Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Yiqi Huoxue Prescription(derived from Shengyu Decoction)in the treatment of mild cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM)with qi deficiency and blood stasis type.Methods A total of 128 patients with mild CSM of qi deficiency and blood stasis type who admitted to Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2022 to January 2024 were randomly divided into the control group and the trial group according to the random number table method,with 64 cases in each group.The control group was treated with oral administration of Mecobalamin Tablets,and the trial group was treated with Yiqi Huoxue Prescription orally on the basis of treatment for the control group.The two groups were all treated for four weeks,and then were followed up for three months after the completion of treatment.The CSM scores of the Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores in the two groups were observed before treatment,after two weeks of treatment,after four weeks of treatment,and three months after the completion of treatment.And then the clinical efficacy,progression of CSM and the incidence of adverse reactions of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)During the trial,two cases in the control group and three cases in the trial group fell off,and eventually a total of 123 cases were included,62 cases in the control group and 61 cases in the trial group.(2)Three months after the completion of treatment,the total effective rate of the trial group was 93.44%(57/61)and that of the control group was 82.26%(51/62),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After two and four weeks of treatment as well as three months after the completion of treatment,JOA scores in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and JOA scores of the trial group at various time points mentioned above were higher than those of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(4)After two and four weeks of treatment as well as three months after the completion of treatment,TCM syndrome scores in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and TCM syndrome scores of the trial group at various time points mentioned above were lower than those of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(5)During the follow-up period,there was none case of significant aggravation or progression to moderate-severe illness in the two groups,and there were no adverse events such as allergies and gastrointestinal reactions.Conclusion Yiqi Huoxue Prescription exerts certain efficacy in treating patients with mild CSM of the qi deficiency and blood stasis type,and the treatment method is effective on improving the spinal cord function and symptoms of qi deficiency and blood stasis type,and slowing down the progression of disease in the patients,with high safety.

Objective:This study investigated the awareness and consumption of Trogia venenata among populations in regions affected by Yunnan unexplained sudden death (YUSD). The findings aim to support etiological research on YUSD and contribute to the formulation of preventive measures against Trogia venenata poisoning. Methods:This study was a case-control study. From 2018 to 2021, surveys were conducted in 90 villages across 25 counties within YUSD-affected areas in Yunnan Province. Households with YUSD cases were designated as case households, whereas households without YUSD cases served as controls, ande were selected through convenience sampling at a 3:1 ratio. An enhanced questionnaire was designed to collect information on the consumption of Trogia venenata, and symptoms following consumption. Frequency data were presented as percentages, and group comparisons were conducted using χ 2 tests or Fisher’s exact tests. Results:A total of 711 questionnaires were collected (response rate: 100%), comprising 175 case households and 536 control households. Trogia venenata was present in 80.82% of the villages surveyed. Among the 711 households, 15.89% reported consuming Trogia venenata, primarily through stir-frying (53.10%), followed by boiling (29.20%), boiling and stir-frying (15.93%), and steaming (1.77%). Most households (94.69%) consumed fresh fruiting bodies, with 69.02% consuming them fewer than three times annually. The consumption rates were higher among the case households than among the control households. Of the 113 households with a history of Trogia venenata consumption, 35.40% reported symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and limb soreness. The proportions of affected families in each group were compared according to their source, cooking method, fruiting body status and consumption frequency. The proportion of affected families with high consumption frequency (≥3 times/year) was higher than that with low consumption frequency (<3 times/year). Among 421 YUSD cases, 63 cases (14.96%) had a history of Trogia venenata consumption before death, with 43 cases showing symptoms within the longest known latency period (14 d) for poisoning by this mushroom. Conclusions:Trogia venenata is prevalent in 80.82% of YUSD-affected regions, with 16.67% of the population reporting its consumption, predominantly as fresh fruiting bodies prepared by stir-frying or boiling. Confirmed Trogia venenata consumption was identified in 14.96% of YUSD cases, suggesting that mushroom poisoning is a significant risk factor for YUSD. Ongoing health education and interventions are critical for mitigating the risk of Trogia venenata poisoning.

Objective:To understand the electrocardiogram and echocardiography examination results of population in key areas of unexplained sudden death in Yunnan Province (referred to as Yunnan sudden death).Methods:From 2014 to 2022, electrocardiogram examination was performed on population (including same incident cases, relatives of the cases, villagers of the affected villages, and control individuals) in key areas of Yunnan sudden death from May to October each year. Echocardiography examination was performed on relatives of the cases and villagers of the affected villages, and the types of electrocardiogram and echocardiography changes were sorted out and analyzed.Results:Electrocardiogram examination was conducted on 1 same incident case, 241 relatives of the cases, 464 villagers of the affected villages, and 99 control individuals, respectively. The types of electrocardiogram changes in the same incident case were Q-T interval prolongation and sinus tachycardia. A total of 17 types of electrocardiogram changes were detected in the relatives of the cases, mainly including sinus arrhythmia (12.45%, 30/241), sinus bradycardia (11.20%, 27/241), and left axis deviation (8.30%, 20/241). A total of 21 types of electrocardiogram changes were detected in the villagers of the affected villages, mainly including left axis deviation (9.48%, 44/464), sinus bradycardia (8.19%, 38/464), and T-wave abnormalities (7.76%, 36/464). A total of 10 types of electrocardiogram changes were detected in the control individuals, mainly including sinus arrhythmia (12.12%, 12/99), T-wave abnormalities (9.09%, 9/99), and sinus bradycardia (7.07%, 7/99). Echocardiography examination was conducted on 49 relatives of the cases and 365 villagers of the affected villages, respectively. A total of 12 types of echocardiography changes were detected in the relatives of the cases, mainly including tricuspid regurgitation (18.37%, 9/49), decreased right ventricular diastolic function (8.16%, 4/49), aortic regurgitation (6.12%, 3/49), and atrial septal defect (6.12%, 3/49). A total of 15 types of echocardiography changes were detected in the villagers of the affected villages, mainly including tricuspid regurgitation (8.77%, 32/365), aortic regurgitation (6.85%, 25/365), and decreased left ventricular diastolic function (6.58%, 24/365).Conclusion:There are many types of changes in electrocardiogram and echocardiography in the population of key areas of Yunnan sudden death.

[Objective] To explore the feasibility of exemption from radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery for hormone receptor-negative elderly breast cancer. [Methods] A total of 139 estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)-negative older adults with breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from December 1, 2013 to December 1, 2018 were recruited as the subjects of the study, and were divided into a case group of 67 patients who did not undergo postoperative radiotherapy and a control group of 72 ones who underwent postoperative radiotherapy, according to whether they received postoperative radiotherapy or not. Clinicopathological data including age, tumor T stage, tumor N stage, tumor Nottingham grade, pathology type, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression status, and chemotherapy regimen were collected and compared between the two groups. The study analyzed the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and 5-year overall survival (OS) of two groups of patients. The log-rank test was used to compare the survival rate, and a multifactorial COX proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the effect of exempted radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery on DFS and OS of hormone receptor-negative elderly breast cancer mammary carcinoma. [Results] The two groups did not significantly differ in age, tumor T-stage, tumor N-stage, pathological type, tumor Nottingham grade, HER2 status, or chemotherapeutic regimen (all P>0.05). The 5-year DFS rate of 139 hormone receptor-negative elderly breast cancer cases was 74.1% and the 5-year OS rate was 83.5%. The difference in the 5-year DSF rate between the case group and the control group was statistically significant (65.7 vs. 81.9%, P=0.023), but the difference in the 5-year OS rate was not statistically significant (79.1% vs. 87.5%, P=0.186). The results of multifactorial COX proportional risk regression model analysis showed that exemption from radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery was an independent risk factor for DFS (HR=2.298, 95% CI: 1.113-4.746, P=0.024), but not for OS (HR=1.831, 95% CI: 0.740-4.532, P=0.191). [Conclusion] Hormone receptor-negative elderly breast cancer according to exemption of radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery has a higher local recurrence rate, but OS has no significant effect. Therefore, whether hormone receptor-negative elderly breast cancer can be exempted from radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery still needs to be verified by further clinical trials.

Objective:To analyze the effectiveness and safety of robot-assisted percutaneous endoscopic posterior/transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (RPE-P/TLIF) in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with instability.Methods:From September 2018 to April 2022, 26 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis combined with lumbar segmental instability were treated with RPE-P/TLIF at the Department of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine. There were 13 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 57.92±7.09 years (range, 44 to 75 years) and a mean body mass index of 24.05±2.64 kg/m 2 (range, 19.38 to 29.06 kg/m 2). A total of 31 segments were included, including 21 cases of single-segment surgery (L 3, 4 in 2 cases, L 4, 5 in 18 cases, and L 5S 1 in 1 case) and 5 cases of two-segment surgery (all L 3-L 5). Before surgery and at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery, as well as at the final follow-up, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess back pain and lower limb pain, and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate spinal nerve function. Clinical efficacy was evaluated using the MacNab criteria at the final follow-up. Imaging evaluation indicators included pre- and post-operative intervertebral space height, lumbar lordosis angle, fusion rate, and accuracy of pedicle screw placement. Results:The follow-up time for the 26 patients was 42.88±10.09 months (range, 12 to 55 months). The mean operation time was 156.54±33.50 min, and the mean postoperative drainage volume was 27.23±20.20 ml. The VAS scores for back pain and lower limb pain before surgery were 4.35±1.23 and 6.08±0.63, respectively. These scores decreased to 2.08±0.69 and 1.85±0.54 at 1 month postoperatively, 1.85±0.54 and 0.77±0.59 at 6 months, 0.96±0.53 and 0.62±0.57 at 1 year, and 0.88±0.52 and 0.58±0.50 at the final follow-up, respectively. The differences were statistically significant ( F=85.943, P=0.001; F=547.946, P=0.014). The ODI scores before surgery and at 1, 6, 12 months after surgery, and at the final follow-up were 55.38%±5.89%, 28.38%±3.849%, 17.77%±2.67%, 12.58%±1.88% and 12.12%±2.27% respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=783.289, P=0.010). According to the MacNab criteria, at the final follow-up, there were 18 cases of excellent, 6 cases of good, and 2 cases of fair, with an excellent and good rate of 92.3%. A total of 114 percutaneous pedicle screws were implanted with grades A, B and C being 109, 4 and 1, respectively. The preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up intervertebral space heights were 10.55±1.96, 13.53±1.37, and 12.54±1.42 mm respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=42.190, P<0.001). And the lumbar lordosis angles were 35.81°±10.80°, 35.69°±11.07°, and 36.08°±11.29° respectively, with no statistically significant differences ( P>0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, bone fusion was achieved in 25 cases, with a fusion rate of 96% (25/26). Conclusion:RPE-P/TLIF for lumbar spinal stenosis combined with lumbar instability were favorable. Being a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical option, it effectively enhanced the intervertebral space height in the surgical segment with fewer complications.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of comprehensive intervention measures on Yunnan unexplained sudden death (YUSD) in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and to provide scientific basis for improving the prevention and control measures.Methods:Since 2010, Yunnan Province had implemented comprehensive intervention measures in ward areas according to the etiological pattern of YUSD. In July 2019, 47 families with YUSD were selected as case families and 23 families without YUSD were selected as control families in 31 natural villages of Heqing, Xiangyun, Yunlong, Eryuan, Jianchuan, Binchuan and Nanjian counties of Dali Prefecture. A unified questionnaire was used to investigate the basic information, economic status, dietary structure, and health literacy of the families during the two periods of "the first sudden death case" and "the present".Results:The annual household income of the case families at present (median, 20 492.6 yuan) was significantly higher than that of the first sudden death case (3 883.4 yuan), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = - 5.27, P < 0.001). At present, rice (76.6%, 36/47) was the main diet of the case families; at the time of the first sudden death case, 23.4% (11/47) of the case families could not eat enough, and there was no such situation in the case families at present. Compared with the time of the first sudden death case, the dietary habits of the case families at present were as follows: the proportion of eating Trogia venenata decreased from 19.0% (39/205) to 0 (0/190), the proportion of eating wild fruit decreased from 17.1% (35/205) to 9.5% (18/190), and the proportion of drinking raw water decreased from 55.1% (113/205) to 42.1% (80/190), and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 22.37, 4.90, 6.86, P < 0.05). Lifestyle and health awareness: the proportion of those who washed their hands before meals and after using the toilet increased from 9.8% (20/205) to 41.6% (79/190), those who did not overwork increased from 16.6% (34/205) to 34.2% (65/190), and those who took good protection when spraying pesticides increased from 7.3% (15/205) to 21.6% (41/190), and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 53.17, 33.94, 16.48, P < 0.001). Toilet habits: the proportion of using outdoor toilet decreased from 75.6% (155/205) to 9.5% (18/190), the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 175.21, P < 0.001). When the first sudden death case occurred, the proportions of eating Trogia venenata and using outdoor toilet in the case families were higher than those in the control families (χ 2 = 22.37, 23.70, P < 0.001), the proportions of those who washed their hands before meals and after using the toilet and those who did not overwork in the case families were lower than those in the control families (χ 2 = 7.38, 4.93, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The economic conditions, production and living conditions of YUSD areas in Dali Prefecture have been significantly improved, and the health literacy and health prevention awareness of the population have been greatly improved. Economic conditions and living standard, dietary structure and health literacy may be related factors of YUSD.

Objective:To explore the cause of death of 2 suspected Yunnan sudden unexplained death (YNSUD) cases in Dayao County, Yunnan Province.Methods:The field epidemiological investigation and autopsy of 2 cases of YNSUD in Dayao County from June 15 to 20, 2020 were conducted; and blood and tissue samples were collected for qualitative analysis of common poisons and drugs.Results:The areas where the two cases were located were all seriously ill villages with a history of YNSUD, and the time of death occurred in the onset season of YNSUD. There was no blood relationship between the 2 cases, no obvious abnormal symptoms before death, no special diet, no history of exposure to pesticides and other toxic chemicals, and the test results of common poisons were all negative. Autopsy pathological examination results showed that case 1 died of acute cardiac dysfunction caused by sudden acute myocardial infarction of coronary heart disease, and case 2 died of central respiratory and circulatory failure caused by spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage.Conclusions:The two cases are excluded from YNSUD through autopsy, and the cause of death is determined. It is suggested that emergency response should be taken as soon as possible for YNSUD cases, and autopsy should be actively carried out to clarify the cause of death from a pathological point of view.

Objective:To analyze common pathogenic gene mutations of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in Yunnan unexplained sudden death (hereinafter referred to as Yunnan sudden death) cases, and explore the etiological relationship between Yunnan sudden death and ARVC.Methods:Four typical Yunnan sudden death affected counties (cities) were selected as investigation sites. Cryopreserved autopsy cardiac cavity blood samples were collected from Yunnan sudden death cases ( n = 3), and peripheral venous blood samples were harvested from their relatives (first, second, third and immediate degree of kinship, n = 67) and control population ( n = 49). The DNA of blood samples was extracted for amplification and sequencing of 97 exons of 5 common ARVC desmosomal protein [desmoplakin (DSP), desmocollin-2 (DSC2), desmoglein-2 (DSG2), plakophilin-2 (PKP2) and junction plakoglobin (JUP)] genes, and genetic lineage of Yunnan sudden death cases was investigated. Results:A total of 17 gene mutation sites were discovered in Yunnan sudden death cases and their relatives, with 6, 5, 4, 1 and 1 in the DSP, DSC2, DSG2, PKP2 and JUP genes, which were not found in the control population. Among them, 9 were newly discovered mutation sites and 8 were reported mutation sites. The DSP gene exon 24 c.8472 G>C, a pure contractual sense mutation, was common in the relatives of 4 cases in the same family surveyed; and one immediate relative carried a deletion mutation at c.2368 - 2370 of exon 15 of DSC2 gene.Conclusion:Yunnan sudden death cases and their relatives carry mutations in the ARVC desmosomal protein DSP, DSC2, DSG2, PKP2, and JUP genes, and the onset of some Yunnan sudden death may be associated with mutations in the ARVC desmosomal protein genes.

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening complication that occurs when the body responds to an infection attacking the host. Sepsis rapidly progresses and patients deteriorate and develop septic shock, with multiple organ failure, if not promptly treated. Currently no effective therapy is available for sepsis; therefore, early diagnosis is crucial to decrease the high mortality rate. Genome-wide expression analyses of patients in critical conditions have confirmed that the expression levels of the majority of genes are changed, suggesting that the molecular basis of sepsis is at the gene level. This review aims to elucidate the role of circular (circ) RNAs in the pathogenesis of sepsis and sepsis-induced organ damage. In addition, the feasibility of using circRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarkers for sepsis is also discussed, as well as circRNA-based therapy. METHOD: This narrative review is based on a literature search using Medline database. Search terms used were "circular RNAs and sepsis", "circRNAs and sepsis", "non-coding RNAs and sepsis", "ncRNAs and sepsis", "circRNAs and septic pathogenesis", "circRNAs and septic model", "circRNAs and septic shock" and "circRNAs, biomarker, and sepsis". RESULTS: Numerous studies indicate that circRNAs might exert pivotal roles in regulating the immune system of the host against various pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. Dysregulation of circRNA expression levels has been confirmed as an early event in sepsis and associated with the inflammatory response, immunosuppression and coagulation dysfunction. This impairment in regulation eventually leads to multiple organ dysfunctions, including of the kidneys, lungs and heart. CONCLUSION By investigating the regulation of circRNAs in sepsis, new molecular targets for the diagnosis and intervention of sepsis can be identified. Such an understanding will be important for the development of therapeutic drugs.
Biomarkers ; Humans ; RNA, Circular ; Shock, Septic/genetics*