With the extensive application of nuclear technology in industry, agriculture, and medicine, the safety issues associated with neutron radiation have become increasingly prominent. Due to their high penetrability and strong ionization effect, neutrons can cause serious health risks by directly damaging DNA or inducing secondary γ radiation. Therefore, the neutron radiation protection has become a core challenge in radiation protection, especially the research and development of neutron shielding materials. To ensure the safe development of nuclear technology, neutron shielding materials are indispensable and constitute a fundamental core technology for radiation protection. This paper reviews the theory of neutron radiation protection and the research progress of neutron shielding materials, with a focus on the current application status and existing problems of neutron shielding materials. This article also discusses the future development trends. This review aims to provide theoretical support and technical references for the safe application and development of nuclear technology.

Objective:To explore the effects of different electrical stimulations on cerebral cortex excitability, upper limb motor function, left-right coordination and counterbalance mechanisms among stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty stroke survivors with hemiplegia were randomly divided into a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) group and a contralateral control functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) group, each of 15. In addition to conventional rehabilitation treatment, the NMES group was additionally given daily 20-minute NMES to promote elbow extension and wrist extension 5 days a week for 4 weeks, while the CCFES group was given CCFES, instead. Before and after the treatment, the bilateral resting motor thresholds (RMTs), motor evoked potential (MEPs) cortical latency, MEP amplitude and inter-hemisphere asymmetry (IHA) index were measured. The Fugl-Meyer upper extremity assessment (FMA-UE) and the Hong Kong version of the functional test for hemiplegic upper extremities (FTHUE-HK) were employed to evaluate the subjects′ motor functioning. Pearson correlation coefficients relating cortical excitability with upper extremity function were computed.Results:After the treatments, significant improvement was observed in both groups in the latency and amplitude of the RMT and MEP of the affected hemisphere, the IHA value, as well as the FMA-UE and FTHUE-HK scores. The CCFES group then had scores significantly superior to those in the NMES group, on average. The improvements in the FMA-UE and FTHUE-HK scores were significantly positively correlated with the gap in IHA values and the MEP amplitude of the affected hemisphere.Conclusions:Both NMES and CCFES can improve the excitability of the affected motor cortex after a stroke. They help to restore the dynamic balance between the brain hemispheres for better motor functioning of the upper limbs. CCFES has a better therapeutic effect than NMES. The improvement in upper limb motor function is positively correlated with the increase in cortical excitability of the affected hemisphere and the normalization of inter-hemisphere asymmetry.

Objective:To explore the effects of different electrical stimulations on cerebral cortex excitability, upper limb motor function, left-right coordination and counterbalance mechanisms among stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty stroke survivors with hemiplegia were randomly divided into a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) group and a contralateral control functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) group, each of 15. In addition to conventional rehabilitation treatment, the NMES group was additionally given daily 20-minute NMES to promote elbow extension and wrist extension 5 days a week for 4 weeks, while the CCFES group was given CCFES, instead. Before and after the treatment, the bilateral resting motor thresholds (RMTs), motor evoked potential (MEPs) cortical latency, MEP amplitude and inter-hemisphere asymmetry (IHA) index were measured. The Fugl-Meyer upper extremity assessment (FMA-UE) and the Hong Kong version of the functional test for hemiplegic upper extremities (FTHUE-HK) were employed to evaluate the subjects′ motor functioning. Pearson correlation coefficients relating cortical excitability with upper extremity function were computed.Results:After the treatments, significant improvement was observed in both groups in the latency and amplitude of the RMT and MEP of the affected hemisphere, the IHA value, as well as the FMA-UE and FTHUE-HK scores. The CCFES group then had scores significantly superior to those in the NMES group, on average. The improvements in the FMA-UE and FTHUE-HK scores were significantly positively correlated with the gap in IHA values and the MEP amplitude of the affected hemisphere.Conclusions:Both NMES and CCFES can improve the excitability of the affected motor cortex after a stroke. They help to restore the dynamic balance between the brain hemispheres for better motor functioning of the upper limbs. CCFES has a better therapeutic effect than NMES. The improvement in upper limb motor function is positively correlated with the increase in cortical excitability of the affected hemisphere and the normalization of inter-hemisphere asymmetry.

OBJECTIVE The emergence of evolving variants of Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has fostered the need for change of newer and adaptive treatments for these infections.During the COVID-19 pandemic and persists,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)herbs exhibit significant bioactivity and therapeutic effect.This study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy of four TCM preparations on 28-day mortality risk of patients and changes of the laboratory indicators.METHODS The retrospective cohort study included patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from December 15,2022 to January 15,2023,and those died within 48 hours of admission or cannot be tracked for outcomes were excluded.The pri-mary outcome was survival status in 28 days(death or survival)starting from the day of admission.The second outcomes were labora-tory indicators,including absolute lymphocyte count,lactate dehydrogenase,creatinine,and blood urea nitrogen.Binary logistic re-gressions were used to estimate the effect of TCM preparations on the primary and secondary outcomes in main analysis.Meanwhile,heterogeneity and robustness of results from main analysis were assessed by subgroup analyses and multiple sensitivity analyses.RESULTS 1 816 eligible patients were included in analysis dataset,including 573 patients received standard care(control group)and 1 243 patients received TCM preparations(hospital preparation group).The 28-day mortality rate of hospital preparation group was lower than that of control group(4.75%vs.14.83%),and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=54.666,P<0.001).The risk of 28-day mortality was 0.535 times lower in the hospital preparation group as compared with the control group(OR=0.46,95%CI:0.305-0.708,P<0.001)showed by multivariable binary logistic regressions.Subgroup analyses showed that taking TCM preparations reduced the 28-day mortality risk.Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the results of the main analysis for primary outcomes were robust.For secondary outcomes,the risk of abnormal absolute lymphocyte counts at discharge in the hospital prepara-tion group decreased by 0.284 times(OR=0.703,95%CI:0.515-0.961,P=0.027).CONCLUSION Compared with standard of care,taking four hospital preparations including Kanggan Heji,Feining Heji,Qishen Gubiao Keli,and Qianghuo Qushi Qingwen Heji decreased risk of 28-day mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.TCM therapy achieves adequate therapeutic effects in COVID-19.

AKT,also known as Protein Kinase B(PKB),plays a critical role in cell proliferation and metabolism.There are three isoforms of AKT:AKT1,AKT2,and AKT3.The effects of these isoforms on the pluripotency and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells(mESCs)remain unclear.This study aims to explore the impact of three AKT isoform-specific knockouts on the self-renewal and differen-tiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology,AKT isoform-spe-cific knockout cell lines were established.The phenotypic and molecular changes were analyzed through Western blotting,flow cytometry,qRT-PCR,CCK-8 assays,Alkaline Phosphatase(AP)staining,and RNA-seq.The construction of AKT isoform-specific knockout cell lines was successful.The loss of AKT1 and AKT2 inhibited the proliferation of mESCs.The knockout of any single AKT isoform did not affect the expression of pluripotency genes at both mRNA or protein levels.However,during embryoid body forma-tion,the deletion of any of the three AKT isoforms affected the mRNA expression levels of genes in all three germ layers.Transcriptome analysis showed that compared to wild-type mESCs,995,547,and 429 differentially expressed genes(|log2FC|≧1,P＜0.05)were identified inAKT1,AKT2,and AKT3 isoform-specific knockout cells,respectively.There was some overlap in the differentially expressed genes regulated by these three isoforms.In conclusion,the independent knockout of AKT isoforms does not af-fect the maintenance of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells,but they are crucial for differentia-tion.The three AKT isoforms can collectively regulate gene expression while retaining their own regulato-ry specificity.This study provides a foundation for understanding the unique and overlapping roles of AKT isoforms in stem cell biology,highlighting their importance in maintaining stem cell function and differen-tiation.

Objective:To characterize the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of macrolides against clinical Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) isolates and to investigate the significance of 23S rRNA mutations. Methods:Cross-sectional study.A total of 288 clinical MP strains preserved in the laboratory from 2016 to 2021 were taken for macrolide resistance gene testing and the evaluation of in vitro susceptibility to Azithromycin and Erythromycin.MIC 50 and MIC 90 values were calculated separately for macrolide-susceptible and -resistant strains. Results:All 288 MP strains underwent the test of in vitro susceptibility to Azithromycin, while 86 of them were additionally tested for Erythromycin.Among these strains, 22 strains were Azithromycin-sensitive, and 266 strains were Azithromycin-resistant.A2063G mutations were detected in 260 (97.7%) strains, while A2064G mutations were detected in 6 (2.3%) strains.Azithromycin-resistant strains had an MIC 50 of 128.000 μg/mL and an MIC 90 of 512.000 μg/mL, with the MIC ranging between 16.000 and 512.000 μg/mL.Seven strains were sensitive and 79 strains were resistant to Erythromycin.Among Erythromycin-resistant strains, A2063G mutations were detected in 73 (92.4%) strains, while A2064G mutations were detected in 6 (7.6%) strains.Erythromycin-resistant strains had an MIC 50 of 256.000 μg/mL and an MIC 90 of 512.000 μg/mL, with the MIC ranging between 64.000 and 1 024.000 μg/mL. Conclusions:A2063G and A2064G mutations in the 23S rRNA gene of MP are associated with high-level in vitro resistance to Azithromycin and Erythromycin, significantly limiting the clinical effectiveness of these antibiotics.Early resistance gene testing is recommended for suspected MP patients, which can help optimize the treatment, improve prognosis, and prevent resistance spread.

Mitochondria not only serve as the central hub for cellular energy metabolism,but also participate in crucial physiological processes such as signal transduction and activity regulation.Abnormal mitochondrial quantity,imbalance in mtDNA copy number,accumulation of genetic mutations,and aberrant activation of autophagic pathways can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction or even organelle disorders,while activating mechanisms of cellular damage and death,consequently contributing to the pathogenesis of various diseases.As a highly selective form of autophagy,mitophagy plays a pivotal regulatory role in organelle quality control and homeostasis maintenance.This article focuses on the classic PINK1/Parkin pathway-mediated mitophagy as an entry point,summarizing recent research advances regarding the role of mitophagy in neurodegenerative diseases,aiming to provide novel insights for developing targeted mitophagy regulation strategies to improve prevention and treatment approaches for neurodegenerative disorders.

Sweat pores function is the ascending and descending of Qi. The human body maintains a continuous, holistic, and dynamic balance through the functioning of sweat pores as well as the Qi movement and transformation in the spleen, stomach, and triple energizer. Sweat pores play a crucial role in the generation and development of Zang-fu organs, essence and spirit, and body and orifices, as well as in the onset and progression of diseases. Oxidative stress significantly affects the regulation of inflammation in allergic rhinitis(AR), induces the pathological damage to nasal epithelial cells, and alters immune activity, serving as a key mechanism exacerbating AR symptoms. This mechanism closely aligns with the pathogenesis associated with dysfunction in the sweat pore-Qi-triple energizer system. In recent years, oxidative stress and antioxidants in AR have received increasing attention. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde have become key indicators for the early diagnosis of AR. Classical prescriptions, empirical prescriptions, and newly developed preparations of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for external use with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and immune-regulatory effects via antioxidant pathways have demonstrated definite efficacy in treating AR. This provides a basis for understanding the pathogenesis of AR in TCM from a modern medical perspective. Therefore, this paper systematically examines the relationship between the sweat pore-Qi-triple energizer system and AR, incorporating the oxidative stress mechanism into the research on pathogenesis of the disorders. Furthermore, methods for treating AR in children are proposed with TCM preparations for external use which aimed at opening nasal sweat pores, dispersing, searching, channeling with aroma, warming, and dredging, regulating Qi movement in spleen, warming Yang Qi to promote urination, and clearing latent wind to inhibit liver depression.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Rhinitis, Allergic/metabolism* ; Child ; Qi ; Sweat/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans ; Consensus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the predominant form of chronic liver disease worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the proportion and characteristics of MAFLD within the general Chinese population and to identify the contributory risk factors for liver fibrosis among MAFLD individuals. METHODS: The participants were recruited from a cohort undergoing routine health evaluations at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between May 2019 and March 2023. The diagnosis of MAFLD was based on the established clinical practice guidelines. The fibrosis-4 index score (FIB-4) was employed to evaluate hepatic fibrosis, with a FIB-4 score of ≥1.3 indicating significant fibrosis. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors associated with significant hepatic fibrosis in MAFLD. RESULTS: A total of 22,970 participants who underwent comprehensive medical examinations were included in the analysis. The overall proportion of MAFLD was 28.77% (6608/22,970), with 16.87% (1115/6608) of these patients showing significant fibrosis as assessed using FIB-4. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients were male (odds ratio [OR] = 0.676, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.558-0.821), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (OR = 2.611, 95% CI: 1.557-4.379), body mass index ≥23.00 kg/m 2 (OR = 0.632, 95% CI: 0.470-0.851), blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg (OR = 1.885, 95% CI: 1.564-2.272), and plasma glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L (OR = 1.815, 95% CI: 1.507-2.186) (all P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of MAFLD in an urban Chinese population is 28.77%. About 16.87% of MAFLD patients presented with significant liver fibrosis. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients should be noticed.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Adult ; Fatty Liver/pathology* ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Logistic Models ; Urban Population ; East Asian People