Objective To predict the risk of coronary atherosclerosis using cerebral small vessel disease and cerebral artery stenosis in order to assist early identification of coronary artery disease(CHD).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 130 patients(aged≥65 years)who underwent cerebral MRI,magnetic resonance angiography(MRA),and coronary computed tomo-graphy angiography in the Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2019 and December 2024.Based on coronary computed tomography angiography results,the patients were categorized into an asymptomatic CHD group(56 cases)and a non-CHD group(74 cases).Cerebral MRI and MRA were used to assess white matter hyperintensity,enlarged perivascular spaces,lacunar infarcts,cerebral microbleeds(CMB)scores,total score of cerebral small vessel disease and degree of cerebral artery stenosis.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the clinical and radiological indicators related to CHD.Then a predictive model was constructed,and then its performance in early predicting CHD was evaluated.Results Blood glucose,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,CMB score≥ 1,and≥50％stenosis of the posterior cerebral artery were independent risk factors for CHD(P＜0.05).The combined predictive model integrating clinical indicators,cerebral small vessel disease,and cerebral artery stenosis demonstrated the best performance,with an AUC value of 0.867(95％CI:0.807-0.927),outperforming the clinical model and the clinical-cerebral small vessel disease model.Conclusion cerebral small vessel dis-ease and cerebral artery stenosis are closely related to coronary atherosclerosis.The predictive model integrating clinical features and cerebrovascular disease imaging markers provides impor-tant reference for early screening of CHD.

Objective:To analyze and predict the biological properties and function of Treponema pallidum OmpH protein by bioinformatics methods, purify the target protein, and prepare polyclonal antibodies. Methods:From January 2024 to February 2025, the research team from the Department of Clinical Laboratory at The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College (Hunan Province Directly Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital) conducted a study employing integrative approaches combining bioinformatics analysis with animal experimentation. During this investigation, the coding sequence of the T. pallidum outer membrane protein H (TpOmpH) was systematically retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. And the bioinformatics tools, such as Protparam, Protscale,SignalP 6.0,NetNGlyc-1.0,TMHMM2.0,NetPhos-3.1,SOPMA,AlphaFold3,IEDB,STRING,C-immsim were used to analyze and predict the biological and immunological characteristics of TpOmpH protein. The full length of TpOmpH gene was synthesized and was cloned into the pET28a to construct the recombinant plasmid pET28a-TpOmpH. The the expression of target protein was induced by IPTG and was purified using affinity chromatography. The TpOmpH protein was used to immunize mice and the anti-serum was harvested, then the titer of antibody was detected. Results:TpOmpH is a hydrophobic outer membrane protein with a molecular weight of 19.7 kDa and strong stability. The TpOmpH protein is located outside the cell membrane and contains 11 serine, 4 threonine, and 1 tyrosine phosphorylation site, but no glycosylation sites. The 77.91% of the amino acids in TpOmpH protein are alpha helix, 8.72% are extended strand, 10.47% are random coils, and 2.91% are beta turns. The tertiary structure predicted by AlphaFold3 is in its optimal state. The TpOmpH protein has 4 CTL epitopes, 4 linear epitopes, and 5 spatial epitopes. The TpOmpH protein can interact with Tp92,MutS,SurA,TPANIC_0600 and other proteins which may be involved in Tp invasion. TpOmpH protein can induce an increase in B cell count, antibody content, Th cell count, NK cell count, as well as the expression of various cytokines. High purity TpOmpH protein was obtained through Ni 2+ affinity chromatography, which is consistent with the theoretical molecular weight. TpOmpH protein can induce mice to secrete polyclonal antibodies with antibody titers higher than 1∶10 000. Conclusion:TpOmpH protein is a hydrophobic protein located on the outer membrane of Tp, can induce mice to secrete high titer antibodies, which providing experimental basis for the pathogenesis of Tp and vaccine development.

Objective:To analyze the trend of lipid changes in patients and individuals undergoing physical examination at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from 2014 to 2024, providing evidence for the formulation of cardiovascular disease prevention and control strategies.Methods:A total of 2 657 835 individuals (general population) who underwent lipid testing during medical visits or physical examinations at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2024, were selected. Among them, 6 234 individuals who were tested consecutively for 11 years were considered as the fixed population. Lipid levels were analyzed across different genders and age groups. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were analyzed. The trends in lipid changes and the abnormal rates of TC (≥5.18 mmol/L) and LDL-C (≥3.40 mmol/L) in both the general and fixed populations were statistically analyzed.Results:The median age of the general population was 53 (41, 63) years, with 1 498 533 males (56.4%); 1 149 662 individuals (43.3%) were from the physical examination group. The median age of the fixed population was 52 (39, 62) years, with 3 262 males (52.3%); 2 955 individuals (47.4%) were from the physical examination group. Over an 11-year period, the logarithmically transformed TG (lnTG) in the general population slightly increased from 1.35 mmol/L to 1.36 mmol/L (Sen slope=0.007 mmol·L -1·year -1; S=27, P=0.043). Although there were fluctuations in TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C, the trends were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). However, in the subset of the population undergoing regular health check-ups, TC showed a steady increase over time ( S=27, P=0.043). Within a fixed population over the same 11-year period, there were no statistically significant changes in lipid profiles ( P>0.05). Nevertheless, in the fixed subset undergoing regular health check-ups, both TC and lnTG exhibited an upward trend (TC: S=27, P=0.043; lnTG: S=31, P=0.020), while in the fixed subset seeking medical attention, TC and LDL-C demonstrated a downward trend (TC: S=-31, P=0.020; LDL-C: S=-27, P=0.043). Trends in lipid profiles varied among different genders and age groups. Specifically, both men and women aged 20-<40 years old showed an increase in TC, abnormal TC rates, and abnormal LDL-C rates ( P<0.05). Conversely, in the fixed population, women over 60 years old exhibited a decrease in TC, abnormal TC rates, and abnormal LDL-C rates ( P<0.05). Conclusion:During the period from 2014 to 2024, there were slight fluctuations in the average lipid levels of both the general and fixed populations. Notably, TC, abnormal TC rates, and abnormal LDL-C rates increased among men and women aged 20-<40 years old, while these parameters decreased among women over 60 years old in the fixed population.

Objective To develop predictive models based on decision tree and logistic regression algo-rithms for pulmonary multidrug-resistant organism(MDRO)infection risk in intensive care unit(ICU)pa-tients,and compare their predictive performance to provide references for pulmonary MDRO infection preven-tion.Methods A total of 350 ICU patients admitted to the hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were enrolled and divided into an infection group(n=52)and a non-infection group(n=298)based on the pres-ence of pulmonary MDRO infection.Clinical data from both groups were collected and analyzed to identify risk factors for pulmonary MDRO infection in ICU patients.Using the risk of pulmonary MDRO infection in ICU patients as the dependent variable and the indicators with statistically significant differences in univariate anal-ysis as the independent variables,predictive models for pulmonary MDRO infection risk were developed by u-sing decision tree algorithms and logistic regression analysis.The predictive performance of these two models was compared.Results There were statistically significant differences(P＜0.05)between the infection and non-infection groups in terms of age,history of diabetes,hospital stay≥2 weeks,indwelling urinary catheter,chlorine dioxide disinfection,prolonged bedridden status,and disturbance of consciousness.Logistic regression analysis with pulmonary MDRO infection risk in ICU patients as the dependent variable showed that age ≥60 years,indwelling catheter,hypoproteinemia,and disturbance of consciousness were risk factors for pulmonary MDRO infection in ICU patients,while chlorine dioxide disinfection was a protective factor.Based on these risk factors and regression coefficients,the original warning model was established as:logit(P 1)=0.856 × age+0.928 × indwelling catheter+0.916 × chlorine dioxide disinfection+0.866× hypoproteinemia+0.986 × disturbance of consciousness-4.371.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated good model fit(coefficient of de-termination R2=0.579,P=0.531).The decision tree model for pulmonary MDRO infection risk in ICU pa-tients constructed using decision tree algorithm comprised 4 layers and 9 nodes,selecting four clinical features as nodes:presence of consciousness disturbance,indwelling catheter,hypoproteinemia,and age≥60 years,with consciousness disturbance being the most significant predictor.The decision tree model showed an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.892(95％CI:0.835-0.949)on receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analy-sis,compared to 0.862(95％CI:0.812-0.912)for the logistic regression model.Delong test revealed no sig-nificant difference in predictive performance between the two models(Z=1.148,P=0.095).Conclusion Both the decision tree model and logistic regression model established for predicting the risk of pulmonary MDRO infection in ICU patients demonstrate high predictive performance with comparable efficacy.

Objective To explore the relationship between the level of Caveolin-1 and high mobility group protein B1(HMGB-1)in cerebrospinal fluid and the severity of sepsis and their predictive value.Methods A total of 102 children with sepsis were selected in a hospital from June 2021 to December 2023.According to neonatal critical case scoring criteria,the children were divided into mild group(n=41)and severe group(n=61).According to the diagnostic criteria of purulent meningitis and the results of cerebrospinal fluid examina-tion,the children were divided into sepsis complicated with purulent meningitis group(n=16)and simple sepsis group(n=86).The clinical data of the children were collected,and the levels of Caveolin-1,HMGB-1 and inflammatory factors[hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),procalcitonin(PCT)and tumor necro-sis factor-α(TNF-α)]in cerebrospinal fluid of the children were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the factors affecting the severity of sepsis,and the receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of Caveolin-1 and HMGB-1 in the severity of sepsis and the prediction value of purulent meningitis in the children.Results Compared with mild group,cerebrospinal fluid levels of Caveolin-1 and HMGB-1 in severe group were signifi-cantly increased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of PCT,hs-CRP and TNF-α in severe group were significantly higher than those in mild group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that PCT,hs-CRP,TNF-α,Caveolin-1 and HMGB-1 levels were all risk factors for the severity of sepsis in children(P<0.05).The combined diag-nosis of Caveolin-1 and HMGB-1 was significantly better than that of Caveolin-1(Z=2.109,P=0.035),HMGB-1(Z=2.099,P=0.036),PCT(Z=2.487,P=0.013),hs-CRP(Z=2.419,P=0.016)and TNF-α(Z=3.441,P=0.001)were diagnosed alone.Compared with simple sepsis group,cerebrospinal fluid Caveo-lin-1 and HMGB-1 levels in sepsis complicated with purulent meningitis group were significantly increased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The combined prediction of Caveolin-1 and HMGB-1 was significantly better than that of Caveolin-1(Z=2.621,P=0.009)and HMGB-1(Z=1.997,P=0.046)alone.Conclusion There are significant increases in the levels of Caveolin-1 and HMGB-1 in chil-dren with severe sepsis or sepsis complicated with purulent meningitis.Caveolin-1 and HMGB-1 have a certain clinical value in evaluating the severity of sepsis in children and predicting whether they are complicated with purulent meningitis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular epidemiology of children with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Gansu, China, providing foundational data for intervention strategies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 159 PKU families who attended Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital from January 2012 to December 2024. Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, whole exome sequencing, and deep intronic variant analysis were used to analyze the PAH gene. RESULTS: For the 1 159 children with PKU, 2 295 variants were identified in 2 318 alleles, resulting in a detection rate of 99.01%. The detection rates were 100% (914/914) in 457 classic PKU families, 99.45% (907/912) in 456 mild PKU families, and 96.34% (474/492) in 246 mild hyperphenylalaninemia families. The 2 295 variants detected comprised 208 distinct mutation types, among which c.728G>A (14.95%, 343/2 295) had the highest frequency, followed by c.611A>G (4.88%, 112/2 295) and c.721C>T (4.79%, 110/2 295). The cumulative frequency of the top 23 hotspot variants reached 70.28% (1 613/2 295), and most variant alleles were detected in exon 7 (29.19%, 670/2 295). CONCLUSIONS Deep intronic variant analysis of the PAH gene can improve the genetic diagnostic rate of PKU. The development of targeted detection kits for PAH hotspot variants may enable precision screening programs and enhance preventive strategies for PKU.
Humans ; Phenylketonurias/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Phenylalanine Hydroxylase/genetics* ; Mutation ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Child ; Infant

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical characteristics of rashes induced by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) in children treated for pertussis and to inform safe medication practices. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 238 children diagnosed with pertussis and treated with TMP-SMZ at Wuhu First People's Hospital from January to August 2024. The incidence and clinical features of rashes were summarized. RESULTS: Of 238 children, 34 (14.3%) developed rashes; 19 (55.9%) were boys, and the 5 to <10-year age group accounted for the highest proportion (70.6%, 24/34). A history of allergic disease was present in 50.0% (17/34). Rashes typically appeared on or after day 7 of therapy (82%, 28/34) and were predominantly erythematous or maculopapular eruptions (97%, 33/34); 71% (24/34) were pruritic. Fever occurred in 56% (19/34); among those who were tested for respiratory viruses, 77% (10/13) were positive for viruses such as rhinovirus and adenovirus. After discontinuation of TMP-SMZ, rashes resolved within 3 days in 97% (33/34) of patients (41% within 1 day; 56% within more than 1 but within 3 days). There was no significant difference in rash incidence between photoprotection and non-photoprotection groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS TMP-SMZ for pertussis can induce rashes, particularly in children aged 5 to <10 years. The eruption is usually a pruritic erythematous or maculopapular rash, with over half of cases accompanied by fever and frequent concomitant viral infections. Most rashes resolve within 3 days after drug withdrawal. The potential association between the rash and sun exposure warrants further investigation.
Humans ; Male ; Child, Preschool ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination/therapeutic use* ; Child ; Female ; Exanthema/chemically induced* ; Retrospective Studies ; Infant ; Whooping Cough/drug therapy* ; Adolescent

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) may affect the severity of hot flashes (HFs) associated with natural menopause and provide additional benefits for postmenopausal women. However, the evidence for its effectiveness in the management of early postmenopausal HFs remains inadequately understood. OBJECTIVE: We designed this trial to assess the efficacy and safety of EA for relieving early postmenopausal HFs. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This randomized sham-controlled trial involved 72 women with HFs. The participants were divided equally into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group was treated with EA, while the control group was treated with sham acupuncture. The main acupoints used were Hegu (LI4), Guanyuan (RN4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taixi (KI3), Fuliu (KI7) and Shenshu (BL23). All participants received 18 treatment sessions, distributed across a 6-week period. The treatment was administered on three occasions per week, adhering to a fixed weekday schedule (Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) with a minimum interval of one day between sessions. Each patient received a 12-week follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The HF score was the primary outcome. Participants documented the frequency and severity of HFs in a 7-day symptom diary, which provided data for calculating the HF score. Secondary outcomes were the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Score Scale (TCMSSS), as well as estradiol (E₂), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in HF scores after the treatment and during the follow-up (P < 0.001). Immediately after completion of the 6-week treatment cycle and at 12 weeks post-intervention, the HF scores were similar in both groups. At week 6, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in MRS, MENQOL (vasomotor, psychosocial, and physical), PSQI and TCMSSS scores (P < 0.05). The improvements in the MENQOL (vasomotor, and psychosocial) and PSQI total scores persisted through the follow-up (P < 0.05). However, the results showed no significant inter- or intragroup differences in sexual scores on the MENQOL (P > 0.05). EA did not significantly decrease E₂, LH or FSH levels compared to placebo. The incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: EA does not significantly improve HFs in early postmenopausal patients. However, it enhances the quality of sleep and decreases menopausal symptoms across vasomotor, psychosocial and physical domains. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn); Trial ID: ChiCTR2300072002. Please cite this article as: Wang HX, Yu XT, Hu J, Chen JJ, Mei YT, Chen YF. Electroacupuncture for hot flashes in early menopause: A randomized sham-controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):519-527.
Humans ; Female ; Electroacupuncture ; Hot Flashes/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Quality of Life ; Menopause ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult

Objective To investigate the protective effects of secretomes released by three-dimensional cultured mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)on neurons subjected to seawater immersion(SW)and stretch injury(SI),and to provide new insights into neuronal repair following SW combined with traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods MSCs were cultured using the hanging drop method,and the conditioned medium(CM)containing MSCs secretomes was collected.A cellular model combining SW with SI was established using mouse hippocampal neuronal cells(HT22 cells).HT22 cells were randomly assigned to five groups:control,SI,SI+SW,SI+CM,and SI+SW+CM groups.Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay,apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry,cell migration ability was evaluated by scratch assay,and the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-2-associated protein(Bax),and ferroptosis-related proteins long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4(ACSL4)and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)were detected by Western blotting.Results Immersion in 15%seawater for 12 h significantly decreased HT22 cell viability(P<0.05).The CCK-8 assay indicated that cell viability in both the SI and SI+SW groups was significantly lower than that in control group after 12 h of treatment(P<0.05).Treatment with CM containing MSCs secretomes significantly increased cell viability in SI+CM group compared to SI group(P<0.0001),and in SI+SW+CM group compared to SI+SW group(P<0.001).Flow cytometry results revealed that the apoptosis rate in SI and SI+SW groups was significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.05 or P<0.001),while in SI+CM group was lower than that in SI group(P<0.05),and in SI+SW+CM group was lower than that in SI+SW group(P<0.05).Western blotting showed that compared to control group,SI and SI+SW groups exhibited reduced Bcl-2 expression level(P<0.01 or P<0.0001)and increased expression levels of Bax,ACSL4,and COX-2(P<0.01 or P<0.0001).Compared to SI group,the SI+CM group displayed increased Bcl-2 expression level(P<0.05)and decreased expression levels of Bax,ACSL4,and COX-2(P<0.05).Compared to SI+SW group,SI+SW+CM group exhibited increased Bcl-2 expression level(P<0.01)and decreased expression levels of Bax,ACSL4,and COX-2(P<0.01 or P<0.001).Scratch assay results demonstrated that at both 12 h and 24 h,the cell migration rate in SI and SI+SW groups was significantly lower than that in control group(P<0.01 or P<0.0001),while the migration rate in SI+CM group was significantly higher than that in SI group(P<0.0001 or P<0.01),and the migration rate in SI+SW+CM group was significantly higher than that in SI+SW group(P<0.0001).Conclusion Secretomes derived from MSCs cultured using the hanging drop method can alleviate neuronal damage caused by SW and TBI,potentially offering a therapeutic approach for SW combined with TBI.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with clinical and subclinical Cushing's syndrome caused by primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia(PBMAH).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 198 patients with Cushing's syndrome caused by PBMAH diagnosed in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2004 to October 2024.According to clinical manifestations,the patients were classified into clinical type Cushing's syndrome(n=61)and subclinical type Cushing's syndrome(n=137),and the clinical characteristics of the two types were compared.Results The mean age at diagnosis of patients with PBMAH-induced Cushing's syndrome was(53.5±10.4)years,including 118 males and 80 females,with a male-to-female ratio of 1.475:1.Compared with the subclinical type,the clinical type had a higher proportion of females,higher levels of serum cortisol,24-hour urine free cortisol(24 h UFC),and inhibited serum cortisol after low-dose dexamethasone suppression.Additionally,the clinical type had lower plasma ACTH,larger adrenal nodules and a higher risk of surgery(P<0.05)compared with those in subclinical type.The incidences of hypertension,dyslipidemia,obesity,diabetes mellitus,hypokalemia,vitamin D deficiency,osteoporosis,coronary heart disease,and cerebrovascular disease in patients with Cushing's syndrome caused by PBMAH were 87.9%,50.5%,37.1%,36.9%,27.8%,25.9%,18.7%,18.7%and 12.1%,respectively.Among them,compared with subclinical type patients,clinical type patients had higher incidence of hypokalaemia,vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis(P<0.05),while there were no statistically significant differences in the incidences of other comorbidities between the two types(P>0.05).The results of postoperative follow-up for PBMAH patients showed that the short-term biochemical remission rate of unilateral total adrenalectomy was 41.5%(22/53)and the long-term biochemical remission rate was 32.0%(8/25).The short-term biochemical remission rate of unilateral partial(or nodular)adrenalectomy was 52.9%(9/17),and the long-term biochemical remission rate was 14.3%(1/7).All patients who underwent unilateral total adrenalectomy plus contralateral partial resection developed adrenal insufficiency(3/3),and 1 patient(1/3)relapsed 3.4 years after surgery.Conclusion Clinical and subclinical types of Cushing's syndrome caused by PBMAH have their distinct clinical characteristics.Surgery is an effective treatment for PBMAH,but a certain proportion of patients fail to achieve biochemical remission after non-bilateral total adrenalectomy.