Irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） is a functional bowel disorder characterized primarily by abdominal pain and altered defecation habits. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has made progress in multiple aspects of IBS research and treatment， including syndrome distribution， development of TCM formulas， clinical efficacy evaluation， external therapies， and psychosocial regulation. However， it still faces challenges such as over-reliance on symptomatic manifestations rather than biomarkers for diagnostic criteria， and the lack of high-quality evidence-based data supporting the efficacy of TCM formulas in treating IBS. This paper proposed that TCM diagnosis and treatment of IBS should adhere to the strategy of integrating the holistic concept with syndrome differentiation and treatment， combining TCM external therapies such as acupuncture， moxibustion and acupoint application）， and emphasizing individualized diagnosis and treatment for psychosomatic abnormalities. Future research should integrate multi-omics technologies， artificial intelligence and other methods to deepen the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBS and the mechanisms of TCM formulas， so as to promote the standardization and internationalization of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of IBS.

BACKGROUND:Ammonia poisoning is considered to be the main hypothesis for the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.Ammonia can lead to psychiatric and cognitive behavioral disorders,although the specific pathological molecular mechanisms remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of ammonia poisoning on cognitive behavior and hippocampal neuronal synapses in mice.METHODS:Thirty-two C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal control group and an ammonium chloride group,with 16 mice in each group.Normal saline was injected intraperitoneally in the control group,and ammonium chloride(10 mmol/kg)was injected intraperitoneally in the ammonium chloride group to construct a model of ammonia poisoning,once a day.After 7 days of ammonium chloride intervention,blood samples were collected from the hearts of six mice in each group for blood ammonia concentration detection.Behavioral experiments,including the open field test,novel object recognition test,and Y-maze test,were performed to assess mental and cognitive-behavioral changes in mice.Finally,hippocampal tissues were extracted for western blot analysis to detect the expression levels of synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein-95 in hippocampal neurons.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The blood ammonia concentration was significantly elevated in the ammonium chloride group compared with the control group(P＜0.05).Mice in the ammonium chloride group showed anxiety-like behavior and disinhibition phenomenon,and a significant decrease in recognition memory and working memory ability.Western blot results revealed that the expression of synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein-95 protein in hippocampal neurons in the ammonium chloride group was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).To conclude,ammonia poisoning can induce hippocampal neuronal synaptic damage,leading to psychiatric and cognitive behavioral abnormalities in mice.

BACKGROUND:Ammonia poisoning is considered to be the main hypothesis for the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.Ammonia can lead to psychiatric and cognitive behavioral disorders,although the specific pathological molecular mechanisms remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of ammonia poisoning on cognitive behavior and hippocampal neuronal synapses in mice.METHODS:Thirty-two C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal control group and an ammonium chloride group,with 16 mice in each group.Normal saline was injected intraperitoneally in the control group,and ammonium chloride(10 mmol/kg)was injected intraperitoneally in the ammonium chloride group to construct a model of ammonia poisoning,once a day.After 7 days of ammonium chloride intervention,blood samples were collected from the hearts of six mice in each group for blood ammonia concentration detection.Behavioral experiments,including the open field test,novel object recognition test,and Y-maze test,were performed to assess mental and cognitive-behavioral changes in mice.Finally,hippocampal tissues were extracted for western blot analysis to detect the expression levels of synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein-95 in hippocampal neurons.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The blood ammonia concentration was significantly elevated in the ammonium chloride group compared with the control group(P＜0.05).Mice in the ammonium chloride group showed anxiety-like behavior and disinhibition phenomenon,and a significant decrease in recognition memory and working memory ability.Western blot results revealed that the expression of synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein-95 protein in hippocampal neurons in the ammonium chloride group was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).To conclude,ammonia poisoning can induce hippocampal neuronal synaptic damage,leading to psychiatric and cognitive behavioral abnormalities in mice.

Chronic gastritis is a chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa caused by various etiologies and can be categorized into chronic non-atrophic gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis.Chronic atrophic gastritis is a common disorder of the digestive system characterized by gastric mucosal gland atrophy,mucosal thinning,and basal layer thickening.The development of intestinal metaplasia and atypical hyperplasia on this basis is recognized as a precancerous lesion of gastric cancer and represents a key stage in the"inflammation-cancer transformation"of chronic gastritis.However,universally recognized and effective treatment strategies for this"inflammation-cancer transformation"process are lacking in clinical practice.This study integrates Correa′s cascade reaction with clinical practice,summarizing the pathogenesis of the"inflammation-cancer transformation"of chronic gastritis as weakness of the middle jiao and blood stasis.It suggests that the"inflammation-cancer transformation"process involves the pathological development of spleen and stomach deficiency,transportation and transformation dysfunction,turbid phlegm,blood stasis,and the gradual formation of cancerous toxins,with spleen and stomach weakness as the core mechanism and phlegm and blood stasis as the crucial pathological link.Based on an in-depth exploration of the deficiency of the middle jiao and blood stasis,supported by pharmacological research and clinical experience,this paper proposes the therapeutic approach of strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi,expelling phlegm and activating blood.It discusses the related prescriptions in preventing and treating the"inflammation-cancer transformation"of chronic gastritis.This study aims to provide new perspectives and insights for the prevention and treatment of chronic gastritis with traditional Chinese medicine,offering a novel framework for clinical treatment.

Objective To explore the predictive value of growth differentiation factor 15(GDF-15)for atrial fibrillation(AF)in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods A prospective observation cohort of 1261 elderly CHD patients was randomly sampled from the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2012 to December 2015.ELISA was used to detect GDF-15 level in all the subjects,and their baseline data were collected.Until March 2023,93 patients were lost during the follow-up period,and finally 1168 patients completed the follow-up,with a median time of 9.4 years.According to AF occurred or not during the period,the eligible patients were divided into an AF group(197 cases)and a non-AF group(971 cases),and based on their medical history,also assigned into a stable angina pectoris(SAP,n=304)and an acute coronary syndrome group(ACS,n=864).Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether GDF-15 is a risk factor for AF in elderly CHD patients.ROC curve was plotted to assess the predictive value of GDF-15,guideline recommended CHARGE-AF scoring model,and their combination for AF events in the patients.Results The AF group had significantly advanced age,larger proportions of smoking history,type 2 diabetes,hypertension,old myocardial infarction,stroke,ACS and administration of statins,higher ratio of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibi-tor/angiotensin receptor blocker,and elevated levels of GDF-15 and N-terminal pro-B-type natri-uretic peptide,and lower left ventricular ejection fraction,SAP incidence,and low-density lipopro-tein cholesterol,total cholesterol and triglycerides levels when compared with the non-AF group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GDF-15 was not a risk factor for AF in elderly CHD patients(OR=0.92,95％CI:0.74-1.16,P=0.489),but was a risk factor for AF in SAP patients(OR=1.38,95％CI:1.07-2.79,P=0.015),and in ACS patients,still not a risk factor for AF(OR=0.81,95％CI:0.63-1.05,P=0.814).ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC value of GDF-15 combined with the CHARGE-AF scoring model in predic-ting AF was 0.682 in the elderly CHD patients,0.746 in the SAP patients,and 0.680 in the ACS patients.Conclusion Elevated GDF-15 level is an independent risk factor and predictor of AF in elderly SAP patients.In SAP patients,the combination of GDF-15 and CHARGE-AF scoring model further improves the predictive performance of AF occurrence.

Chronic gastritis is a chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa caused by various etiologies and can be categorized into chronic non-atrophic gastritis and chronic atrophic gastritis.Chronic atrophic gastritis is a common disorder of the digestive system characterized by gastric mucosal gland atrophy,mucosal thinning,and basal layer thickening.The development of intestinal metaplasia and atypical hyperplasia on this basis is recognized as a precancerous lesion of gastric cancer and represents a key stage in the"inflammation-cancer transformation"of chronic gastritis.However,universally recognized and effective treatment strategies for this"inflammation-cancer transformation"process are lacking in clinical practice.This study integrates Correa′s cascade reaction with clinical practice,summarizing the pathogenesis of the"inflammation-cancer transformation"of chronic gastritis as weakness of the middle jiao and blood stasis.It suggests that the"inflammation-cancer transformation"process involves the pathological development of spleen and stomach deficiency,transportation and transformation dysfunction,turbid phlegm,blood stasis,and the gradual formation of cancerous toxins,with spleen and stomach weakness as the core mechanism and phlegm and blood stasis as the crucial pathological link.Based on an in-depth exploration of the deficiency of the middle jiao and blood stasis,supported by pharmacological research and clinical experience,this paper proposes the therapeutic approach of strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi,expelling phlegm and activating blood.It discusses the related prescriptions in preventing and treating the"inflammation-cancer transformation"of chronic gastritis.This study aims to provide new perspectives and insights for the prevention and treatment of chronic gastritis with traditional Chinese medicine,offering a novel framework for clinical treatment.

Objective To explore the predictive value of growth differentiation factor 15(GDF-15)for atrial fibrillation(AF)in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods A prospective observation cohort of 1261 elderly CHD patients was randomly sampled from the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2012 to December 2015.ELISA was used to detect GDF-15 level in all the subjects,and their baseline data were collected.Until March 2023,93 patients were lost during the follow-up period,and finally 1168 patients completed the follow-up,with a median time of 9.4 years.According to AF occurred or not during the period,the eligible patients were divided into an AF group(197 cases)and a non-AF group(971 cases),and based on their medical history,also assigned into a stable angina pectoris(SAP,n=304)and an acute coronary syndrome group(ACS,n=864).Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether GDF-15 is a risk factor for AF in elderly CHD patients.ROC curve was plotted to assess the predictive value of GDF-15,guideline recommended CHARGE-AF scoring model,and their combination for AF events in the patients.Results The AF group had significantly advanced age,larger proportions of smoking history,type 2 diabetes,hypertension,old myocardial infarction,stroke,ACS and administration of statins,higher ratio of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibi-tor/angiotensin receptor blocker,and elevated levels of GDF-15 and N-terminal pro-B-type natri-uretic peptide,and lower left ventricular ejection fraction,SAP incidence,and low-density lipopro-tein cholesterol,total cholesterol and triglycerides levels when compared with the non-AF group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GDF-15 was not a risk factor for AF in elderly CHD patients(OR=0.92,95％CI:0.74-1.16,P=0.489),but was a risk factor for AF in SAP patients(OR=1.38,95％CI:1.07-2.79,P=0.015),and in ACS patients,still not a risk factor for AF(OR=0.81,95％CI:0.63-1.05,P=0.814).ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC value of GDF-15 combined with the CHARGE-AF scoring model in predic-ting AF was 0.682 in the elderly CHD patients,0.746 in the SAP patients,and 0.680 in the ACS patients.Conclusion Elevated GDF-15 level is an independent risk factor and predictor of AF in elderly SAP patients.In SAP patients,the combination of GDF-15 and CHARGE-AF scoring model further improves the predictive performance of AF occurrence.

Children and adults differ significantly in physiology,biochemistry and immune function,which leads to sig-nificant differences in blood transfusion strategies between children and adults.To guide the clinical transfusion practice of pediatric patients and improve the prognosis of children,the National Health Commission organized the formulation and re-lease of the health industry standard Guideline for Pediatric Transfusion(WS/T 795-2022).This paper will briefly introduce some concepts that help understand of the Standard and the preparation process of the Standard,and explain and interpret the preparation of the"scope","general provisions"and"factors to consider"of the Standard,hoping to contribute to the understanding and implementation of the Standard.

Objective: To understand the knowledge of disinfection and its influencing factors among caregivers in childcare centers in Huangpu District, Shanghai, in order to provide a basis for the future development of targeted training programs and the work plan to enhance the professional level of disinfection practitioners in childcare centers. Methods: A total of 423 caregivers from 62 childcare centers (including nursery schools) in Huangpu District were selected for a questionnaire about disinfection knowledge, influencing factors, and training needs in March 2023. Differences in disinfection knowledge among subjects with different characteristics were compared using χ 2 tests, and influencing factors were analyzed using a multi factor binary Logistic regression model. Results: The overall knowledge rate of disinfection among caregivers was 50.12%, and those in public kindergartens, private ones, and nursery schools were 51.35%, 46.18%, and 42.57%, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( χ 2=14.25, P < 0.05 ). The caregivers in the highest level kindergartens ( OR =4.50, 95% CI =1.97-10.29), in first level ones ( OR =4.29, 95% CI = 1.98-9.33), in the institutions had clusters of outbreaks ( OR =1.87, 95% CI =1.14-3.07), in which the number of children to caregivers ratio being less than 10∶1 ( OR =21.81, 95% CI =2.55-186.59), with 6-14 years of working experience ( OR =3.51, 95% CI = 1.59 -7.75) had better knowledge of disinfection( P <0.05). Conclusions Knowledge of disinfection among caregivers of childcare institutions is low in Huangpu District, Shanghai. Training of caregivers disinfection knowledge should be strengthened for caregivers with fewer years of experience, in childcare institutions, to improve caregivers disinfection expertise and skills.

ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of disinfection in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid sampling sites in Shanghai. MethodsSwab samples of medical staff’ hands and environments of different SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid sampling sites were collected from July to September 2022， with the total number of bacterial colonies cultured and counted. ResultsA total of 728 swab samples were collected from 69 sampling sites. The median total number of bacterial colonies on hand surface， object surface and air samples were 0 CFU·cm^-2， 0 CFU·cm^-2， and1 CFU·（petri dish∙5 min）^-1， respectively， and P₉₅ was 13 CFU·cm^-2， 5.3 CFU·cm^-2， and 17.8 CFU·（culture vessel∙5 min）^-1， respectively. According to the GB 15982‒2012 Hygienic Standard for Disinfection in Hospitals class Ⅳ environment， 680 samples met the standard （93.4%）. Furthermore， 96.9%， 92.0%， and 92.2% of the samples in the sampling sites of tertiary/secondary hospitals， community health centers， and community convenience sampling sites met the standard， respectively. Quality of disinfection did not differ significantly across these sampling sites. ConclusionThe quality of disinfection in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid sampling sites in Shanghai is generally good. Additionally， hand hygiene of medical staff and disinfection on object surface in some sampling sites need to be strengthened.