ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and economic value of the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases （abbreviated as the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol） in adult patients with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia （CAP） based on real-world clinical data. MethodsA retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records of adult patients hospitalized for non-severe CAP from September 1st， 2023 to December 31st， 2024 across 10 TCM hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were classified into an exposure group and a non-exposure group based on whether they received Chinese herbal medicine （CHM） according to the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol. The non-exposure group received only conventional western medicine， while the exposure group additionally received differentiated CHM for at least five consecutive days. Outcomes were compared between two patient groups， including cough resolution rate， sputum resolution rate （assessed by volume， color， and consistency）， incidence of abnormal C-reactive protein （CRP）， incidence of abnormal white blood cell （WBC） count， and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors influencing clinical efficacy. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age， gender， smoking status， history of hypertension， and pneumonia severity score （CURB-65）， and the efficacy of treatment for cough and sputum was analyzed within each subgroup. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using cough resolution rate as the outcome measure， evaluating the pharmacoeconomics of the two groups. ResultsA total of 1688 patients were included with 1293 in the exposure group and 395 in the non-exposure group. Compared to the non-exposure group， the exposure group demonstrated significantly higher resolution rates of cough， sputum volume， color， and consistency， as well as a significantly lower incidence of abnormal CRP （P＜0.05）. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of abnormal WBC count and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates （P＞0.05）. Logistic regression analysis showed that the cough resolution rate in the exposure group was 1.83 times that of the non-exposure group， while the probabilities of resolution in sputum volume， color， and consistency were 1.37， 2.09， and 1.56 times those of the non-exposure group， respectively （P＜0.05）. Subgroup analyses showed that the exposure group achieved significantly higher cough resolution rates across most subgroups except for populations with a CURB-65 score ≥2 or those with a history of hypertension （P＜0.05）. Specifically， among females， patients aged ≥18 and ＜65 years， non-smokers， those without hypertension， and those with a CURB-65 score of 0， the exposure group showed a higher cough resolution rate than the non-exposure group （P＜0.05）. From an economic perspective， total hospitalization cost， length of stay， antibiotic cost， and CHM cost all differed significantly between groups （P＜0.05）. The cost-effectiveness ratio （CER） was 10,788.80 CNY/case in the exposure group， while 22,513.80 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. This implies that， compared with the exposure group， the non-exposure group incurred an additional 17,302.27 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution. When the willingness-to-pay threshold ranged from 0 to 50,000 CNY， the probability of economic advantage was consistently higher in the exposure group than in the non-exposure group. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine， the addition of CHM in accordance with the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol can effectively improve clinical symptoms， reduce inflammatory markers， promote clinical recovery， and is more cost-effective in treating adults with non-severe CAP.

ObjectiveTo observe the real‑world effectiveness and economic outcomes of Weishi Qingjin Formula （苇石清金方， WQF） in the treatment of adult community‑acquired pneumonia （CAP） with phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome. MethodsBased on a multicenter， real-world retrospective cohort study， clinical data were collected from hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with non‑severe CAP and phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome in 10 traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were divided into an exposure group （those who received oral WQF） and a non‑exposure group （those who did not）. The following outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment， which were remission rates of clinical symptoms including cough， expectoration （sputum volume， color， consistency）， and chest pain， levels of inflammatory markers including C‑reactive protein （CRP） and white blood cell count （WBC）， and the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age， gender， smoking status， presence of hypertension， and the severity of community-acquired pneumonia （CURB‑65） score， comparing the two groups in terms of cough remission rate， chest pain remission rate， and chest CT absorption rate. For health economic evaluation， cost‑effectiveness analysis was used to calculate the cost‑effectiveness ratio （CER） and incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio （ICER）. Univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 647 patients in the exposure group and 1491 patients in the non-exposure group were included in the final statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay， gender， marital status， smoking history， bronchoscopy history， and comorbidities between the groups （P＞0.05）， but age， CURB-65 score， and antibiotic use. The exposure group had significantly higher remission rates of cough and sputum consistency than the non-exposure group （P＜0.05）. After adjusting for confounders using propensity score matching and logistic regression， the cough remission rate in the exposure group was 1.49 times that of the non-exposure group （P＜0.01）. No significant difference was observed between groups in the reduction rates of CRP and WBC， and in the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT （P＞0.05）. Subgroup analyses revealed that the cough remission rate in the exposure group was significantly better than that in the non-exposure group except for patients aged ≥65 years， smokers， hypertensive patients， those using other type antibiotics or not using antibiotics， and those with a CURB-65 score ≥1 （P＜0.05）. Among smokers， the chest pain remission rate in the exposure group was 4.38 times that of the non-exposure group （P＜0.01）. No significant difference in chest CT absorption rate was found between groups across subgroups of gender， age， hypertension status， or antibiotic type （P＞0.05）. In terms of economic evaluation， CER was 10,877.60 CNY/case in the exposure group and 16,773.10 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. Compared to the exposure group， the non-exposure group incurred an additional 15,034.26 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution， indicating a more favorable cost-effectiveness profile. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded results consistent with the cost-effectiveness analysis， confirming the robustness of the findings. ConclusionWQF demonstrates significant efficacy in improving cough symptoms in the treatment of adult CAP with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome， and also exhibits favorable economic benefits.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and economic value of the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases （abbreviated as the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol） in adult patients with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia （CAP） based on real-world clinical data. MethodsA retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records of adult patients hospitalized for non-severe CAP from September 1st， 2023 to December 31st， 2024 across 10 TCM hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were classified into an exposure group and a non-exposure group based on whether they received Chinese herbal medicine （CHM） according to the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol. The non-exposure group received only conventional western medicine， while the exposure group additionally received differentiated CHM for at least five consecutive days. Outcomes were compared between two patient groups， including cough resolution rate， sputum resolution rate （assessed by volume， color， and consistency）， incidence of abnormal C-reactive protein （CRP）， incidence of abnormal white blood cell （WBC） count， and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors influencing clinical efficacy. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age， gender， smoking status， history of hypertension， and pneumonia severity score （CURB-65）， and the efficacy of treatment for cough and sputum was analyzed within each subgroup. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using cough resolution rate as the outcome measure， evaluating the pharmacoeconomics of the two groups. ResultsA total of 1688 patients were included with 1293 in the exposure group and 395 in the non-exposure group. Compared to the non-exposure group， the exposure group demonstrated significantly higher resolution rates of cough， sputum volume， color， and consistency， as well as a significantly lower incidence of abnormal CRP （P＜0.05）. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of abnormal WBC count and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates （P＞0.05）. Logistic regression analysis showed that the cough resolution rate in the exposure group was 1.83 times that of the non-exposure group， while the probabilities of resolution in sputum volume， color， and consistency were 1.37， 2.09， and 1.56 times those of the non-exposure group， respectively （P＜0.05）. Subgroup analyses showed that the exposure group achieved significantly higher cough resolution rates across most subgroups except for populations with a CURB-65 score ≥2 or those with a history of hypertension （P＜0.05）. Specifically， among females， patients aged ≥18 and ＜65 years， non-smokers， those without hypertension， and those with a CURB-65 score of 0， the exposure group showed a higher cough resolution rate than the non-exposure group （P＜0.05）. From an economic perspective， total hospitalization cost， length of stay， antibiotic cost， and CHM cost all differed significantly between groups （P＜0.05）. The cost-effectiveness ratio （CER） was 10,788.80 CNY/case in the exposure group， while 22,513.80 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. This implies that， compared with the exposure group， the non-exposure group incurred an additional 17,302.27 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution. When the willingness-to-pay threshold ranged from 0 to 50,000 CNY， the probability of economic advantage was consistently higher in the exposure group than in the non-exposure group. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine， the addition of CHM in accordance with the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol can effectively improve clinical symptoms， reduce inflammatory markers， promote clinical recovery， and is more cost-effective in treating adults with non-severe CAP.

ObjectiveTo observe the real‑world effectiveness and economic outcomes of Weishi Qingjin Formula （苇石清金方， WQF） in the treatment of adult community‑acquired pneumonia （CAP） with phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome. MethodsBased on a multicenter， real-world retrospective cohort study， clinical data were collected from hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with non‑severe CAP and phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome in 10 traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were divided into an exposure group （those who received oral WQF） and a non‑exposure group （those who did not）. The following outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment， which were remission rates of clinical symptoms including cough， expectoration （sputum volume， color， consistency）， and chest pain， levels of inflammatory markers including C‑reactive protein （CRP） and white blood cell count （WBC）， and the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age， gender， smoking status， presence of hypertension， and the severity of community-acquired pneumonia （CURB‑65） score， comparing the two groups in terms of cough remission rate， chest pain remission rate， and chest CT absorption rate. For health economic evaluation， cost‑effectiveness analysis was used to calculate the cost‑effectiveness ratio （CER） and incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio （ICER）. Univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 647 patients in the exposure group and 1491 patients in the non-exposure group were included in the final statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay， gender， marital status， smoking history， bronchoscopy history， and comorbidities between the groups （P＞0.05）， but age， CURB-65 score， and antibiotic use. The exposure group had significantly higher remission rates of cough and sputum consistency than the non-exposure group （P＜0.05）. After adjusting for confounders using propensity score matching and logistic regression， the cough remission rate in the exposure group was 1.49 times that of the non-exposure group （P＜0.01）. No significant difference was observed between groups in the reduction rates of CRP and WBC， and in the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT （P＞0.05）. Subgroup analyses revealed that the cough remission rate in the exposure group was significantly better than that in the non-exposure group except for patients aged ≥65 years， smokers， hypertensive patients， those using other type antibiotics or not using antibiotics， and those with a CURB-65 score ≥1 （P＜0.05）. Among smokers， the chest pain remission rate in the exposure group was 4.38 times that of the non-exposure group （P＜0.01）. No significant difference in chest CT absorption rate was found between groups across subgroups of gender， age， hypertension status， or antibiotic type （P＞0.05）. In terms of economic evaluation， CER was 10,877.60 CNY/case in the exposure group and 16,773.10 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. Compared to the exposure group， the non-exposure group incurred an additional 15,034.26 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution， indicating a more favorable cost-effectiveness profile. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded results consistent with the cost-effectiveness analysis， confirming the robustness of the findings. ConclusionWQF demonstrates significant efficacy in improving cough symptoms in the treatment of adult CAP with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome， and also exhibits favorable economic benefits.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk factors for carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria(GNB)bloodstream infection(BSI)in patients with hematological malignancies(HMs)and their prognosis,and to devel-op a nomogram prediction model.METHODS A total of 316 patients with HMs and GNB-BSI admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from Jan.2017 to Dec.2022 were selected as the training set,and 106 patients admitted from Jan.2023 to Oct.2024 were selected as the validation set.Variables were selected by lasso regression and multifactor logistic regression,and a nomogram model was constructed.The prediction model was internally validated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curve and decision curve analysis(DCA),respectively.RESULTS Granulocytopenia for ≥7 days(OR=14.525),use of cephalosporins/β-lactamase inhibitors within 30 days before BSI(OR=3.510),exposure history of carbapenem antibacterial drug(OR=4.840)and albumin＜30 g/L(OR=2.697)were risk factors for CR-GNB BSI in patients with HMs(P＜0.05).Septic shock(OR=6.934),central venous catheterization(OR=5.586),inappropriate empirical antibac-terial drug therapy(OR=4.744),CR-GNB infection(OR=2.916)and albumin＜30 g/L(OR=3.324)were risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with HMs and GNB-BSI(P＜0.05).Based on these indicators,two nomogram models were constructed.The areas under the ROC curve(AUC)for the internal validation set were 0.775 and 0.849,respectively.The calibration curves demonstrated high predictive performance for the pre-diction models(P=0.998 and 0.660,respectively),and DCA showed high clinical application value for both models.CONCLUSION The nomogram prediction model constructed in this study based on multifactor analy-sis not only demonstrates good predictive value but also exhibits significant clinical efficacy,aiding in the early i-dentification of high-risk patients for targeted therapy.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk factors for carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria(GNB)bloodstream infection(BSI)in patients with hematological malignancies(HMs)and their prognosis,and to devel-op a nomogram prediction model.METHODS A total of 316 patients with HMs and GNB-BSI admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from Jan.2017 to Dec.2022 were selected as the training set,and 106 patients admitted from Jan.2023 to Oct.2024 were selected as the validation set.Variables were selected by lasso regression and multifactor logistic regression,and a nomogram model was constructed.The prediction model was internally validated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curve and decision curve analysis(DCA),respectively.RESULTS Granulocytopenia for ≥7 days(OR=14.525),use of cephalosporins/β-lactamase inhibitors within 30 days before BSI(OR=3.510),exposure history of carbapenem antibacterial drug(OR=4.840)and albumin＜30 g/L(OR=2.697)were risk factors for CR-GNB BSI in patients with HMs(P＜0.05).Septic shock(OR=6.934),central venous catheterization(OR=5.586),inappropriate empirical antibac-terial drug therapy(OR=4.744),CR-GNB infection(OR=2.916)and albumin＜30 g/L(OR=3.324)were risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with HMs and GNB-BSI(P＜0.05).Based on these indicators,two nomogram models were constructed.The areas under the ROC curve(AUC)for the internal validation set were 0.775 and 0.849,respectively.The calibration curves demonstrated high predictive performance for the pre-diction models(P=0.998 and 0.660,respectively),and DCA showed high clinical application value for both models.CONCLUSION The nomogram prediction model constructed in this study based on multifactor analy-sis not only demonstrates good predictive value but also exhibits significant clinical efficacy,aiding in the early i-dentification of high-risk patients for targeted therapy.

Objective To investigate the effect of the mutant of adenovirus-mediated HIF-1α triple mutant(Ad-HIF-1α-Trip)on the apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes under high glucose and hypoxia conditions.Methods H9c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured under hypoxic conditions in vitro and randomly divided into four groups based on glucose concentration and viral transfection status:low oxygen+normal glucose concentration group(LO+NG group),low oxygen+high glucose concentration group(LO+HG group),low oxygen+high glucose+adenoviral null vector group(LO+HG+Ad-Null group),and low oxygen+high glucose+adenovirus HIF-1α triple mutant group(LO+HG+Ad-HIF-1α-Trip group).After 12 hours of hypoxia,HIF-1α,PI3K,and Akt expression were measured via qRT-PCR and Western blot,and apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes was assessed by flow cytometry.Results HIF-1α,PI3K,and Akt expression decreased in cardiomyocytes under high glucose and hypoxia,while Ad-HIF-1 α-Trip enhanced their expression.Flow cytometry revealed increased apoptosis under high glucose and hypoxia,which was reduced by Ad-HIF-1α-Trip.Conclusion Ad-HIF-1α-Trip upregulates HIF-1α,PI3K,and Akt in H9c2 cardiomyocytes under high glucose and hypoxia,likely reducing apoptosis via PI3K-Akt pathway activation.

Objective To investigate the effect of the mutant of adenovirus-mediated HIF-1α triple mutant(Ad-HIF-1α-Trip)on the apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes under high glucose and hypoxia conditions.Methods H9c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured under hypoxic conditions in vitro and randomly divided into four groups based on glucose concentration and viral transfection status:low oxygen+normal glucose concentration group(LO+NG group),low oxygen+high glucose concentration group(LO+HG group),low oxygen+high glucose+adenoviral null vector group(LO+HG+Ad-Null group),and low oxygen+high glucose+adenovirus HIF-1α triple mutant group(LO+HG+Ad-HIF-1α-Trip group).After 12 hours of hypoxia,HIF-1α,PI3K,and Akt expression were measured via qRT-PCR and Western blot,and apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes was assessed by flow cytometry.Results HIF-1α,PI3K,and Akt expression decreased in cardiomyocytes under high glucose and hypoxia,while Ad-HIF-1 α-Trip enhanced their expression.Flow cytometry revealed increased apoptosis under high glucose and hypoxia,which was reduced by Ad-HIF-1α-Trip.Conclusion Ad-HIF-1α-Trip upregulates HIF-1α,PI3K,and Akt in H9c2 cardiomyocytes under high glucose and hypoxia,likely reducing apoptosis via PI3K-Akt pathway activation.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of heat acclimation(HA)on electromagnetic field(EMF)induced hippocampus neuron injury in mice.Methods Forty healthy BALB/c male mice(18～22 g,7 weeks old)were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=10):Control group(Con),HA group(34℃,30 d),EMF group(2 450 MHz,20 min/d,4 weeks)and HA+EMF group(HA preconditioning+EMF).Sucrose preference test was performed to evaluate sucrose preference levels of mice in each group.Tail suspension test and forced swimming test were utilized to observe the immobility time.Morris water maze test was conducted to determine the learning and memory capabilities.Pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed with HE staining.Immunohistochemical assay for Iba1(marker of microglia),CD68(marker of pro-inflammatory phenotype)and CD206(marker of anti-inflammatory phenotype)were used to detect the number and activation phenotype of microglia in the hippocampus.ELISA was applied to measure the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,TGF-β and IL-10 in the hippocampus of each group.Western blotting was performed to determine the protein levels of HSP70 in the hippocampus.Results As compared with the Con group,the EMF group showed a decreased preference for sucrose(P<0.05),prolonged immobile time in the tail suspension test(P<0.01)as well as in the forced swimming test(P<0.01),extented escape latency on the 7th day(P<0.01),and a decreased time of crossing the platform(P<0.05).EMF exposure resulted in that the hippocampal neurons were in disordered arrangement,loose structure and irregular morphology,with swollen cytoplasm and condensed nuclei,swollen and more microglial cells in the hippocampus(P<0.01),and enhanced relative fluorescence intensity of CD68(P<0.01),but not in CD206 fluorescence intensity(P=0.885).All these findings suggested that activated microglia predominantly exhibited a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype during this phase.In the hippocampus,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased,while the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β were significantly decreased(P<0.01).HA treatment reversed the conditions induced by EMF exposure,including better preference for sucrose(P<0.01),shorten immobile time in tail suspension test(P<0.05)and forced swimming test(P<0.01),less escape latency on the 7th day(P<0.01),and improved hippocampal cell injuries.Compared with the Con group,there were more microglial cells in the hippocampus in the HA+EMF group,with increased relative fluorescence intensity of M2 phenotype marker CD206(P<0.01)and decreased CD68 fluorescence intensity(P<0.01).HA treatment also significantly decreased the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β levels(P<0.01),increased the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β(P<0.01),and elevated the protein level of HSP70(P<0.01)when compared with the EMF group.Conclusion HA may ameliorate EMF-induced hippocampus neurons injury in mice by altering the phenotype of activated microglia and inhibiting inflammatory responses.

Objective:To learn about the epidemic characteristics of human brucellosis in Baoji City, and to identify brucellosis strains, so as to provide scientific basis for precise prevention and control of brucellosis in the city.Methods:A retrospective analysis method was used to conduct a descriptive epidemiological analysis of brucellosis cases in Baoji City reported in the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System from 2009 to 2022. Bacteriology culture, serum agglutination, biochemical test, phage cleavage and PCR were used to identify the isolates and nucleic acids, respectively.Results:From 2009 to 2022, a total of 314 cases of human brucellosis were reported in Baoji City, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.62/100 000, The incidence rate of different years was compared, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 51 748 520.36, P < 0.001). The gender ratio of male to female was 3.30 ∶ 1.00 (241 ∶ 73). The age distribution ranged from 2 to 84 years old, with a median of 50 years old. The cases were concentrated in the 30 - 59 age group (206 cases, 65.61%), followed by the 60 - 84 age group (80 cases, 25.48%) and the 2 - 29 age group (28 cases, 8.92%). The peak of incidence was from April to August, with a total of 205 cases, accounting for 65.29%. Cases were reported in 213 townships, with the number of townships increasing from 1 in 2009 to 29 in 2022. The median time interval between onset and diagnosis of the case was 11 days. There was no significant difference in the time interval between onset and diagnosis among different genders, occupation and regions ( P > 0.05). A total of 10 strains of Brucella were isolated and identified as Brucella genus by BCSP31-PCR, and as Brucella melitensis by AMOS-PCR. After comprehensive identification, 4 strains were Brucella melitensis 3, 3 strains were mutant Brucella melitensis, and 3 strains were Brucella melitensis 1. Conclusion:The epidemic of brucellosis in Baoji City shows a fluctuating upward trend, with the epidemic scope gradually expanding, and the infected strains are all Brucella melitensis.