Objective: This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Xuanfei Baidu Decoction (XFBD) in a mouse model of dampness-heat toxin pneumonia. By exploring how XFBD exerts its effects, we seek to deepen our understanding of its role in treating pulmonary diseases and to address the current knowledge gap regarding its mechanisms of action, thereby supporting its clinical application. Methods: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) were employed to analyze the chemical constituents of XFBD. The protective effects of XFBD were evaluated using a dampness-heat toxin-induced mouse model, established through dampness-heat exposure and HCoV-229E infection. XFBD was administered orally, followed by assessments including lung index measurement, micro-CT imaging, viral load quantification, cytokine analysis, and histological evaluation via hematoxylin-eosin staining. Proteomics and single-cell transcriptomic analyses were conducted to explore the potential mechanisms underlying XFBD’s pharmacological effects. A cellular model of HCoV-229E infection was developed to investigate changes in the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments confirmed the strong binding affinity between key XFBD components and PKA. Finally, PKA activators and inhibitors were applied in vitro to validate these mechanistic findings. Results: In vivo studies demonstrated that XFBD significantly reduced the lung index, improved the structural integrity of lung and tongue tissues, and decreased levels of proinflammatory mediators, including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. Proteomic and single-cell transcriptomic analyses showed that the differentially expressed proteins after XFBD treatment were primarily associated with inflammatory responses and immune regulation. The cAMP/PKA signaling pathway was identified as a key mechanism underlying these therapeutic effects. Notably, Western blot, ELISA, molecular docking, and SPR analyses confirmed that XFBD elevated cAMP levels and p-PKA expression, thereby activating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in vitro. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that XFBD significantly alleviates symptoms in mice with dampness-heat toxin pneumonia. Its therapeutic effects are mediated, at least in part, through activation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. These findings provide compelling evidence that XFBD is an effective herbal remedy against HCoV-229E infection.

Objective To observe the value of ultrasonic parameters of diaphragm motion combined with BODE index for predicting acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods Eighty COPD patients were retrospectively collected and divided into stable group(n=45)and acute exacerbation group(n=35).Ultrasonic parameters of diaphragm motion,including diaphragm excursion(DE)under quiet breathing(QB)and deep breathing(DB),i.e.DEQB and DEDB were measured.The general data,ultrasound parameters of diaphragm motion,and BODE index scores were compared between groups.Then logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors which could be used to independently predict acute exacerbations of COPD.The predicting performance of ultrasound parameters of diaphragm motion,BODE index and their combination were evaluated with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the area under the curve(AUC).Results Compared with stable COPD group,acute exacerbation group had higher BMI and BODE index scores(both P＜0.05),as well as larger DEQB but smaller DEDB(both P＜0.05).DEDB and BODE index were both independent predicting factors of acute exacerbation of COPD,while increased DEDB indicated decreased risk of acute exacerbation(OR[95％CI]=0.673[0.493,0.918],P＜0.05),whereas increased BODE index suggested higher risk(OR[95％CI]=3.678[1.061,12.746],P＜0.05).AUC for DEDB and BODE index alone for predicting acute exacerbation of COPD was 0.788 and 0.799,respectively,and of their combination was 0.979,significant higher than that of each alone(both P＜0.05).Conclusion Ultrasonic parameters of diaphragm motion could be used to evaluate diaphragm function in COPD patients.Combination of DEDB and BODE index had better performances in predicting acute exacerbation of COPD.

Objective:To analyze the effect of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) on the radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells and explore its regulatory role in the miR-455-3p/ nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.Methods:The expression levels of lncRNA SNHG16 and miR-455-3p in human normal cervical epithelial cells H8, human cervical cancer cells SiHa, and radioresistant cervical cancer cells SiHa-R were detected by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. SiHa-R cells were transfected separately, and then given a single dose of 4 Gy X-ray irradiation and continued to be cultured for subsequent experiments. The cells in each group were named siRNA-NC, siRNA-SNHG16 (interfering lncRNA SNHG16), NC mimic, miR-455-3p mimic (overexpressing miR-455-3p), siRNA-SNHG16+inhibitor NC, and siRNA-SNHG16+miR-455-3p inhibitor groups, respectively. The survival fraction of SiHa-R cells was detected by clone formation assay. The apoptosis rate of SiHa-R cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression levels of apoptotic proteins [cysteine-containing aspartate-specific protease (Caspase)-3, Caspase-9, Bax] and NF-κB signaling pathway related proteins [NF-κB p65, phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB p65, p-IκB (inhibitory protein of NF-κB)] were measured by Western blot. The targeting relationship between lncRNA SNHG16 and miR-455-3p was determined by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Comparison among different groups was conducted by one-way ANOVA, and paired comparison was carried out by LSD t-test. Comparison between two groups was performed by t-test. Results:Compared with H8 cells, the expression levels of lncRNA SNHG16 were increased in SiHa and SiHa-R cells, and SiHa-R cells had a higher level than SiHa cells. The expression levels of miR-455-3p were decreased in SiHa and SiHa-R cells, and SiHa-R cells had a lower level than SiHa cells (all P<0.001). Compared with the siRNA-NC group, the survival fraction of SiHa-R cells in the siRNA-SNHG16 group was decreased, the radiosensitization ratio (SER) was 1.571 (>1), the apoptosis rate and levels of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax proteins were increased, while the levels of p-NF-κB p65 and p-IκB proteins were decreased (all P<0.001). lncRNA SNHG16 could target miR-455-3p. Compared with the NC mimic group, miR-455-3p level in the miR-455-3p mimic group was increased, cell survival fraction was decreased, the SER was 1.826 (>1), the apoptosis rate and the levels of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax proteins were increased, and the levels of p-NF-κB p65 and p-IκB proteins were decreased (all P<0.001). Inhibition of miR-455-3p expression could weaken the effect of interfering with lncRNA SNHG16 expression on SiHa-R cell apoptosis, radiotherapy sensitivity, and NF-κB signaling pathway (all P<0.001). Conclusions:Interference with lncRNA SNHG16 expression could induce the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells and enhance their radiation sensitivity by regulating the miR-455-3p/NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of hospital-associated infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs)among the burn wound patients so as to provide bases for taking tar-geted control measures.METHODS A systematic search was conducted in the worldwide database for nosocomial outbreaks,PubMed and CNKI databases so as to summarize and analyze the data regarding to outbreaks of MDROs hospital-associated infections among burn wound patients.RESULTS A total of 61 incidents of MDROs hospital-associated infections outbreaks among the burn wound patients were included,involving 2 293 patients from 21 countries and regions,50(81.97％)of which were reported for the infection sites or colonization sites in-volving burn wound,12(19.67％)involving the respiratory tract,10(16.39％)involving the bloodstream infec-tions.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(28 incidents,45.90％)was dominant among the pathogens causing the infections,followed by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(17 incidents,27.87％)and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aureus(9 incidents,14.75％).52 incidents(82.25％)of outbreaks were reported the contact as the major transmission mode.The suspected sources of the outbreaks included the patients(37 incidents,28.46％),health care workers(30 incidents,23.08％),ward environments(28 incidents,21.54％),medical equipments(19 incidents,30.56％),drainage systems(6 incidents,4.62％).The major pre-vention and control measures included environmental cleaning and disinfection,screening of colonization in patients and health care workers,isolation of patients with infections and hand hygiene;8 incidents were taken the measure of closing the ward.CONCLUSIONS The outbreaks of MDROs infections in the burn wound patients are mostly associated with the high frequently contact environments,medical equipments and hand hygiene of health care workers.In view of the peculiarities of the burn wound patients,it is feasible to take the targeted measures based on the summarized prevention and control combinations for MDROs so as to prevent the outbreak of hospital-asso-ciated infections.

Lactylation, a newly discovered post-translational modification, has been reported to be involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Recent studies have found that lactylation is potentially linked to the pathological processes and repair mechanisms of ischemic stroke. This article explores the impact and role of lactylation after the occurrence of ischemic stroke on neuroinflammation, energy metabolism regulation, oxidative stress, signaling pathway modulation, and angiogenesis. It may serve as a bridge connecting lactylation and ischemic stroke, offering insights and guidance for future research and clinical strategies in ischemic stroke.

This study analyzed soil-transmitted nematode infection surveillance data for children 3-9 years of age in Shaanxi Province from 2016 to 2023,to provide a scientific basis for control strategies for soil-transmitted nematode infections in children in the province.Since 2016,according to the requirements of the National Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted Nematode Surveillance Program(Trial),several counties and districts in Shaanxi Province were selected as surveillance sites every year.According to geo-graphical position,the surveillance sites were divided into five areas:east,west,south,north and middle,and one administrative vil-lage(community)was selected in each area for monitoring.The eggs of soil-transmitted nematodes(hookworm,Ascaris lumbricoides,Trichuris trichiura,and Enterobius vermicularis)were detected with the Kato-Katz technique in children 3-9 years of age at each sur-veillance site,and the eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were detected again with the cellophane tape anal swab method.The infection rate and intensity for E.vermicularis were calculated.Detection was performed in 12 462 children 3-9 years old at 75 surveillance sites in Shaanxi Province from 2016 to 2023;84 cases of soil-borne nematode infections were detected,and the overall infection rate was 0.67%.The infection rates for Ascaris lumbricoides and E.vermicularis were 0.18%(22/12 462)and 0.50%(62/12 462),respec-tively,and the infection rates for Trichuris trichiura and hookworm were not found.The infection rates of soil-transmitted nematodes in children were 1.28%(16/1 250),0.16%(2/1 252),1.25%(17/1 365),1.20%(18/1 494),0.17%(2/1 169),1.45%(20/1 382),0.00,and 0.36%(9/251),respectively.A linear trend was observed among years(χ2=11.973,P<0.001).The infection rates in the Weifen Basin ecological region,Loess Plateau ecological region,and Qinba Mountains ecological region were 0.51%,1.19%,and 0.72%,respectively,and the differences were statistically significant(χ2=9.726,P=0.008).Significant differences in infection rates were observed among scattered children(1.63%),preschool children(0.66%),and students(0.57%)(χ2=11.189,P=0.004).No significant differences in infection rates were observed by gender,age,and education level.Compared with the infection rates in the entire country and other provinces,the infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes among children in Shaanxi Province was low,and the main infection species were Ascaris lumbricoides and E.vermicularis.The infection rates greatly varied within Shaanxi Prov-ince,possibly because of differences in economic development levels,children′s living habits,and personal hygiene status across re-gions.In the future,comprehensive control measures should be taken to strengthen the monitoring and control of key areas,popula-tions,and parasite species.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors and perinatal outcomes associated with monozygotic twins (MZT) following elective single embryo transfer (eSET) via in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 12 079 patients who achieved pregnancy after undergoing IVF/ICSI-eSET at Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2015 and September 2023. Patients were stratified into two groups based on ultrasound findings 30 d post-transfer: singleton pregnancy group and MZT pregnancy group. Finally, 300 MZT and 1 500 single pregnancies, which were randomly matched according to 1∶5 were included by study period. General patients' characteristics, embryo-related factors, and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to identify risk factors for MZT after single embryo transfer, adjusting for potential confounding variables.Results:The incidence of twin pregnancy following single embryo transfer was 2.48% (300/12 079), which was higher than that of naturally conceived monozygotic twin pregnancy. No significant difference was found in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). The blastocyst transfer rate was higher in the MZT pregnancy group [93.3% (280/300)] than in the singleton pregnancy group [88.8% (1 332/1 500), P=0.022]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis also showed that blastocyst transfer was associated with an increased risk of MZT ( OR=0.552, P=0.016, 95% CI: 0.341-0.894). Analysis of blastocyst cycles showed that the risk of MZT was higher when transferring high-quality blastocysts [79.6% (223/280) vs. 67.8% (903/1 332), P<0.001], where as a trophectoderm (TE) grading of C [20.4% (57/280) vs. 32.2% (429/1 332), P<0.001] had a lower risk of MZT. After adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of MZT was found to increase with the transfer of blastocysts with a B-grade inner cell mass (ICM) ( OR=0.601, P=0.001, 95% CI: 0.442-0.819) and A/B grade TE (grade A: OR=2.951, P<0.001, 95% CI: 1.980-4.399; grade B: OR=1.840, P<0.001, 95% CI: 1.315-2.576). The risk of complications during pregnancy [47.7% (143/300) vs. 19.3% (289/1 500), P<0.001], preterm labor [55.1% (140/254) vs. 7.4% (101/1 368), P<0.001], and the risk of stillbirth [3.7% (11/300) vs. 1.5% (22/1 500), P=0.016] were significantly higher in the MZT pregnancy group than in the singleton pregnancy group. Conclusion:Assisted reproductive technology may contribute to the risk of MZT. Transfer of blastocysts, particularly those with loose ICM arrangement and dense TE arrangement, appears to increase the risk of MZT in patients undergoing eSET.

Objective:To analyze the trend of infertility disease burden from 1990 to 2019 and predict the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) rate of male and female infertility for 2020—2029, providing a certain reference for the prevention and treatment of infertility diseases.Methods:Based on the Global Burden of Disease 2019, prevalence, ASPR, DALY rate, and age-standardized DALY rate were used to evaluate the global burden of infertility comprehensively. The estimated annual percentage change was used to describe trends in the disease burden of infertility in 21 regions worldwide. The Bayesian age period cohort model was used to predict the ASPR and age-standardized DALY rate for male and female infertility in 204 countries and regions from 2020 to 2029. Sensitivity analysis was performed using the autoregressive integrated moving average model.Results:The prevalence, DALY rate, ASPR and age-standardized DALY rate of global male infertility increased from 319.52 per 100 000,1.82 per 100 000, 2 856.53 per 100 000, and 16.19 per 100 000 in 1990 to 565.30 per 100 000, 3.22 per 100 000, 3 398.53 per 100 000, and 19.36 per 100 000 in 2019, respectively. The prevalence, DALY rate, ASPR, and age-standardized DALY rate of global female infertility increased from 656.67 per 100 000, 3.53 per 100 000, 6 036.36 per 100 000, and 32.27 per 100 000 in 1990 to 1 223.78 per 100 000, 6.59 per 10 000, 7 483.12 per 100 000, and 40.33 per 100 000 in 2019, respectively. The burden of infertility disease was the highest in men and women aged 30-34 years, and the ASPR and age-standardized DALY rates were 4 407.47 per 100 000, 25.08 per 100 000, 10 270.55 per 100 000 and 55.65 per 100 000, respectively. Only in 45-49 years of age, the prevalence of infertility (11.31 per 100 000) and DALY rate (0.06 per 100 000) in women were lower than those in men (15.68 per 100 000 and 0.08 per 100 000). In addition, the burden of infertility was the lowest in high socio-demographic index regions. Cameroon had the highest ASPR (7 652.40 per 100 000) and age-standardized DALY rate (43.94 per 100 000) for male infertility. Chinese women had the highest ASPR (20 402.30 per 100 000) and age-standardized DALY rate (106.16 per 100 000) of infertility. The forecast results show that the burden of male and female infertility diseases will increase in 204 countries and regions from 2020 to 2029.Conclusion:The burden of infertility diseases in men and women increased in 204 countries and regions from 1990 to 2019, and it is predicted that the global burden of infertility diseases will continue to rise in 2020—2029. Preliminary screening of infertility should be carried out as soon as possible, health education should be strengthened and effective prevention and treatment strategies should be formulated.

Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution has become one of the global environmental problems, posing a serious threat to the environment and human health. Microbial remediation plays an important role in the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated environment. Nevertheless, the stress factors present in the environment polluted by petroleum hydrocarbons limit the effectiveness of microbial remediation. This paper reviews the common stress factors in petroleum hydrocarbon-polluted environment and the response mechanisms of microorganisms to these factors. Furthermore, we introduce the methods to improve microbial tolerance, such as irrational modification, rational modification based on systems biology tools or tolerance mechanisms, and the construction of microbial consortia. The application of these methods is expected to improve the viability and remediation efficiency of microorganisms in petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated environment and provide new perspectives and technical support for environmental remediation.
Biodegradation, Environmental ; Petroleum/metabolism* ; Hydrocarbons/isolation & purification* ; Bacteria/genetics* ; Environmental Pollutants/isolation & purification* ; Petroleum Pollution

BACKGROUND:The energy metabolism and polarization state of macrophages play a crucial role in the progression of atherosclerosis.Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)has shown significant therapeutic potential for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis by regulating macrophage metabolic pathways.OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress in AMP-activated protein kinase regulation of macrophage energy metabolism and polarization and explore the mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.METHODS:A computerized search was conducted on the databases including Web of Science,PubMed,and CNKI,covering relevant literature up to June 2024.The search terms were"AMPK,fatty acid oxidation,macrophage polarization,Traditional Chinese Medicine,atherosclerosis,coronary heart disease"in Chinese and English.A total of 62 articles were finally included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The shiftin macrophage energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis plays a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis.The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in macrophages promotes fatty acid oxidation and M2 polarization,exerting anti-inflammatory effects and stabilizing arterial plaques.TCM monomers(such as ginseng,astragalus,and polygonatum)and compounds(such as Huanglian Jiedu Decoction,Yangxin Shumai Granules,and Tiaogan Daozhuo Formula)influence macrophage metabolism and cellular function by regulating the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway and intervening in multiple signaling pathways,such as nuclear factor-κB,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ,and mammalian target of rapamycin,thereby achieving therapeutic effects.Future research should focus on the interactions between AMP-activated protein kinase,metabolism,and polarization pathways,as well as how TCM exerts its therapeutic effects through these pathways,providing new strategies for the treatment of atherosclerosis.