Background Although current evidence suggests a link between outdoor air pollution and depressive symptoms, the effect of solid fuel use (a significant indoor air pollutant) on depressive symptoms in China's rural middle-aged and elderly population remains poorly understood. Objective To explore the association between solid fuel use for cooking and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly people in rural areas of China, and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of depressive symptoms among residents in rural areas. Methods Data were obtained from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), depressive symptoms were assessed using 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and cooking fuel type was self-reported. Subsequently, two-level binary unconditional logistic regression models were fitted to assess the impact of solid fuel use for cooking on depressive symptoms. Results A total of 7991 participants aged 45 years and older [mean age (58.52±9.18) years] were included in the study, with a mean CES-D score of 6.07±4.48 and a mean positive depressive symptoms rate of 34% (40.54% in the solid fuel group and 30.81% in the clean fuel group, χ²=74.40, P<0.001). After controlling for potential confounding covariates, rural middle-aged and elderly residents in the solid fuel group had a higher risk of reporting depressive symptoms than those in the clean fuel group (OR=1.36, 95%CI: 1.20-1.54), an association that was unaffected by participant characteristics and was positive across age and gender groups. Conclusion There is a positive association between solid fuel use for cooking and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly people in rural areas of China. It is recommended that rural areas promote the upgrading of stoves through the installation of ventilation equipment or the switch from solid cooking fuel to clean fuel. This approach is directed toward reducing exposure to household air pollution, alleviating the prevalence of depression among middle-aged and elderly residents in vast rural areas, and enhancing their mental health.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) encompasses damage to nerves located outside the central nervous system, adversely affecting both motor and sensory functions. Although peripheral nerves possess an intrinsic capacity for self-repair, severe injuries frequently result in significant tissue loss and erroneous axonal junctions, thereby impeding complete recovery and potentially causing neuropathic pain. Various therapeutic strategies, including surgical interventions, biomaterials, and pharmacological agents, have been developed to enhance nerve repair processes. While preclinical studies in animal models have demonstrated the efficacy of certain pharmacological agents in promoting nerve regeneration and mitigating inflammation, only a limited number of these agents have been translated into clinical practice to expedite nerve regeneration. Chinese herb medicine (CHM) possesses a longstanding history in the treatment of various ailments and demonstrates potential efficacy in addressing PNI through its distinctive, cost-effective, and multifaceted methodologies. This review critically examines the advancements in the application of CHM for PNI treatment and nerve regeneration. In particular, we have summarized the most commonly employed and rigorously investigated CHM prescriptions, individual herbs, and natural products, elucidating their respective functions and underlying mechanisms in the context of PNI treatment. Furthermore, we have deliberated on the prospective development of CHM in both clinical practice and fundamental research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Nerve Regeneration/drug effects* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective:To investigate the surgical situations and perioperative outcome of pancreaticoduodenectomy in Jiangsu Province and the influencing factors for postoperative 90-day mortality.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 2 886 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in 21 large tertiary hospitals of Jiangsu Quality Control Center for Pancreatic Diseases, including The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from March 2021 to December 2022 were collected. There were 1 732 males and 1 154 females, aged 65(57,71)years. Under the framework of the Jiangsu Provincial Pancreatic Disease Quality Control Project, the Jiangsu Quality Control Center for Pancreatic Diseases adopted a multi-center registration research method to establish a provincial electronic database for pancrea-ticoduodenectomy. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics; (2) intraoperative and post-operative conditions; (3) influencing factors for 90-day mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(IQR), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or constituent ratio, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test, continuity correction chi-square test and Fisher exact probability. Maximal Youden index method was used to determine the cutoff value of continuous variables. Univariate analysis was performed using the corresponding statistical methods based on data types. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Logistic multiple regression model. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics. Of the 2 886 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, there were 1 175 and 1 711 cases in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Of the 21 hospitals, 8 hospitals had an average annual surgical volume of <36 cases for pancreaticoduodenectomy, 10 hospitals had an average annual surgical volume of 36-119 cases, and 3 hospitals had an average annual surgical volume of ≥120 cases. There were 2 584 cases performed pancreaticoduodenectomy in thirteen hospitals with an average annual surgical volume of ≥36 cases, accounting for 89.536%(2 584/2 886)of the total cases. There were 1 357 cases performed pancrea-ticoduodenectomy in three hospitals with an average annual surgical volume of ≥120 cases, accounting for 47.020%(1 357/2 886) of the total cases. (2) Intraoperative and postoperative conditions. Of the 2 886 patients, the surgical approach was open surgery in 2 397 cases, minimally invasive surgery in 488 cases, and it is unknown in 1 case. The pylorus was preserved in 871 cases, not preserved in 1 952 cases, and it is unknown in 63 cases. Combined organ resection was performed in 305 cases (including vascular resection in 209 cases), not combined organ resection in 2 579 cases, and it is unknown in 2 cases. The operation time of 2 885 patients was 290(115)minutes, the volume of intra-operative blood loss of 2 882 patients was 240(250)mL, and the intraoperative blood transfusion rate of 2 880 patients was 27.153%(782/2 880). Of the 2 886 patients, the invasive treatment rate was 11.342%(327/2 883), the unplanned Intensive Care Unit (ICU) treatment rate was 3.087%(89/2 883), the reoperation rate was 1.590%(45/2 830), the duration of postoperative hospital stay was 17(11)days, the hospitalization mortality rate was 0.798%(23/2 882), and the failure rate of rescue data in 2 083 cases with severe complications was 6.529%(19/291). There were 2 477 patients receiving postoperative 90-day follow-up, with the 90-day mortality of 2.705%(67/2477). The total incidence rate of complication in 2 886 patients was 58.997%(1 423/2 412). The incidence rate of severe complication was 13.970%(291/2 083). The comprehensive complication index was 8.7(22.6) in 2 078 patients. (3) Influencing factors for 90-day mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Results of multivariate analysis showed that age ≥ 70 years, postoperative invasive treatment, and unplanned ICU treatment were independent risk factors for 90-day mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy ( odds ratio=2.403, 2.609, 16.141, 95% confidence interval as 1.281-4.510, 1.298-5.244, 7.119-36.596, P<0.05). Average annual surgical volume ≥36 cases in the hospital was an independent protective factor for 90-day mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy ( odds ratio=0.368, 95% confidence interval as 0.168-0.808, P<0.05). Conclusions:Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Jiangsu Province is highly con-centrated in some hospitals, with a high incidence of postoperative complications, and the risk of postoperative 90-day mortality is significant higher than that of hospitallization mortality. Age ≥ 70 years, postoperative invasive treatment, and unplanned ICU treatment are independent risk factors for 90-day motality after pancreaticoduodenectomy, and average annual surgical volume ≥36 cases in the hospital is an independent protective factor.

BACKGROUND:With the rapid development of minimally invasive spinal surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery,endoscopic intervertebral fusion techniques have gradually emerged and been widely used in clinical practice in recent years. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the early clinical efficacy of uniaxial spinal endoscopic intervertebral fusion combined with posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. METHODS:135 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases treated by uniaxial spinal endoscopic intervertebral fusion combined with posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the Suining Central Hospital from October 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled in this study.There were 59 males and 76 females,aged 47-79 years.The lower limb and lumbar pain was evaluated by visual analog scale and lumbar function was assessed by Oswestry disability index before the operation,1 week,1,and 6 months after the operation,and at the end of follow-up.The overall pain recovery of patients was evaluated by the scoring criteria for low back pain surgery of Spine Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association and the lumbar physiological curvature and intervertebral fusion were evaluated on lumbar lateral X-ray preoperatively and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The 135 patients were followed up for(17.8±3.0)months after surgery.There was 1 case of endplate injury,1 case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage,1 case of nerve root injury,1 case of intervertebral cage subsidence and displacement,1 case of chronic infection,and 1 case of pedicle screw rupture.The complication rate was 5.2%.(2)The lumbar visual analog scale score and Oswestry disability index significantly decreased in the waist and lower limbs at various time points postoperatively compared with those preoperatively in 135 patients(P<0.05).The scoring criteria for low back pain surgery of the Spine Group of the Chinese Orthopedic Association were significantly better at the last follow-up than that preoperatively in 135 patients(P<0.05).(3)At the last follow-up,there was no significant difference in physiological curvature of lumbar vertebra as compared with that preoperatively in 135 patients(P>0.05),with a fusion rate of 95.8%.(4)It is concluded that uniaxial spinal endoscopic intervertebral fusion combined with posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases has shown satisfactory early clinical results and is a highly safe minimally invasive spinal surgery mode.

Objective:To assess the clinical effect and safety of comprehensive therapy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in the treatment of erectile dysfunction(ED)with damp-heat stasis.Methods:We selected 108 cases of ED with damp-heat stasis meeting the inclusion criteria and treated with tadalafil(the control group,n=54)or tadalafil+comprehensive TCM therapy(the trial group,n=54)in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine in the same period.After 8 weeks of treatment,we recorded the patients'scores on IIEF-5,TCM syndrome,erectile quality(EQS),9-Item Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9)and Generalized Anxiety Scale 7(GAD-7).At 16 weeks of our study,we collected the efficacy parameters,safety indicators and adverse reactions by telephone follow-up and compared the data obtained between the two groups of patients.Results:Totally,103 of the patients completed the study,51 in the control and 52 in the trial group.Compared with the baseline,the IIEF-5 and EQS scores were both markedly increased after 8 weeks of treatment in the trial group(12.35±3.00 vs 18.36±2.82,P＜0.05;39.5[30.25-43]vs 67.5[54.5-76.75],P＜0.05)and the control(11.96±2.79 vs 15.88±3.86,P＜0.05;38.0[29-42]vs 56[49-64],P＜0.05),even more significantly in the former than in the latter(P＜0.05);the TCM syndrome and GAD-7 scores were remarkably decreased in the trial(9.5[8-12]vs 4.0[2.25-5],P＜0.05;5[2.25-6.75]vs 2.5[1-4.75],P＜0.05)and the control group(10.0[8-12]vs 5.0[3-6],P＜0.05;5.0[3-6]vs 4.0[2-5],P＜0.05),even more signif-icantly in the former than in the latter(P＜0.05),so were the PHQ-9 scores(P＜0.05),but with no statistically significant differ-ence between the two groups(P＞0.05).The IIEF-5 scores of the two groups remained significantly higher than the baseline during the follow-up(P＜0.05),even higher in the trial than in the control group(17.04±2.60 vs 14.16±3.34,P＜0.05).No obvious abnormal safety indicators or adverse events were observed during the study.Conclusion:Comprehensive TCM therapy combined with tadalafil is superior to tadalafil alone in the treatment of ED with damp-heat stasis,and has a better long-term efficacy and a higher safety.

AIM To investigate the effects of Sanshiliudang Kange Powder on airway inflammation in bronchial asthma remission of mice.METHODS Seventy-eight BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(0.5 mg/kg)and the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Sanshiliudang Kange Powder groups(9.3,18.6 and 37.2 g/kg).Except for those of the blank group,the mice of the other groups were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin(OVA)and aluminum hydroxide mixture,and induced into models of asthma remission followed by 28 days consecutive corresponding drug administration which was initiated on the 77th day of modeling.The mice had their pulmonary pathological changes observed by HE staining;their levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,HMGB1 and NF-κB in serum and alveolar fluid determined by ELISA;and their pulmonary protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 determined by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,each group intervened with a drug displayed significantly reduced pulmonary pathological injury and inflammation;decreased levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,HMGB1,NF-κB in serum and BALF(P＜0.01);and decreased pulmonary protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65(P＜0.01).Generally,the medium-dose Sanshiliudang Kange Powder group demonstrated a very good efficacy,which was only inferior to that of the dexamethasone group.CONCLUSION Sanshiliudang Kange Powder has a good inhibitory effect on airway inflammation in bronchial asthma remission of mice,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibited activation of HMGB1/TLR4/MyD88 signal pathway.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.

Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of decitabine combined with unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation and traditional regimen in the elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML)after achieving complete remission with induction therapy.Methods Fifty-two elderly AML patients who obtained complete remission(CR)after 1-2 cycles of induction therapy in the Department of Hematology of Yancheng First People's Hospital and the Huai'an First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2019 to January 2022 were enrolled,and were divided into the observation group(n=24)and the control group(n=28).The observation group received decitabine combined with unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation,and the control group received traditional consolidation therapy,including azacitidine+vinblastine,idarubicin+cytarabine(IA),or aclarubicin+cytarabine+granulocyte colony-stimulating factor,and so on.The hematopoietic recovery time,adverse reactions,relapse-free survival(RFS),and overall survival(OS)were compared between the two groups.Results The median recovery time of neutrophils was 12.54 d in the observation group and wes 18.64 d in the control group(P＜0.001);the median recovery time of platelets was 12.67 d in the observation group and was 19.71 d in the control group(P＜0.001).There was no difference in incidences of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ myelosuppression and non-hematological toxicity between the two groups.There were statistical differences in the median RFS(33 months vs 11 months)and OS(36 months vs 24 months)between the observation group and the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Compared with the traditional consolidation regimen,decitabine combined with unrelated umbilical cord blood transplantation for consolidation of AML after achieving remission is more effective in elderly patients,could prolong survival,and has similar safety.

Polymyxin B, which is a last-line antibiotic for extensively drug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections, became available in China in Dec. 2017. As dose adjustments are based solely on clinical experience of risk toxicity, treatment failure, and emergence of resistance, there is an urgent clinical need to perform therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to optimize the use of polymyxin B. It is thus necessary to standardize operating procedures to ensure the accuracy of TDM and provide evidence for their rational use. We report a consensus on TDM guidelines for polymyxin B, as endorsed by the Infection and Chemotherapy Committee of the Shanghai Medical Association and the Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Committee of the Chinese Pharmacological Society. The consensus panel was composed of clinicians, pharmacists, and microbiologists from different provinces in China and Australia who made recommendations regarding target concentrations, sample collection, reporting, and explanation of TDM results. The guidelines provide the first-ever consensus on conducting TDM of polymyxin B, and are intended to guide optimal clinical use.
Humans ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; China ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Polymyxin B ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Periarticular fracture of the shoulder is a common type of fractures in the elderly. Postoperative adverse events such as internal fixation failure, humeral head ischemic necrosis and upper limb dysfunction occur frequently, which seriously endangers the exercise and health of the elderly. Compared with the fracture with normal bone mass, the osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder is complicated with slow healing and poor rehabilitation, so the clinical management becomes more difficult. At present, there is no targeted guideline or consensus for this type of fracture in China. In such context, experts from Youth Osteoporosis Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Orthopedic Expert Committee of Geriatrics Branch of Chinese Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Osteoporosis Group of Youth Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons and Osteoporosis Committee of Shanghai Association of Chinese Integrative Medicine developed the Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder in the elderly ( version 2023). Nine recommendations were put forward from the aspects of diagnosis, treatment strategies and rehabilitation of osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder, hoping to promote the standardized, systematic and personalized diagnosis and treatment concept and improve functional outcomes and quality of life in elderly patients with osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder.