ObjectiveTo evaluate the detection specificity for clinical samples and the detection capability for standard substances of five commercially available multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid detection kits (hereinafter referred to as the kits) for respiratory pathogens, and to provide a reference for selecting appropriate detection kits for multi-pathogen nucleic acid testing of respiratory infections. MethodsA total of 60 respiratory pathogen-positive clinical samples with known redults were selected and tested using the five kits (labeled as A, B, C, D, and E). The detection rates and Kappa coefficients were calculated to evaluate the consistency between the results from these kits and those from single-pathogen PCR kits. According to the limit of detection (LOD) provided by the kits, standard substances of respiratory pathogens (including 12 types such as influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis) were diluted to four concentrations (250, 500, 1 000, and 2 000 copies·mL⁻¹). All five kits were used for detection to evaluate their respective detection capabilities. ResultsCompared with the results from single-pathogen PCR kits, the five tested kits demonstrated good consistency (all Kappa >0.80). Among them, Kit A had the highest detection rate (100.00%), followed by Kits C and E (98.33%), and then Kits B and D (95.00%). All five kits showed a relatively low false negative rate (FNR) for samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) value ≤35 (≤2.38%). However, for samples with Ct values>35, the FNR increased accordingly(average FNR=6.67%, P=0.029). Kit C exhibited the highest detection sensitivity for the tested standard substances (average LOD: 458.33 copies·mL⁻¹), followed by Kit D, then Kits A/E, and finally Kit B. ConclusionThe five multiplex PCR kits showed good consistency with single-pathogen detection results, but each had its own performance emphasis. Kit A, with the highest detection rate and high throughput, is suitable for targeted viral screening. Kit B, covering the broadest pathogen spectrum (including fungi/bacteria), is suitable for comprehensive respiratory pathogen screening. Kits C, D and E, are applicable for rapid detection. It is important to note that the detection efficacy of all kits decreases for low viral load samples with Ct values >35. In practical application, selection should be based on specific screening objectives, throughput requirements, and sample types.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Naoqingtong decoction （NQT） on the kidney damage and the inflammatory factors NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs）. MethodsTwenty-four SHRs were randomized into a model group， a low-dose （12.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1） NQT （NQT-L） group， a high-dose （25.8 g·kg^-1·d^-1） NQT group （NQT-H）， and a captopril （CTP， 20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， with 6 rats in each group. In addition， 6 homozygous male Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as the control group. The control and model groups were administrated with the same amount of normal saline by gavage for 8 weeks. General behaviors of rats were observed during the intervention period， and the blood pressure was measured periodically. At the end of intervention， the body mass was weighed， and both kidneys were collected and weighed for the calculation of the renal index. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were employed to determine the expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-6， and TNF-α in the kidney tissue. ResultsDuring the experiment period， the control group had normal mental status， food intake， and activity， while the model group showed thinning of hair， loss of luster， reduced activity， loss of appetite， fecal adhesion， and irritability， and some of the skin had scratches or blood scabs. The above symptoms were alleviated to different degrees after 8 weeks of NQT administration. An intelligent non-invasive sphygmomanometer was used to measure the tail artery pressure of rats， which showed that the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of rats in the model group was higher than that in the control group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， drug interventions lowered the systolic and diastolic blood pressure （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the model group showed severe pathological damage in the kidney tissue， which was alleviated in each drug intervention group. Compared with the control group， the model group showed up-regulated expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-6， and TNF-α in the kidney tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the drug intervention groups showed down-regulated expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-6， and TNF-α in the kidney tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionNQT can lower the blood pressure in SHRs by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes， suppressing renal inflammation， and ameliorating hypertensive kidney damage.

Objective The study aims to investigate the impact of microRNA-874-3p(miR-874-3p)regulation of plakophilin 3(PKP3)on the malignant biological behavior of lung adenocarcinoma cells and its underlying mechanism.Methods Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry were used to detect the expression of PKP3 in lung adenocarcinoma tissue microarray and lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 cells respectively,and the relationship between PKP3 and clinicopathological features of lung adenocarcinoma patients was analyzed.Select lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549,the experiment was divided into A549 cell group(blank control group),miR-NC group(transfected with miR-NC)and miR-mimics group(transfected with miR-874-3p mimics),sh-NC group(control group transfected with PKP3 silencing plasmid),sh-PKP3 group(transfected with PKP3 silencing plasmid),miR+pcDNA-PKP3 group(transfected with miR-874-3P mimics+pcDNA-PKP3,rescue group)and miR+pcDNA-NC group(transfected with miR-874-3p mimics+pcDNA-NC).The proliferation,invasion,migration and apoptosis of cells in each group were detected.ENCORI database was used to predict the upstream gene of PKP3,and dual luciferase assay was used to detect the targeting relationship between miR-874-3p and PKP3.MAPK/mTOR pathway-related proteins were detected by Western blotting.Results The expression of PKP3 in lung adenocarcinoma tissue was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues.The high expression of PKP3 was related to clinical stage,tumor size,and lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05).Compared with the human normal lung epithelial cells(BEAS-2B),the expression of PKP3 in A549 cells increased significantly,and the expression of miR-874-3p decreased(P＜0.05).Overexpression of miR-874-3p decreased the PKP3 expression level(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,both overexpression of miR-874-3p and silenced PKP3 inhibited the cloning and invasion ability of A549 cells,caused cell cycle arrest,and decreased the expression levels of cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4),cyclin D1,cyclin E1 proteins in A549 cells(P＜0.05).The expressions of Bax protein and Caspase-3 protein were up-regulated(P＜0.05),and apoptosis increased.Overexpression of PKP3 could reverse the biological behavior of overexpression of miR-874-3p.Overexpression of miR-874-3p and silencing of PKP3 significantly decreased the expressions of P38 MAPK and mTOR phosphorylated proteins.Conclusion MiR-874-3p can negatively regulate PKP3 expression and inhibit the malignant biological behavior of A549 cells through MAPK/mTOR pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of remimazolam(REM)on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)rats and the AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway.Methods One hundred rats were selected to construct the CIRI rat model(Mod)and stochastically separated into a Mod group,low,medium,and high dose remifentanil groups(REM-L,REM-M,REM-H),and high dose remifentanil+pathway inhibitor Compound C group(REM-H+Compound C),with 20 rats in each group.Another 20 healthy rats were included as the control(Ctrl)group.All rats were subjected to neurobehavioral scoring.The water content,infarct area,and oxidative stress indicators of brain tissue were detected.The morphology and apoptosis of brain tissue were observed by HE and TUNEL staining.Western blotting was applied to detect protein expression related to the AMPK/NLRP3 signaling pathway.Results Compared with the Mod group,with the increase of REM dose,the movement disorders in rats were alleviated,the overall structure of brain tissue gradually recovered,pathological damage was reduced,the area of cerebral infarction,brain water content,and apoptosis rate of brain tissue cells decreased,reactive oxygen species(ROS)level,malondialdehyde(MDA)content,and NLRP3 and Caspase-1 protein expression levels decreased,superoxide dismutase the(SOD)content and AMPK protein expression level increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the REM-H group,the REM-H+Compound C group showed aggravated motor disorders,and more severe pathological damage to brain tissue,the area of cerebral infarction,cerebral water content and apoptosis rate of brain tissue cells increased,the ROS level,MDA content and the protein expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 increased,while the content of SOD and the protein expression decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Remimazolam can enhance the antioxidant function of the body,reduce brain cell apoptosis,alleviate brain tissue injury,and thus have a certain protective effect on ischemia-reperfusion brain injury in rats,the mechanism of which may be related to the activation of the AMPK/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective To assess the impact of freeze-drying and dry heat virus inactivation processes on the activity ofα2-macroglobulin(A2M)derived from human plasma Cohn fraction Ⅳ.Methods A2M derived from human plasma Cohn fraction Ⅳ was prepared and subjected to programmed freeze-drying with dry heat virus inactivation.The lyophilized products were evaluated for their appearance,water content,and validation of the viral inactivation process.The bioactivity of the products before and after lyophilization as well as before and after dry heat inactivation was determined via trypsin inhibition,and the comparisons were studied.Results The appearance of the lyophilized product was fluffy,and the water content was(5.83±0.45)％.The specific activities of the samples before and after lyophilization were(10.199±0.137)and(10.033±0.201)μg/mg,respectively,with no statistically significantdifference between the two groups(P＞0.05).The viral inactivation of the samples was carried out by using dry heat inactivation conditions at 100 ℃ for 30 min.After inactivation,the reduction was ≥5.125 LgTCID50/0.1 mL in Pseudorabies virus(PRV)titers,≥4.500 LgTCID50/0.1 mL in Sindbis virus(SinV)titers,≥6.375 LgTCID50/0.1 mL in encephalomyocarditis virus(EMCV)titers,and≥4.500 LgTCID50/0.1 mL in porcine parvovirus(PPV)titers.The specific activities of the samples before and after dry heat were(9.921±0.292)and(10.091±0.278)μ g/mg,respectively,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion A2M derived from human plasma Cohn fraction Ⅳ,when subjected to freeze-drying followed by dry heat inactivation at 100 ℃ for 30 minutes,can effectively inactivate viruses without altering the biological activity of the product.

Objective To establish a standardized supply model for ophthalmic surgical instruments using lean manage-ment methods,develop a formula for determining optimal instrument inventory levels,and improve the management efficiency of ophthalmic surgical instruments.Methods A total of 2,281 cataract instrument sets from January 2023 to December 2024 were analyzed.From January to December 2023(1 141 sets),conventional process management was implemented,while from January to December 2024(1 140 sets),a lean theory-based standardized model was applied.Key parameters including surgical time,sterilization workflow,and instrument management were recorded to establish the model.A quantitative analysis incorporating sur-gical time,turnover interval,transportation time,relaxation rate,cycle interval,and target instruments was conducted to derive the inventory formula.A two-month pilot study on cataract surgeries was performed to validate the model's feasibility.The inci-dence of special events before and after implementing the standardized model was compared.Results The formula-derived data aligned with clinical demands,demonstrating precise quantification of ophthalmic instrument sets and high process stability.The incidence of special events post-implementation was significantly lower than pre-implementation(P＜0.05).Conclusion The lean theory-based standardized supply model effectively enhances the management of ophthalmic surgical instruments.

The scientific research and innovation capabilities of medical students are intrinsically linked to the sustained and high-quality development of national healthcare initiatives.Cultivating outstanding medi-cal students with independent scientific capabilities and innovative consciousness is a critical component in the education and training of high-level medical professionals.Our investigation revealed that within the imperfections of the cultivating model,some faculty and students at medical schools have an insufficient understanding of scientific research and innovation and lack motivation for engaging in such activities,which hinder the progression of scientific research activities.Consequently,we initiated a teaching practice and exploratory study on the"tutorial system"aimed at fostering medical students'scientific research and innovation abilities.Based on the principle of"research informing teaching,teaching and research advan-cing together,"this study implements a"tutorial system"coordinated by tutors,supplemented by graduate and undergraduate student mentors,to cultivate innovative thinking,stimulate interest in scientific re-search,and enhance practical and research skills among medical students.Through collaborative efforts within"scientific research innovation teams,"various educational methods—including preliminary re-search,in-class and extracurricular activities,intra-group and inter-group interactions,and theoretical and practical applications—are employed to improve and strengthen the cultivation of medical students'scientif-ic research and innovation abilities.This study aims to provide valuable references for optimizing medical education management systems and enhancing the quality of medical student training.

Objective To establish a standardized supply model for ophthalmic surgical instruments using lean manage-ment methods,develop a formula for determining optimal instrument inventory levels,and improve the management efficiency of ophthalmic surgical instruments.Methods A total of 2,281 cataract instrument sets from January 2023 to December 2024 were analyzed.From January to December 2023(1 141 sets),conventional process management was implemented,while from January to December 2024(1 140 sets),a lean theory-based standardized model was applied.Key parameters including surgical time,sterilization workflow,and instrument management were recorded to establish the model.A quantitative analysis incorporating sur-gical time,turnover interval,transportation time,relaxation rate,cycle interval,and target instruments was conducted to derive the inventory formula.A two-month pilot study on cataract surgeries was performed to validate the model's feasibility.The inci-dence of special events before and after implementing the standardized model was compared.Results The formula-derived data aligned with clinical demands,demonstrating precise quantification of ophthalmic instrument sets and high process stability.The incidence of special events post-implementation was significantly lower than pre-implementation(P＜0.05).Conclusion The lean theory-based standardized supply model effectively enhances the management of ophthalmic surgical instruments.

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

Objective:To explore the cleaning quality of different cleaning methods on robotically luminal apparatuses.Methods:This research innovated and invented specially cleaning holder that could support boiling after reducing pressure,and protective device for preprocessing so as to better clean robotically luminal apparatuses.A total of 600 robotic luminal apparatuses,which were used in urology surgery at The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University in November 2023,were selected as the research object,and they were divided into control group,experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 according to the principle of randomization and balance,with 200 apparatuses in each group.The luminal apparatuses of control group were cleaned as the cleaning process of the manufacturer's instructions,and these of experimental group 1 were cleaned through ultrasonic cleaning machine with perfusion in the cleaning process of the manufacturer's instructions,and boiling after reducing pressure was selected to clean those of experimental group 2 through specially cleaning holder that was innovated and invented,which could support boiling after reducing pressure.Both two experiment groups adopted protective device that was invented by our research patent.The visual estimation and magnifying glass(5-10 times)with light source,adenosine triphosphate(ATP)fluorescence detector,and detection device for protein residue were adopted to test and judge cleaning quality,cleaning time,and wear rate of transportation in luminal apparatus after cleaning.Results:The qualified rates of visual estimation and magnifying glass with light source in control group,experiment group 1 and experiment group 2 were respectively 94.5%,99.0%and 99.5%,and the differences of pairwise comparison among three groups were significant(x2=6.44,8.591,P<0.05).The qualified rates of the fluorescence detection and the detection for protein residue in control group were respectively 93.5%and 90%,and those in experiment group 1 were respectively 98.5%and 97%,and the differences among two groups were significant(x2=6.51,11.41,P<0.05).For the cleaning time of single apparatus,the experiment group 1 was shortest,and the experiment group 2 was longest,and there were significant differences in pairwise comparison among three groups(t=2.981,48.178,34.419,P<0.05).The cleaning time of 8 cleaned apparatuses of experiment group 1 still can keep advantage,while there was not significant difference in that between it and control group(P>0.05).The cleaning time of 12 cleaned apparatuses of experimental group 2 was shortest,and that of experiment group 1 was longest,and the differences of that among three groups were significant(t=2.743,5.292,3.177,P<0.05).The average wear rates of transportation of control group,experiment group 1 and experiment group 2 were respectively(9.5±1.8)%,(6.2±1.5)%and(5.8±1.3)%,and the average wear rates of transportation of experiment group 1 and 2 were significantly lower than that of control group,and the differences of that in pairwise comparison among three groups were significant(t=21.7,24.3,P<0.05),while the difference of that between two experiment groups was not significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:The cleaning technique of boiling after reducing pressure can play better cleaning effect for the slender lumen of robotic apparatuses,while the wear rates of experiment group 1 and 2,which use protective device for preprocessing,are better than that of control group.The full load amount of the application of the special cleaning holder of the robotic luminal apparatuses of experiment group 2 can increase by 1 time,which is high efficient and convenient.