Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at "four pharyngeal points" on simple vocal tics with liver hyperactivity disturbed wind in children. METHODS: Sixty children with simple vocal tics of liver hyperactivity disturbed wind were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (30 cases). The control group was given Changma Xifeng tablets orally, 3 times a day, while the observation group was treated with acupuncture at "four pharyngeal points" on the basis of the treatment in the control group, 15-20 min a time, once daily for 7 days, with a 3-day break. Both groups were treated for 3 months. The TCM syndrome score and Yale global tic severity scale (YGTSS) score of the two groups were observed before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 months of treatment, the disappearance time of simple vocal tics was recorded, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after treatment. RESULTS: After 1, 2, 3 months of treatment, the TCM syndrome scores and YGTSS scores of the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the scores of the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The disappearance time of simple vocal tics in the observation group was earlier than that in the control group (P<0.05). The effective rate of the observation group was 93.1% (27/29), which was higher than 73.3% (22/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at "four pharyngeal points" could improve symptoms in children with simple vocal tics of liver hyperactivity disturbed wind, and shorten the disappearance time of simple vocal tics.
Humans ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Child ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Child, Preschool ; Liver/drug effects* ; Tics/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To analyze the correlation and predictive value of serum microRNA(miR)-34b and miR-181c levels with the prognosis of elderly acute ischemic stroke(AIS)patients with mechanical thrombec-tomy.Methods A total of 180 elderly AIS patients in Suining Central Hospital from January 2023 to January 2024 were selected as the study group.According to the 2∶1 control principle,90 healthy elderly patients at the same age and during the same period were selected as the control group.The general data and serum miR-34b and miR-181c levels in the two groups were compared,and the serum miR-34b and miR-181c levels of pa-tients with different degrees of neurological impairment in the study group were compared,and the correlation between the levels of serum miR-34b and miR-181c and the degree of neurological impairment in elderly AIS patients was analyzed.General data and serum miR-34b and miR-181c levels of patients with different progno-sis were compared at admission,and factors affecting adverse prognosis were analyzed,as well as the value of serum miR-34b and miR-181c in predicting adverse prognosis.Results The serum miR-34b level in the study group was lower than that in the control group,and the serum miR-181c level was higher than that in the con-trol group(P＜0.05).In the study group,the serum miR-34b level of patients with severe neurological im-pairment was lower than that of moderate and mild patients,the level of miR-181c was higher than that of moderate and mild patients,and the level of miR-181c was higher than that of mild patients(P＜0.05).The serum miR-34b levels in patients with severe neurological impairment in the study group were lower than those in moderate and mild patients at admission,and those in moderate patients were lower than those in mild patients,miR-181c levels were higher than those in moderate and mild patients,and moderate patients were higher than those in mild patients(P＜0.05).The level of serum miR-34b was negatively correlated with the degree of neurological impairment,and the level of miR-181c was positively correlated with the degree of neu-rological impairment(P＜0.05).The proportion of diabetes mellitus,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score at admission,time from onset to treatment and serum miR-181c level in patients with poor prognosis were higher than those with good prognosis,and the level of miR-34b was lower than those with good prognosis(P＜0.05).Diabetes mellitus,time from onset to treatment,NIHSS score at admission,and serum miR-181c level were all independent risk factors for poor prognosis in elderly AIS patients with me-chanical thrombectomy,while serum miR-34b level was an independent protective factor(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum miR-34b and miR-181c were 0.751 and 0.758 respectively in predicting the poor prognosis,and the AUC of combined miR-34B and miR-181c was 0.867,which was greater than the AUC predicted by alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion The levels of serum miR-34b and miR-181c are the factors affect-ing the poor prognosis of elderly AIS patients with mechanical thrombectomy,and have the predictive value for the prognosis.

Objective:To prepare decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) composite hydrogels and to study their effects on hepatocyte proliferation.Methods:Hepatic dECM was prepared by elution, and GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels were prepared by pepsin solubilization. The morphology of normal liver and dECM liver was observed by eyes and scanning electron microscopy using hematoxylin-eosin, Sirius red and periodate-Schiff staining, respectively. The internal structure of the dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the pore diameter was measured. Liver HL-7702 cells were co-cultured with GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels, and the cell proliferation viability was determined by cell counting kit-8. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Wnt family protein 5a (Wnt5a), β-catenin, extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by Western blotting. Comparisons were made using independent sample t-test or one-factor analysis of variance. Results:After decellularization, the hepatocyte morphology showed rounded depressions, and the extracellular matrix structure was intact. The GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels showed inernally porous structures. The pore diameter increased from (3.06±1.35) μm in the GelMA hydrogel to (16.01±4.02) μm in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel. On the 3rd, 5th and 7th day, the relative cell proliferation was higher in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel group than that in the GelMA hydrogel group (1.89±0.04 vs 1.53±0.01, 9.36±0.04 vs 3.89±0.09, 7.15±0.27 vs 4.89±0.15, all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of PCNA, Wnt5a, β-catenin, and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 proteins in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel group were higher than those in the GelMA hydrogel group (2.14±0.04 vs 1.00±0.03, 2.36±0.09 vs 1.00±0.08, 1.45±0.03 vs 1.00±0.04, 1.43±0.04 vs 1.00±0.01, all P<0.05). Conclusions:A dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel can be prepared, which may promote hepatocyte proliferation by upregulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective To observe the effect of modified Banxia Xiexin Decoction on inflammatory factors in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)of stomach heat and spleen deficiency type through the regulatory mechanism of intestinal flora.Methods A total of 86 patients with PCOS of stomach heat and spleen deficiency type were randomly divided into control group(45 cases)and observation group(41 cases).The control group was treated with conventional western medicine,and the observation group was treated with modified Banxia Xiexin Decoction on the basis of treatment for the control group.One menstrual cycle constituted a course of treatment,and the treatment lasted for three continuous menstrual cycles.The two groups were observed in the changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,endometrial thickness,serum inflammatory factors of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP)and interleukin-6(IL-6),sex hormone levels of luteinizing hormone(LH),estradiol(E2),follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)and LH/FSH,as well as the intestinal flora before and after treatment.The clinical efficacy and pregnancy rate of the two groups were compared after treatment.Results(1)After 3 menstrual cycles of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 87.80%(36/41),and that of the control group was 68.89%(31/45).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the clinical efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of TCM syndromes in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was more significant than that in the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the endometrial thickness in the two groups was increased when compared with that before treatment(P<0.05),and the increase in the observation group was superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(4)The pregnancy rate of the observation group was 92.68%(38/41),which was significantly higher than 73.33%(33/45)of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(5)After treatment,the levels of serum E2,LH and LH/FSH in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),but there was no significant change in the level of serum FSH before and after treatment(P>0.05).The comparison between the two groups showed that the decrease of serum E2,LH and LH/FSH levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(6)After tieatment,the levels of serum CRP,IL-6,TNF-α in patients of the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(7)After treatment,the levels of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the intestinal flora of the two groups were higher than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the levels of Enterococcus faecalis and Bacteroides were lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),while the levels of Enterobacter did not change significantly before and after treatment(P>0.05).The comparison between the two groups showed that the increase of the levels of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli and the decrease of the levels of Enterococcus faecalis and Bacteroides in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Modified Banxia Xiexin Decoction has a significant clinical effect in the treatment of PCOS of stomach heat and spleen deficiency type.The decoction is effective on improving the clinical symptoms and inflammatory factor levels of patients by regulating intestinal flora.

Objective To investigate the mechanisms of 6-hydroxygenistein(6-OHG)in the treatment of high-altitude hypoxia-induced lung injury.Methods The intersection targets of 6-OHG and high-altitude hypoxia-induced lung injury were identified using databases,including Swiss Target Prediction,SuperPred,GeneCards,and OMIM.The STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct a protein interaction network for the intersection targets of drugs and diseases,and targets with degree values greater than the median were identified as key targets.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of key targets were performed using the DAVID database to identify relevant signaling pathways.The Maestro 13.7 software was used for molecular docking validation.A large hypobaric hypoxic chamber was used to establish a high-altitude lung injury model in mice.A total of 42 male BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups(n=14 in each group),including a normal control group,which was exposed to the environmental conditions at the altitude of 1400 m and received a single intraperitoneal injection of normal saline,a model group,which received a single intraperitoneal injection of normal saline,and a 6-OHG group,which received a single intraperitoneal injection of 6-OHG at 100 mg/kg.Then,1 h after drug administration,mice in the model and 6-OHG groups were placed in a large hypobaric hypoxic simulation chamber for animal experiments.Then,they ascended to an altitude of 8 000 m at a speed of 10 m/s,remained in that environment for 24 h,and then descended to an altitude of 3500 m.Mice in the three groups were sacrificed,and their lung tissues were extracted to measure the water content in the lungs.Pathological changes were observed using HE staining,and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),H2O2,total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD),and glutathione(GSH)were measured.Western blot was performed to determine the expression levles of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT,hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)proteins.Results Key targets such as serine/threonine protein kinase 1(AKT1),HIF-1α,epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor A(PPARA)were identified.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that the targets of 6-OHG in the treatment of high altitude hypoxia-induced lung injury were mainly involved in PI3K/AKT,HIF-1α/VEGF,tumor necrosis factor(TNF),and other signaling pathways.The results of animal experiments demonstrated that compared with the model group,the 6-OHG group showed significant improvement in the pathological damage of lung tissues induced by high altitude hypoxia,presenting statistically significant differences in the levels of MDA,H2O2,GSH,and T-SOD(P＜0.01).The results of Western blot assay revealed statistically significant differences in the p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT,HIF-1α,and VEGF levels in the lung tissues of the 6-OHG group compared with those of the model group(P＜0.01).The molecular docking results showed that 6-OHG could form stable binding with PI3K,AKT,HIF-1α,and VEGF.Conclusion 6-OHG may alleviate lung injury induced by high altitude hypoxia in mice by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and inhibiting the HIF/VEGF signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the dynamic disinfection effect of the upper-room 222 nm ultraviolet radiation on the air in different areas of the emergency department, and to provide references for a new solution of air disinfection that man-machine coexisted in the medical and healthcare institutions. MethodsThe upper-room 222 nm ultraviolet radiation air sterilizers were installed at a height of 2.3‒2.6 m from the ground in the observation room, computed tomography (CT) scanning room, rescue room and consulting room of the emergency department in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University . The test area was divided into a 222 nm ultraviolet group and a control group according to whether the 222 nm ultraviolet germicidal air disinfection was conducted or not. The experimental group started air disinfection at8:00 a.m., and the air sampling was conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m., with a 10 min sampling interval of every 1 hour. While the control group only collected air sample with the same air sampling method used in the experimental group, without air disinfection. The air microbial sampler with six-level sieve impingement was used for the air sampling, and the differences in the total number of airborne bacterial colonies were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 128 air samples were collected in the trial, of which 64 were from the experimental group and 64 from the control group. The total number of airborne bacterial colonies in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (all P<0.001), and was maintained at a lower level throughout the entire period. The killing rate of 222 nm ultraviolet radiation to airborne microorganisms was approximately 55.76% to 76.33% in different sampling areas. The qualified rates of the total number of dynamic airborne bacterial colonies in the observation room, rescue room and consulting room were improved from 12.50%, 37.50% and 25.00% to 81.25%, 100.00% and 100.00%, respectively (all P<0.001). Over 62.50% of the time, the air quality in the consulting room and CT room in the 222 nm ultraviolet group met the environment standards for airborne bacterial colony criteria of class Ⅰ or class Ⅱ. ConclusionThe upper-room222 nm ultraviolet radiation germicidal disinfection can effectively reduce the total number of airborne bacterial colonies and improve the environment for emergency department, and the continuous using of it is helpful for keeping the air safe and clean.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in China has recently been increasing year by year,and spontaneous skin ulcers in diabetic patients,as one of the most serious complications,often develop on the patient's extremities represented by foot ulcers.Due to the complexity and variety of its pathogenesis,it leads to poor clinical outcomes and difficulty in healing.Thus,pa-tients often face the risk of amputation and death.Therefore,the exploration of mechanisms of the vascular pathogenesis of diabetic delayed-healing wounds and targeted screening of therapeutic agents has become a current research hotspot.Herein,in this paper,we briefly review the role of impaired angiogenesis and vascular dysfunction in diabetic skin ulcers,and the research progress of classical hypoglycemic and natural compounds against vascular lesions is preliminarily summarized to provide a theoretical basis for effective clinical treatment.

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effect of mitochondrial fission inhibitor-1(Mdivi-1)on experi-mental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE)in mice,and to explore its mechanism.METHODS:The mice immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide fragment 35-55(MOG35-55)were randomly divided into DMSO model group and Mdivi-1 intervention group.All mice were sacrificed on the 28th day after the first immunization.The demyelination was analyzed by Luxol fast blue staining.The protective mechanism of Mdivi-1 in the spinal cord tissue was investigated by immunofluorescence staining,TUNEL staining and the in vitro experiment with MO3.13 oligodendrocytes treated with staurosporine.The mitochondrial depolarization was detected by JC-1 staining,the cell injury was checked by LDH leakage,and the viability of MO3.13 oligodendrocytes was determined by MTT assay.RESULTS:Compared with DMSO model group,the demyelinating injury was alleviated and the proportion of apoptotic CC1+ oligodendrocytes in Mdivi-1 group was decreased.The cleaved caspase-3,caspase-9,cytochrome C and Bax protein expression levels in the spinal cord of Mdivi-1-treated mice was also attenuated.The in vitro MO3.13 cell experiments suggested that Mdivi-1 inhibited MO3.13 cell mitochondrial depolarization,attenuated the cell damage and increased the cell viability.CONCLUSION:Mdivi-1 pro-tects against the myelin injury in EAE mice,which may be related to the suppression of oligodendrocyte apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the application of intravenous iron in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding(AUD)and iron deficiency anemia(IDA)in gynecology,to establish the drug utilization evaluation(DUE)standard,and to comprehensively evaluate the rationality of the clinical application of intravenous iron by analytic hierarchy process(AHP),so as to provide reference for the rational use of intravenous iron in clinical practice.Methods The medical records of patients with AUD and IDA from January to December 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology were collected,and the special rationality of the drug was evaluated from the aspects of indications,route and frequency of administration,daily dosage,solvent,combination medication,and contraindications of iron sucrose injection,and the DUE standard of the drug was formulated.AHP was used to analyze and evaluate 113 archived cases of intravenous iron in gynecology from January to December 2022.Results A total of 113 patients were treated with iron sucrose injection,and the indications,route of administration,solvent,contraindications,and allergic reactions were reasonable.The main unreasonableness was that the frequency of administration was inappropriate,the daily dose was inappropriate,the combination was not appropriate,the total iron supplement was not up to standard,and there was no continuous drug monitoring after medication.The case scores 90～100,70～<90 and 60～<70 were 6(5.31%),106(93.81%)and 1(0.88%),respectively.Conclusion Patients with AUD and IDA should pay attention to the dosage,total amount of iron supplementation,combined application of drugs and continuous medication monitoring after intravenous iron supplementation,so as to improve the rationality of their use.