Qingzao Jiufeitang is a famous classical formula for treating lung injury caused by warm and dryness， included in the Catalogue of Ancient Famous Classical Formulas（The First Batch）. By systematically organizing ancient and modern literature on this formula， this study analyzed and verified the origin， medicinal composition， original plants and processing， dosage and decoction method， efficacy and application of this formula. According to the research， Qingzao Jiufeitang was first recorded in Yimen Falyu in the Qing dynasty， and its creation was mainly inspired by the Ming dynasty physician MIAO Xiyong's idea of the moisturizing drugs with sweet flavour and cold nature. Based on the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China（hereinafter referred to as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia） and the textual research results of modern scholars on traditional Chinese herbal medicines， the botanical sources and processing methods of the herbs in this formula are basically clarified. Among them， Mori Folium， Gypsum Fibrosum， Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma， Sesami Semen Nigrum， Asini Corii Colla， Ophiopogonis Radix and Eriobotryae Folium are consistent with the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The primary source of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis， family Leguminosae， while the primary source of Armeniacae Semen Amarum is the dried mature seeds of Prunus armeniaca， family Rosaceae. It is recommended to use Gypsum Ustum， stir-fried Sesami Semen Nigrum， stir-fried Armeniacae Semen Amarum， Asini Corii Colla bead， and honey-fried Eriobotryae Folium， and the rest of the raw products. According to the conversion of ancient and modern doses， the recommended dosages are 11.19 g for Mori Folium， 9.33 g for Gypsum Fibrosum， 3.73 g for Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， 2.61 g for Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma， 3.73 g for Sesami Semen Nigrum， 4.48 g for Ophiopogonis Radix， 2.61 g for Armeniacae Semen Amarum， 3.73 g for Eriobotryae Folium. The decoction method is to add 300 mL of water， decoct it down to 180 mL， remove the residue， and then add 2.98 g of Asini Corii Colla into the decoction. Take it warm after meals， two to three times a day. Qingzao Jiufeitang has the effects of clearing dryness and moistening the lungs， nourishing Yin and invigorating Qi. In ancient times， it was mainly used to treat stagnation and depression of various Qi， as well as paralysis， asthma and vomiting. In modern clinical practice， it is mostly used to treat diseases in respiratory system， otolaryngology， skin system and digestive system caused by warm-dry impairing lung， deficiency of both Qi and Yin. The above research results can provide a reference for the later development of Qingzao Jiufeitang.

Objective:To analyze the genus, drug resistance/virulence and phylogenetic characteristics of Brucella strains isolated from brucellosis surveillance sentinels in Henan Province from 2013 to 2022, and provide baseline data for the surveillance, early warning and outbreak tracing of brucellosis. Methods:Blood samples were collected from patients with Brucella infection for strain isolation, culture and species identification, drug susceptibility test, whole genome sequencing, splicing and assembly, functional/virulence/resistance gene prediction analysis and phylogenetic tree drawing based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Results:In 36 brucellosis patients, the majority were men (86.11%, 31/36), young adults aged 18-50 (88.89%, 32/36) and farmers/herdsmen (72.22%, 26/36). A total of 36 strains of Brucella melitensis were isolated, and average 1 305 functional proteins of 21 categories were predicted by strain genome; all the strains carried four main virulence factors (pmm, VirB group, BtpA/BtpB, BvrS/BvrR). The drug sensitivity rate was 100.00% to six types of antibiotics including levofloxacin, rifampicin, doxycycline, streptomycin, tetracycline and gentamicin, they showed different resistances to three antibiotics including compound trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin. The strains carried four types of resistance genes and two clusters of resistance genes, with four combinations of genotypes, the resistance mechanisms included antibiotic degradation/modification enzymes, resistant nodular cell differentiation (RND) efflux pumps, 16S/23S ribosomal rRNA binding site mutations, etc. The number of SNP differed in the genomes of 36 Brucellamelitensis strains ranged from 0 to 454 and phylogenetic tree was divided into three major branches, with relative branch distances between 0.000 0 and 0.498 6 for each strain. Conclusions:Human Brucellamelitensis strains isolated from surveillance sentinels in Henan from 2013 to 2022 carried multiple virulence and antibiotic resistance genes and had different drug resistance phenotypes. Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis showed significant differences in phylogenetic relationships among different strains.

Objective:To analyze the whole genome of Omicron variants causing the first local Omicron outbreak in Henan Province and to investigate the mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome for source tracing.Methods:Respiratory tract samples from COVID-19 cases in the Omicron outbreak in Henan Province from January 7 to 29, 2022 were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and sequence alignment analysis. Whole-genome identity, variations and evolution of the Omicron variants were analyzed.Results:Through high-throughput sequencing, the whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 were obtained from 120 cases, which accounted for 25.64% (120/468) of all COVID-19 cases in Anyang during the same period. Compared with the genome of Wuhan reference strain (NC_045512.2), there were 57-59 nucleotide mutation sites in the 120 whole genome sequences, and one or two nucleotide mutation sites were added to the shared 57 nucleotide sites. All of the 120 strains were VOC/Omicron (BA.1.1) variants and shared high homology. The whole-genome sequence obtained from the first case A contained 57 nucleotide mutation sites, while apart from the 57 identical nucleotide mutation sites, one specific mutation site (C1594T) was found in the whole-genome sequence obtained from the first case B, suggesting that the two cases were in the same transmission chain. After comparing with the database of domestic and imported cases by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Henan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it was found that the current outbreak was linked with the same transmission chain as the existing local epidemics in other provinces. Moreover, epidemiological investigation showed that on January 2, case A had come into contact with her cousin and his family who returned from an affected area outside the province.Conclusions:Based on the gene sequencing results and epidemiological investigation, the COVID-19 outbreak in Anyang city, Henan Province was a local epidemic and the source of it was a college student who returned to Anyang city from other province on December 28, 2021. These infections were linked to the same transmission chain as the existing local infection in other provinces.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Weiwei Tongtiao decoction （WTD） on chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） rats and the underlying mechanism. MethodA total of 90 SD rats were randomized into normal control group， model group， high-dose， medium-dose， and low-dose WTD groups （18， 9， 4.5 g·kg^-1·d^-1 WTD， respectively， ig）， and weifuchun control group （0.45 g·kg^-1·d^-1 weifuchun aqueous solution， ig）， with 15 rats in each group. The N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG） was employed to induced CAG in rats. After the modeling （identified by histopathological examination）， the administration began and lasted 12 weeks. Then， gastric mucosa tissues of the rats were collected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin （HE）， and the pathological changes of gastric mucosa were observed under the optical microscope. Real-time PCR， immunohistochemistry （IHC）， and Western blotting were applied to examine the mRNA and protein expression of indexes in nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway in the gastric mucosa of rats. ResultCAG rats showed irregular arrangement and morphology of the inherent glands in gastric mucosa and the glands decreased or disappeared. In addition， inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the lamina propria of CAG rats， and about 48.4% presented intestinal metaplasia. WTD significantly alleviated the reduction of the glands and intestinal metaplasia in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the normal control group， the model group demonstrated increase in the mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）， NF-κB p65， interleukin （IL）-1α， IL-1β， IL-10， IL-8α， and IL-8β， and protein expression of COX-2， NF-κB p65， and IL-10 （P<0.01）. WTD and weifuchun lowered the mRNA expression of COX-2， NF-κB p65， IL-1α， IL-1β， IL-10， IL-8α， and IL-8β， and the protein expression of COX-2， NF-κB p65， and IL-10 in gastric mucosa of CAG rats （P<0.01）. The expression of the above indexes after the intervention with high-dose WTD was close to that of the normal control group. ConclusionWTD can improve or even reverse the diseased gastric mucosa of CAG rats， and the mechanism is the likelihood that WTD down-regulates the mRNA and protein expression of the indexes in NF-κB signaling pathway in gastric mucosa of CAG rats.

Objective:To observe whether 10.6 μm infrared laser moxibustion provides greater pain and stiffness relief and improves joint function in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)compared with sham laser moxibustion. Methods:A total of 178 patients with KOA were randomly divided into a CO2 laser moxibustion group and a sham laser moxibustion group by block randomization method.Patients in the two groups received 10.6 μm infrared laser moxibustion or sham laser moxibustion treatment symmetrically at bilateral Dubi(ST35),respectively.Patients in both groups received 20 min of treatment,3 times per week for 4 weeks.Treatment effects were assessed by changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index(WOMAC)before treatment,at mid-treatment(2 weeks),at the end of treatment(4 weeks),and 4 weeks after treatment.Completion time for walking 50 yards was evaluated as a secondary measurement. Results:There were no statistical differences in the WOMAC scores for pain,stiffness,and function between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).Patients in the CO2 laser moxibustion group experienced greater improvement in WOMAC pain,stiffness,and function scores at mid-treatment,the end of treatment,and 4 weeks after treatment(P<0.05).No significant inter-group difference was found at each assessment of the 50-yard walking time(P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with the sham laser moxibustion,10.6 μm laser moxibustion can significantly reduce pain and improve knee joint stiffness and function in patients with KOA.

Objective:To analyze the genome characteristics and variations in nucleotides and amino acids of SARS-CoV-2 causing an outbreak in Henan Province in November 2021 and perform the traceability analysis.Methods:In this study, throat swab specimens from cases in the acute phase were collected and tested for the nucleic acids of SARS-CoV-2 by real-time fluorescent RT-PCR. SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid-positive samples were subjected to high-throughput genome sequencing and whole-genome alignment analysis.Results:The median Ct values of ORF1ab gene and N gene in 70 positive specimens was 26.41 (15.58 to 39.27) and 24.43 (12.04 to 39.74), respectively. Compared with the sequence of Wuhan-Hu(NC_045512) reference strain, 47 to 49 nucleotide mutations sharing 47 nucleotide mutation and 41 amino acid mutations were found in 63 strains of successfully sequenced SARS-CoV-2. Nine nucleotide mutations and 12 amino acid mutations were found in the spike protein. The index case shared 47 mutations with the Russian imported cases in Henan Province on October 14 and the local cases in Jiangxi Province in October. Moreover, their genomes were highly homologous and they all belonged to the Delta variant (AY.122 evolutionary branch).Conclusions:Continuous monitoring of imported COVID-19 cases and prolonging the period of quarantine were needed to reduce the risk of local outbreak and epidemic caused by imported COVID-19 cases. Analysis of the genomic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and the variations in nucleotides and amino acids was conducive to trace the origin of COVID-19 outbreak quickly and provide reference for precise control.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin A injection therapy with ultrasound-guided for benign masseter hypertrophy.Methods:Twenty cases (40 sides) of masseter hypertrophy were injected with botulinum toxin A, among which 10 cases were taken as experimental group and the other 10 cases as control group. The experimental group had preoperative ultrasound examination to measure the thickness of masseter, and use ultrasound-guided precise injection during the operation, and then ultrasound recheck to measure the postoperative masseter thickness; The other 10 cases of control group adopt traditional 3-point injection method.Results:The masseter thickness of the two groups at different period of times after treatment was decreased ( P<0.001), the most obviously decrease happened 4-12 weeks after injection. The mean reduction was 26.8% at 4 weeks and 28.4% at 12 weeks after injection. Masseter muscle thickness recovered by 22% at 24 weeks and by 20% at 36 weeks. The average follow-up was 6.0±2.4 months with no serious complications occurred. In the control group, there was a partial masseter bulge in one case. The satisfactory rate of the patients in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group. Conclusions:Botulinum toxin A injection therapy with ultrasound-guided for benign masseter hypertrophy is an effective treatment, which is more accurate and effective than the traditional injection method.

Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis and prognosis of meningioangiomatosis (MA), and to investige the possible origion of spindle cells.Methods:Seventeen cases of MA were collected at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, from June 2012 to March 2020. The clinical manifestations, radiologic, histopathologic, immunohistochemical features and patients′ outcome were analyzed. The presumed origin of spindle cells was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.Results:Of the 17 patients, 9 were males and 8 were females. The age ranged from 3 to 56 years old. Thirteen patients presented with seizure as the initial symptom. The lesions were solitary and located in the cerebral cortex. Histopathologically, there were proliferation of small blood vessels and perivascular spindle cells in the cerebral cortex. The spindle cells had no obvious atypia, mitoses and necrosis. Four cases were combined with transitional meningioma. Immunohistochemically, the proliferative perivascular spindle cells were positive for vimentin in all cases, and focally positive for EMA and SSTR2. Ki-67 proliferation index was low. Neurofibrillary tangles were demonstrated by AT8. All 17 patients received surgical treatment and were followed up for one to 93 months. None had seizure attacks or tumor recurrence.Conclusions:MA is a rare slow-growing intracranial lesion, and the perivascular spindle cells could be derived from meningothelial cells, and MA is often associated with degeneration of the cerebral cortex and meningioma. The patients have good prognosis after surgical treatment.

Objective:To analyze the dynamic changes and possible influencing factors of anti-2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) neutralizing antibody in confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.Methods:Microneutralization was used to test the anti-2019-nCoV neutralizing antibody. Excel 2007 and SPSS 22.0 were used for data processing and analysis.Results:There were 420 serum samples collected from 155 confirmed COVID-19 cases. These serum samples contained acute phase serum, convalescent phase serum and serum from cases recovered for about six months. The sampling time was 0-221 days after the onset of COVID-19. The geometric mean titer (GMT) of anti-2019-nCoV neutralizing antibody was 1∶13 at 1 week, and 1∶31 at 2 week. The titers of anti-2019-nCoV neutralizing antibody of individual cases were still<1∶4 on the 15 th day. The GMT was all over 1: 52 (13×4) at 6-32 week. Taking 1: 64 as the cut-off point, the serum anti-2019-nCoV neutralizing antibody positive rates was 30.56% in acute phase serum samples (0-14 d, 0-2 w), 82.31% in convalescent phase serum samples (36-63 d, 6-9 w) and 86.52% in serum samples from cases recovered for about six months (183-210 d, 27-30 w). Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference in anti-2019-nCoV neutralizing antibody levels at the other weeks except 1-2 week ( χ2=9.270, P=0.931), there was no statistically differences in gender, age and occupation of the cases, and also between the normal and mild cases ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The serum anti-2019-nCoV neutralizing antibody level is only statistically correlated with the disease progression of COVID-19, and maintain the protective level from 3 to 30 week.

Objective:To investigate the performance of real-time RT-PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.Methods:Laboratory test data and basic case information of Henan COVID-19 cases were collected from the China′s Infectious Disease Information System as of March 5, 2020. All information was entered by local hospitals and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Local hospitals or country CDC were responsible for sampling and municipal CDC was responsible for nucleic acid testing.Results:A total of 6 714 specimens were detected and the positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was 23.82%. The specimens were collected from 1 200 confirmed cases, 2 178 suspected cases and 77 asymptomatic cases. The nucleic acid diagnosis rate of COVID-19 was 36.96% (1 277/3 455). In all cases, the positive rates of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in nasal swabs, sputum samples and throat swabs were 19.38%, 28.59% and 23.53%, respectively (χ 2=15.896, P<0.01). The positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in confirmed COVID-19 cases was 63.10%. The positive rates in nasal swabs, sputum samples and throat swabs were 50.80%, 58.71% and 65.21 (χ 2=18.612, P<0.01). The positive rates of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid were 43.51%, 23.98%, 22.82%, 12.17%, 14.46% and 13.21% in samples collected on the day of symptom onset and one week, two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, five weeks and above five weeks after the onset, respectively. The positive rates in confirmed cases were respectively 89.03%, 86.57%, 52.30%, 17.53%, 17.69% and 24.14% at those time points. Conclusions:Real-time RT-PCR is the most effective method for early pathogenic diagnosis of COVID-19. The highest detection rate of nucleic acid is achieved within one week after the onset of COVID-19, and the latest time for nucleic acid detection is 38 d after the onset.