The gut microbiota regulates intestinal nutrient absorption, participates in modulating host glucolipid metabolism, and contributes to ameliorating glucolipid metabolism disorder. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota can compromise the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, induce inflammatory responses, and exacerbate insulin resistance and abnormal lipid metabolism in the host. Dangua Humai Oral Liquid, a hospital-developed formulation for regulating glucolipid metabolism, has been granted a national invention patent and demonstrates significant clinical efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Dangua Humai Oral Liquid on gut microbiota and the intestinal mucosal barrier in a mouse model with glucolipid metabolism disorder. A glucolipid metabolism disorder model was established by feeding mice a high-glucose and high-fat diet. The mice were divided into a normal group, a model group, and a treatment group, with eight mice in each group. The treatment group received a daily gavage of Dangua Humai Oral Liquid(20 g·kg~(-1)), while the normal group and model group were given an equivalent volume of sterile water. After 15 weeks of intervention, glucolipid metabolism, intestinal mucosal barrier function, and inflammatory responses were evaluated. Metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics were employed to analyze changes in gut microbiota and associated metabolic pathways. Significant differences were observed between the indicators of the normal group and the model group. Compared with the model group, the treatment group exhibited marked improvements in glucolipid metabolism disorder, alleviated pathological damage in the liver and small intestine tissue, elevated expression of recombinant claudin 1(CLDN1), occluding(OCLN), and zonula occludens 1(ZO-1) in the small intestine tissue, and reduced serum levels of inflammatory factors lipopolysaccharides(LPS), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein(LBP), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidota decreased, while that of Firmicutes increased. Lipid-related metabolic pathways were significantly altered. In conclusion, based on the successful establishment of the mouse model of glucolipid metabolism disorder, this study confirmed that Dangua Humai Oral Liquid effectively modulates gut microbiota and mucosal barrier function, reduces serum inflammatory factor levels, and regulates lipid-related metabolic pathways, thereby ameliorating glucolipid metabolism disorder.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Mice ; Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Glycolipids/metabolism* ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Administration, Oral ; Disease Models, Animal

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) in children with acute leukemia (AL) following chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on children diagnosed with CDC (including confirmed, clinically diagnosed, and suspected cases) after AL chemotherapy from January 2015 to December 2023 at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital, and Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University. Clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of CDC in children with AL following chemotherapy was 1.92% (32/1 668). Among the children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the incidence of CDC in the high-risk group was significantly higher than in the low-risk group (P=0.002). All patients presented with fever unresponsive to antibiotics during the neutropenic period, with 81% (26/32) involving the liver. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly elevated (≥50 mg/L) in 97% (31/32) of the patients. The efficacy of combined therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin or posaconazole for CDC was 66% (19/29), higher than with caspofungin (9%, 2/22) or liposomal amphotericin B (18%, 2/11) monotherapy. The overall cure rate was 72% (23/32). The proportion of patients with CRP ≥50 mg/L and/or a positive β-D-glucan test for more than 2 weeks and breakthrough infections during caspofungin treatment was significantly higher in the treatment failure group compared to the successful treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS CDC in children with AL after chemotherapy may be associated with prolonged neutropenia due to intensive chemotherapy. Combination antifungal regimens based on liposomal amphotericin B have a higher cure rate, while persistently high CRP levels and positive β-D-glucan tests may indicate poor prognosis.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use* ; Candidiasis/diagnosis* ; Chronic Disease ; Leukemia/complications* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/complications* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brexpiprazole in treating acute schizophrenia.Methods Patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.The treatment group was given brexpiprozole 2-4 mg·d-1 orally and the control group was given aripiprazole 10-20 mg·d-1orally,both were treated for 6 weeks.Clinical efficacy of the two groups,the response rate at endpoint,the changes from baseline to endpoint of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS),Clinical Global Impression-Improvement(CGI-S),Personal and Social Performance scale(PSP),PANSS Positive syndrome subscale,PANSS negative syndrome subscale were compared.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events in two groups were compared.Results There were 184 patients in treatment group and 186 patients in control group.After treatment,the response rates of treatment group and control group were 79.50％(140 cases/184 cases)and 82.40％(150 cases/186 cases),the scores of CGI-I of treatment group and control group were(2.00±1.20)and(1.90±1.01),with no significant difference(all P＞0.05).From baseline to Week 6,the mean change of PANSS total score wese(-30.70±16.96)points in treatment group and(-32.20±17.00)points in control group,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).The changes of CGI-S scores in treatment group and control group were(-2.00±1.27)and(-1.90±1.22)points,PSP scores were(18.80±14.77)and(19.20±14.55)points,PANSS positive syndrome scores were(-10.30±5.93)and(-10.80±5.81)points,PANSS negative syndrome scores were(-6.80±5.98)and(-7.30±5.15)points,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of treatment-related adverse events between the two group(69.00％vs.64.50％,P＞0.05).Conclusion The non-inferiority of Brexpiprazole to aripiprazole was established,with comparable efficacy and acceptability.

Objective To explore the cut-off value of three dimensional(3D)vena contracta area(VCA)in diagnosing severe tricuspid regrugitation(TR)under different etiologies and its accuracy and practicality in clinical application.Methods From Mar 2019 to May 2021,ninety-two patients with confirmed TR underwent two dimensional(2D)and 3D transthoracic echocardiography.The correlation and consistency between 3D VCA 3D calculated based on the proximal isokinetic surface area(PISA)effective regurgitant orifice area(EROA)was calculated.Comprehensive 2D multi-parameter method was used as a reference method to calculate the cut-off value of the diagnosis of severe TR.Results A total of 85 patients were ultimately included.3D VCA and 3D PISA EROA had similar and acceptable correlations in both primary TR and secondary TR(primary TR:r=0.831,P<0.01;secondary TR:r=0.806,P<0.01).Bland-Altman analysis showed that 3D VCA overestimated TR compared with 3D PISA EROA(62%overestimated in the total patient population,51%overestimated in primary TR,and 74%overestimated in secondary TR).In secondary TR,the cut-off value of 3D VCA for diagnosing severe TR was 0.45 cm2(sensitivity 89%,specificity 82%);combining clinical symptoms,positive 2D PISA EROA results and 3D VCA results for severe TR,the chi-square value was higher than those only included clinical symptoms or incorporated clinical symptoms and positive 2D PISA EROA results(42.168 vs.26.059 and 16.759,P<0.01).Conclusion 3D VCA would overestimate TR,and had high and incremental diagnostic value for evaluating severe TR in secondary TR.

Objective To study chest computed tomography(CT)manifestations in neonates with chronic granulomatous disease(CGD)to provide clues for early diagnosis of this disease.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and chest CT scan results of neonates diagnosed with CGD from January 2015 to December 2022 at Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital.Results Nine neonates with CGD were included,with eight presenting respiratory symptoms as the initial sign.Chest CT findings included:consolidation in all 9 cases;nodules in all 9 cases,characterized by multiple,variably sized scattered nodules in both lungs;masses in 4 cases;cavities in 3 cases;abscesses in 6 cases;bronchial stenosis in 2 cases;pleural effusion,interstitial changes,and mediastinal lymphadenopathy each in 1 case.CT enhancement scans showed nodules and masses with uneven or ring-shaped enhancement;no signs of pulmonary emphysema,lung calcification,halo signs,crescent signs,bronchiectasis,or scar lesions were observed.There was no evidence of rib or vertebral bone destruction.Fungal infections were present in 8 of the 9 cases,including 6 with Aspergillus infections;three of these involved mixed infections with Aspergillus,with masses most commonly associated with mixed Aspergillus infections(3/4).Conclusions The primary manifestations of neonatal CGD on chest CT are consolidation,nodules,and/or masses,with Aspergillus as a common pathogen.These features can serve as early diagnostic clues for neonatal CGD.

Aim To explore the improvement effect of Bazi Bushen capsule on thymic degeneration in SAMP6 mice and the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty 12 week old male SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into the model group(SAMP6)and the Bazi Busheng capsule treatment group(SAMP6+BZBS).Ten SAMR1 mice were assigned to a homologous control group(SAMR1).The SAMP6+BZBS group was oral-ly administered Bazi Bushen capsule suspension(2.8 g·kg-1)daily,while the other two groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water.After nine weeks of administration,the morphology of the thymus in each group was observed and the thymus in-dex was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the structural changes of thymus tissue;SA-β-gal stai-ning was used to detect thymic aging;flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of thymic CD3+T cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the levels of p16,Bax,Bcl-2,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in thymus;immunofluorescence was applied to detect the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells in each group;ELISA was employed to detect IL-7 lev-els in thymus.Results Compared with the SAMP6 group,the thymic index of the SAMP6+BZBS group significantly increased(P＜0.05);the disordered thy-mic structure was significantly improved;the positive proportion of SA-β-gal staining significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the proportion of CD3+T cells apparently increased(P＜0.05);the level of p16 protein signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05);the level of Bcl-2 pro-tein significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the lev-el of cleaved caspase-3 protein markedly decreased(P＜0.05);the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells evidently increased;the level of IL-7 significantly increased(P＜0.01).Conclusions Bazi Bushen capsule can delay thymic degeneration,inhibit cell ap-optosis in thymus and promote thymic cell development in SAMP6 mice,which may be related to increasing the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells and promoting IL-7 secretion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and analyze the risk factors of massive hemorrhage in patients with renal cell carcinoma and venous tumor thrombus undergoing radical nephrectomy and removal of venous tumor thrombus. METHODS: From January 2014 to June 2020, 241 patients with renal cancer and tumor thrombus in a single center of urology at Peking University Third Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent radical nephrectomy and removal of venous tumor thrombus. The relevant preoperative indicators, intraoperative conditions, and postoperative data were statistically analyzed by using statistical software of SPSS 18.0. The main end point of the study was intraoperative bleeding volume greater than 2 000 mL. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relevant influencing factors. First, single factor Logistic regression was used for preliminary screening of influencing factors, and variables with single factor Logistic regression analysis P < 0.05 were included in multivariate Logistic regression. In all statistical analyses, P < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the 241 patients included, there were 60 cases of massive hemorrhage, 48 males and 12 females, with a median age of 62 years. The number of non-massive hemorrhage was 181. There were 136 males and 45 females, with a median age of 59 years. Univariate analysis showed that the clinical symptoms (both systemic and local symptoms, OR 2.794, 95%CI 1.087-7.181, P=0.033), surgical approach (open surgery, OR 9.365, 95%CI 4.447-19.72, P < 0.001), Mayo grade (Mayo 3-4, OR 5.257, 95%CI 2.806-10.886, P < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (ASA level 3, OR 2.842, 95%CI 1.338-6.036, P=0.007), preoperative hemoglobin (OR 0.978, 95%CI 0.965-0.991, P=0.001), preoperative platelet count (OR 0.996, 95%CI 0.992-1.000, P=0.037), maximum tumor thrombus width (OR 1.061, 95%CI 1.033-1.091, P < 0.001), Complicated with bland thrombus (OR 4.493, 95%CI 2.264-8.915, P < 0.001), adrenalectomy (OR 3.101, 95%CI 1.614-5.958, P=0.001), segmental resection of the inferior vena cava (OR 2.857, 95%CI 1.395-5.852, P=0.004). There was a statistically significant difference in these aspects(P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference in surgical approach (open surgery, OR 6.730, 95%CI 2.947-15.368;P < 0.001), Mayo grade (Mayo 3-4, OR 2.294, 95%CI 1.064-4.948, P=0.034), Complicated with bland thrombus (OR 3.236, 95%CI 1.492-7.020, P=0.003). CONCLUSION Combining the results of univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis, the surgical approach, Mayo grade, and tumor thrombus combined with conventional thrombus were associated risk factors for massive hemorrhage during surgery for renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus. Patients who undergo open surgery, high Mayo grade, and tumor thrombus combined with conventional thrombus are at a relatively higher risk of massive hemorrhage.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombosis/etiology* ; Kidney Neoplasms/pathology* ; Vena Cava, Inferior/surgery* ; Nephrectomy/methods* ; Thrombectomy/methods* ; Risk Factors ; Hemorrhage

Aim To investigate the effect of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) on the expression of inflammatory factors in macrophages RAW264. 7 induced by pyocyanin (PCN) and the regulatory mechanism of its signaling pathway. Methods RAW264. 7 cells were treated with different concentrations of PCN for 24 h, respectively, and the effect of PCN on cell activity was detected by CCK8 assay to determine the optimal PCN concentration for manufacturing infection models. The cells were divided into the control group (given 0. 1% dimethyl sulfoxide DMSO), PCN group, PCN + AhR inhibitor (CH223191) group, and PCN + AhR agonist (FICZ) group, and the expression of AhR was detected by immunofluorescence. The expression levels of inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. The protein expression of AhR, pp38 MAPK and p-p65NF-κB, was detected by Western blotting. Results PCN induced a significant quantitative effect on AhR expression in RAW264. 7 cells. CH223191 increased PCN-induced inflammatory factor secretion and enhanced the phosphorylation of p38MAPK and p65NF-κB compared with the control group. FICZ decreased PCN-induced inflammatory factor production and reduced the phosphorylation of p38MAPK and p65NF-κB phosphorylation capacity. Conclusions AhR can regulate PCN-induced inflammatory factor expression in RAW264. 7 cells, and the p38MAPK/p65NF-κB signaling pathway may be an essential pathway for the involvement of AhR in immune regulation.

COVID-19 has been prevalent for three years. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is weaken as it mutates continuously. However, elderly patients, especially those with underlying diseases, are still at high risk of developing severe infections. With the continuous study of the molecular structure and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs for COVID-19 have been successively marketed, and these anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs can effectively reduce the severe rate and mortality of elderly patients. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical medication regimens, drug interactions and adverse reactions of five small molecule antiviral drugs currently approved for marketing in China, so as to provide advice for the clinical rational use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly.

AIM: To evaluate the necessity of slit-lamp biomicroscopy(referred to here as “slit-lamp”)training from the student's perspective and reach a consensus on slit-lamp training in medical students during ophthalmology clerkship.METHODS: A controlled before-after clerkship study was performed on 117 students of the class of 2017 enrolled in clinical medicine at Sun Yat-sen University. All medical students underwent slit-lamp training during ophthalmology clerkship. We evaluated the students' cognition, perceived need and recommendations for slit-lamp teaching, using a self-completed questionnaire survey and compared the students' scores in these aspects before and after their ophthalmology clerkships. Additionally, the efficiency of slit-lamp training was evaluated by subjective student assessment after the ophthalmology clerkship. Each item was scored on a five-point Likert Scale. Statistical analysis was performed by IBM SPSS(Version 20.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).RESULTS: A total of 116(99.1%)medical students completed the survey. The average score before clerkship was 19.99±3.03, which indicated a high level of cognition regarding slit-lamp utility; However, this score significantly increased to 22.97±2.37 after clerkship(P<0.001). The average score regarding perceived need was also higher for post-clerkship students than for pre-clerkship students(24.62±3.15 vs. 23.60±2.36, P=0.009). Moreover, 86.2% of post-clerkship students reported that hands-on slit-lamp practice could help promote clerkship quality. More than three-quarters of the surveyed students tended to agree that slit-lamp practice time should be increased(76.7% and 77.6% before and after clerkship, respectively).CONCLUSION: A hands-on approach to slit-lamp training is more favored by medical students in ophthalmology clerkships, and this training should be recommended in ophthalmology clerkships given its potential usefulness for improving clerkship quality.