1.Epidemiological analysis of a cluster outbreak of pulmonary tuberculosis among grade 12 students from a boaring high school in Chongqing
LEI Rongrong, FENG Xinyu, XIA Siyue, JIANG Chuan, ZHANG Ting, WU Chengguo
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):113-116
Objective:
To analyze the process of handling a pulmonary tuberculosis(TB) outbreak among senior high school students in a boarding school in Chongqing, as well as to investigate the underlying causes of the outbreak, so as to provide evidence to inform TB prevention and control strategies in school settings.
Methods:
From November 2023 to April 2024, an epidemiological investigation was conducted into the TB outbreak in a grade 12 class from a boarding high school. Suspected cases were screened using symptom screening, tuberculin skin test (TST), and chest X-ray examinations. Confirmed cases underwent individual epidemiological interviews and sputum culture; Cultured positive mycobacterial strains were subjected to whole genome sequencing after identification as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Results:
A total of 10 active pulmonary TB cases were identified, all from the same class, yielding a student attack rate of 16.67%. Three isolates were culture positive, as well as all strains were of L2 type,and the WGS analysis of the strains suggested a common transmission chain. Excluding the index case, four additional cases were detected through symptom driven health care visits. Notably, 70% of patients presented with "chest tightness and chest pain" symptoms, and 50% had "cough" symptoms,but none were detected during morning health checks or tracking of absences due to illness. A total of 326 contacts were identified and underwent three rounds of screening and one follow up examination. In the initial screening, 35 close contacts from the same class showed strong TST positivity, corresponding to a strong positivity rate of 55.56%, significantly higher than the 20.76% observed among casual contacts ( χ 2=29.80, P <0.01). Among the 35 strongly TST positivvity close contacts and five individuals with moderate TST positivity whose induration had increased by ≥10 mm over two years, none received timely preventive treatment initially; five of them were subsequently diagnosed with active TB within three months. Following this, 25 individuals initiated preventive therapy, resulting in a preventive treatment initiation rate of 62.50%. Among TST negative classmates who converted to strong positivity on repeat TST testing at three months, 75.00% started preventive treatment, but only 22.22% completed the full course.
Conclusion
Inadequate implementation of morning health checks and cause tracking for absenteeism due to illness, poorly standardized screening procedures, and delayed preventive treatment may have been key factors contributing to the spread of the outbreak.
2.Clinical effects and prognostic observation of dapagliflozin in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease
Lu LI ; Rongrong QIU ; Feng DONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1457-1461
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy of dapagliflozin in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) and its effect on prognosis, and to provide evidence for its clinical application. METHODS A total of 135 hospitalized patients with PH-LHD admitted to Wuxi No. 2 People’s Hospital from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025 were retrospectively included. According to the treatment regimen, the patients were divided into a control group (74 cases, receiving conventional treatment) and a dapagliflozin group (61 cases, receiving dapagliflozin in addition to conventional treatment). Blood pressure [systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP)], echocardiographic cardiac function parameters [cardiac output, cardiac index, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), left atrial diameter, and left ventricular wall thickness], inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)], brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) were compared between the two groups before treatment and after 12 weeks of treatment. All-cause mortality and the frequency of rehospitalization due to worsening heart failure during follow-up were also compared. RESULTS After 12 weeks of treatment, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, PASP, left atrial diameter, IL-6, hs-CRP, and BNP levels were significantly decreased or shortened in both groups, while cardiac index and 6MWD were significantly increased or prolonged compared with those before treatment ( P <0.05). Cardiac output in the dapagliflozin group was significantly increased compared with that before treatment ( P <0.05). Systolic blood pressure, PASP, left atrial diameter, IL-6, hs-CRP, and BNP levels in the dapagliflozin group were significantly lower or shorter than those in the control group, while cardiac output, cardiac index, and 6MWD were significantly higher or longer than those in the control group ( P <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in LVEF, RVEF, or left ventricular wall thickness between the two groups ( P >0.05). The median follow-up times in the control group and dapagliflozin group were 17.9 months and 17.3 months, respectively. During follow-up, all-cause mortality in the dapagliflozin group was lower than that i n the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P >0.05); the frequency of rehospitalization due to worsening heart failure was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS On the basis of conventional treatment, the addition of dapagliflozin can further reduce pulmonary artery pressure, inflammatory factor levels, and BNP levels in patients with PH-LHD, improve some cardiac function-related parameters and exercise tolerance, and reduce the frequency of rehospitalization due to worsening heart failure.
3.Treatment of Hyperuricemia and Gouty Arthritis by Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng Decoction via Inhibition of PPAR-γ/NF-κB/AGEs/RAGE Pathway Based on Network Pharmacology
Yue CAO ; Wanmei YAO ; Tao YANG ; Man YANG ; Ruimin JIA ; Rongrong LU ; Xue FENG ; Biwang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):182-192
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the potential molecular biological mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction in treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology and preliminarily verify the mechanism through animal experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and targets in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction were obtained by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and ETCM databases. The DisGeNET and GeneCards databases were utilized to acquire disease targets associated with hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. These disease targets were then intersected with drug targets to identify key targets. The R language ClusterProfiler package and Python were employed for conducting gene ontology(GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis. The regulatory network diagram of the drug-key target-function-pathway was visualized using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for key targets was depicted. Finally, the hub gene was determined through topological analysis. Auto Dock, PyMOL, and other software were used for molecular docking to explore the possible therapeutic mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis. In animal experiments, a composite rat model of hyperuricemia induced by intraperitoneal injection of oteracil potassium combined with gouty arthritis induced by the modified Coderre method was established. Through hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, uric acid test, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), Western blot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), the molecular mechanism and key targets of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction for treating hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis were observed. ResultsAfter screening and removing duplicate values, 76 active ingredients and 15 key targets were finally obtained. GO enrichment analysis yielded that the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis with Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction was significantly associated with acute inflammatory response, astrocyte activation, regulation of interleukin (IL)-8 production, nuclear receptor activity, and binding of growth factor receptor. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained that the key target genes were significantly associated with the IL-17 signaling pathway, advanced glycosylation end/receptor of advanced glycation endproducts(AGE/RAGE) signaling pathway, anti-inflammatory, and other pathways. PPI network indicated that albumin(ALB), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), IL-6, IL-1β, and C-reactive protein(CRP) were the key protein targets. The molecular docking results showed that ALB had the strongest binding force with beta-carotene (β-carotene). Biochemical results showed that blood uric acid decreased in the Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction groups. HE staining results showed that the low-dose (7.76 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose (15.53 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (31.05 g·kg-1·d-1) groups of Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction had different degrees of remission, and the remission of the high-dose group was the most obvious. Fibroblastic tissue hyperplasia in synovial joints accompanied with inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in renal tissue of the high-dose group was significantly reduced, followed by the medium-dose and low-dose groups, and the expression of ALB, PPAR-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP was down-regulated to different degrees. ConclusionBy regulating the targets such as ALB, PPAR-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP, inhibiting the PPAR-γ/nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB pathway, and reducing AGEs/RAGE-mediated inflammation, Buyang Huanwu Tongfeng decoction exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and activates blood circulation and diuresis in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis.
4.Engineered plant extracellular vesicles: Emerging nanoplatforms for combinational cancer immunotherapy.
Fucai CHEN ; Rongrong BAO ; Wanyi YANG ; Yijing LU ; Jiaxin GUO ; Wenjing CHEN ; Jiale LI ; Kuanhan FENG ; Wen ZHANG ; Liuqing DI ; Liang FENG ; Ruoning WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(11):5663-5701
Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs), describe a group of nanoparticles released by plants. These particles are characterized by a lipid bilayer structure containing various proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and unique metabolites. Although the study on PDEVs is relatively new, having only been around for ten years, they have shown promising development prospects in both basic research and clinical transformation areas. Evidence suggests that PDEVs have excellent application prospects in regulating inflammation and treating tumors. Their distinctive, vesicle-mimicking architecture and stellar biocompatibility render them prime candidates for ferrying various anti-cancer agents, including RNA, proteins, and conventional chemotherapy drugs. Increasingly, studies have shown that PDEVs can be engineered as an innovative platform for combination cancer immunotherapy. Consequently, this paper provides an extensive summary of current developments in engineering methods and strategies for PDEVs in cancer treatment and combined cancer immune therapeutics. The essential characteristics of PDEVs, including the biogenesis process and components, as well as their anti-tumor activity and mechanism, are summarized. Finally, the in vivo safety of PDEVs as delivery vectors and the challenges of scale-up production and clinical transformation are discussed.
5.Effects of"Wushen Acupuncture"Intervention on Mitochondrial Autophagy-Associated Signaling Cascades in a Rodent Model of Chronic Fatigue
Qiaolin MA ; Xuanqiang FAN ; Bin HU ; Dongdong YU ; Junwei NIU ; Rongrong ZHAO ; Rongrong WANG ; Jiahe CUI ; Wanzhen FENG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):992-999
Objective Exploring the mechanism of"Wushen acupuncture"in alleviating chronic fatigue in rats from the perspective of mitophagy.Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into a normal group and a modeling group,where the latter employed a protocol combining exhaustive swimming with tail-clamping stimuli to induce a rat model of chronic fatigue.Post-modeling,the normal group was subdivided randomly into a blank group and a presumed control group with specifics requiring clarification.Meanwhile,the modeling group was further randomized into a model group,a"Wushen acupuncture"group that underwent acupuncture at the Baihui and Sishencong points,and a non-acupoint control group,in which acupuncture was applied to 5 mm behind houshencong which is non-meridian,non-acupoint sites on the rats' heads and necks.The modeling and treatment outcomes in rats are assessed via the tail suspension test.Protein relative expression levels of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK),mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR),and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-alpha(PGC-1α)in rat skeletal muscle were detected using Western blot.Meanwhile,the relative mRNA expression levels of PTEN induced putative kinase 1(PINK1)and Parkin were measured by Real-Time PCR.Results In contrast to the baseline cohort,rats in the induced fatigue model displayed a reduction in struggles,struggle duration,swaying frequency,and swaying duration(P<0.05).When juxtaposed against the fatigue-induced model group,the"Wushen acupuncture"intervention cohort manifested a substantial increase in these behavioral parameters(P<0.05).Furthermore,relative to the"Wushen acupuncture"intervention group,the non-acupoint control cohort showed a decrease in struggles,struggle duration,swaying frequency,and swaying duration(P<0.05).Versus the baseline group,the fatigue-induced model cohort demonstrated a marked decrease in the relative expression levels of AMPK,PGC-1α,PINK1,and Parkin mRNA in skeletal muscle tissue(P<0.05),alongside an increase in mTOR protein expression(P<0.05).Compared to the fatigue-induced model group,the"Wushen acupuncture"intervention led to an increase in the relative expression levels of AMPK,PGC-1α,PINK1,and Parkin mRNA(P<0.05),and a decrease in mTOR protein expression(P<0.05).When juxtaposed against the"Wushen acupuncture"intervention group,the non-acupoint control cohort showed decreased relative expression levels of AMPK,PGC-1α,PINK1,and Parkin mRNA(P<0.05),and increased mTOR protein expression(P<0.05).Conclusion The"Wushen acupuncture"have been shown to enhance the alleviation of chronic fatigue symptoms in rat models and modulate the functionality of mitochondrial autophagy.This therapeutic effect is believed to be mechanistically linked to the regulation of both the PINK1/Parkin pathway and the AMPK/mTOR signaling cascade.
6.Effects of edema metabolic and hematoma dynamics changes on motor and cognitive recovery in intracerebral hemorrhage patients based on MR spectroscopy imaging
Yajie CHEN ; Rongrong ZHANG ; Feng CHEN ; Xiang CHEN ; Yang LI ; Yuhao XU ; Yan ZHU ; Ranchao WANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(5):721-725
Objective To investigate the predictive value of edema metabolic and hematoma dynamics changes on motor and cog-nitive recovery outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH).Methods The CT data of ICH patients were collected to evaluate hematoma volume changes from admission to day 3.On day 3,multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)was per-formed with region of interest located in the edema region and contralateral normal tissue.Motor and cognitive function recovery was assessed using the simplified F-M scale and the Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)on day 3 and at the 3-month follow-up,respec-tively.Overall clinical outcomes were assessed using the Glasgow outcome scale(GOS),and all patients were divided into good and poor outcome groups.Clinical data and metabolic differences in the edema region between the two groups were compared,respec-tively.Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to identify and evaluate independent prognostic factors.Subgroup analysis were performed via stratification of hematoma location.Results The logistic regression analy-sis indicated that intraventricular extension,hematoma changes,and the ratio of N-acetyl aspartate(NAA)around the hematoma to contralateral normal brain parenchyma NAA(rNAA)were inde-pendent prognostic factors for poor outcomes(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for each factor and the combined model were 0.69,0.73,0.79,and 0.82,respectively.In patients with ICH in the basal ganglia region,△F-M was negatively correlated with hematoma changes and positively correlated with rNAA value(P<0.001).In patients with ICH in the thalamic and lobar regions,△MoCA was not significantly correlated with hematoma changes(P>0.05),but was positively correlated with rNAA value(P<0.001).Conclusion The rNAA holds predictive value for motor and cognitive recovery outcomes following standard treatment.
7.Progress in the role of autophagy receptors in the regulation of viral infections
Rongqian MO ; Rongrong CHENG ; Xiangrong LI ; Ruofei FENG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(2):156-167
Autophagy, a highly conserved and lysosome-dependent intracellular catabolic process, plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and adapting to various cellular stresses. Autophagy receptor involved in autophagy is more selective and effective in recognising and degrading protein aggregates and dysfunctional or redundant organelles in cells, especially pathogens invading into the cells, in order to maintain the homeostasis of the organism; Some viruses can also antagonise or take hostage autophagy receptor, and make use of autophagy to target the degradation of host proteins, thereby increasing their self-infection. In this paper, we review the structure and function of autophagy receptors, and discuss the role of viruses that use autophagy receptors to proliferate and infect the host, so as to provide references for the development of related viral diseases and the search for specific antiviral therapeutic targets.
8.Predictive value of pre-treatment circulating tumor DNA genomic landscape in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma undergoing anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy: Insights from tumor cells and T cells
Rongrong CHEN ; Chunxiang JIN ; Kai LIU ; Mengyu ZHAO ; Tingting YANG ; Mingming ZHANG ; Pingnan XIAO ; Jingjing FENG ; Ruimin HONG ; Shan FU ; Jiazhen CUI ; Simao HUANG ; Guoqing WEI ; He HUANG ; Yongxian HU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2481-2490
Background::B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy yield remarkable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reportedly exhibits distinct advantages in addressing the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity in the distribution and genetic variations in R/RMM.Methods::Herein, the ctDNA of 108 peripheral blood plasma samples from patients with R/RMM at the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University was thoroughly investigated before administration of anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy to establish its predictive potential. Flow cytometry is used primarily to detect subgroups of T cells or CAR-T cells.Results::In this study, several tumor and T cell effector-mediated factors were considered to be related to treatment failure by an integrat analysis, including higher percentages of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in the bone marrow ( P = 0.0125), lower percentages of CAR-T cells in the peripheral blood at peak ( P = 0.0375), and higher percentages of CD8 + T cells ( P = 0.0340). Furthermore, there is a substantial correlation between high ctDNA level (>143 ng/mL) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) ( P = 0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high levels of ctDNA (>143 ng/mL), MM-driven high-risk mutations (including IGLL5 [ P = 0.004], IRF4 [ P = 0.024], and CREBBP [ P = 0.041]), number of multisite mutations, and resistance-related mutation ( ERBB4, P = 0.040) were independent risk factors for PFS. Conclusion::Finally, a ctDNA-based risk model was built based on the above independent risk factors, which serves as an adjunct non-invasive measure of substantial tumor burden and a prognostic genetic feature that can assist in predicting the response to anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy.
9.Progress in the role of autophagy receptors in the regulation of viral infections
Rongqian MO ; Rongrong CHENG ; Xiangrong LI ; Ruofei FENG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(2):156-167
Autophagy, a highly conserved and lysosome-dependent intracellular catabolic process, plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and adapting to various cellular stresses. Autophagy receptor involved in autophagy is more selective and effective in recognising and degrading protein aggregates and dysfunctional or redundant organelles in cells, especially pathogens invading into the cells, in order to maintain the homeostasis of the organism; Some viruses can also antagonise or take hostage autophagy receptor, and make use of autophagy to target the degradation of host proteins, thereby increasing their self-infection. In this paper, we review the structure and function of autophagy receptors, and discuss the role of viruses that use autophagy receptors to proliferate and infect the host, so as to provide references for the development of related viral diseases and the search for specific antiviral therapeutic targets.
10.Effects of"Wushen Acupuncture"Intervention on Mitochondrial Autophagy-Associated Signaling Cascades in a Rodent Model of Chronic Fatigue
Qiaolin MA ; Xuanqiang FAN ; Bin HU ; Dongdong YU ; Junwei NIU ; Rongrong ZHAO ; Rongrong WANG ; Jiahe CUI ; Wanzhen FENG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):992-999
Objective Exploring the mechanism of"Wushen acupuncture"in alleviating chronic fatigue in rats from the perspective of mitophagy.Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into a normal group and a modeling group,where the latter employed a protocol combining exhaustive swimming with tail-clamping stimuli to induce a rat model of chronic fatigue.Post-modeling,the normal group was subdivided randomly into a blank group and a presumed control group with specifics requiring clarification.Meanwhile,the modeling group was further randomized into a model group,a"Wushen acupuncture"group that underwent acupuncture at the Baihui and Sishencong points,and a non-acupoint control group,in which acupuncture was applied to 5 mm behind houshencong which is non-meridian,non-acupoint sites on the rats' heads and necks.The modeling and treatment outcomes in rats are assessed via the tail suspension test.Protein relative expression levels of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK),mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR),and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-alpha(PGC-1α)in rat skeletal muscle were detected using Western blot.Meanwhile,the relative mRNA expression levels of PTEN induced putative kinase 1(PINK1)and Parkin were measured by Real-Time PCR.Results In contrast to the baseline cohort,rats in the induced fatigue model displayed a reduction in struggles,struggle duration,swaying frequency,and swaying duration(P<0.05).When juxtaposed against the fatigue-induced model group,the"Wushen acupuncture"intervention cohort manifested a substantial increase in these behavioral parameters(P<0.05).Furthermore,relative to the"Wushen acupuncture"intervention group,the non-acupoint control cohort showed a decrease in struggles,struggle duration,swaying frequency,and swaying duration(P<0.05).Versus the baseline group,the fatigue-induced model cohort demonstrated a marked decrease in the relative expression levels of AMPK,PGC-1α,PINK1,and Parkin mRNA in skeletal muscle tissue(P<0.05),alongside an increase in mTOR protein expression(P<0.05).Compared to the fatigue-induced model group,the"Wushen acupuncture"intervention led to an increase in the relative expression levels of AMPK,PGC-1α,PINK1,and Parkin mRNA(P<0.05),and a decrease in mTOR protein expression(P<0.05).When juxtaposed against the"Wushen acupuncture"intervention group,the non-acupoint control cohort showed decreased relative expression levels of AMPK,PGC-1α,PINK1,and Parkin mRNA(P<0.05),and increased mTOR protein expression(P<0.05).Conclusion The"Wushen acupuncture"have been shown to enhance the alleviation of chronic fatigue symptoms in rat models and modulate the functionality of mitochondrial autophagy.This therapeutic effect is believed to be mechanistically linked to the regulation of both the PINK1/Parkin pathway and the AMPK/mTOR signaling cascade.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail