[Objective] To analyze the prevalence of human T-lymphocyte leukemia virus (HTLV) among blood donors in Guangzhou from 2016 to 2021, and provide a basis for blood collection and supply management in this region. [Methods] A total of 2 116 951 voluntary blood donors were screened for anti-HTLV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from March 2016 to December 2021 in Guangzhou, and the reactive cases were further confirmed by Western blotting (WB). Qualitative data were analyzed by χ2 with spss19 software. The trend of the total positive rate of HTLV confirmation test by WB from 2016 to 2021 was analyzed with the Joinpoint software, and the annual percent change (APC) was used to determine whether the trend changes were statistically significant. [Results] From March 2016 to December 2021, the total positive rate for anti-HTLV by ELISA among voluntary blood donors in Guangzhou was 0.019 7% (416/ 2116 951), and the WB confirmed positive rate was 0.001 1% (23/2 116 951). The total positive rate of HTLV among individual voluntary blood donors in the six main districts (0.002 12%, 19/895 301) was higher than that among group voluntary blood donors (0.000 32%, 3/951 947) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total positive rate of HTLV confirmation between the six main districts (0.001 19%) and the three non-main districts (0.000 37%) (P>0.05). The trend of the total positive rate of HTLV infection in the six main districts and the Guangzhou area(including the six main districts and three non-main districts) showed no significant increase or decrease. [Conclusion] The prevalence of HTLV among blood donors in Guangzhou remains at a low level.

BACKGROUND:Deep muscle stimulation has the effects of releasing muscle adhesion,relieving muscle spasm,improving and restoring muscle compliance and elasticity.Electromyographic biofeedback therapy can promote nerve recovery and improve lower limb motor function and gait. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of the effect of deep muscle stimulation combined with electromyographic biofeedback therapy on the spasm of the triceps surae and gait changes after stroke by using a digital muscle detector and three-dimensional gait analysis system. METHODS:A total of 72 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected from the Rehabilitation Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University from October 2020 to October 2023.And they were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups(n=36 per group):a control group and a combined group.The control group received routine rehabilitation therapies,electromyographic biofeedback and pseudo deep muscle stimulation,while the combined group received true deep muscle stimulation treatment on the basis of the control group,five times per week,for 4 consecutive weeks.The oscillation frequency and dynamic stiffness of the affected gastrocnemius muscle,active range of motion of the ankle dorsiflexion muscle,electromyographic signal of the tibialis anterior muscle,Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower limbs,and three-dimensional gait analysis parameters were statistically analyzed before and after treatment in two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After treatment,oscillation frequency and dynamic stiffness values of the inner and outer sides of the affected gastrocnemius muscle in both groups of patients were significantly reduced compared with before treatment(P<0.05),and the combined group showed a more significant decrease compared with the control group(P<0.05).The active range of motion of the ankle dorsiflexion muscle,electromyographic signal of the tibialis anterior muscle,and Fugl-Meyer scores after treatment were significantly increased or improved compared with before treatment(P<0.05),while the combined group showed a more significant increase or improvement compared with the control group(P<0.05).In terms of gait parameters,the walking speed,frequency,and stride in both groups of patients were significantly increased compared with before treatment(P<0.05),while the combined group showed a more significant increase compared with the control group(P<0.05).The percentage time of support phase on the healthy side was shortened compared with before treatment(P<0.05),while the combined group showed a more significant decrease compared with the control group(P<0.05).In addition,there was no significant difference between the two groups except for the percentage of healthy side support(P>0.05).To conclude,the combination of deep muscle stimulation and electromyographic biofeedback can effectively alleviate triceps spasm in the short term after stroke,improve ankle dorsiflexion function,enhance lower limb motor function,and improve gait.The treatment effect is significant and worthy of clinical promotion and application.

BACKGROUND: The main cause of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Lin28a has been reported to play critical regulatory roles in this process. However, whether CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins β (C/EBPβ) binds to the Lin28a promoter and drives the progression of restenosis has not been clarified. Therefore, in the present study, we aim to clarify the role of C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis in restenosis. METHODS: Restenosis and atherosclerosis rat models of type 2 diabetes ( n   =  20, for each group) were established by subjecting to PTA. Subsequently, the difference in DNA methylation status and expression of C/EBPβ between the two groups were assessed. EdU, Transwell, and rescue assays were performed to assess the effect of C/EBPβ on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. DNA methylation status was further assessed using Methyltarget sequencing. The interaction between Lin28a and ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) was analysed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. Student's t -test and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: C/EBPβ expression was upregulated and accompanied by hypomethylation of its promoter in restenosis when compared with atherosclerosis. In vitroC/EBPβ overexpression facilitated the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and was associated with increased Lin28a expression. Conversely, C/EBPβ knockdown resulted in the opposite effects. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further demonstrated that C/EBPβ could directly bind to Lin28a promoter. Increased C/EBPβ expression and enhanced proliferation and migration of VSMCs were observed after decitabine treatment. Further, mechanical stretch promoted C/EBPβ and Lin28a expression accompanied by C/EBPβ hypomethylation. Additionally, Lin28a overexpression reduced C/EBPβ methylation via recruiting TET1 and enhanced C/EBPβ-mediated proliferation and migration of VSMCs. The opposite was noted in Lin28a knockdown cells. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis is a driver of restenosis progression, and presents a promising therapeutic target for restenosis.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism* ; Rats ; DNA Methylation/physiology* ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta/genetics* ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Cells, Cultured ; Coronary Restenosis/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative stress and interferon γ (IFNγ)-driven cellular immune responses are responsible for the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, the connection between oxidative stress and the local production of IFNγ in early vitiligo remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism underlying the production of IFNγ by mast cells and its impact on vitiligo pathogenesis. METHODS: Skin specimens from the central, marginal, and perilesional skin areas of active vitiligo lesions were collected to characterize changes of mast cells, CD8 + T cells, and IFNγ-producing cells. Cell supernatants from hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-treated keratinocytes (KCs) were harvested to measure levels of soluble stem cell factor (sSCF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. A murine vitiligo model was established using Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-B2 (MrgB2, mouse ortholog of human MrgX2) conditional knockout (MrgB2 -/- ) mice to investigate IFNγ production and inflammatory cell infiltrations in tail skin following the challenge with tyrosinase-related protein (Tyrp)-2 180 peptide. Potential interactions between the Tyrp-2 180 peptide and MrgX2 were predicted using molecular docking. The siRNAs targeting MrgX2 and the calcineurin inhibitor FK506 were also used to examine the signaling pathways involved in mast cell activation. RESULTS: IFNγ-producing mast cells were closely aligned with the recruitment of CD8 + T cells in the early phase of vitiligo skin. sSCF released by KCs through stress-enhanced MMP9-dependent proteolytic cleavage recruited mast cells into sites of inflamed skin (Perilesion vs . lesion, 13.00 ± 4.00/high-power fields [HPF] vs . 26.60 ± 5.72/HPF, P <0.05). Moreover, IFNγ-producing mast cells were also observed in mouse tail skin following challenge with Tyrp-2 180 (0 h vs . 48 h post-recall, 0/HPF vs . 3.80 ± 1.92/HPF, P <0.05). The IFNγ + mast cell and CD8 + T cell counts were lower in the skin of MrgB2 -/- mice than in those of wild-type mice (WT vs . KO 48 h post-recall, 4.20 ± 0.84/HPF vs . 0.80 ± 0.84/HPF, P <0.05). CONCLUSION Mast cells activated by MrgX2 serve as a local IFNγ producer that bridges between innate and adaptive immune responses against MCs in early vitiligo. Targeting MrgX2-mediated mast cell activation may represent a new strategy for treating vitiligo.
Vitiligo/metabolism* ; Mast Cells/immunology* ; Animals ; Interferon-gamma/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Melanocytes/metabolism* ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics* ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Female ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; Stem Cell Factor/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: The benefits of ideal cardiovascular-health metrics (ICVHMs) in patients with renal insufficiency remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between ICVHM and prognosis in a renal insufficiency population. METHODS: The trial enrolled 29,682 participants from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007-2018, with mortality follow-up through December 31, 2019. Participants were divided into three groups based on estimated glomerular filtration rates. Cardiovascular health was assessed using new "Life's Essential 8" metrics. Cox regression analyses based on NHANES data were used to determine the associations between ICVHMs and cardiovascular mortality in patients with renal insufficiency. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 6.58 years, ideal cardiovascular health (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.25-0.70) and ideal health behavior (HR = 0.53; 95% CI; 0.39-0.73) reduced cardiovascular mortality in participants with renal insufficiency. For each one ICVHM increment, a 25% reduction in cardiovascular mortality was recorded (95% CI; 0.69-0.82). When compared with participants with normal renal function, for those with mild renal insufficiency, the HR for cardiovascular mortality gradually decreased from 1.47 (95% CI; 0.85-2.52) in those who had ≤1 ICVHMs to 0.30 (95% CI; 0.12-0.77) in participants who had >6 ICVHMs. CONCLUSIONS From an ICVHM perspective, enhanced cardiovascular benefits were observed in individuals with renal insufficiency, coupled with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Furthermore, when compared with individuals with normal renal function, increased ICVHMs can mitigate adverse risks associated with renal impairment.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Nutrition Surveys ; Middle Aged ; Renal Insufficiency/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Prognosis ; Adult ; Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality* ; Glomerular Filtration Rate/physiology* ; Proportional Hazards Models

This study aims to systematically review and evaluate the quality of clinical research on the treatment of adenomyosis(AM) with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in recent ten years, using evidence graphs. Computer searches were conducted on eight Chinese and English databases, commonly used guideline databases, and guideline-related websites, covering the period from January 1, 2014, to October 1, 2024. Two researchers independently screened, extracted information, and evaluated the quality of the evidence. The distribution and quality of the clinical research evidence were presented using both text and charts. A total of 565 articles were included in the study, comprising 523 intervention studies, 23 observational studies, 18 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis, and 1 guideline. The overall publication volume has shown a downward trend in past two years. The sample sizes of the intervention and observational studies primarily focused on 60 to 120 cases. The intervention schemes mainly involved multi-therapy combinations, including 33 classic prescriptions and 25 Chinese patent medicines. Among these, 48 studies related to 17 classic prescriptions and 45 studies related to 10 types of Chinese patent medicines involved TCM syndrome types. Randomized controlled trial(RCT) tended to focus on overall clinical efficacy and the degree of dysmenorrhea as key outcome measures. Methodological quality issues were found in 97 RCTs related to TCM decoctions and 131 RCTs related to Chinese patent medicines, primarily involving unclear explanations of some information. The AMSTAR scores for the 18 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis ranged from 1 to 8 points, with 16 studies suggesting "evidence of potential therapeutic efficacy". The recommended level for the one included guideline was B-level. TCM shows significant advantages in treating AM. Future clinical research should further standardize study designs, reference relevant reporting guidelines, improve the quality of clinical research, generate higher-level evidence-based results, and promote the high-quality development of clinical research on TCM for treating AM.
Humans ; Adenomyosis/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe disease caused by viral infection that triggers an uncontrolled inflammatory response. This study investigated the capacity of jasurolignoside (JO), a natural compound, to bind to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and treat ALI. The anti-inflammatory properties of JO were evaluated in vitro through Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence staining, and co-immunoprecipitation. The investigation utilized a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI animal model to examine the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of JO in vivo. JO attenuated inflammatory symptoms in infected cells and tissues by modulating the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Molecular docking simulations revealed JO binding to TLR4 active sites, confirmed by cellular thermal shift assay. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) demonstrated direct interaction between JO and TLR4 with a Kd value of 35.1 μmol·L^-1. Moreover, JO inhibited tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 secretion and reduced leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and macrophage infiltration in ALI-affected mice. JO also enhanced lung function and reduced ALI-related mortality. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated JO's ability to suppress TLR4 expression in ALI-affected mouse lung tissue. This study establishes that JO can bind to TLR4 and effectively treat ALI, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for clinical applications.
Toll-Like Receptor 4/chemistry* ; Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Mice ; Humans ; Ilex/chemistry* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Male ; NF-kappa B/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Disease Models, Animal

Based on the literature review and the analysis of specific cases of postpartum frequent micturition,pediatric enuresis,elderly uremia complicated with bradyarrhythmia in clinic,the clinical application of the action of Ephedrae Herba in stimulating yang qi is discussed.Ephedrae Herba has the meridian tropism of the lung and bladder meridians,and is pungent,warm and dispersing,which is the most important medicine for the treatment of external contraction.Ephedrae Herba has the actions of inducing diaphoresis,calming asthma and inducing diuresis,and is widely used for the treatment of external contraction,coughing and asthma,and edema.For the patients with deficiency of both kidney yin and kidney yang without obvious bias of yin-yang consumption which result from the postpartum impairment of qi and blood,deficient innate endowment,and gradually exhaustion of essence in the kidney in the elderly or during chronic illness,a small dosage of Ephedrae Herba can stimulate yang qi during the treatment of warming kidney yang,which is helpful for promoting the drug arriving at the back shu-points of the internal organs distributed along the bladder meridian and enhancing the recovery of zang-fu organ function.Ephedrae Herba is strong in inducing diaphoresis with an intense action.When Ephedrae Herba is used to stimulate yang,the dosage of 3～9 g is appropriate,and medicines for warming yang are needs to be used together.The course of treatment with Ephedrae Herba should be avoided to be too long,in order to prevent the vital energy from the damage by its large cumulative dose.

AIM To explore the effect of Compound Fo'ercao Mixture on TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).METHODS Rats were randomly divided into the blank group(n=10),and the model group(n=50)for the establishment of a rat model of COPD by 12-week cigarette smoke exposure combined with intratracheal injection of LPS.The successful rat models were randomly divided into the model group,the dexamethasone group(0.5 mg/kg)and the low,medium and high dose Compound Fo'ercao Mixture groups(6.8,13.6 and 27.2 g/kg),with 10 rats in each group.After 24 weeks of drug intervention,the rats had their lung function detected by animal lung function meter;their pathological changes of lung tissue observed by HE staining;their serum TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,and MDA levels and SOD activity detected by ELISA;their pulmonary mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB and caspase-3 detected by RT-qPCR;and their pulmonary protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB and TNF-α detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group displayed obviously pulmonary ventilation dysfunction,damaged lung tissue and bronchus,decreased SOD activity(P＜0.01);increased serum TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and MDA levels(P＜0.01);and increased pulmonary expressions of TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB and caspase-3 mRNA and TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB and TNF-α proteins(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,all Compound Fo'ercao Mixture groups shared improvement in lung function indices levels and lung tissue damage;decrease in the levels of serum TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and MDA(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decrease in the pulmonary expressions of TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB and caspase-3 mRNA and TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB and TNF-α protein(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION Compound Fo'ercao Mixture can improve the lung dysfunction and pathological injury in a rat model of COPD,and its mechanism may be associated with the regulated TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To develop a self-care scale for patients with lymphedema after breast cancer surgery and verify its reliability and validity.Methods Based on the model of knowledge,belief and practice,a questionnaire item pool was constructed after literature reviews and qualitative interviews.A questionnaire-based scale was drafted based on the established item pool by carrying out two rounds of consultation with 15 clinical nursing specialists,nursing administrators and nursing educators from 8 provinces or cities in China.Reliability and validity of the scale were tested using convenience sampling,involving 444 patients with breast cancer surgery related lymphedema from 7 general hospitals in Hubei and Henan provinces,China,between May and July 2023.Results The response rates for the two rounds of expert consultation were 93.75%and 93.33%,respectively.The authority coefficients of the two rounds were 0.86 and 0.89,respectively,and the coordination coefficients for the 2 rounds were 0.130 and 0.379,respectively.In the first round,the average importance rating was from 4.33 to 4.93 with the coefficient of variation from 0.05 to 0.19,and the full score ratio from 53.33%to 93.33%.In the second round,the average importance rating ranged from 2.86 to 4.93 with the coefficient of variation from 0.05 to 0.36,and the full score ratios from 7.14%to 92.86%.A total of 421 patients completed the survey.The overall Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.943,the overall split-half reliability was 0.824,the scale-level content validity index(S-CVI)was 0.912,and the item-level content validity index(I-CVI)of the total scale ranged from 0.857 to 1.000.The KMO value of exploratory factor analysis was 0.919,the Bartrett spherical test value was 4671.724(P<0.001),and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 64.155%.Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit.After the reliability and validity tests,the scale was finalised and determined to consist of three dimensions with 33 items:knowledge(9 items),attitude(6 items)and behaviour(18 items).Conclusion The self-care scale for the patients with lymphedema after breast cancer surgery has demonstrated good reliability and validity,and makes it an effective assessment tool for the patients with lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.