ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of action of flavonoid combination of Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma （A. officinarum） against Helicobacter pylori （H. pylori） gastritis in mice. MethodsAfter acclimatization for one week， 56 SPF-grade healthy C57BL/6J mice were gavaged with mixed antibiotics for three consecutive days. They were randomly divided into a normal group， model group， positive drug group （triple therapy group）， and low- and high-dose groups （100， 200 mg·kg^-1） of flavonoid combination of A. officinarum. The H. pylori gastritis mice model was established by gavage with H. pylori bacterial suspension in each group except for the normal group. After successful modeling， mice were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for two weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in gastric tissue. Rapid urease test paper was used to detect the positive rate of H. pylori. Silver staining was used to observe the H. pylori adherence on the surface of gastric tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of interleukin-8 （IL）-8 and myeloid differentiation factor （MyD88） in gastric tissue. The serum levels of IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， IL-8， and IL-1β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） protein were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group， mice in the model group had lower gastric weight coefficients， higher pH of gastric juice， 100% H. pylori infection rate， and significantly changed gastric histopathology. The expressions of IL-8 and MyD88 proteins in the gastric tissue of mice in the model group were significantly elevated， and the serum levels of inflammatory factors IL-6， TNF-α， IL-8， and IL-1β were significantly up-regulated in mice. Compared with that in the model group， the gastric weight coefficient of mice in each treatment group of the flavonoid combinations of A. officinarum was elevated （P<0.01）， and the pH of gastric juice was reduced （P<0.01）. The infection rate of H. pylori was reduced. The expressions of IL-8 and MyD88 proteins in the gastric tissue of mice in the treatment groups were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of inflammatory factors IL-6， TNF-α， IL-8， and IL-1β were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.01）. The flavonoid combinations of A. officinarum down-regulated the expression of PI3K and Akt proteins in H. pylori gastritis-infected cells （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe protective effect of flavonoid combinations of A. officinarum against H. pylori gastritis is associated with the inhibition of H. pylori infection rate and regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， resulting in inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors.

Objective To summarize the clinical features of infectious intracranial aneurysm (IIA) related to infective endocarditis (IE) and share our experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of IIA. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 554 patients who underwent cardiac surgery for IE at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from September 2018 to August 2023. Patients with secondary IIA were included and reviewed. Based on the treatment strategies, patients were stratified into two groups: an antibiotic-only group and an endovascular treatment group. Results The cohort comprised 21 males and 10 females, with a median age of 33 years (IQR 26-53). Fifteen (48.4%) patients showed no significant neurological symptoms before IIA diagnosis. Seven patients received antibiotic therapy alone, while 24 underwent additional endovascular embolization, achieving technical success in 23 (95.8%) patients. The median interval between endovascular embolization and cardiac surgery was 2 days (IQR 0-6), with 9 patients undergoing concurrent procedures. In the antibiotic-only group, 3 (42.9%) patients suffered fatal IIA rupture. In contrast, only 1 (4.2%) death due to aneurysm rupture occurred in the endovascular treatment group. All surviving patients recovered well without new neurological deficits. Conclusion Routine neuroimaging screening for IIA is critical in IE patients. For those requiring cardiac surgery, endovascular embolization combined with antimicrobial therapy represents a reasonable strategy to mitigate rupture risks and improve outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The profile of patients referred from primary to tertiary nephrology care is unclear. Ethnic Malay patients have the highest incidence and prevalence of kidney failure in Singapore. We hypothesised that there is a Malay predominance among patients referred to nephrology due to a higher burden of metabolic disease in this ethnic group. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational cohort study. From 2014 to 2018, a coordinator and physician triaged patients referred from primary care, and determined co-management and assignment to nephrology clinics. Key disease parameters were collated on triage and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 6,017 patients were studied. The mean age of patients was 64 ± 16 years. They comprised 57% men; 67% were Chinese and 22% were Malay. The proportion of Malay patients is higher than the proportion of Malays in the general population (13.4%) and they were more likely than other ethnicities to have ≥3 comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, coronary artery disease and stroke (70% vs. 57%, P < 0.001). Malay and Indian patients had poorer control of diabetes mellitus compared to other ethnicities (glycated haemoglobin 7.8% vs. 7.4%, P < 0.001). Higher proportion of Malay patients compared to other ethnicities had worse kidney function with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 on presentation (28% vs. 24%, P = 0.003). More ethnic Malay, Indian and younger patients missed appointments. CONCLUSION A disproportionately large number of Malay patients are referred for kidney disease. These patients have higher metabolic disease burden, tend to miss appointments and are referred at lower eGFR. Reasons underpinning these associations should be identified to facilitate efforts for targeting this at-risk population, ensuring kidney health for all.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Referral and Consultation/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Nephrology ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Metabolic Diseases/epidemiology* ; Ethnicity ; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology* ; Malaysia/ethnology* ; Adult

Somatostatin receptor 1 (SSTR1) is a crucial therapeutic target for various neuroendocrine and oncological disorders. Current SSTR1-targeted treatments, including the first-generation somatostatin analog lanreotide (Lan) and the second-generation analog pasireotide (Pas), show promise but encounter challenges related to selectivity and efficacy. This study presents high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of SSTR1 complexed with Lan or Pas, revealing the distinct mechanisms of ligand-binding and activation. These structures illustrate unique conformational changes in the SSTR1 orthosteric pocket induced by each ligand, which are critical for receptor activation and ligand selectivity. Combined with the biochemical assays and molecular dynamics simulations, our results provide a comparative analysis of binding characteristics within the SSTR family, highlighting subtle differences in SSTR1 activation by Lan and Pas. These insights pave the way for designing next-generation therapies with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects through improved receptor subtype selectivity.

Objective To investigate the changes and diagnostic value of serum hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha(HIF-1α)and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)complicated with pulmonary Aspergillosis infection.Methods A total of 240 COPD patients who visited Xi'an Qinhuang Hospital(hereinafter referred to as the hospital)from December 2020 to Decem-ber 2023 were selected as the study subjects in the study,and another 218 volunteers who underwent physical examinations at the hospital were selected as the control group.The COPD patients were separated into an in-fected group(124 cases)and an uninfected group(116 cases)based on whether they had pulmonary Aspergil-losis infection.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect the levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 in patients.Fully automated biochemical analyzer was applied to detect lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and albu-min(ALB)levels.Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of infection in COPD patients.Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between HIF-1α and TLR4 levels in the infected group.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic val-ue of HIF-1α and TLR4 levels for the occurrence of infection in COPD patients.Results Compared with the control group,the COPD group showed an increase in HIF-1α and TLR4 levels(P＜0.05).Compared with the uninfected group,the proportion of dyspnea,antibiotics＞3 types,the duration of antibiotic use ≥ 14 days,mechanical ventilation procedures,the longer glucocorticosteroid(GC)use time,and levels of LDH,HIF-1α,TLR4 in the infected group were higher(P＜0.05),while the level of ALB was lower(P＜0.05).The types of antibiotics＞3 types,the duration of antibiotic use ≥ 14 days,the duration of GC use,and elevat-ed levels of LDH,HIF-1α,and TLR4 were independent risk factors for infection in COPD patients(P＜0.05),while elevated level of ALB was an independent protective factor for infection in COPD patients(P＜0.05).The levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 in the infected group were positively correlated(r=0.453,P＜0.001).The area under the curve(AUC)of HIF-1α and TLR4 in diagnosing infection in COPD patients alone was 0.816 and 0.813,and the AUC of their combined diagnosis was 0.930,which was better than their indi-vidual diagnoses(Zcombination-HIF-1α=4.923,Z combination-TLR4=5.192,P＜0.001,P＜0.001).Conclusion The levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 increase in COPD patients,and further increase after infection with pulmonary Aspergil-lus.They are independent risk factors for infection in patients,and the two are positively correlated.The combined di-agnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis has certain value and provides a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the density,species composition,and seasonal prevalence of domestic rodents in different habitats within Lanzhou garrisons,providing basic information for rodent prevention and control.Methods A total of 12 monitoring sites were sampled across urban,suburban,and rural residential areas from 2014 to 2022.Rodent density was monitored using the night-trapping method in the middle of odd-numbered months.Results From 2014 to 2022,346 domestic rodents were captured using 122 035 effective traps,with an average domestic rodent density of 0.28％.The highest domestic rodent density was 0.63％in 2016,and the lowest was 0.07％in 2020,showing significant differences across years,with an overall trend of initially decreasing and then increasing(χ2=136.555,P<0.001).The dominant species was Rattus norvegicus,accounting for 83.24％of the total rodents captured.Rattus norvegicus accounted for a relatively high proportion across different years,with a statistically significant difference in species composition(χ2=20.931,P<0.05).Rodent densities and species composition also varied significantly among the monitored habitats(P<0.001),with the highest densities observed in rural residential areas and the lowest in urban areas.Seasonal variation in rodent densities showed a bimodal pattern,with smaller peaks in January or March and a larger peak in July.Conclusions Domestic rodent density in Lanzhou garrisons has shown an upward trend in the past few years.Rodent control measures should focus on barracks in rural residential areas,with targeted interventions to reduce the risk of rodent-borne diseases.

Objective To investigate the population composition,seasonal dynamics,and infestation levels of cockroaches in Lanzhou,China,and to provide information for the scientific development of cockroach control strategies.Methods Monitoring was conducted at three locations using the sticky trap method.Habitats included farm product markets,catering establishments,hotels,hospitals,and residential areas.Results From 2016 to 2023,the average cockroach density was 0.77 insects per board,with an average infestation rate of 10.84%.Blattella germanica was the dominant species.Seasonal density of cockroaches showed an approximately unimodal distribution,peaking in September.The highest average density and infestation rates were observed in farm product markets.Conclusions Cockroach density and infestation levels in Lanzhou remained relatively low.A comprehensive prevention and control strategy focusing on environmental management in key areas should be implemented according to the seasonal fluctuations.

Objective: To investigate the hygienic status of the central air conditioner ventilation system in public places in urban areas of Ma'anshan City, Anhui Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of supervision and management interventions. Methods: A total of 15 public places with the central air conditioner ventilation system were randomly sampled from main urban areas in Ma'anshan City in 2022. Sampling and detection were performed following the standard GB/T 18204.5—2013 Examination methods for public places Part 5: Central air conditioning ventilation system, including total number of bacteria and total number of fungus on the inner surface of wind pipes, total number of bacteria and fungus, particulate matter (PM10) and β-hemolytic streptococci in the air supply system, and Legionella pneumophila in the cooling water, and the detection indicators were assessed following the WS 394—2012 Guideline for hygiene of the central air conditioner ventilation system in public places. The eligible rate of samples, the detection rate of L. pneumophila were analyzed. Results: A total of 368 samples were collected from 15 public places, and the qualified rate was 50.54%, no places had all eligible measurement indicators. The qualified rates of total bacteria and fungus numbers on the inner surface of wind pipes were 52.67% and 59.33%. The qualified rates of total bacterium number, total fungus number, PM10 and β-hemolytic streptococci were 12.00%, 28.00%, 90.00% and 96.00% in the air supply system. The qualified rates of samples in administrative workplaces, hotels, bathing places and malls (supermarkets) were 32.50%, 59.24%, 61.09% and 68.92%, the qualified rates of total bacteria on the inner surface of air ducts were 8.33%, 72.46%, 66.67% and 61.90%, and the qualified rates of total fungus numbers in air supply were 0, 21.70%, 33.30% and 71.40%, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.05). A total of 18 cooling water samples were collected, and L. pneumophila was detected in three samples (16.67%). Conclusions Poor hygiene is seen in the central air conditioning ventilation systems in public places in main urban areas of Ma'anshan City. High attention needs to be paid to contamination of bacterium, fungus and L. pneumophila, and expansion of supervision coverage and improved supervision intensity are recommended.

A combined radiation-wound injury refers to a radiation injury combined with a traumatic wound, with the characteristics of repeated ulceration and a long and difficult healing process, which is a focus in the field of research on difficult-to-heal wounds. To research combined radiation-wound injuries, the establishment of animal models is a key part, and appropriate animal models are a guarantee of reliable experimental results. This review summarizes the current research progress on various animal models of combined radiation-wound injuries in terms of radiation types, animal species, and injury types and location, aiming to provide a scientific basis for establishing standardized animal models, studying injury mechanisms, and evaluating prevention and treatment efficacy for combined radiation-wound injuries.

Objective To design and test the reliability and validity of patient admission nursing assessment sheet of integrated Chinese and westem medicine ward.Methods On the basis of literature research,with traditional Chinese medicine"look,hear,ask and pulse-taking"as the basic framework,physical discrimination as the evaluation outcome,combined with the general nursing evaluation points of patients admitted to hospital,we designed the patient admission nursing assessment sheet of integrated Chinese and westem medicine ward,and then we adopted the Delphi method to conduct an inquiry on the draft of the admission sheet.In April 2022,3 clinical nurses were selected to evaluate 160 admitted patients from Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Department of a tertiary A comprehensive hospital in Hubei Province,and Fleiss'Kappa coefficient and content validity coefficient were used to test the reliability and validity.Results The recovery rates of the 2 rounds of expert correspondence questionnaires were 95.45％and 100％.The authority coefficients were 0.931 and 0.957;the Kendall harmony coefficients were 0.101 and 0.106(P＜0.01);the importance scores of articles were 4.13～4.82;the coefficient of variation was 0.07～0.19 in 2nd round of expert correspondence.The final nursing assessment list for inpatients in the integrated Chinese and Western medicine ward included 3 parts:general demographic data assessment,four-Chinese medicine diagnosis assessment/physical discrimination,and nursing risk assessment,and there are 32 evaluation contents in the assessment sheet.The Fleiss'Kappa coefficient of this assessment sheet was 0.602(P＜0.001);the item content validity index was 0.857～1.000,and the overall content validity index was 0.920.Conclusion The admission nursing assessment sheet for inpatients in integrated Chinese and Westem medicine wards has good reliability and validity,and it is suitable for the integrated Chinese and Westem medicine wards.