Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis(GIOP) is a serious metabolic bone disease caused by long-term application of glucocorticoids(GCs). Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has unique advantages in improving bone microstructure and antagonizing hormone toxicity. This paper systematically reviews the theoretical research, clinical application, and basic research progress of TCM intervention in GIOP. In terms of theoretical research, the theory of "kidney governing bone and generating marrow" indicates that the kidney is closely related to bone development, revealing that core pathogenesis of GIOP is Yin-Yang disharmony, which can be discussed using the theories of "Yin fire", "ministerial fire", and "Yang pathogen damaging Yin". Thus, regulating Yin and Yang is the basic principle to treat GIOP. In terms of clinical application, effective empirical prescriptions(such as Bushen Zhuanggu Decoction, Bushen Jiangu Decoction, and Zibu Ganshen Formula) and Chinese patent medicines(Gushukang Capsules, Hugu Capsules, Xianling Gubao Capsules, etc.) can effectively increase bone mineral density(BMD) and improve calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The combination of traditional Chinese and western medicine can reduce the risk of fracture and play an anti-GIOP role. In terms of basic research, it has been clarified that active ingredients of TCM(such as fraxetin, ginsenoside Rg_1, and salidroside) reduce bone loss and promote bone formation by inhibiting oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and other pathways, effectively improving bone homeostasis. Additionally, classical prescriptions(Modified Yiguan Decoction, Modified Qing'e Pills, Zuogui Pills, etc.) and Chinese patent medicines(Gushukang Granules, Lurong Jiangu Dropping Pills, Gubao Capsules, etc.) can improve bone marrow microcirculation, promote osteoblast differentiation, and inhibit bone cell apoptosis through multiple pathways, multiple targets, and multiple mechanisms. Through the above three aspects, the TCM research status on GIOP is elucidated in the expectation of providing reference for its diagnosis and treatment using traditional Chinese and western medicine treatment programs.
Osteoporosis/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Glucocorticoids/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Bone Density/drug effects*

Objective:To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of HEMO-FISS-QoL(HF-QoL) questionnaire (HF-QoL-C) in the Chinese population with hemorrhoids.Methods:From November 2021 to November 2022, a self-constructed general information questionnaire, HF-QoL-C, and the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), Goligher classification, and Giordano severity of hemorrhoid symptom questionnaire (GSQ) were used to conduct a questionnaire survey on 760 hemorrhoid patients in the anorectal department of six hospitals. The data was analyzed for reliability and validity using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 26.0 software.Results:The Cronbach's α coefficient of HF-QoL-C and its dimension ranged from 0.831 to 0.960, and the split coefficient was 0.832-0.915. Four common factors were extracted through principal component exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable structural validity( χ2/ df=8.152, RSMEA=0.097, CFI=0.881, IFI=0.881, NFI=0.867). HF-QoL-C was correlated with SF36 and GSQ( r=-0.694, 0.501, both P<0.01). There were differences in the total score and dimensional scores of HF-QoL-C between surgical and drug treated patients, different grades of Goligher classification for hemorrhoidal disease, and different ranges of hemorrhoid prolapse (all P<0.001). No ceiling effect was found in the total score and the scores of each dimension(0.3%-2.0%). There was a floor effect in both psychological function and sexual activity dimensions (16.7%, 35.1%). Conclusion:HF-QoL-C has good reliability and validity, which can be used to measure the quality of life of Chinese hemorrhoid patients.

Nutritional therapy is a core component of critically ill patient management,and the enteral route has become the preferred method due to its dual roles of nutrition and non-nutrition. The use of vasoactive medications makes enteral nutrition decisions more challenging for these patients. This review systematically examines the pathophysiological effects of vasoactive medications on gastrointestinal tract of critically ill patients,the current value and safety of enteral nutrition in this patient's population,summarizes the optimal strategies for implementing enteral nutrition in these patients for clinical reference.

Objective To investigate the effect of microplastic(MPs)exposure on learning and memory in mice,and its mechanism by observing the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)/tyrosine receptor kinase B(TrkB)/N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B(NR2B)signaling pathway and neurogenesis.Methods Forty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group(Ctrl)and microplastics exposure group(MPs).Mice in MPs group were treated with 0.3 mg/(kg·d)microplastics,administered by gavage at a volume of 200 μl for 30 consecutive days.Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the spatial learning and memory ability of mice.Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of BDNF,TrkB and NR2B in hippocampus of mice.Immunofluorescent staining was used to observe the number of doublecortin(DCX)and neuronal nuclei antigen(NeuN)positive cells in the hippocampus of mice to evaluate hippocampal neurogenesis.Results Compared with the control group,the ability of learning and memory decreased significantly in MPs group mice(P＜0.01).The expression levels of BDNF,TrkB and NR2B in the hippocampus of MPs group mice were significantly lower than those of control group(P＜0.05).The number of DCX and NeuN positive cells in the hippocampus of MPs group was significantly lower than that of control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion MPs exposure induces learning and memory impairment which may be related to inhibiting BDNF/TrkB/NR2B signaling pathway and reducing hippocampal neurogenesis.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Background/Aims: Functional dyspepsia (FD) overlapping with other gastrointestinal disorders are quite common. The characteristics of FD overlap in Chinese population with latest Rome IV criteria were unclear. This large-scale outpatient-based study assessed the characteristics of FD overlap in South China. Methods: Consecutive FD patients visited the Gastroenterology Clinic at 2 tertiary medical centers in Hangzhou, China who fulfilled the Rome IV criteria were enrolled. Complete questionnaires related to the gastrointestinal symptoms (Rome IV criteria), Reflux Disease Questionnaire, anxiety and depression, quality of sleep and life, and demographic information were collected. Results: Among the total of 3281 FD patients, 50.69% overlapped with gastroesophageal reflux disease, 21.46% overlapped with irritable bowel syndrome, 6.03% overlapped with functional constipation. FD overlap had higher proportion of single/divorced/widowed rate, high education level, being employed, drinking, night shift, unhealthy dietary habit than FD only (P < 0.05). They had higher frequency of consultation and economic burden, as well as lower scores in quality of life (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that increasing age, female, low body mass index, history of gastroenteritis, anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality were independent risk factors for FD overlap. Conclusions FD overlap was quite common in China with high economic burden and poor quality of life, FD patients with history of gastroenteritis, anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality were more likely to have overlap disorders. Awareness of the physical and psychosocial stressors in overlapping condition would help optimize the management of FD overlap in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in percentage of GATA3⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and mouse models. METHODS: The nasal mucosa specimens were obtained from 6 AR patients and 6 control patients for detection of nasal mucosal inflammation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 12 AP patients and 12 control patients to determine the percentages of Treg cells and GATA3⁺ Treg cells. In a C57BL/6 mouse model of AR, the AR symptom score, peripheral blood OVA-sIgE level, and nasal mucosal inflammation were assessed, and the spleen of mice was collected for detecting the percentages of Treg cells and GATA3⁺ Treg cells and the expressions of Th2 cytokines. RESULTS: Compared with the control patients, AR patients showed significantly increased eosinophil infiltration and goblet cell proliferation in the nasal mucosa (P < 0.01) and decreased percentages of Treg cells and GATA3⁺ Treg cells (P < 0.05). The mouse models of AR also had more obvious allergic symptoms, significantly increased OVA-sIgE level in peripheral blood, eosinophil infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia (P < 0.01), markedly lowered percentages of Treg cells and GATA3⁺ Treg cells in the spleen (P < 0.01), and increased expressions of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The percentage of GATA3⁺ Treg cells is decreased in AR patients and mouse models. GATA3⁺ Treg cells possibly participate in Th2 cell immune response, both of which are involved in the occurrence and progression of AR, suggesting the potential of GATA3⁺ Treg cells as a new therapeutic target for AR.
Animals ; Mice ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; Inflammation ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nasal Mucosa/metabolism* ; Ovalbumin ; Rhinitis, Allergic/therapy* ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Th2 Cells/metabolism* ; Humans

Objective: We aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics of asymptomatic AF in elder community population (≥65 years old) to analyze the detection rate of different screening methods. Methods: The study was a prospective cohort study. The elder (≥65 years old) residents who voluntarily participated in free physical examination in Dalian community were selected. The participants were randomly divided into screening group (including intensive screening group and single screening group) and control group. The control group received interrogation, medical history collection and routine 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) examination. Screening group received an additional single-lead ambulatory ECG equipment worn for 5-7 days. Intensive screening group received two equal-length wearings in 2020 and 2021 respectively, while one screening group only wore once in 2020. Results: Finally 3 340 residents ((70.7±5.0) years old) which consisted of 1 488 males (44.55%) were enrolled. There were 1 945 residents in screening group, including 859 in intensive screening group and 1 086 in one-time screening group. The control group included 1 395 people. Detection rate of asymptomatic AF was significantly higher in screening group than control group (79(4.06%) vs. 24(1.72%), P<0.001). Higher detection rate was found in screening group than control group in AF risk factors (1 or 2-3) subgroups and CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (2-3 or≥4) subgroups (P<0.05). Additionally, no difference was found between intensive screening group and single screening group (42(4.89%) vs. 37(3.41%), P=0.100). Intensive screening increased detection rate (7(6.93%) vs. 1(0.58%), P=0.009) only in residents those with low thrombosis risk (CHA₂DS₂-VaSc<2). Conclusions: Screening in elderly (≥65 years old) can significantly improve the detection rate of asymptomatic AF by wearing single lead dynamic ECG device. The rate increased significantly with the increase of risk factors associated with AF by single screening. In addition, repeat screening of the same method may only improve detection rates in the group with low risk thrombotic scores and non-combination of AF risk factors.Screening methods that are appropriate for different populations may require further exploration.
Male ; Humans ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology* ; Prospective Studies ; Electrocardiography ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Risk Assessment ; Mass Screening/methods*

Objective: To evaluate the safety and antitumor activity of envafolimab monotherapy in Chinese patients with advanced solid tumors. Methods: This open-label, multicenter phase I trial included dose escalation and dose expansion phases. In the dose escalation phase, patients received subcutaneous 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 mg/kg envafolimab once weekly (QW) following a modified "3+ 3" design. The dose expansion phase was performed in the 2.5 mg/kg and 5.0 mg/kg (QW) dose cohorts. Results: At November 25, 2019, a total of 287 patients received envafolimab treatment. During the dose escalation phase, no dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) was observed. In all dose cohorts, drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) for all grades occurred in 75.3% of patients, and grade 3 or 4 occurred in 20.6% of patients. The incidence of immune-related adverse reactions (irAE) was 24.0% for all grades, the most common irAEs (≥2%) included hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, immune-associated hepatitis and rash. The incidence of injection site reactions was low (3.8%), all of which were grades 1-2. Among the 216 efficacy evaluable patients, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 11.6% and 43.1%, respectively. Median duration of response was 49.1 weeks (95% CI: 24.0, 49.3). Pharmacokinetic (PK) exposure to envafolimab is proportional to dose and median time to maximum plasma concentration is 72-120 hours based on the PK results from the dose escalation phase of the study. Conclusion: Subcutaneous envafolimab has a favorable safety and promising preliminary anti-tumor activity in Chinese patients with advanced solid tumors.
Humans ; East Asian People ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use*