ObjectiveTo investigate the improvement effect of Qibai Pingfei capsules on pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats at different stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） and to analyze its possible mechanism of action. MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a normal group， an early COPD model group， an advanced COPD model group， an early-intervention high-dose group， a late-intervention high-dose group， an early-intervention low-dose group， a late-intervention low-dose group， an early-intervention pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate （PDTC） group， and a late-intervention PDTC group， with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of early COPD was constructed by using cigarette smoke combined with airway infusion using lipopolysaccharide（LPS）， and a rat model of advanced COPD was constructed by using airway infusion with LPS， cigarette smoke， and hypoxia. All groups except the normal group were given LPS airway drops on days 1 and 14 of the experiment， smoked for 1 h per day， and administered the drug once a day for 40 weeks from day 15 onward. In the high- and low-dose groups， rats were given 1 g·kg^-1 and 250 mg·kg^-1 Qibai Pingfei capsules， respectively by gavage， and in PDTC groups， rats were given 100 mg·kg^-1 of PDTC by intraperitoneal injection. The advanced COPD model group underwent 6 h of hypoxia per day in weeks 5-6. Lung function and mean pulmonary artery pressure were tested in rats. Morphologic changes in lung tissues were detected by hematoxylin-eosin（HE）staining. Collagen deposition in lung tissues was examined by Masson staining， and the levels of inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β（IL-1β）， interleukin-6（IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）in lung tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The number of inflammatory cells in the alveolar lavage fluid of rats in each group was detected by Giemsa staining， and the protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4（TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88（MyD88）， nuclear factor-κB（NF-κB）， TNF-α， vascular endothelial-cadherin（VE-cadherin）， α-smooth muscle actin（α-SMA）， and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1（CD31） was detected by Western blot in the lung tissues of rats. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly decreased forced expiratory volume in 0.3 s （FEV_0.3）， forced vital capacity （FVC）， and FEV_0.3/FVC ratio related to lung function （P<0.05）， thickening of pulmonary vasculature， increased collagen deposition in the lungs， and enhanced mean pulmonary arterial pressure and expression levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.05）. Additionally， the model group also exhibited increased numbers of macrophages， lymphocytes， and neutrophils （P<0.05）， significantly higher protein expression of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， and α-SMA （P<0.05）， and significantly lower protein expression of VE-cadherin and CD31 （P<0.05）. Lung function was significantly improved in the Qibai Pingfei capsules groups compared with the model group （P<0.05）， with mean pulmonary arterial pressure reduced and pulmonary vascular thickening and collagen deposition in the lungs ameliorated. The Qibai Pingfei capsules groups also showed reduced expression levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.05） and decreased numbers of macrophages， lymphocytes， and neutrophils （P<0.05）， as well as reduced protein expression of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， TNF-α， and α-SMA （P<0.05） and elevated protein expression of VE-cadherin and CD31 （P<0.05） in rat lung tissues. ConclusionQibai Pingfei capsules inhibits inflammatory response and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition probably by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway， thus improving pulmonary vascular remodeling in COPD model rats and showing therapeutic effects in the early stage of COPD.

Objective:To understand the status of intestinal helminth infections in Lunan area of Shandong Province (Jining City, Rizhao City, Linyi City, Heze City, and Zaozhuang City), and provide scientific basis for formulating parasitic disease prevention and control strategies.Methods:From 2016 to 2023, a stratified sampling method was used to conduct surveillance in 33 counties (cities, districts, hereinafter referred to as counties) in Lunan area of Shandong Province. Each county was divided into five areas (east, south, west, north, and center), with one administrative village (community) selected from each area. And ≥200 permanent residents (aged ≥3 years old, having lived locally for ≥6 months) were sampled from each village (community), and one stool sample was collected from each participant. The Kato-Katz method (two slides per sample) was used for parasite detection, and the results were analyzed.Results:From 2016 to 2023, a total of 49 436 people were surveyed, including 23 861 males and 25 575 females, with an age range of 3 - 105 years old. The testing identified 687 intestinal helminth infections, with an overall infection rate of 1.39%. The predominant infection was whipworm (582 cases), with an infection rate of 1.18%; followed by roundworm and hookworm, with infection rates of 0.13% (62 cases) and 0.05% (23 cases) respectively; other types of helminths ( Clonorchis sinensis and pinworm) totaled 20 cases, with an infection rate of 0.04%. From 2016 to 2023, the annual intestinal helminth infection rates were 2.76% (201/7 292), 0.90% (56/6 327), 0.84% (52/6 200), 1.70% (124/7 282), 1.23% (88/7 133), 1.45% (104/7 150), 0.34% (17/5 058), and 1.46% (45/3 084), showing an overall downward trend (χ 2trend = 42.40, P < 0.001). The ≥60 age group had the highest intestinal helminth infection rate (2.39%, 323/13 489), while the 30 - 39 age group had the lowest rate (0.68%, 48/7 016). There was statistically significant difference in infection rates among different age groups (χ 2 = 172.25, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in infection rates between genders (χ 2 = 0.03, P = 0.862). Farmers had the highest infection rate (1.69%, 560/33 118), with statistically significant differences among different occupational groups (χ 2 = 64.88, P < 0.001). Those with primary school education or below had the highest infection rate (1.82%, 445/24 469), with statistically significant differences among different education levels (χ 2 = 64.93, P < 0.001). Conclusions:In Lunan area of Shandong Province, whipworm is the predominant intestinal helminth infection, with elderly people being the high-risk group. Although the intestinal helminth infection rate in this region remains at a low level, there is still a risk of transmission. Continuous surveillance is needed, along with strengthened prevention and control measures for key populations.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the direct economic burden associated with carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria(CRGNB)infections during hospitalization,and to provide reference for relevant policy formulation.METHODS Basic information including ICU admission,International Classification of Diseases(ICD)codes and CRGNB infection of intensive care unit(ICU)inpatients from Sanya Central Hospital(the Third People's Hospi-tal of Hainan Province)in the southern Hainan region from 2019 to 2023 was collected for risk factor analysis.Propensity matching was performed between the CRGNB infection and non-infection subgroups,and the direct economic differences between the two groups were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 164 373 cases were includ-ed.Multifactor logistic regression analysis revealed that ICD codes F00-F99,G00-G99,I00-I99,J00-J99,L00-L99,N00-N99,P00-P96 and S00-T98,ICU admission,hospital-acquired infection,readmission within 90 days and hospitalization exceeding 7 days were risk factors for CRGNB infection,especially,codes J00-J99(respiratory system diseases)were 7.68 to 17.47 folds higer than codes C00-D48(tumors).In the direct economic analysis of CRGNB infection,different matching results yielded consistent findings.In the 1∶1 matching results,a compari-son of total hospitalization costs(yuan)between different groups showed that the infection group had higher total hospitalization costs than the non-infection group.The costs were as follows:CRGNB group(88 421.40 vs.32 475.56),subgroup with two or more CRGNB types(130 984.02 vs.47 367.27),group with CRGNB and oth-er multidrug-resistant bacteria(103 056.35 vs.37 724.78),CRAB group(98 486.01 vs.36 487.98),and CRE group(26 031.38 vs.17 621.82).CONCLUSIONS The direct economic burden of CRGNB infection is greater than that of the non-infection group.Among them,the direct economic burden of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria infection,carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria co-infected with other multidrug-resistant bacteria and CRAB infection are the highest.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the direct economic burden associated with carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria(CRGNB)infections during hospitalization,and to provide reference for relevant policy formulation.METHODS Basic information including ICU admission,International Classification of Diseases(ICD)codes and CRGNB infection of intensive care unit(ICU)inpatients from Sanya Central Hospital(the Third People's Hospi-tal of Hainan Province)in the southern Hainan region from 2019 to 2023 was collected for risk factor analysis.Propensity matching was performed between the CRGNB infection and non-infection subgroups,and the direct economic differences between the two groups were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 164 373 cases were includ-ed.Multifactor logistic regression analysis revealed that ICD codes F00-F99,G00-G99,I00-I99,J00-J99,L00-L99,N00-N99,P00-P96 and S00-T98,ICU admission,hospital-acquired infection,readmission within 90 days and hospitalization exceeding 7 days were risk factors for CRGNB infection,especially,codes J00-J99(respiratory system diseases)were 7.68 to 17.47 folds higer than codes C00-D48(tumors).In the direct economic analysis of CRGNB infection,different matching results yielded consistent findings.In the 1∶1 matching results,a compari-son of total hospitalization costs(yuan)between different groups showed that the infection group had higher total hospitalization costs than the non-infection group.The costs were as follows:CRGNB group(88 421.40 vs.32 475.56),subgroup with two or more CRGNB types(130 984.02 vs.47 367.27),group with CRGNB and oth-er multidrug-resistant bacteria(103 056.35 vs.37 724.78),CRAB group(98 486.01 vs.36 487.98),and CRE group(26 031.38 vs.17 621.82).CONCLUSIONS The direct economic burden of CRGNB infection is greater than that of the non-infection group.Among them,the direct economic burden of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria infection,carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria co-infected with other multidrug-resistant bacteria and CRAB infection are the highest.

Objective:To understand the status of intestinal helminth infections in Lunan area of Shandong Province (Jining City, Rizhao City, Linyi City, Heze City, and Zaozhuang City), and provide scientific basis for formulating parasitic disease prevention and control strategies.Methods:From 2016 to 2023, a stratified sampling method was used to conduct surveillance in 33 counties (cities, districts, hereinafter referred to as counties) in Lunan area of Shandong Province. Each county was divided into five areas (east, south, west, north, and center), with one administrative village (community) selected from each area. And ≥200 permanent residents (aged ≥3 years old, having lived locally for ≥6 months) were sampled from each village (community), and one stool sample was collected from each participant. The Kato-Katz method (two slides per sample) was used for parasite detection, and the results were analyzed.Results:From 2016 to 2023, a total of 49 436 people were surveyed, including 23 861 males and 25 575 females, with an age range of 3 - 105 years old. The testing identified 687 intestinal helminth infections, with an overall infection rate of 1.39%. The predominant infection was whipworm (582 cases), with an infection rate of 1.18%; followed by roundworm and hookworm, with infection rates of 0.13% (62 cases) and 0.05% (23 cases) respectively; other types of helminths ( Clonorchis sinensis and pinworm) totaled 20 cases, with an infection rate of 0.04%. From 2016 to 2023, the annual intestinal helminth infection rates were 2.76% (201/7 292), 0.90% (56/6 327), 0.84% (52/6 200), 1.70% (124/7 282), 1.23% (88/7 133), 1.45% (104/7 150), 0.34% (17/5 058), and 1.46% (45/3 084), showing an overall downward trend (χ 2trend = 42.40, P < 0.001). The ≥60 age group had the highest intestinal helminth infection rate (2.39%, 323/13 489), while the 30 - 39 age group had the lowest rate (0.68%, 48/7 016). There was statistically significant difference in infection rates among different age groups (χ 2 = 172.25, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in infection rates between genders (χ 2 = 0.03, P = 0.862). Farmers had the highest infection rate (1.69%, 560/33 118), with statistically significant differences among different occupational groups (χ 2 = 64.88, P < 0.001). Those with primary school education or below had the highest infection rate (1.82%, 445/24 469), with statistically significant differences among different education levels (χ 2 = 64.93, P < 0.001). Conclusions:In Lunan area of Shandong Province, whipworm is the predominant intestinal helminth infection, with elderly people being the high-risk group. Although the intestinal helminth infection rate in this region remains at a low level, there is still a risk of transmission. Continuous surveillance is needed, along with strengthened prevention and control measures for key populations.

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of roxadustat and darbepoetin alfa on treating renal anemia in dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease(DD-CKD)patients,thus providing health economics reference for treatment of renal anemia.Methods A Markov model simulating the development and treatment of anemia in DD-CKD patients in a lifetime horizon(20 years)was constructed.Total costs of roxadustat and darbepoetin alfa injection were estimated from the perspective of Chinese healthcare system,with health outcomes converted into quality-adjusted life year(QALY).The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER)was used to describe the results.The willingness-to-pay(WTP)threshold was set at 257 094 yuan,which was three times China's gross domestic product(GDP)per capita in 2023.Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the uncertainties of the results.Results The total treatment costs of roxadustat and darbepoetin alfa injection were 111 902.41 yuan and 52 927.92 yuan respectively,corresponding to QALY values of 4.76 and 4.74 life-years.The incremental cost-effectiveness(ICER)was 2 654 912.45 yuan/QALY,which exceeded 3 times GDP per capita.Therefore,compared with darbepoetin alfa injection,roxadustat has no cost-effectiveness for patients with DD-CKD.Conclusion In the context of current economic development in China,darbepoetin alfa injection is more cost-effective than roxadustatin for treating anemia in DD-CKD patients.

Objective:To analyze assessment value of the hemodynamics of posterior cerebral artery(PCA)detected by transcranial color-coded Doppler(TCCD)ultrasound for occurring cerebral infarction in patients with fetal-type posterior cerebral artery(FTP).Methods:A total of 300 patients with suspected cerebrovascular disease admitted to the Department of Neurology of The Second Hospital of Harbin City from January,2020 to December 31,2023 were retrospectively selected.In these patients,7 cases with cerebral hemorrhage(without complication of cerebral infarction)did not be included.According to the clinical manifestations and the results of imaging examination,293 patients were divided into transient ischemic attack(TIA)group(176 cases)and acute ischemic stroke(AIS)group(117 cases).The differences in FTP detection between TCCD examination and magnetic resonance angiography(MRA)were compared.The differences in PCA hemodynamics among TIA,anterior circulation infarction,posterior circulation infarction and lacunar infarction were compared.The proportions of patients with TIA,anterior circulation infarction,posterior circulation infarction and lacunar infarction combined with FTP were also compared,and the PCA hemodynamics of patients with posterior circulation infarction of bilateral cFTP,unilateral cFTP,bilateral pFTP,unilateral pFTP and nFTP were compared.The proportions of patients with transient ischemic attack(TIA)who occurring AIS at bilateral cFTP,unilateral cFTP,bilateral pFTP,unilateral pFTP and nFTP in short term were compared.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and area under curve(AUC)were used to assess the predictive value of abnormal PCA hemodynamics of TIA patients,who combined with and/or without FTP,occurred AIS in short term.Results:MRA revealed that a total of 89 patients combined with FTP in 293 patients,of which 14 cases were bilateral cFTP(accounting for 15.73%),and 25 cases were unilateral cFTP(accounting for 28.09%),and 8 cases were bilateral pFTP(accounting for 8.99%),and 42 cases were unilateral pFTP(accounting for 4 7.19%).According to TCCD testing,it was found that a total of 89 cases combined with FTP in 293 patients,of which 16 cases were bilateral cFTP(accounting for 17.98%),and 23 cases were unilateral cFTP(accounting for 25.84%),and 8 cases were bilateral pFTP(accounting for 8.99%),and 42 cases were unilateral pFTP(accounting for 47.19%).There was favorable consistency between TCCD and MRA(Kappa=0.899).Under TCCD,the blood flow velocity(Vp)and resistance index(RI)of systolic stage of PCA in patients with posterior circulation infarction were significantly higher than those in patients with TIA,anterior circulation infarction,and lacunar cerebral infarction(F=15.392,9.032,P<0.05),respectively.Patients with posterior circulation infarction were more likely to occur bilateral cFTP.The Vp,Vm and Vd of patients with bilateral cFTP were significantly higher than those of patients with bilateral pFTP,unilateral pFTP and non-FTP(F=14.932,8.884,6.054,P<0.05),respectively.The proportion of occurring AIS in TIA patients with bilateral cFTP was significantly higher than that in TIA patients with unilateral cFTP,bilateral pFTP,unilateral pFTP and nFTP(Z=6.883,7.568,6.253,6.772,P<0.05),and the proportions of occurring AIS in TIA patients with unilateral cFTP,bilateral pFTP and unilateral pFTP were significantly higher than that in TIA patients with nFTP(Z=5.986,6.877,6.856,P<0.05),respectively.A total of 45 cases(accounting for 25.57%)of 176 TIA patients occurred AAIS within 3 months after they discharged.The AUC value of predictive value of Vp for occurring AIS in 45 TIA patients with FTP was 0.818,which was significantly higher than that(AUC=0.589)for occurring AIS in 131 TIA patients with non-FTP.Conclusion:Patients with posterior circulation cerebral infarction are prone to occur PCA hemodynamic abnormalities.In patients with posterior circulation infarction,the PCA blood flow velocity in patients with bilateral cFTP significantly accelerates.PCA hemodynamic ultrasound examination has a certain of predictive value for occurring AIS in short term in TIA patients who combine with FTP.

ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism of Wenxiao powder in alleviating corticosterone-induced depression-like behaviors in mice. MethodMale ICR mice were randomized into normal， model， paroxetine （20 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose （3.27， 6.54 g·kg^-1， respectively） Wenxiao powder groups. The mice in normal and model groups received equal volume of saline. Other groups except the normal group were injected with corticosterone subcutaneously 0.5 h after gavage to induce depression. Mice were tested for depression-like behaviors after drug administration. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to measure the corticosterone content in the serum. Nissl staining was performed to observe the damage of hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to observe the expression of double cortin （DCX） in the dentate gyrus （DG） of the hippocampus. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of proteins in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）/tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrkB）/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）/cAMP-response element-binding protein （CREB） pathway in the hippocampus. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased sucrose preference rate， increased immobility time in the tail suspension test （P<0.01）， and reduced residence time in the central area of the open field and the total movement distance （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the modeling elevated the corticosterone level in the serum （P<0.01）， decreased the volume and intensified the nuclear staining of hippocampal neurons in the DG area， reduced the expression of DCX in the DG area， and down-regulated the protein levels of BDNF， phosphorylated （p）-TrkB， p-ERK， and p-CREB in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， low-dose Wenxiao powder improved the mouse behavivors in the sucrose preference， open field， and tail suspension tests （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and high-dose Wenxiao powder improved the behaviors in the sucrose preference and open field tests （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， Wenxiao powder lowered the serum corticosterone level （P<0.01） and recovered the structure and morphology of neurons with obvious nuclei and presence of Nissl bodies in the DG area of the hippocampus. Moreover， Wenxiao powder at both doses promoted the expression of DCX in the DG area， and high-dose Wenxiao powder up-regulated the protein levels of BDNF， p-TrkB， p-ERK， and p-CREB in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionWenxiao powder can alleviate corticosterone-induced depression-like behaviors and promote neurogenesis in mice possibly by activating the BDNF/TrkB/ERK/CREB signaling pathway.

Objective:To analyze the pregnancy outcomes in patients with positive anti-centromere antibodies(ACA)receiving in vitro fertilization(IVF)-embryo transfer(ET)and natural conception.Methods:A case-control study was used to retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 3955 patients who received IVF-ET therapy and had the results of antinuclear antibody(ANA)spectrum at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from June 2016 to June 2023.Patients with positive ACA and negative ACA were matched at a ratio of 1∶3 using propensity score matching.Embryo outcomes of IVF were compared between the two groups,and the impact of different fertilization methods and the use of immunosuppressants on pregnancy outcomes were analyzed using self-matching.The natural conception and disease progress were followed up for ACA-positive patients after IVF failure.Results:The ACA-positive patients accounted for 0.86%of all IVF patients(34/3955)and 2.51%of total ANA-positive IVF patients.Regardless of whether patients received conventional IVF(c-IVF)or intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI),the ACA-positive group exhibited significant differences in oocyte maturity and fertilization compared to the ACA-negative group(both P＜0.01).Moreover,the ACA-positive group had a decreased number of D3 suboptimal embryos and D3 optimal embryos(both P＜0.05).In 5 cases of ACA-positive patients who underwent ICSI cycles,the two pronucleus(2PN)rate did not increase compared to c-IVF cycles(P＞0.05),and there was a decrease in the number of D3 high-quality embryos and D3 suboptimal embryos(both P＜0.05).After 1-2 months of immuno-suppressant treatment,12 ACA-positive patients underwent c-IVF/ICSI again,and there were no changes in egg retrieval and fertilization before and after medication(both P＞0.05),but there was an improvement in the 2PN embryo cleavage rate(P＜0.05).The number of embryos transferred was similar between the ACA-positive and negative groups,but the ACA-positive group had significantly lower embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate compared to the ACA-negative group(both P＜0.05),with no significant differences in the miscarriage rate between the two groups(P＞0.05).Twenty-seven ACA-positive patients attempted natural conception or artificial insemination after IVF failure,resulting in a total of 7 cases of clinical pregnancy.Conclusions:Serum ACA positivity may disrupt oocyte maturation and normal fertilization processes,with no improvement observed with ICSI and immunosuppressant use.However,ACA-positive patients may still achieve natural pregnancy.

Objective:To study the population distribution of Pomacea spp. in Shandong Province and the risk of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis in the local population, and to provide a basis for scientific prevention and control of related diseases. Methods:From July to December 2021, Yanzhou District of Jining City, Ningyang County of Taian City, and Dongying District of Dongying City were selected as surveillance sites to investigate the population and distribution range of Pomacea spp., live snail samples were collected for morphological and genetic identification, and Pomacea spp. infected with the larva of Angiostrongylus cantonensis was detected by lung test. At the same time, sentinel hospital case surveillance was carried out in Yanzhou District, Jining City, and questionnaire was used to study the local residents' awareness of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis and their personal health behaviors. Results:A total of 312 live snail samples were collected. After morphological identification, they were all Pomacea spp.. After gene sequencing, two populations of Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata were found. No positive snails infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis were found. A total of 126 patients with headache as the main neurological symptom were admitted to the sentinel hospital, but there were no monitoring cases that met the inclusion criteria. Among the survey population, 48.38% (134/277) of the respondents had heard of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis, 44.77% (124/277) knew that eating Margarya melanioides might cause angiostrongyliasis cantonensis, and 83.39% (231/277) had no related unhealthy eating behavior. Conclusion:Pomacea spp. is found and reported for the first time in Shandong Province, and there is a risk of population infection with angiostrongyliasis cantonensis.