Objective: To investigate the environmental contamination of norovirus in nurseries and primary/secondary schools, so as to provide a scientific basis for effective prevention and control measures. Methods: A total of 483 external environmental samples were collected from 34 cluster outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis in kindergartens and primary/secondary schools in Linhai City from 2021 to 2024. Pathogen detection was conducted using a rapid nucleic acid extraction kit and realtime fluorescence RT-PCR, and the results were analyzed using the χ2 test or Fishers exact test. Results: Among the collected external environmental samples, the total positive rate of surface contamination was 13.66%. The positive rates in kindergartens and primary/secondary schools were 12.20% and 15.82%, respectively. In kindergartens, the five surfaces with the highest detection rates were desks/chairs (23.33%), toilet stool troughs (20.69%), urinal troughs (12.00%), washbasins/sinks (11.11%), and toilet mops (9.38%). In primary/secondary schools, the top five were toilet stool troughs (38.30%), urinal troughs (23.53%), toilet door handles (13.04%), toilet mops (12.50%), and drinking cups (11.11%). The difference in positive detection rates among different external environments in primary/secondary schools was statistically significant (Fishers exact probability test, P<0.01). The positive detection rate in sanitary toilets was higher than that in classroom environments (χ2=17.38), while the positive detection rate in classroom environments of kindergartens was higher than that in primary/secondary schools (χ2=5.42)(P<0.05). Conclusions Norovirus exhibits a high contamination rate in nurseries and schools, particularly in restroom areas. Strengthening sanitation and disinfection in highrisk environments, and improving hygiene awareness among children and staff, are essential for the effective prevent and control of norovirus.

The phase changes and quantity-quality transfer of 17 batches of Ostreae Concha(Ostrea rivularis) during the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process were analyzed. The content of calcium carbonate(CaCO_3), the main component, was determined by chemical titration, and the extract yield and transfer rate were calculated. The CaCO_3 content in the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction was 94.39%-98.80%, 95.03%-99.22%, and 84.58%-90.47%, respectively. The process of raw material to calcined decoction pieces showed the yield range of 96.85% to 98.55% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 96.92% to 99.27%. The process of calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction showed the extract yield range of 2.86% to 5.48% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 2.59% to 5.13%. The results of X-ray fluorescence(XRF) assay showed that the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction mainly contained Ca, Na, Mg, Si, Br, Cl, Al, Fe, Cr, Mn, and K. The chemometric results showed an increase in the relative content of Cr, Fe, and Si from raw material to calcined decoction pieces and an increase in the relative content of Mg, Al, Br, K, Cl, and Na from calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was employed to establish XRD characteristic patterns of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The XRD results showed that the main phase of all three was calcite, and no transformation of crystalline form or generation of new phase was observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) was employed to establish the FTIR characteristic spectra of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The FTIR results showed that the raw material had internal vibrations of O-H, C-H, C=O, C-O, and CO■ groups. Due to the loss of organic matter components after calcination, no information about the vibrations of C-H, C=O, and C-O groups was observed in the spectra of calcined decoction pieces and standard decoction. In summary, this study elucidated the quantity-quality transfer and phase changes in the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process by determining the CaCO_3 content, calculating the extract yield and transfer rate, and comparing the element changes, FTIR characteristic spectra, and XRD characteristic pattern. The results were reasonable and reliable, laying a foundation for the subsequent process research and quality control of the formula granules of calcined Ostreae Concha(O. rivularis Gould), and providing ideas and methods for the quality control of the whole process of raw material-decoction pieces-standard decoction-formula granules of Ostreae Concha and other testacean traditional Chinese medicine.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Calcium Carbonate/analysis* ; Quality Control

This study explored the potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms of Danggui Shaoyao San(DSS) in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease(AD) through transcriptomics and metabolomics, combined with animal experiments. Fifty male C57BL/6J mice, aged seven weeks, were randomly divided into the following five groups: control, model, positive drug, low-dose DSS, and high-dose DSS groups. After the intervention, the Morris water maze was used to assess learning and memory abilities of mice, and Nissl staining and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining were performed to observe pathological changes in the hippocampal tissue. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were employed to sequence brain tissue and identify differential metabolites, analyzing key genes and metabolites related to disease progression. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) was employed to validate the expression of key genes. The Morris water maze results indicated that DSS significantly improved learning and cognitive function in scopolamine(SCOP)-induced model mice, with the high-dose DSS group showing the best results. Pathological staining showed that DSS effectively reduced hippocampal neuronal damage, increased Nissl body numbers, and reduced nuclear pyknosis and neuronal loss. Transcriptomics identified seven key genes, including neurexin 1(Nrxn1) and sodium voltage-gated channel α subunit 1(Scn1a), and metabolomics revealed 113 differential metabolites, all of which were closely associated with synaptic function, oxidative stress, and metabolic regulation. RT-qPCR experiments confirmed that the expression of these seven key genes was consistent with the transcriptomics results. This study suggests that DSS significantly improves learning and memory in SCOP model mice and alleviates hippocampal neuronal pathological damage. The mechanisms likely involve the modulation of synaptic function, reduction of oxidative stress, and metabolic balance, with these seven key genes serving as important targets for DSS in the treatment of AD.
Animals ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Metabolomics ; Transcriptome/drug effects* ; Maze Learning/drug effects* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Memory/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of limb shortening/re-lengthening technique combined with in situ tissue regeneration technique in limb salvage for patients with complex lower limb fractures and soft tissue defects. METHODS: Between January 2021 and December 2024, 12 patients with complex lower limb fractures and soft tissue defects caused by trauma were admitted. There were 10 males and 2 females; the age ranged from 18 to 46 years, with an average of 36 years. Among them, 1 case of open comminuted tibiofibular fracture caused bone necrosis and soft tissue infection; 4 cases of open tibiofibular fractures developed bone and soft tissue infections after being fixed with a combined external fixator, resulting in defects; 7 cases of closed tibial fractures that underwent internal fixation developed soft tissue infections, leading to bone and soft tissue necrosis. The time from injury to the formation of bone and soft tissue defects was 2-9 weeks, with an average of 6 weeks. The length of bone defects was 5.0-10.2 cm, with an average of 6.8 cm; the area of soft tissue defects was 32-54 cm ², with an average of 43.9 cm ². After admission, all patients underwent thorough debridement. The limb shortening treatment was performed after the wound had filled with fresh granulation tissue, and an Ilizarov ring-shaped external fixator was placed or replaced. The limb was shortened at a rate of 1 mm/day to reduce bone defects. At the same time, the soft tissue defects were repaired using the in situ tissue regeneration technique. After the wound healed, osteotomy was performed, and limb lengthening was carried out at a rate of 1 mm/day. The lower limb full-length X-ray films were taken, and the lengthening was stopped when the lower limb alignment was restored. The healing condition of the wound was observed and the healing time was recorded. RESULTS: One patient died due to a traffic accident during limb lengthening. The remaining 11 patients completed limb shortening and re-lengthening treatment and were followed up 18-36 months, with an average of 20 months. All 11 patients successfully preserved their limbs. The wound healing time was 4-12 weeks, with an average of 8 weeks; the limb shortening time was 4-8 weeks, with an average of 6 weeks; and the limb lengthening time was 4-12 weeks, with an average of 8 weeks. One patient experienced delayed bone mineralization during bone lengthening, and one had pin tract infection. Both were treated symptomatically. The lower limb mechanical axis of all 11 patients was restored, and they were able to walk independently. CONCLUSION The application of limb shortening/re-lengthening technique combined with in situ tissue regeneration technique in the treatment of large bone and soft tissue defects not only effectively avoids the occurrence of nonunion at the apposition ends and increases the stability of the lower limb, but also significantly shortens the wound healing time, avoids the risk of soft tissue infection and increases the limb salvage rate. It can be used as a treatment technique for patients with complex lower limb fractures combined with soft tissue defects.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Limb Salvage/methods* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Bone Lengthening/methods* ; External Fixators ; Lower Extremity/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Regeneration

This study reports the diagnosis and treatment of a 26-year-old pregnant woman with severe malnutrition combined with acute pyelonephritis causing sepsis, refractory septic shock and multiple organ failure. A female patient, 26 years old, was admitted to hospital mainly due to "menelipsis for more than 19 weeks, nausea and vomiting for 20 days, fever with fatigue for 3 days". At the end of 19 weeks of intrauterine pregnancy, the patient presented with fever accompanied by urinary tract irritation. Laboratory tests showed elevated inflammatory indicators, and ultrasonography showed bilateral pelvicalyceal dilation. She was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis, sepsis, acute kidney injury (AKI) and severe malnutrition. After a whole-hospital consultation, the patient was treated with meropenem and vancomycin as antimicrobial therapy, and bilateral nephrostomy drainage was performed simultaneously. After that, the patient suffered a sudden decrease in blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and rapid heart rate. Septic shock with multiple organ dysfunction was considered, and she was transferred to intensive care unit (ICU) immediately. After the patient was transferred to ICU, emergency tracheal intubation and ventilator-assisted ventilation were performed. Rapid fluid resuscitation was administered for the patient. While pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PICCO) monitoring was performed, norepinephrine, terlipressin, and methylene blue were administered to maintain peripheral vascular resistance. Since the patient developed septic cardiomyopathy and cardiogenic shock later, levosimendan and epinephrine were admi-nistered to improve cardiac function. While etiological specimens were delivered, meropenem, teicoplanin and caspofungin were given as initial empiric antimicrobial therapy. Unfortunately, the intrauterine fetal death occurred on the night of admission to ICU. On the 3rd day of ICU admission, a still-born child was delivered vaginally with 1/5 defect of the fetal membrane. On the 6th day of ICU admission, the patient had fever again with elevated inflammatory indicators. After excluding infection in other parts, intrau-terine infection caused by incomplete delivery of fetal membrane was considered. Then emergency uterine curettage was performed and the infection gradually improved. Later the laboratory results showed that the nephrostomy drainage was cultured for Escherichia coli and uterine, cervical and vaginal secretions were cultured for Candida albicans. Due to severe infection and intrauterine incomplete abortion, the patient developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Active antimicrobial therapy and blood product supplement were given. However, the patient was critically ill with significant decrease in hemoglobin and platelets combined with multiple organ failure. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was not excluded yet, so plasma exchange was performed for the patient in order not to delay treatment. The patient underwent bedside continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for AKI. The patient was complicated with acute liver injury, and the liver function gradually returned to normal after liver protection, antimicrobial therapy and other treatments. Due to the application of large doses of vasoactive drugs, the extremities of the patient gradually developed cyanosis and ischemic necrosis. Local dry gangrene of the bilateral toes remained at the time of discharge. In general, the patient suffered from septic shock, cardiogenic shock, combined with DIC and multiple organ dysfunction. After infection source control, antimicrobial therapy, uterine curettage, blood purification treatment, nutritional and metabolic support, the patient was discharged with a better health condition.
Humans ; Female ; Pyelonephritis/complications* ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Multiple Organ Failure/etiology* ; Shock, Septic/etiology* ; Sepsis/etiology* ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; Malnutrition/complications*

Objective To investigate the recovery of plasma metabolism in asymptomatic and mild patients of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)one year after recovery.Methods A total of 174 participants were recruited from the communities in Wuhan,including 80 healthy volunteers and the COVID-19 patients who had recovered for one year.According to the disease severity,the recovered COVID-19 patients were grouped as asymptomatic patients(n=80)and mild patients(n=14).The liquid chromatography mass spectrometry platform was employed to study the metabolomic characteristics of the plasma from all the participants.Results The plasma metabolites in asymptomatic patients and mild patients remained abnormal compared with those in healthy volunteers.Among the differential metabolites in asymptomatic patients and mild patients,some metabolites showed a downward trend only in mild patients,such as phosphatidylethanolamine[20∶3(5Z,8Z,11Z)/P-18∶0],sphingomyelin(d18∶1/24∶0),and cholesteryl(15∶0).The metabolic pathway involving the differential metabolites in mild patients was mainly glycerophospholipid metabolism.Conclusions Even one year after recovery,the mild COVID-19 patients still exhibit metabolic abnormalities.Hence,these patients may experience an extended period of time for recovery.
Humans ; COVID-19/metabolism* ; Metabolomics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Metabolome ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged

AIM: To investigate the effect of intense pulsed light(IPL)combined with meibomian gland massage in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)related dry eye.METHODS: Retrospectively selected 300 cases(300 right eyes)that diagnosed as MGD-related dry eye and treated in our hospital from October 2021 to October 2023, and they were divided into two groups according to the treatment modalities: 150 cases(150 eyes)in the control group were treated with meibomian gland massage, and 150 cases(150 eyes)in the observation group were treated with combined IPL. The efficacy of the two groups was compared, as well as the changes in tear film stability indexes [tear film break-up time(BUT), Schirmer I test(SIT)], ocular surface disease index(OSDI)scores, tear film lipid layer thickness(LLT), mean objective scattering index(OSI), and the levels of inflammatory factors in the tear fluid [interleukin-10(IL-10)and IL-6].RESULTS: There was a difference in efficacy between the two groups of patients after treatment(88% vs 74%, P=0.002). At 8 wk after treatment, OSDI score, OSI, and tear IL-6 levels decreased, while BUT, SIt, LLT, and tear IL-10 levels increased in the two groups, and the observation group was better than the control group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: IPL combined with meibomian gland massage for the treatment of dry eye patients with MGD is therapeutically effective, improving corneal stability and LLT, and reducing levels of OSI and inflammatory factors.

ObjectiveTo investigate the difference in the level of biliary calprotectin between patients with cholangiocarcinoma and those with choledocholithiasis. MethodsClinical data and bile samples were collected from 34 patients with cholangiocarcinoma and 78 patients with choledocholithiasis who were diagnosed and treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from May 2021 to September 2022. Fluorescence lateral flow immunoassay was used to measure the levels of calprotectin， hemoglobin， and lactoferrin in bile. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups； the Spearman correlation test was used for correlation analysis； the DeLong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve （AUC）. ResultsCompared with the choledocholithiasis group， the cholangiocarcinoma group had significant increases in the levels of calprotectin ［4 795.50 （2 286.79‍ ‍—‍ ‍20 179.73） ng/mL vs 411.16 （67.03‍ ‍—‍ ‍1 991.88） ng/mL， Z=5.572， P<0.001］ and fluoride ［115.70 （109.10‍ — ‍125.50） mmol/L vs 106.60 （98.60‍ ‍—‍ ‍114.40） mmol/L， Z=2.702， P=0.007］. The patients with cholangiocarcinoma were further divided into high cholangiocarcinoma group and low cholangiocarcinoma group， and there was no significant difference between the two groups in the level of calprotectin ［3 867.71 （2 235.66‍ — ‍26 407.40） ng/mL vs 4 795.50 （2 361.15‍ — ‍13 070.53） ng/mL， Z=0.129， P>0.05］. Biliary calprotectin level was correlated with white blood cell count， hemoglobin concentration， and lactoferrin concentration in bile （r=0.316， 0.353， and 0.464， all P<0.05）. The ROC curve analysis showed that biliary calprotectin （with a sensitivity of 79.4% and a specificity of 75.6%）， blood CA19-9 （with a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 78.2%）， and their combination （with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 73.1%） had good sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. ConclusionThere is an increase in the level of biliary calprotectin in patients with cholangiocarcinoma， and therefore， it might become a biomarker for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.

Purpose::Vibrio vulnificus ( V. Vulnificus) infection is characterized by rapid onset, aggressive progression, and challenging treatment. Bacterial resistance poses a significant challenge for clinical anti-infection treatment and is thus the subject of research. Enhancing host infection tolerance represents a novel infection prevention strategy to improve patient survival. Our team initially identified cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) as an important target owing to its negative modulation of the body's infection tolerance. This study explored the superior effects of the CYP1A1 inhibitor bergamottin compared to antibiotic combination therapy on the survival of mice infected with multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus and the protection of their vital organs. Methods::An increasing concentration gradient method was used to induce multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus development. We established a lethal infection model in C57BL/6J male mice and evaluated the effect of bergamottin on mouse survival. A mild infection model was established in C57BL/6J male mice, and the serum levels of creatinine, urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on liver and kidney function. The morphological changes induced in the presence of bergamottin in mouse organs were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver and kidney tissues. The bacterial growth curve and organ load determination were used to evaluate whether bergamottin has a direct antibacterial effect on multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus. Quantification of inflammatory factors in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the expression levels of inflammatory factors in liver and kidney tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on inflammatory factor levels. Western blot analysis of IκBα, phosphorylated IκBα, p65, and phosphorylated p65 protein expression in liver and kidney tissues and in human hepatocellular carcinomas-2 and human kidney-2 cell lines was used to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on the nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway. One-way ANOVA and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results::In mice infected with multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus, bergamottin prolonged survival ( p = 0.014), reduced the serum creatinine ( p = 0.002), urea nitrogen ( p = 0.030), aspartate aminotransferase ( p = 0.029), and alanine aminotransferase ( p = 0.003) levels, and protected the cellular morphology of liver and kidney tissues. Bergamottin inhibited interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression in serum (IL-1β: p = 0.010, IL-6: p = 0.029, TNF-α: p = 0.025) and inhibited the protein expression of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α in liver (IL-1β: p = 0.010, IL-6: p = 0.011, TNF-α: p = 0.037) and kidney (IL-1β: p = 0.016, IL-6: p = 0.011, TNF-α: p = 0.008) tissues. Bergamottin did not affect the proliferation of multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus or the bacterial load in the mouse peritoneal lavage fluid ( p = 0.225), liver ( p = 0.186), or kidney ( p = 0.637). Conclusion::Bergamottin enhances the tolerance of mice to multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus infection. This study can serve as a reference and guide the development of novel clinical treatment strategies for V. Vulnificus.