ObjectiveTo explore the dose-effect relationship and safety of high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in the modified Huangqi Chifengtang （MHCD） for treating proteinuria in immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy， and to provide scientific evidence for the clinical use of high-dose Astragali Radix in the treatment of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy. MethodsA total of 120 patients with IgA nephropathy， diagnosed with Qi deficiency and blood stasis combined with wind pathogen and heat toxicity， were randomly divided into a control group and three treatment groups. The control group received telmisartan combined with a Chinese medicine placebo， while the treatment groups were given telmisartan combined with MHCD containing different doses of raw Astragali Radix （60， 30， 15 g）. Each group contained 30 patients， and the treatment period was 12 weeks. Changes in 24-hour urinary protein （24 hUTP）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， effective rate， and renal function were observed before and after treatment. Safety was assessed by monitoring liver function and blood routine. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment， 24 hUTP significantly decreased in the high， medium， and low-dose groups， as well as the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， and low-dose groups also significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Comparisons between groups showed that the 24 hUTP in the high-dose group was significantly lower than in the medium， low-dose， and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 24 hUTP in the medium-dose group was significantly lower than in the control group （P<0.05）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly lower than in the low-dose and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The total effective rates for proteinuria in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 92.59% （25/27）， 85.19% （23/27）， 60.71% （17/28）， and 57.14% （16/28）， respectively. The effective rates in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly higher than in the low-dose and control groups （χ²=13.185， P<0.05， P<0.01）. The effective rates for TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 88.89% （24/27）， 81.48% （22/27）， 71.43% （20/28）， and 46.43% （13/28）， respectively. The efficacy of TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups was significantly higher than in the control group （χ²=14.053， P<0.01）. Compared with pre-treatment values， there was no statistically significant difference in eGFR and serum creatinine in the high and medium-dose groups. However， eGFR significantly decreased in the low-dose and control groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and serum creatinine levels increased significantly in the control group （P<0.05）. No statistically significant differences were observed in urea nitrogen， uric acid， albumin， total cholesterol， triglycerides， liver function， and blood routine before and after treatment in any group. ConclusionThere is a dose-effect relationship in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in MHCD. The high-dose group exhibited the best therapeutic effect and good safety profile.

Objective To explore the current situation of medication safety behavior of elderly cancer patients and the path relationship of various influencing factors for improving medication safety behavior.Methods A total of 340 elderly cancer patients were investigated by a demographic questionnaire,the Medication Safety Behavior Scale,the Medication Literacy Scale,the Family Care Index Questionnaire,and the Chinese version of the Empowerment Scale for Cancer Patients from August to December 2024.The multiple linear regression analysis was applied to analyze influencing factors,and data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0 to construct a partial least squares structural equation model with path analysis.Results A total of 307 valid questionnaires were collected.The mean medication safety behavior score was 31.89±5.38.Residential area,drug literacy,family care,and health empowerment are factors that affect medication safety in elderly cancer patients,accounting for 37.3％of the total variation.The path analysis results indicated that health empowerment(β=0.480),medication literacy(β=0.154),and family care(β=0.227)positively correlate with medication safety behavior.Health empowerment played a partial mediating role between family care and medication safety behavior,as well as between medication literacy and medication safety behavior.The mediating effects are 0.125 and 0.332(P＜0.001),accounting for 35.51％and 68.31％of the total effect,respectively.Conclusion Medication safety behaviors among elderly cancer patients are at a median level and influenced by multiple factors.By improving their levels of health empowerment,healthcare professionals can motivate patients to take an active role in medication safety management.Further,promoting education on medication knowledge and teaching relevant medical skills,and together with guiding patients to perceive family care and support,can collectively improve their overall medication safety behaviors.

Schwann cells and macrophages are the main immune cells involved in peripheral nerve injury. After injury, Schwann cells produce an inflammatory response and secrete various chemokines, inflammatory factors, and some other cytokines to promote the recruitment and M2 polarization of blood-derived macrophages, enhancing their phagocytotic ability, and thus play an important role in promoting nerve regeneration. Macrophages have also been found to promote vascular regeneration after injury, promote the migration and proliferation of Schwann cells along blood vessels, and facilitate myelination and axon regeneration. Therefore, there is a close interaction between Schwann cells and macrophages during peripheral nerve regeneration, but this has not been systematically summarized. In this review, the mechanisms of action of Schwann cells and macrophages in each other's migration and phenotypic transformation are reviewed from the perspective of each other, to provide directions for research on accelerating nerve injury repair.
Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/physiopathology* ; Animals ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Nerve Regeneration/physiology* ; Humans ; Cell Movement/physiology*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze a Chinese pedigree affected with Non-syndromic autosomal recessive deafness type 12 (NFNB12), validate the function of candidate variants, and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: A NFNB12 pedigree presented at Henan Provincial People's Hospital in February 2023 was selected as the study subject. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of the pedigree members. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the level of mRNA transcription in the peripheral blood samples from the pedigree members, and protein expression was evaluated with Western blotting assay. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of Henan Provincial People's Hospital (Ethics No.: 2019-134). RESULTS: WES analysis revealed that the proband has harbored homozygous c.6688delG (p.Ala2230Profs*4) variant of the CDH23 gene, for which both parents were identified as heterozygous carriers. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated the sole presence of the variant mRNA in the proband, and both the variant and wild-type mRNAs in both parents. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis indicated that the proband had exclusively expressed the truncated CDH23 protein, while both the normal and truncated forms of the protein were noted in her parents. CONCLUSION The c.6688delG (p.Ala2230Profs*4) variant of the CDH23 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of NFNB12 in this pedigree. The loss of function of the CDH23 gene resulting from this variant is not related with nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, but rather production of a truncated protein. Above finding has not only enriched the mutational spectrum of the CDH23 gene and offered a method for investigating the function of its variants using peripheral blood samples, but also delineated the molecular basis for the loss of function, which has provided crucial evidence for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for this family.
Humans ; Pedigree ; Male ; Female ; Asian People/genetics* ; Cadherins/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Deafness/genetics* ; Mutation ; China ; Adult ; Cadherin Related Proteins ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics* ; East Asian People

Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides(PSP)on diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM).Methods Forty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into Control,Model,PSP,and metformin groups.After 4 weeks of feeding a high-fat diet,streptozotocin was injected intraperitoneally to establish a rat model of diabetes mellitus.The drug was administered by gavage for 12 weeks,and body mass and blood glucose were recorded every 2 weeks.Cardiac function was detected by non-invasive echocardiography at week 16.Myocardial histopathological changes and the degree of myocardial fibrosis were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining.Serum interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β,IL-18,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),triglycerides,total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein,and high-density lipoprotein were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Expression levels of the fibrosis-related proteins transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1,Smad2,Collagen-Ⅰ,Collagen-Ⅲ,and the pyroptosis-related proteins NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),and Caspase-1 were detected in rat myocardial tissues by Western blot.Cellular experiments were performed by exposing H9c2 cells to high glucose(40 mmol/L)to mimic the in vitro DCM model,cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay,and the apoptotic cell ratio was detected by flow cytometry.Results Rats in the treatment group had significantly lower blood glucose,lipid,and serum inflammatory factor levels compared with the model group(P＜0.05),significantly higher ejection fraction and fractional shortening values(P＜0.05),and improved cardiac function.Myocardial fibers were better aligned and collagen fiber accumulation was reduced,and myocardial tissue levels of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Collagen-Ⅰ,Collagen-Ⅲ,TGF-β1,and Smad2 were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).In the cellular assay,PSP increased the viability and decreased the proportion of apoptotic cells in high glucose-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes.Conclusions PSP can improve glucose-lipid metabolism,protect cardiac function,and delay the occurrence of myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats,and can also improve the viability of cardiomyocytes.Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of cellular pyroptosis and delayed occurrence of ventricular remodeling.

Objective:To compare the medical costs of using standard fortified donor human milk (DHM) or preterm formula (PF) to supply very low birth weight [VLBW, defined as birth weight (BW) ≥1 000 g but <1 500 g] and extremely low birth weight (ELBW, defined as BW <1 000 g) premature infants with insufficient maternal breast milk.Methods:VLBW and ELBW preterm infants hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 2017 to October 2020 were retrospectively enrolled and assigned into DHM group and PF group based on complementary feeding methods. The cost of parenteral nutrition (PN), cost of antibiotics, and total medical expenses during hospitalization were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 89 infants were enrolled in this study, out of whom 50 was in the DHM group and 39 the PF group. The gestational age in DHM group and PF group were both (29±2) weeks. The BW of DHM group was 1 170 (919, 1 380)?g and that of PF group was 1 170 (1 010, 1 360) g. There were no significant differences in gestational age, BW, maternal age at delivery, delivery mode, gender ratio, proportion of small-for-gestational-age infants and length of hospital stay between the two groups (all P>0.05). The cost of parenteral nutrition in DHM group was significantly lower than that in PF group [3 500 (1 922, 5 704) Chinese yuan vs 7 995 (5 579, 10 788) Chinese Yuan, P<0.01]. The cost of antibiotics in DHM group was significantly lower than that in PF group [6 529 (2 265, 10 860) Chinese Yuan vs 13 676 (10 480, 18 506) Chinese Yuan, P<0.01]. The difference in total medical expense during hospitalization showed no statistical significance between two groups ( P>0.05). Amorg VLBW preterm infants, the cost of PN, cost of antibiotics, total cost of hospitalization, and daily cost of hospitalization in HDM group was significantly lower than that in PF group (all P<0.05). In ELBW preterm infants, the cost of PN and the cost of antibiotics in HDM group were significantly lower than that in PF group (both P<0.05), but the total cost of hospitalization and the daily cost of hospitalization between two groups showed no significant difference (all P>0.05). Conclusions:When mother's own milk is insufficient, using donor human milk reduces the costs of PN and antibiotics in VLBW and ELBW preterm infants compared with using PF. In VLBW preterm infants, using DHM can also reduce the total and daily cost of hospitalization.

Objective:To compare the medical costs of using standard fortified donor human milk (DHM) or preterm formula (PF) to supply very low birth weight [VLBW, defined as birth weight (BW) ≥1 000 g but <1 500 g] and extremely low birth weight (ELBW, defined as BW <1 000 g) premature infants with insufficient maternal breast milk.Methods:VLBW and ELBW preterm infants hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 2017 to October 2020 were retrospectively enrolled and assigned into DHM group and PF group based on complementary feeding methods. The cost of parenteral nutrition (PN), cost of antibiotics, and total medical expenses during hospitalization were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 89 infants were enrolled in this study, out of whom 50 was in the DHM group and 39 the PF group. The gestational age in DHM group and PF group were both (29±2) weeks. The BW of DHM group was 1 170 (919, 1 380)?g and that of PF group was 1 170 (1 010, 1 360) g. There were no significant differences in gestational age, BW, maternal age at delivery, delivery mode, gender ratio, proportion of small-for-gestational-age infants and length of hospital stay between the two groups (all P>0.05). The cost of parenteral nutrition in DHM group was significantly lower than that in PF group [3 500 (1 922, 5 704) Chinese yuan vs 7 995 (5 579, 10 788) Chinese Yuan, P<0.01]. The cost of antibiotics in DHM group was significantly lower than that in PF group [6 529 (2 265, 10 860) Chinese Yuan vs 13 676 (10 480, 18 506) Chinese Yuan, P<0.01]. The difference in total medical expense during hospitalization showed no statistical significance between two groups ( P>0.05). Amorg VLBW preterm infants, the cost of PN, cost of antibiotics, total cost of hospitalization, and daily cost of hospitalization in HDM group was significantly lower than that in PF group (all P<0.05). In ELBW preterm infants, the cost of PN and the cost of antibiotics in HDM group were significantly lower than that in PF group (both P<0.05), but the total cost of hospitalization and the daily cost of hospitalization between two groups showed no significant difference (all P>0.05). Conclusions:When mother's own milk is insufficient, using donor human milk reduces the costs of PN and antibiotics in VLBW and ELBW preterm infants compared with using PF. In VLBW preterm infants, using DHM can also reduce the total and daily cost of hospitalization.

Objective To explore the current situation of medication safety behavior of elderly cancer patients and the path relationship of various influencing factors for improving medication safety behavior.Methods A total of 340 elderly cancer patients were investigated by a demographic questionnaire,the Medication Safety Behavior Scale,the Medication Literacy Scale,the Family Care Index Questionnaire,and the Chinese version of the Empowerment Scale for Cancer Patients from August to December 2024.The multiple linear regression analysis was applied to analyze influencing factors,and data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0 to construct a partial least squares structural equation model with path analysis.Results A total of 307 valid questionnaires were collected.The mean medication safety behavior score was 31.89±5.38.Residential area,drug literacy,family care,and health empowerment are factors that affect medication safety in elderly cancer patients,accounting for 37.3％of the total variation.The path analysis results indicated that health empowerment(β=0.480),medication literacy(β=0.154),and family care(β=0.227)positively correlate with medication safety behavior.Health empowerment played a partial mediating role between family care and medication safety behavior,as well as between medication literacy and medication safety behavior.The mediating effects are 0.125 and 0.332(P＜0.001),accounting for 35.51％and 68.31％of the total effect,respectively.Conclusion Medication safety behaviors among elderly cancer patients are at a median level and influenced by multiple factors.By improving their levels of health empowerment,healthcare professionals can motivate patients to take an active role in medication safety management.Further,promoting education on medication knowledge and teaching relevant medical skills,and together with guiding patients to perceive family care and support,can collectively improve their overall medication safety behaviors.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides(PSP)on diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM).Methods Forty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into Control,Model,PSP,and metformin groups.After 4 weeks of feeding a high-fat diet,streptozotocin was injected intraperitoneally to establish a rat model of diabetes mellitus.The drug was administered by gavage for 12 weeks,and body mass and blood glucose were recorded every 2 weeks.Cardiac function was detected by non-invasive echocardiography at week 16.Myocardial histopathological changes and the degree of myocardial fibrosis were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining.Serum interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β,IL-18,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),triglycerides,total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein,and high-density lipoprotein were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Expression levels of the fibrosis-related proteins transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1,Smad2,Collagen-Ⅰ,Collagen-Ⅲ,and the pyroptosis-related proteins NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),and Caspase-1 were detected in rat myocardial tissues by Western blot.Cellular experiments were performed by exposing H9c2 cells to high glucose(40 mmol/L)to mimic the in vitro DCM model,cell viability was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay,and the apoptotic cell ratio was detected by flow cytometry.Results Rats in the treatment group had significantly lower blood glucose,lipid,and serum inflammatory factor levels compared with the model group(P＜0.05),significantly higher ejection fraction and fractional shortening values(P＜0.05),and improved cardiac function.Myocardial fibers were better aligned and collagen fiber accumulation was reduced,and myocardial tissue levels of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Collagen-Ⅰ,Collagen-Ⅲ,TGF-β1,and Smad2 were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).In the cellular assay,PSP increased the viability and decreased the proportion of apoptotic cells in high glucose-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes.Conclusions PSP can improve glucose-lipid metabolism,protect cardiac function,and delay the occurrence of myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats,and can also improve the viability of cardiomyocytes.Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of cellular pyroptosis and delayed occurrence of ventricular remodeling.

Objective:To compare the short-term outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants supplementarily fed with fortified donor human milk (DHM) or preterm formula (PF) when the mother's own milk (MOM) is insufficient.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 91 VLBW or ELBW preterm infants with birth weight<1 500 g who were hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2020. Based on the supplemental feeding method when MOM was insufficient, these infants were divided into the DHM group ( n=51) and PF group ( n=40). Mann-Whitney U, t-test, Chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test were used to compare the short-term clinical outcomes during hospitalization between the two groups. Results:(1) There were no statistically significant differences between the 91 preterm infants in the DHM group and PF group in their gestational age, birth weight, sex ratio, birth mode, mothers' age at delivery, or the proportion of infants of small gestational age (all P>0.05). (2) The feeding volume in the DHM group was significantly greater than that in the PF group on the 14th day after birth [(108.2±53.1) vs. (81.0±47.8) ml/(kg·d), t=0.78, P=0.020]. Moreover, the time to achieve the feeding amounts up to 120 ml/(kg·d) and 150 ml/(kg·d) for infants in the DHM group were significantly shorter than those in the PF group [(17.5±10.2) vs. (30.0±12.0) d, t=4.38; (22.1±13.3) vs. (32.3±11.9) d, t=0.02; both P<0.05]; (3) Lower proportion of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) [58.8% (30/51) vs. 100% (40/40), χ 2=21.88, P<0.001] and shorter PICC duration were observed in the DHM group [10.0 (0.0-19.0) vs. 29.0 (17.0-40.5) d, Z=5.56, P<0.001] compared to the PF group. The times of red blood cell transfusions and the incidence of late sepsis in the DHM group were less than those in the PF group [0.0 (0.0-2.0) vs. 2.0 (1.0-3.0) times, Z=4.44, P<0.001; 23.5% (12/51) vs. 50.0% (20/40), χ 2=6.39, P=0.011]. There were no statistically significant differences observed in the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, and the length of hospitalization (all P>0.05). Conclusion:When MOM is insufficient, supplementing VLBW and ELBW infants with fortified donor human milk can shorten the time to achieve enteral nutrition and reduce the use rate and time of PICC, the incidence of late-onset sepsis, and the times of red blood cell transfusion.