Objective To analyze the infection status and epidemic trends of soil-borne nematode infections in Yubei, Chongqing City, in 2010,2021, and 2022. Methods The local populations from four survey sites of four towns in 2010 and five sites of five towns in 2021 and 2022 were surveyed regarding their basic information using a unified form. Fecal samples of the participants were collected and tested for soil-borne nematode infections using the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method. Results In 2010, 2 049 participants were surveyed, followed by 1 000 participants in 2021 and 2022. The overall prevalence of parasitic infections declined significantly from 3.86% to 0.20%. In 2010, soil-transmitted nematode included hookworms(3.81%) and roundworms(0.29%). In 2021, the infection rates of roundworms and hookworms were 1.70% and 0.10% respectively. Notably, only Ascaris was identified in 2022(0.20%). The≥60 age group consistently exhibited the highest infection rates across all surveys, followed by the 40-59 age group. The infection rates of males in the three surveys were 3.31%,1.92%, and 0.20% respectively, and those of females were 4.37%, 1.46%, and 0.20% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the infection rates between males and females. Educational attainment was inversely associated with infection; in 2010, the highest prevalence was observed among those with primary education or below, whereas in 2021, illiterate or semi-literate individuals showed the highest susceptibility. The occupational distribution of infections in 2010 indicated that retirees (8.33%), farmers(4.86%), and homemakers or unemployed individuals(3.45%)were the most affected. However, in 2021 and 2022, farmers emerged as the predominant occupational group with soil-transmitted nematode infections. Conclusions The infection rate of soil-borne nematodes showed a decreasing trend in Yubei, and the infection species changed from hookworms in 2010 to Ascaris in 2022. Farmers, the elderly, and people with low education levels should continue to be the focus of preventive and control efforts.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

McCune-Albright syndrome(MAS) is a postzygotic somatic mutation disorder caused by activating mutations in the GNAS gene, which encodes the α subunit of the stimulatory G protein. Its clinical features typically include polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, cafe-au-lait skin pigmentation, and endocrine hyperactivity, such as Cushing′s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and growth hormone excess. Here, we report two rare cases of MAS complicated with adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)-independent Cushing syndrome, and provide a review and analysis of previously reported MAS cases associated with Cushing′s syndrome.

Objective:To clarify the natural course of renal angiomyolipoma and the risk factors for its progression.Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study that included 401 patients diagnosed several times by ultrasound examination in the hospital physical examination system from January 2012 to June 2024. All patients were untreated. There were 128 male cases (31.90%) and 273 female cases (68.10%). The average age at initial diagnosis was (44.04 ± 10.24) years (range 22-78 years). The median longest diameter of the tumor at initial diagnosis was 9.0 (7.0, 11.5) mm. There were 359 cases (89.50%) with single tumors and 42 cases (10.50%) with multiple tumors. The patients were divided into the progression group(≥1 mm/year) and the non-progression group (<1 mm/year)based on the average growth rate of tumor. The differences in gender, age at initial diagnosis, initial tumor size, number of lesions and lesion site between the two groups were compared. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between the above factors and the progression of renal angiomyolipoma. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors for progression.Results:A total of 401 cases were followed up for an average of (88.15 ± 21.09) months (range 48-140 months). The median maximum diameter of the tumors at the initial diagnosis was 9.0 (7.0, 11.5) mm, and at the end of the follow-up, it was 11 (8, 14) mm. The average growth rate was 0.38 mm/year, and the median growth rate was 0.25 (0, 0.60) mm/year. Among them, 341 cases (85.04%) were in the non-progression group with an average growth rate of 0.14 mm/year, and 60 cases (14.96%) were in the progression group with an average growth rate of 1.74 mm/year. The age of the progression group was lower than that of the non-progression group [(41.43 ± 9.64) years vs. (44.50±10.29) years], the initial maximum diameter of the tumors in the progression group was larger than that in the non-progression group [11.0 (8.0, 16.0) mm vs. 9.0 (7.0, 11.0) mm], and the proportion of multiple tumors in the progression group was higher than that in the non-progression group [14 cases (23.30%) vs. 28 cases (8.20%)], and the differences were all statistically significant ( P<0.05). Age at initial diagnosis( OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.99), initial tumor size ( OR=1.08, 95% CI 1.04-1.12) and number of lesions ( OR=2.96, 95% CI 1.38-6.34) were the risk factors for the growth of renal angiomyolipoma ( P<0.05), according to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions:The natural history of most renal angiomyolipoma shows slow growth or relative quiescence, with a small number showing a significant increasing trend. Age at initial diagnosis, initial tumor size and number of lesions were independent risk factors for the growth of renal angiomyolipoma.

Objective To develop a foot pad for arch support after plantar skin grafting and evaluate its rehabilitation effect on scar tissue in the arch area of postoperative patients.Methods The foot pad for arch support after plantar skin grafting was fabricated from medical-grade silicone and comprised a pad body and an arch support component.The pad body featured shock-absorbing convex patterns on its surface,precision-cut grooves in the metatarsal region and an upwardly convex arch section;the arch support component consisted of an arch-supporting portion with heel reinforcement and a heel-supporting portion,both peripherally integrated with vibration-damping through-holes.Totally 82 burn patients undergoing grafting using plantar skin were selected and divided equally into a control group and an experimental group with the random number table method.In the control group,anti-scarring care such as applying silicone gel and pressure therapy by rehabilitation nurses was carried out immediately after the healing of the plantar skin removal site.In the experimental group,the foot pad was used for rehabilitation care besides the routine treatment in the control group.The two groups were compared in terms of scarring and adverse reactions at the plantar skin removal site.SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results Within 1 week after healing,the number of patients in the experimental group who had subcutaneous bruising and rupture was less than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).At 3 months after healing,the experimental group behaved better than the control group in scarring,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The foot pad developed with simple structure and easy operation can be used for rehabilitation exercise of patients after plantar skinning.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):115-117]

The study aims to examine the effects and potential mechanisms of disulfiram (DSF) on cardiac hypertrophic injury, focusing on the role of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-mediated pan-apoptosis (PANoptosis). H9C2 cardiomyocytes were treated with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 µmol/L) to establish an in vitro model of myocardial hypertrophy. DSF (40 µmol/L) was used to treat cardiomyocyte hypertrophic injury models, either along or in combination with the TAK1 inhibitor, 5z-7-oxozeaenol (5z-7, 0.1 µmol/L). We assessed cell damage using propidium iodide (PI) staining, measured cell viability with CCK8 assay, quantified inflammatory factor levels in cell culture media via ELISA, detected TAK1 and RIPK1 binding rates using immunoprecipitation, and analyzed the protein expression levels of key proteins in the TAK1-mediated PANoptosis pathway using Western blot. In addition, the surface area of cardiomyocytes was measured with Phalloidin staining. The results showed that Ang II significantly reduced the cellular viability of H9C2 cardiomyocytes and the binding rate of TAK1 and RIPK1, significantly increased the surface area of H9C2 cardiomyocytes, PI staining positive rate, levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)] in cell culture media and p-TAK1/TAK1 ratio, and significantly up-regulated key proteins in the PANoptosis pathway [pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, Caspase-1 (p20), and GSDMD-N (p30), apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3 (p17), Caspase-7 (p20), and Caspase-8 (p18), as well as necroptosis-related proteins p-MLKL, RIPK1, and RIPK3]. DSF significantly reversed the above changes induced by Ang II. Both 5z-7 and exogenous IL-1β weakened these cardioprotective effects of DSF. These results suggest that DSF may alleviate cardiac hypertrophic injury by inhibiting TAK1-mediated PANoptosis.
Animals ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/physiology* ; Rats ; Myocytes, Cardiac/pathology* ; Disulfiram/pharmacology* ; Cardiomegaly ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line ; Angiotensin II ; Necroptosis/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Lactones ; Resorcinols ; Zearalenone/administration & dosage*

This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Daotan Xixin Decoction on APP/PS1 mice. Twelve APP/PS1 male mice were randomized into four groups: APP/PS1 and low-, medium-, and high-dose Daotan Xixin Decoction. Three C57BL/6 wild-type mice were used as the control group. The learning and memory abilities of mice in each group were examined by the Morris water maze test. The pathological changes of hippocampal nerve cells were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of β-amyloid(Aβ)_(1-42) in the hippocampal tissue. The high-dose Daotan Xixin Decoction group with significant therapeutic effects and the model group were selected for high-throughput sequencing. The differentially expressed gene(DEG) analysis, Gene Ontology(GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and Gene Set Variation Analysis(GSVA) were performed on the sequencing results. RT-qPCR and Western blot were conducted to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of some DEGs. Compared with the APP/PS1 group, Daotan Xixin Decoction at different doses significantly improved the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 mice, ameliorated the neuropathological damage in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, increased the number of neurons, and decreased the deposition of Aβ_(1-42) in the brain. A total of 1 240 DEGs were screened out, including 634 genes with up-regulated expression and 606 genes with down-regulated expression. The GO analysis predicted the biological processes including RNA splicing and protein folding, the cellular components including spliceosome complexes and nuclear spots, and the molecular functions including unfolded protein binding and heat shock protein binding. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of neurodegenerative disease pathways, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and splicing complexes. Further GSVA pathway enrichment analysis showed that the down-regulated pathways involved nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-mediated tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) signaling pathway, UV response, and unfolded protein response, while the up-regulated pathways involved the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The results of RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that compared with the APP/PS1 group, Daotan Xixin Decoction at different doses down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), NF-κB, and interleukin-6(IL-6) in the hippocampus. In conclusion, Daotan Xixin Decoction can improve the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 mice by regulating the STAT3/NF-κB/IL-6 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Male ; Alzheimer Disease/metabolism* ; Computational Biology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Presenilin-1/metabolism* ; Humans ; Memory/drug effects* ; Maze Learning/drug effects* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal

Osteoporosis(OP) is a metabolic bone disorder characterized by reduced bone mass and degenerative bone tissue. Osteoporotic pain(OPP) is its most common clinical symptom, significantly affecting the quality of life of patients. With the limitations of modern medical treatments and the intensification of aging, it is imperative to explore more cost-effective interventions for OPP. This paper, based on databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), VIP, Wanfang, BioMed, and Web of Science, uncovered the connection between the pathogenesis of OPP in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and modern medical mechanisms and retrospectively summarized the basic and clinical research methods and evidence of TCM prescriptions in the treatment of OP and related pain diseases. Studies have shown that TCM prescriptions, focusing on treatments such as nourishing the kidney, strengthening the spleen, and activating blood circulation to remove blood stasis, can significantly improve pain symptoms, increase bone mineral density(BMD), and adjust bone metabolic indicators such as C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen(CTX), serum bone Gla-protein(S-BGP), and alkaline phosphatase(ALP). The mechanisms of action of TCM prescriptions in treating OP and improving OPP symptoms were related to signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt), and the osteoprotegerin(OPG)/receptor activator of NF-κB(RANK)/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand(RANKL) axis. Further strengthening the accumulation and analysis of clinical data, rigorously designing and conducting randomized controlled trials of TCM treatments for OPP with large sample sizes, standardizing outcome measures in basic and clinical research by using methods such as the core outcome set(COS), and incorporating mass spectrometry and omics approaches to uncover more potential active components and mechanisms may contribute to a deeper exploration of the advantages and essence of TCM prescriptions in the treatment of OPP.
Humans ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Retrospective Studies ; Bone Density/drug effects* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pain/metabolism* ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To explore the early clinical efficacy of a three-stage external treatment with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of talar bone contusion caused by acute ankle sprain. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 360 patients with primary lateral ankle sprain admitted from September 2021 to July 2024. Patients with talar bone contusion were selected based on MRI examination, and 73 cases were finally included. According to different treatment methods, they were divided into the observation group and the control group. The observation group consisted of 35 cases, including 16 males and 19 females, aged 24 to 37 years old with an average of (30.34±2.68) years old, and received the three-stage external TCM treatment combined with the "POLICE" protocol. The control group included 38 cases, including 18 males and 20 females, aged 24 to 35 years old with an average of (29.87±2.57) years old, and was treated with the "POLICE" protocol alone. The volume of bone marrow edema (BME) area shown by MRI before treatment and 6 weeks after treatment was measured using 3D Slicer software, and the BME improvement rate was calculated. The "Figure of 8" measurement method was used to assess ankle swelling before treatment and at 1 and 3 weeks after treatment. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate ankle pain before treatment and at 1 and 6 weeks after treatment. At 6 weeks after treatment, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and Karlsson ankle function score system were used to evaluate the improvement of ankle function. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients with talar bone contusion caused by ankle sprain completed the 6-week follow-up. At 6 weeks after treatment, the BME improvement rate in the observation group was (39.18±0.06)%, which was higher than (26.75±0.03)% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After 1 week of treatment, the VAS score in the observation group was (2.89±0.72) points, lower than (3.37±0.79) points in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The ankle swelling degree in the observation group was (50.20±3.19) cm, lower than (52.00±3.60) cm in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After 3 weeks of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in ankle swelling between the two groups. At 6 weeks after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups. At 6 weeks after treatment, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and Karlsson score in the observation group were (87.43±4.18) and (82.77±5.93) points, respectively, which were higher than (82.92±4.87) and (76.45±6.85) points in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). According to the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, 8 cases were excellent and 27 cases were good in the observation group;2 cases were excellent, 33 cases were good, and 3 cases were fair in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ²=7.089, P=0.029). CONCLUSION The three-stage external TCM treatment combined with the "POLICE" protocol has a significant early clinical efficacy. It can significantly reduce ankle pain and swelling in patients with bone contusion caused by acute lateral ankle sprain, promote the absorption of bone marrow edema, and accelerate the recovery of ankle function.
Ankle Injuries/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Talus/injuries* ; Retrospective Studies ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Contusions/etiology* ; Visual Analog Scale ; Musculoskeletal Pain/etiology* ; Recovery of Function/drug effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Follow-Up Studies

OBJECTIVES: To explore the application of the colloidal gold method and chemiluminescence method in detecting gonadotropin (Gn) in morning urine for assessing pubertal development status in children. METHODS: A total of 132 children diagnosed with central precocious puberty (CPP), early and fast puberty (EFP), and premature thelarche (PT) at Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from November 2021 to December 2022 were included, along with 685 healthy children who underwent routine health examinations at the hospital's pediatric health care department during the same period. All 132 patients underwent a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test. Both patients and healthy children had their urinary Gn levels measured using the colloidal gold method and chemiluminescence method, including levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The correlation between serum Gn and urinary Gn detected by the two methods, as well as the correlation between Tanner stages of healthy children and urinary Gn, was analyzed. RESULTS: Urine Gn levels detected by both the colloidal gold method and chemiluminescence method showed a positive correlation with serum LH baseline values, LH peak values, baseline LH/FSH ratios, and peak LH/FSH ratios (P<0.05). In healthy children, urinary LH levels detected by the chemiluminescence method gradually increased from Tanner stage Ⅰ to Ⅳ (P<0.05), while urinary FSH levels were lower in Tanner stage I than in stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and IV (P<0.05). Urinary LH levels detected by the colloidal gold method were lower in Tanner stage I compared to stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and IV, with the highest levels observed in Tanner stage Ⅳ (P<0.05). Additionally, urinary FSH levels in Tanner stage Ⅲ were higher than in stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for evaluating Tanner stages I and II in healthy children using urinary LH and FSH levels by the chemiluminescence method and urinary LH levels by the colloidal gold method were 0.730, 0.699, and 0.783, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The colloidal gold method and chemiluminescence method for detecting Gn in morning urine show good correlation with serum Gn levels. As a non-invasive and convenient detection method, the colloidal gold method can serve as a useful tool for screening the onset of pubertal development in children.
Humans ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Gold Colloid ; Luminescent Measurements/methods* ; Gonadotropins/urine* ; Puberty ; Luteinizing Hormone/urine* ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/urine*