Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of Dahuang Tangluo Pills on intestinal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)rats based on TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods Eight ZDF(fa/+)rats were used as the blank group,and 40 ZDF(fa/fa)rats were fed with high-fat diet and then randomly divided into model group,metformin group(0.18 g/kg metformin)and TCM high-,medium-and low-dosage groups(2.16,1.08,0.54 g/kg Dahuang Tangluo Pills),respectively.The medication groups were gavaged with corresponding dosages for 12 consecutive weeks.The body mass and fasting blood glucose(FBG)of rats before and after intervention were detected.After the intervention,an oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)was performed,the serum glucose(GLU),glycosylated serum protein(GSP),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)contents were detected.ELISA was used to detect serum fasting insulin(FINS),free fatty acids(FFA)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-22,lipopolysaccharide(LPS),secreted immunoglobulin A(SIgA)contents in colonic tissue.HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue,and Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Toll like receptor 4(TLR4),nuclear factor-κB p65(NF-κB p65),p-NF-κB p65,NF-κB inhibitor α(IκBα),p-IκBα,myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)and zona pellucida protein-1(ZO-1)in colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass and FBG significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01),blood glucose significantly increased at all time points of OGTT(P<0.01),serum GLU,GSP,TG,TC,LDL-C,FINS,FFA and TNF-α,IL-6,IL-22,LPS contents in colonic tissue significantly increased,serum HDL-C and colonic tissue SIgA contents significantly decreased(P<0.01),with colonic tissue nuclear condensation,cytoplasmic dissolution,inflammatory cell infiltration.The protein expressions of TLR4,NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65,p-IκBα and MyD88 in colonic tissue significantly increased,while the protein expressions of IκBα and ZO-1 significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass and FBG significantly decreased in metformin group,TCM high-and medium-dosage groups(P<0.01),blood glucose decreased at different time points of OGTT,and serum GLU,GSP,TG,TC,LDL-C,FINS,FFA and TNF-α,IL-6,IL-22,LPS contents in colonic tissue significantly decreased,serum HDL-C and colonic tissue SIgA contents significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),with significant improvement in colonic tissue structure and reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration.The protein expressions of TLR4,NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65,p-IκBα and MyD88 in colonic tissue significantly decreased,while the proteins expression of IκBα and ZO-1 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Dahuang Tangluo Pills may inhibit the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway,reduce the release of inflammatory factors,improve intestinal inflammatory injury,restore intestinal homeostasis,thereby improving glucose and lipid metabolism and exerting therapeutic effects on T2DM.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum orexin-A(OXA)and aspartate amin-otransferase(AST)levels and the disease severity and prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods A total of 167 AIS patients(AIS group)treated at Hebei Provincial People's Hospital from January 2021 to January 2024 and 84 healthy individuals undergoing physical examinations(control group)were selected as the research objects.AIS patients were categorized by severity into mild AIS group[National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score＜5,42 cases],moderate AIS group(NIHSS score 5—＜16,56 cases),moderate-to-severe AIS group(NIHSS score 16—＜21,36 cases),and severe AIS group(NIHSS score ≥21,33 cases).Based on 3-month prognosis(modified Rankin scale),patients were divided into poor prognosis group(＞2 grade,54 cases)and good prognosis group(≤2 grade,113 cases).Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between NIHSS scores and serum OXA and AST levels in AIS pa-tients.Multivariate unconditional Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between serum OXA and AST levels and the prognosis of AIS patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of serum OXA and AST levels for prognosis.Results Compared with the control group,serum OXA level in the AIS group was lower,while AST level was higher(P＜0.05).Ser-um OXA level progressively decreased,and AST level progressively increased across the mild,moderate,mod-erately severe,and severe AIS groups(P＜0.05).NIHSS score was negatively correlated with serum OXA level and positively correlated with AST level in AIS patients(P＜0.05).High OXA level was an independent protective factor for poor prognosis in AIS patients,while high AST level was an independent risk factor(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the combined assessment of serum OXA and AST levels in predic-ting poor prognosis in AIS patients was 0.873,which was greater than the AUC of OXA(0.793)and AST(0.770)alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion In AIS patients,lower serum OXA level and higher AST level are as-sociated with disease severity and poor prognosis.The combined evaluation of serum OXA and AST levels has higher predictive value for AIS prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the disease burden, clinical characteristics and independent risk factors affecting in-hospital outcomes of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) combined with heart failure (HF) in China.Methods:(1) Descriptive study: based on the global burden of disease study 2021, available data on children under 15 years of age with CHD and HF in China from 1990 to 2021 were collected. The prevalence and trends in different age subgroups (<1 year, 1-<2 years, 2-<5 years, 5-<10 years, 10-<15 years) were analyzed, and the annual percentage change (EAPC) was estimated using linear regression. (2) Retrospective cohort study: a total of 1 062 children with CHD and HF from a multicenter study on pediatric HF in China were included. The children were divided into two groups:<2 years group and 2-<18 years group. Data on demographics, clinical features, diagnosis, treatments, and in-hospital outcomes were analyzed. Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for group comparisons.Multivariable Logistic regression was applied to identify factors influencing outcomes (in-hospital mortality and adverse cardiovascular events). Results:(1) From 1990 to 2021, the number of children with CHD and HF in China increased from 333 000 (95% uncertainty interval ( UI) 271 000-405 000) to 368 000 (95% UI 296 000-459 000), a growth of 10.8% (95% UI 5.0%-16.6%). Concurrently the prevalence rate increased from 104.5 (95% UI 85.1-127.3) per 100 000 to 142.0 (95% UI 114.0-176.8) per 100 000, a growth of 35.9% (95% UI 28.7%-43.0%), with an EAPC of 1.5% (95% CI 1.2%-1.8%). Although the number of cases in the<1 year and 1-<2 years groups decreased by 41.0% and 25.6%, respectively, the prevalence in all age groups showed an upward trend:<1 year EAPC 0.6% (95% CI 0.5%-0.7%); 1-<2 years EAPC 0.9% (95% CI 0.8%-1.0%); 2-<5 years EAPC 1.2% (95% CI 1.0%-1.4%); 5-<10 years EAPC 1.5% (95% CI 1.2%-1.8%); 10-<15 years EAPC 2.1% (95% CI 1.9%-2.3%). (2) The multicenter study revealed that among 1 062 hospitalized children, 528 (49.7%) were male and 534 (50.3%) were female, with the age at admission of 5.4 (2.2,18.2) months. The majority of the children (77.9%, 827/1 062) were under 2 years of age, whereas 22.1% (235/1 062) were aged between 2-<18 years. Children with complex congenital heart defects accounted for the highest proportion (48.6%, 516/1 062), while those with isolated CHD made up 31.5% (335/1 062). Statistically significant differences were observed in several variables in demographics, clinical features, diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes between the two age groups (all P<0.05). The use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (41.1%, 436/1 062) and beta-blockers (8.7%, 92/1 062) was lower in hospitalized children with CHD and HF. Logistic regression identified complex CHD ( OR=7.73, 95% CI 2.24-26.63; OR=3.17, 95% CI 1.92-5.23), pulmonary hyperperfusion ( OR=2.15, 95% CI 1.01-4.18; OR=2.00, 95% CI 1.35-2.97), left ventricular ejection fraction<55% ( OR=2.13, 95% CI 1.08-4.21; OR=2.80, 95% CI 1.45-5.56), arterial oxygen partial pressure ( OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99; OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99), and serum calcium levels ( OR=0.31, 95% CI 0.17-0.58; OR=0.42, 95% CI 0.28-0.62) as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular events. Conclusions:The disease burden of CHD combined with HF in China has shown a continuous upward trend from 1990 to 2021, with higher growth rates in older age groups. Complex CHD, pulmonary hyperperfusion, left ventricular ejection fraction <55%, arterial oxygen partial pressure, and serum calcium concentration are independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular events.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment 2% versus pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 years or older.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 pediatric patients aged 2 - 17 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were enrolled from departments of dermatology of 8 hospitals in China between March 2022 and February 2023. The participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the crisaborole group and the pimecrolimus group, and received the treatment with crisaborole ointment 2% and pimecrolimus cream 1% respectively, twice a day for 4 weeks. Visits were scheduled at baseline/on day 1, as well as on days 8, 15, and 29. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage of patients achieving the Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) success (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale, combined with ≥ 2‐grade improvement from baseline) on day 29. The secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) total scores from baseline to day 29, percentages of patients achieving ISGA improvement (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale), as well as changes in the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) /Infants' Dermatology Life Quality Index (IDLQI) /Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores, and in the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scores. Drug safety was evaluated according to the incidence of adverse events. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Since measurement data did not follow a normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for comparisons of measurement data between groups.Results:A total of 106 children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were included in the per-protocol analysis set, with 52 in the crisaborole group (26 males and 26 females) and 54 in the pimecrolimus group (27 males and 27 females). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, ISGA and EASI scores at baseline between the two groups (all P > 0.05). On day 29, 22 patients (42.31%) in the crisaborole group and 25 (46.30%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA success, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.17, P = 0.68) ; 35 patients (67.31%) in the crisaborole group and 45 (83.33%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA improvement, also with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 3.68, P = 0.06) ; additionally, there were no significant differences in the EASI, pruritus NRS, DLQI/IDLQI/CDLQI, or DFI scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Adverse reactions to the two topical agents were mainly local reactions such as mild to moderate pain, itching, or worsening of itching, and no obvious systemic adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of drug-related adverse reactions was 46.15% (24 cases) in the crisaborole group and 37.04% (20 cases) in the pimecrolimus group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.34) . Conclusion:The efficacy of crisaborole ointment 2% was comparable to that of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged ≥ 2 years, and it yielded early and rapid improvement in the quality of life of patients and their families, with good safety and tolerability profiles.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of genital herpes in China from 2010 to 2023 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of genital herpes.Methods:The reported data of genital herpes cases in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China from 2010 to 2023 were collected from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Software Joinpoint 5.2.0 was used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of genital herpes, software ArcGIS 10.5 was used for spatial autocorrelation analysis, and software SaTScan 10.2.3 was used for spatiotemporal scanning analysis.Results:The reported incidence rate of genital herpes increased from 1.58/100 000 to 2.00/100 000 in China from 2010 to 2023, with an average annual percentage change of 0.90%. The upward trend of reported incidence rate was significant ( t=2.35, P=0.037). There was a positive spatial autocorrelation in the reported incidence of genital herpes with the global Moran's I ranging from 0.36 to 0.51 (all P<0.001). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the number of hotspots increased from 144 in 2010 to 232 in 2023, mainly distributed in provinces Zhejiang, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing and Hunan. The number of hotspots in of Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou increased significantly from 7 to 57. A total of 67 spatiotemporal clusters were detected by spatiotemporal scanning analysis, mainly distributed in Guangdong from 2011 to 2015, in Zhejiang and Fujian from 2015 to 2019, and in Chongqing and Guizhou from 2019 to 2023. Conclusions:From 2010 to 2023, the reported incidence of genital herpes in China showed an upward trend, and there was an obvious spatiotemporal clustering of genital herpes. The distribution of hotspots was basically consistent with the distribution of spatiotemporal clustering areas, mainly distributed in the southeastern coastal area and southwestern region, and the spatiotemporal clustering areas gradually changed from the southeast coastal area to the southwest region.

Objective:To investigate and evaluate the correct cognition and influencing factors of mpox expertise among relevant Chinese clinicians and to provide a reference for prevention and control.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinicians in relevant departments using a structured questionnaire compiled by ourselves through a non-random network recruitment method. The content includes demography, clinical specialties, and characteristics of medical institutions, and 37 questions to evaluate the professional cognition of mpox etiology, clinical characteristics, transmission, prevention, and control. Using the modified Bloom's cutoff point to determine the correct answer is greater than or equal to 26 entitled correct cognition. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing the correct cognition rate.Results:A total of 4 332 clinicians in 23 provinces (autonomous regions, municipality) in China were investigated by online questionnaires and 4 276 effective questionnaires were collected, with an effective rate of 98.71%. The mean age of the respondents was (39.46±9.54) years old, 61.18% were female. The overall correct cognition rate of mpox expertise was 62.04% (95% CI: 60.59%-63.50%), the correct cognition rates of mpox etiology, clinical characteristics, transmission, prevention and control were 48.25% (95% CI: 46.68%-49.82%), 78.66% (95% CI: 77.38%-79.95%), 68.56% (95% CI: 67.10%-70.02%), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the relevant factors affecting the overall correct cognition of mpox expertise among Chinese clinicians included gender (female: OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.31-1.80), region (eastern region: OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.18-1.79; midwestern region: OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.04-1.49), professional title (deputy senior: OR=1.43, 95% CI:1.16-1.76; senior: OR=1.72, 95% CI:1.30-2.28), the clinical field (the clinical fields of dermatology and venereal diseases: OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.42-2.23). Conclusions:The overall correct cognition rate of mpox expertise among relevant Chinese clinicians was low. It was essential to conduct mpox knowledge training for clinicians in males, northeast regions, junior professional title and the clinical fields other than dermatology and venereal diseases to improve their correct cognition rates and epidemic prevention and control ability.

OBJECTIVE To assess the cost-effectiveness of durvalumab combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. METHODS Using data from the TOPAZ-1 clinical trial， a three-state Markov model comprising progression-free survival （PFS）， progressive disease （PD） and death was developed， with a cycle length of 21 days and a 10-year time horizon. Patients in the observation group received durvalumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin， whereas those in the control group received placebo plus the same chemotherapy regimen. The evaluation indexes were quality-adjusted life year （QALY） and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER）. The willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold was set at three times the 2024 Chinese per capita gross domestic product （GDP） （287 247 yuan/QALY）. The sensitivity analyses， along with scenario analyses， were performed. RESULTS In the base-case analysis， the ICER of observation group compared to control group was 1 166 344.46 yuan/QALY， far exceeding the WTP threshold， indicating that the regimen was not cost-effective. One-way sensitivity analysis identified the PD state utility， discount rate， cost of durvalumab， and PFS state utility as the main drivers of ICER variation. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that， at the above WTP threshold， the probability of the acceeptance of this regimen was 0， further supporting the robustness of the base-case findings. In the scenario analysis， inclusion of a patient assistance program reduced the ICER to 235 885.16 yuan/ QALY， below the above WTP threshold， suggesting cost-effectiveness under this assistance program. However， when applying a regional WTP threshold set at three times the per capita GDP （158 475 yuan/QALY） of Gansu Province （the province with the lowest GDP in China in 2024）， the ICER remained above the threshold， indicating that the regimen was not cost-effective at the regional level. CONCLUSIONS At current pricing， durvalumab plus chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer is not cost-effective in China. Although the introduction of a patient assistance program can substantially reduce the ICER and achieve cost-effectiveness at a WTP threshold set at three times the 2024 per capita GDP of China， due to limited affordability in low-income areas， the program remains not cost-effective.

Schwann cells and macrophages are the main immune cells involved in peripheral nerve injury. After injury, Schwann cells produce an inflammatory response and secrete various chemokines, inflammatory factors, and some other cytokines to promote the recruitment and M2 polarization of blood-derived macrophages, enhancing their phagocytotic ability, and thus play an important role in promoting nerve regeneration. Macrophages have also been found to promote vascular regeneration after injury, promote the migration and proliferation of Schwann cells along blood vessels, and facilitate myelination and axon regeneration. Therefore, there is a close interaction between Schwann cells and macrophages during peripheral nerve regeneration, but this has not been systematically summarized. In this review, the mechanisms of action of Schwann cells and macrophages in each other's migration and phenotypic transformation are reviewed from the perspective of each other, to provide directions for research on accelerating nerve injury repair.
Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/physiopathology* ; Animals ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Nerve Regeneration/physiology* ; Humans ; Cell Movement/physiology*

Pulpotomy, which belongs to vital pulp therapy, has become a strategy for managing pulpitis in recent decades. This minimally invasive treatment reflects the recognition of preserving healthy dental pulp and optimizing long-term patient-centered outcomes. Pulpotomy is categorized into partial pulpotomy (PP), the removal of a partial segment of the coronal pulp tissue, and full pulpotomy (FP), the removal of whole coronal pulp, which is followed by applying the biomaterials onto the remaining pulp tissue and ultimately restoring the tooth. Procedural decisions for the amount of pulp tissue removal or retention depend on the diagnostic of pulp vitality, the overall treatment plan, the patient's general health status, and pulp inflammation reassessment during operation. This statement represents the consensus of an expert committee convened by the Society of Cariology and Endodontics, Chinese Stomatological Association. It addresses the current evidence to support the application of pulpotomy as a potential alternative to root canal treatment (RCT) on mature permanent teeth with pulpitis from a biological basis, the development of capping biomaterial, and the diagnostic considerations to evidence-based medicine. This expert statement intends to provide a clinical protocol of pulpotomy, which facilitates practitioners in choosing the optimal procedure and increasing their confidence in this rapidly evolving field.
Humans ; Calcium Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Consensus ; Dental Pulp ; Dentition, Permanent ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Pulpitis/therapy* ; Pulpotomy/standards*

Lingguizhugan Decoction (LGZG) demonstrates significant efficacy in treating various cardiovascular diseases clinically, yet its precise mechanism of action remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms and effects of LGZG on isoproterenol (ISO) continuous stimulation-induced chronic heart failure (CHF) in mice, providing direct experimental evidence for further clinical applications. In vivo, continuous ISO infusion was administered to mice, and ventricular myocytes were utilized to explore LGZG?s potential mechanism of action on the ?1-adrenergic receptor (?1-AR)/Gs/G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs)/?-arrestin signaling deflection system in the heart. The findings reveal that LGZG significantly reduced the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of hypertrophy-related biomarkers [atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)] and improved cardiac remodeling and left ventricular diastolic function in mice with ISO-induced CHF. Furthermore, LGZG inhibited the overactivation of Gs/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and downregulated the downstream transcriptional activity of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of the coactivator CBP/P300. Notably, LGZG downregulated the expression of ?-arrestin1 and GRK 2/3/5 while upregulating the expression of ?1-AR and ?-arrestin2. These results suggest that LGZG inhibits Gs/cAMP/PKA signaling and ?-arrestin/GRK-mediated desensitization and internalization of ?1-AR, potentially exerting cardioprotective effects through the synergistic regulation of the ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling deflection system via multiple pathways.
Animals ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Male ; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Isoproterenol ; Arrestins/genetics* ; Chronic Disease