.Professor ZHOU Xiao-Zhou focuses on the concept of qi and blood,and points out that the pathogenesis of sleep disorder in cirrhosis is characterized by liver stagnation and spleen deficiency.He proposed that the treatment principle is to regulate the liver and spleen simultaneously,as well as to nourish the heart and calm the mind.Professor ZHOU has developed Ganyinghua Anshen Formula for treating sleep disorders in cirrhosis,which is derived from the modification of Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction,and is composed of 14 Chinese medicines of vinegar-prepared Cyperi Rhizoma,Amomi Fructus,Coicis Semen,Dioscoreae Rhizoma,bran-fried Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum,Gardeniae Fructus,Codonopsis Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Sclerotium Poriae Pararadicis,Longan Arillus,Albiziae Cortex,and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle.The formula has achieved remarkable clinical effect.The clinical experience of Professor ZHOU Xiao-Zhou for treating sleep disorders in cirrhosis through regulating the liver and spleen simultaneously will provide a reference for its clinical treatment with traditional Chinese medicine.