OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction (FHD) in treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who persistently tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Shanghai New International Expo Center shelter hospital in China between April 1 and May 30, 2022. Patients diagnosed as COVID-19 with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for ⩾8 days after diagnosis were enrolled. Patients in the control group received conventional Western medicine (WM) treatment, while those in the FHD group received conventional WM plus FHD for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was viral clearance time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate within 14 days, length of hospital stay, cycle threshold (Ct) values of the open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab) and nucleocapsid protein (N) genes, and incidence of new-onset symptoms during hospitalization. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study period were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1,765 eligible patients were enrolled in this study (546 in the FHD group and 1,219 in the control group). Compared with the control group, patients receiving FHD treatment showed shorter viral clearance time for nucleic acids [hazard ratio (HR): 1.500, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.353-1.664, P<0.001] and hospital stays (HR: 1.371, 95% CI: 1.238-1.519, P<0.001), and a higher negative conversion rate within 14 days (96.2% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001). The incidence of new-onset symptoms was 59.5% in the FHD group, similar to 57.8% in the control group (P>0.05). The Ct values of ORF1ab and N genes increased more rapidly over time in the FHD group than those in the control group post-randomization (ORF1ab gene: β =0.436±0.053, P<0.001; N gene: β =0.415 ±0.053, P<0.001). The incidence of AEs in the FHD group was lower than that in the control group (24.2% vs. 35.4%, P<0.001). No serious AEs were observed. CONCLUSION FHD was effective and safe for patients with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063956).
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/virology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Patients suffering from nerve injury often experience exacerbated pain responses and complain of memory deficits. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC), a well-defined region responsible for learning and memory, displays maladaptive plasticity upon injury, which is assumed to underlie pain hypersensitivity and cognitive deficits. However, much attention has thus far been paid to intracellular mechanisms of plasticity rather than extracellular alterations that might trigger and facilitate intracellular changes. Emerging evidence has shown that nerve injury alters the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases ECM rigidity in the dHPC. Despite this, it remains elusive which element of the ECM in the dHPC is affected and how it contributes to neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits. Laminin, a key element of the ECM, consists of α-, β-, and γ-chains and has been implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Here, we showed that peripheral nerve injury downregulates laminin β1 (LAMB1) in the dHPC. Silencing of hippocampal LAMB1 exacerbates pain sensitivity and induces cognitive dysfunction. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that loss of hippocampal LAMB1 causes dysregulated Src/NR2A signaling cascades via interaction with integrin β1, leading to decreased Ca²⁺ levels in pyramidal neurons, which in turn orchestrates structural and functional plasticity and eventually results in exaggerated pain responses and cognitive deficits. In this study, we shed new light on the functional capability of hippocampal ECM LAMB1 in the modulation of neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits, and reveal a mechanism that conveys extracellular alterations to intracellular plasticity. Moreover, we identified hippocampal LAMB1/integrin β1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and related memory loss.
Animals ; Laminin/genetics* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Male ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Integrin beta1/metabolism* ; Pyramidal Cells/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

Objective:To preliminarily verify the feasibility of applying a wearable teleconsultation device in the diagnosis of common skin diseases.Methods:Totally, 600 outpatients with skin diseases were prospectively enrolled from the Department of Dermatology from November 1 to December 31 2023, and both on-site and remote diagnoses were performed. In the face-to-face clinic, there was one resident physician A and one chief physician B, while there was one resident physician C and one chief physician D in the remote consultation clinic. Using the diagnostic results of physician B in the face-to-face clinic as a reference, diagnostic agreement rates of physicians A, C, and D were calculated separately. Additionally, diagnostic results were compared between physician A and physician C, as well as between physician A and physician D. Statistical analysis was carried out using McNemar's test and Kappa consistency analysis.Results:Among the 600 patients with skin diseases, there were 285 males (47.50%) and 315 females (52.50%), and their age was 38.75 ± 21.12 years. The most common skin diseases were dermatitis and eczema (138 cases, 23.00%), followed by viral skin diseases (79 cases, 13.17%), urticaria (53 cases, 8.83%), hair diseases (53 cases, 8.83%), skin tumors (46 cases, 7.67%), fungal skin diseases (38 cases, 6.33%), etc. Compared with the physician B, the physician A made consistent diagnoses in 477 cases (79.5%) and inconsistent diagnoses in 123 cases (20.5%), the physician C made consistent diagnoses in 465 cases (77.5%) and inconsistent diagnoses in 135 cases (22.5%), and the physician D made consistent diagnoses in 568 cases (94.6%) and inconsistent diagnoses in 32 cases (5.33%). There was no significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy between the physician A and physician C ( P = 0.430), with a Kappa value of 0.852, indicating very strong consistency. The diagnostic accuracy of the physician D was significantly higher than that of the physician A ( P = 0.001), with a Kappa value of 0.274, indicating weak consistency. Conclusion:Chief dermatologists can provide medical guidance to resident physicians through a wearable teleconsultation system.

Background: Currently, traditional methods of treating acute gastric ulcer (AGU) have many drawbacks, necessitating an alternative therapy with fewer adverse effects. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (BZ) is known for strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach. BZ processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice (ZSZBZ), a classic decoction since the Han Dynasty, can enhance the efficacy of BZ. However, the key active components and targets of action of ZSZBZ remain undiscovered. Aim of the study: This study aimed to investigate the bioactive chemical constituents of ZSZBZ against AGU and their possible mechanisms of action, elucidating the scientific content of ZSZBZ processing. Materials and methods: Initially, we examined rat stomach histopathology and conducted ELISA for oxidative stress and inflammation. Subsequently, we investigated underlyingmechanisms using metabolomics. Further analysis of potent components and key targets in ZSZBZ was conducted through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis combined with network pharmacology. Finally, key targets were analyzed by Western blot. Results: ZSZBZ improved gastric histopathology, reversing high alcohol-induced oxidative stress (SOD, CAT) and inflammatory level (TNF-α, IL-6) disorders. This is associated with ZSZBZ’s regulation of amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and inflammatory response-related metabolic pathways, along with key targets PTGS2, MAPK1, and KDR. The significant increase in potency of ZSZBZ may be attributed to elevated levels of naringenin, hesperidin, hesperidin, and rhamnoceroside after concoction. Conclusions: Combining metabolomics and network pharmacology, this study elucidated that ZSZBZ enhanced gastroprotection by modulating amino acid metabolism, antioxidant, and inflammation-related targets and pathways, providing insights into the bioactive compounds and potential mechanisms of herbal concoctions.

The cobalt sulphide nickel ternary material(NiCo2S4)prepared by hydrothermal method in this work was combined with multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNT)for constructing an electrochemical sensor for quantitative detection of rutin.The morphology and crystal of the electrochemical materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometer,and the electrochemical behavior of the glassy carbon electrode(GCE)modified with NiCo2S4/MWCNT composites was investigated.The experimental results showed that the electrochemical redox process of two electrons and two protons occurred on the surface of modified electrode NiCo2S4/MWCNT/GCE.Under the optimized conditions,the linear range for detection of rutin by square-wave voltammetry(SWV)using this sensor was 0.06-14.8 μmol/L and the detection limit was 14.3 nmol/L.The electrochemical sensor was sensitive,simple and low-cost,with good reproducibility and reliable stability,and could be used for detection of rutin in real samples such as compound rutin tablets and color chrysanthemi tablets,with spiked recoveries of 99.5%-102.0%.

Brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) is a combined injury involving the central and peripheral nervous systems. Patients with BPA often experience severe neuropathic pain (NP) in the affected limb. NP is insensitive to the existing treatments, which makes it a challenge to researchers and clinicians. Accumulated evidence shows that a BPA-induced pain state is often accompanied by sympathetic nervous dysfunction, which suggests that the excitation state of the sympathetic nervous system is correlated with the existence of NP. However, the mechanism of how somatosensory neural crosstalk with the sympathetic nerve at the peripheral level remains unclear. In this study, through using a novel BPA C7 root avulsion mouse model, we found that the expression of BDNF and its receptor TrκB in the DRGs of the BPA mice increased, and the markers of sympathetic nervous system activity including α1 and α2 adrenergic receptors (α1-AR and α2-AR) also increased after BPA. The phenomenon of superexcitation of the sympathetic nervous system, including hypothermia and edema of the affected extremity, was also observed in BPA mice by using CatWalk gait analysis, an infrared thermometer, and an edema evaluation. Genetic knockdown of BDNF in DRGs not only reversed the mechanical allodynia but also alleviated the hypothermia and edema of the affected extremity in BPA mice. Further, intraperitoneal injection of adrenergic receptor inhibitors decreased neuronal excitability in patch clamp recording and reversed the mechanical allodynia of BPA mice. In another branch experiment, we also found the elevated expression of BDNF, TrκB, TH, α1-AR, and α2-AR in DRG tissues from BPA patients compared with normal human DRGs through western blot and immunohistochemistry. Our results revealed that peripheral BDNF is a key molecule in the regulation of somatosensory-sympathetic coupling in BPA-induced NP. This study also opens a novel analgesic target (BDNF) in the treatment of this pain with fewer complications, which has great potential for clinical transformation.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Hypothermia/metabolism* ; Neuralgia ; Brachial Plexus/injuries* ; Edema/metabolism*

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of dance intervention on cognitive function in children and clarify the design variables of dance intervention protocol. MethodsLiteratures about effects of dance intervention on cognitive function in children were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane library, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Data, with publication dates ranging from inception to June 1, 2022. They were screened and extracted authors, countries, years, samples, study designs, interventions, measurement instruments and outcomes. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess the methodological quality of included literature. ResultsTen articles were enrolled, which were randomized controlled trial (RCT) and quasi-RCT for typically developing children and developmentally challenged children. The global PEDro score was good. Dance intervention protocol could be divided into four types: dance training course, dance rehabilitation program, dance breaks and aerobic dance. Dance training course was used in the majority of studies. Dance intervention in childhood positively influenced sensorimotor synchronization, attention and executive function. Further studies should pay more attention on the dose-response relationship between dance and cognitive function in children, as well as cognitive load during dance learning. ConclusionWhether short-term or long-term, dance activity is a feasible and effective method to promote sensorimotor synchronization, attention and executive function in children; epecially on the sensorimotor synchronization, attention maintenance time and working memory capacity.

In order to solve the problem of wide input range of photocurrent, aiming at the shortage of existing pulse signal acquisition system, an adaptive pulse signal acquisition system based on ADS125H02 is designed, which has high collection accuracy, low noise, anti-interference, wide input range, high integration, etc. The measurement range of the system can reach ±10 V, and the accuracy is 0.009 μV. Experimental tests show that the design of the system can extract weak pulse signals, and has good practicality.
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BACKGROUND: With the ongoing worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an increasing number of viral variants are being identified, which poses a challenge for nucleic acid-based diagnostic tests. Rapid tests, such as real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), play an important role in monitoring COVID-19 infection and controlling its spread. However, the changes in the genotypes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants may result in decreased sensitivity of the rRT-PCR assay and it is necessary to monitor the mutations in primers and probes of SARS-CoV-2 detection over time. METHODS: We developed two rRT-PCR assays to detect the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and nucleocapsid (N) genes of SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated these assays together with our previously published assays targeting the ORF1ab and N genes for the detection and confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern (VOCs). In addition, we also developed two rRT-PCR assays (S484K and S501Y) targeting the spike gene, which when combined with the open reading frames (ORF)1ab assay, respectively, to form duplex rRT-PCR assays, were able to detect SARS-CoV-2 VOCs (lineages B.1.351 and B.1.1.7). RESULTS: Using a SARS-CoV-2 stock with predetermined genomic copies as a standard, the detection limit of both assays targeting RdRp and N was five copies/reaction. Furthermore, no cross-reactions with six others human CoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) were observed using these assays. In addition, the S484K and S501Y assays were combined with the ORF1ab assay, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Four rRT-PCR assays (RdRp, N, S484K, and S501Y) were used to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants, and these assays were shown to be effective in screening for multiple virus strains.
COVID-19 ; Humans ; RNA, Viral/genetics* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Sensitivity and Specificity

The delay of diabetic foot not only brings painful experience to patients, but also increases the care time and caregiver burden, which seriously affects quality of life of patients and caregivers. This article summarized the definition, research tools, current situation, influencing factors, positive feelings of caregivers and intervention measures of caregivers for diabetic foot patients, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for adoption of targeted intervention measures.