OBJECTIVE To compare the accuracy and the consistency of different methods,including nucleic acid assay,biochemical identification,mass spectrometry and targeted next-generation sequencing(tNGs),in detec-tion of Streptococcus pneumoniae for the children with lower respiratory tract infections so as to provide bases for selection of appropriate detection method.METHODS A total of 120 children with lower respiratory tract infections who were treated in Yibin First People's Hospital from Aug.2024 to Mar.2025 were included in the clinical re-search.The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)specimens were collected from all of the children,which were tested by the nucleic acid testing,biochemical identification,mass spectrometry and tNGS respectively.With tNGS as the gold standard,the consistency of the detection methods was evaluated by Kappa consistency test;meanwhile,the sensitivity,specificity and positive predictive value of the detection methods were observed,and the diagnostic efficiency was compared among the detection methods.RESULTS The sensitivity,specificity and total accurate rate of tNGS were all higher than those of other three detection methods with significant differ-ences(P＜0.05).The Kappa values of tNGS with the nucleic assay,biochemical identification and mass spec-trometry were 0.713,0.638 and 0.823,respectively,showing high consistencies,especially the consistency with mass spectrometry was relative high.CONCLUSION tNGS shows higher accuracy in detection of S.pneu-moniae and favorable consistency in diagnosis,and it is superior to the traditional biochemical identification and mass spectrometry,with high clinical application value.

OBJECTIVE To compare the accuracy and the consistency of different methods,including nucleic acid assay,biochemical identification,mass spectrometry and targeted next-generation sequencing(tNGs),in detec-tion of Streptococcus pneumoniae for the children with lower respiratory tract infections so as to provide bases for selection of appropriate detection method.METHODS A total of 120 children with lower respiratory tract infections who were treated in Yibin First People's Hospital from Aug.2024 to Mar.2025 were included in the clinical re-search.The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)specimens were collected from all of the children,which were tested by the nucleic acid testing,biochemical identification,mass spectrometry and tNGS respectively.With tNGS as the gold standard,the consistency of the detection methods was evaluated by Kappa consistency test;meanwhile,the sensitivity,specificity and positive predictive value of the detection methods were observed,and the diagnostic efficiency was compared among the detection methods.RESULTS The sensitivity,specificity and total accurate rate of tNGS were all higher than those of other three detection methods with significant differ-ences(P＜0.05).The Kappa values of tNGS with the nucleic assay,biochemical identification and mass spec-trometry were 0.713,0.638 and 0.823,respectively,showing high consistencies,especially the consistency with mass spectrometry was relative high.CONCLUSION tNGS shows higher accuracy in detection of S.pneu-moniae and favorable consistency in diagnosis,and it is superior to the traditional biochemical identification and mass spectrometry,with high clinical application value.

Aim To investigate the anti-Zika virus(ZIKV)mechanism of diterpenoid compound 9 from Euphorbia helioscopia in vitro.Methods The cytotox-icity of compound 9 was evaluated using the CCK-8 as-say.A ZIKV-infected Vero cell model was established,and the antiviral activity was assessed through RT-qPCR,plaque assay,Western blot,and immunofluores-cence.Furthermore,the mechanism of action was elu-cidated using multi-cell line validation,nanoparticle tracking analysis,cellular thermal shift assay,and mo-lecular docking.Results In Vero cells,compound 9 exhibited an EC50 of(3.95±0.15)μmol·L-1 and a CC50 of(272.12±8.56)μmol·L-1,demonstrating significantly higher antiviral efficacy than the positive control drug ribavirin(RBV).Its virus inactivation effect was time-dependent and could significantly re-duce viral load and plaque formation.Studies revealed that compound 9 altered the physicochemical properties of ZIKV particles,including reducing surface charge and increasing particle size distribution.Additionally,it significantly enhanced the thermal stability of the prM protein.Molecular docking analysis indicated that compound 9 formed a high-affinity interaction with the prM protein(binding energy:-38.52 kJ·mol-1)and stabilized its structure through hydrophobic interac-tions.Conclusion Compound 9 exerts in vitro anti-ZIKV activity by directly inactivating the virus,disrup-ting viral particle integrity,and targeting the prM pro-tein.

Objective To observe hierarchical differences in brain functional networks in unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy(mTLE)patients with different outcomes after surgery.Methods A total of 69 unilateral mTLE patients who underwent resection of epileptogenic lesion on the affected side were retrospectively enrolled.Based on Engel classification 1 year after surgery,the patients were divided into seizure free(SF)group and non-seizure free(NSF)group.Functional connectivity gradient analysis was employed to extract principal gradient explaining the highest variance on preoperative resting-state functional MRI(rs-fMRI),then the whole-brain gradient characteristics and principal gradient values within specific functional networks were compared between groups.Results Principal gradient connected default mode network(DMN)with sensorimotor network(SMN)along a continuous axis.Compared to SF group,NSF group showed a contracted gradient range at both ends(DMN and SMN)of the functional network and weakened hierarchical differentiation,and principal gradient value of DMN was higher,while that of SMN was lower than those in SF group(both P＜0.05).Conclusion Hierarchical differences in brain functional networks in unilateral mTLE patients with different outcomes after surgery mainly present as enhanced DMN and weakened SMN in NSF ones,and the latter two might serve as important neuroimaging markers for evaluating postoperative seizure recurrence.

OBJECTIVE To explore the value of microbiological rapid on-site evaluation(M-ROSE)technique in treatment of the patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia(SCAP).METHODS A total of 124 patients with SCAP who were treated in the department of respiratory and critical care medicine of The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from Sep.2023 to Dec.2024 were enrolled in the study and were random-ly divided into the M-ROSE group and the control group in a 1∶1 ratio based on the status of M-ROSE for bron-choalveolar lavage fluid(BALF).The M-ROSE test and conventional etiological test[metagenomic next genera-tion sequencing(mNGS),smear,culture]were performed for the M-ROSE group,and the conventional etiologi-cal test was only carried out for the control group.The baseline data,symptoms and signs,C-reactive protein lev-el,treatment status and outcomes were observed and compared between the two groups of patients.RESULTS A-mong the 62 patients for whom the BALF specimens were detected with M-ROSE,45(72.58％)patients showed the consistent test result for fungi with mNGS,47(75.81％)patients showed the same test result for cocci with mNGS,and 30(48.39％)patients showed the same test result for bacilli with mNGS.The duration of the M-ROSE test was 1.50(1.50,2.00)h,shorter than that of the smear,culture and mNGS(P＜0.05).The body temperature returning to the normal and the property,volume of sputum were improved more early in days in the M-ROSE group than in the control group after the anti-infection treatment(P＜0.05);the level of inflammatory factor CRP declined more quickly in the M-ROSE group than in the control group(P＜0.05);the effective rates of treatment of the M-ROSE group were higher than those of the control group after the hospitalization for 3,5 and 7 days(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION The M-ROSE test for BALF may facilitate the rapid etiological diagnosis for the patients with SCAP in early stage,provide guidance for the anti-infection treatment strategies,and accelerate the improvement of symptoms and inflammatory factors;it has certain clinical application value.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of respiratory pathogens in China.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study, which encompassed 19 core units of the clinical pathogen network and established a three-tiered clinical pathogen surveillance system. Thirty respiratory samples were collected every two weeks from various units from January to December 2024, and the clinical and pathogen diagnostic information were gathered. A total of 11 864 samples were tested using this system. The tier-1 clinical pathogen surveillance system covered influenza A virus (Flu-A), influenza B virus (Flu-B), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The tier-2 clinical pathogen surveillance system focused on 18 key respiratory pathogens. The tier-3 clinical pathogen surveillance system further clarified whether any emerging infectious diseases had occurred.Results:The tier-1 clinical pathogen surveillance system showed Flu-A predominated in December, Flu-B predominated in January, SARS-CoV-2 peaked in March and August, whereas RSV circulated sporadically throughout the year. Geographic trends were broadly consistent across the seven major regions, although Flu-A detection in December was notably higher in Northeast China (48.1%(111/231)) and East China (36.2%(148/409)), and RSV detection was concentrated in the Northwest and South China from January to March. Data from the tier-2 clinical pathogen surveillance system indicated that Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, rhinovirus, and adenovirus were detected year-round, of these, Streptococcus pneumoniae and rhinovirus showed elevated positive detection rates from August to September, while adenovirus peaked in January. Legionella pneumophila was not detected throughout the year, and other pathogens fluctuated throughout the year without a consistent pattern. The predominant etiologic agents of pediatric pneumonia were Mycoplasma pneumoniae (35.0%(105/300)), rhinovirus (25.7%(77/300)), and adenovirus (17.3%(52/300)), whereas adult pneumonia was mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (10.5%(29/277)), Staphylococcus aureus (6.9%(19/277)), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (6.9%(19/277)), and Flu-A (6.1%(17/277)). The tier-3 clinical pathogen surveillance system did not identify any emerging respiratory pathogens. Conclusion:Respiratory pathogens in China in 2024 exhibit distinct temporal and spatial distribution patterns and vary among different populations.

Objective:To develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based platelet review strategy to identify abnormal platelet histograms with no significant difference between initial impedance platelet count (PLT-I) and PLT-F results.Methods:This study included 5 119 routine blood analysis in Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University and its Ganzhou branch from July 2023 and March 2024. Specimens exhibiting abnormal platelet histograms and an initial platelet count >40×10?/L underwent review using the fluorescent platelet count (PLT-F) channel. Consistency of the results was defined as a difference between impedance platelet count (PLT-I) and PLT-F less than ±20% of the PLT-F results. A deep learning model was developed using platelet and red blood cell histogram data from a training set of 3 807 specimens. The model′s diagnostic performance was evaluated on an independent external validation set ( n=805) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Changes in the number of reviewed samples and sample turnaround time were analyzed to assess its clinical utility. Results:The deep learning model based on platelet and red blood cell histograms achieved an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.854 in the training set. At a cutoff value of 0.1, the sensitivity was 0.954 and specificity was 0.358. The model could reduce review by 16.80% (190/1 131). In the validation set, the AUC was 0.805, with a sensitivity of 0.955 and specificity of 0.307, corresponding to a reduction of 17.41% (47/270) in reviewed specimens.Conclusion:The platelet review prediction model developed based on deep learning technology can efficiently identify samples with consistent results before and after review, reducing unnecessary reviews and shortening specimen testing time, thereby improving the efficiency of platelet test.

In China, the number of chronic pain patients has exceeded 300 million, making chronic pain the third major health problem after tumors and cardiovascular diseases. Particularly concerning is the gradual emergence of hypertension and chronic low back pain as public health problems that threaten public health and increase the global economic burden. Modern research shows that the incidence of coexisting hypertension is higher among patients with chronic low back pain. Additionally, evidence indicates that the use of NSAIDs for pain relief can have adverse effects on blood pressure, and some antihypertensive medications may trigger symptoms of low back pain. Thus, addressing chronic pain in hypertensive patients while stabilizing blood pressure is one of the important research questions in the modern treatment of hypertension among middle-aged and elderly individuals. From ancient to modern traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory, kidney deficiency has been regarded as the core pathogenesis of low back pain. Recent clinical practices and literature indicate that kidney deficiency plays a crucial role in the modern pathogenesis of hypertension. Both hypertension and chronic low back pain are closely associated with kidney deficiency in TCM theory, revealing a potential mechanism linking the two conditions. Combining the theories of " kidney-essence-marrow" and " nourishing water to moisten wood", a therapeutic strategy centered on tobifying kidney was proposed, including selecting single drugs with kidney-tonifying effects as well as compound formulations and elaborating modern research evidence. The aim is to achieve stable blood pressure control in hypertension patients with chronic low back pain while providing a new treatment perspective for chronic low back pain. This article systematically elaborates on the understanding of hypertension combined with chronic low back pain from both TCM and modern medicine, as well as the therapeutic strategy involving kidney-tonifying drugs, to offer useful references for clinical practice.
Humans ; Hypertension/complications* ; Low Back Pain/complications* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Kidney/drug effects* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Chronic Pain/drug therapy*

Based on the interleukin-17(IL-17) signaling pathway, this study explores the effect and mechanism of Bufei Decoction on Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats. SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, Bufei Decoction low-dose group(6.68 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), Bufei Decoction high-dose group(13.36 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and dexamethasone group(1.04 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with 10 rats in each group. A pneumonia model was established by tracheal drip injection of K. pneumoniae. After successful model establishment, the improvement in lung tissue damage was observed following drug administration. Core targets and signaling pathways were screened using transcriptomics techniques. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression of core targets interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and chemokine CXC ligand 6(CXCL6). Western blot was used to assess key proteins in the IL-17 signaling pathway, including interleukin-17A(IL-17A), nuclear transcription factor-κB activator 1(Act1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), and downstream phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p-p38 MAPK), and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65). Apoptosis of lung tissue cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL). The results showed that, compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significant pathological damage in lung tissue. The mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CXCL6, as well as the protein levels of IL-17A, Act1, TRAF6, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, were significantly increased, and the number of apoptotic cells was notably higher, indicating successful model establishment. Compared with the model group, both low-and high-dose groups of Bufei Decoction showed reduced pathological damage in lung tissue. The mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CXCL6, and the protein levels of IL-17A, Act1, TRAF6, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, were significantly decreased, with a significant reduction in apoptotic cells in the high-dose group. In conclusion, Bufei Decoction can effectively improve lung tissue damage and reduce inflammation in rats with K. pneumoniae. The mechanism may involve the regulation of the IL-17 signaling pathway and the reduction of apoptosis.
Animals ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Klebsiella pneumoniae/physiology* ; Klebsiella Infections/immunology* ; Humans ; Lung/drug effects*

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