OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule (DZJTC) for repairing renal vascular endothelial injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: Fifty male SD rat models of DN, established by left nephrectomy, high-sugar and high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection, were randomized into DN model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose DZJTC treatment groups, and DAPT (a γ-secretase inhibitor) treatment group, with 10 rats with normal feeding as the control group. DZJTC was administered by daily gavage at 0.315, 0.63, or 1.26 g/kg, and DAPT (20 mg/kg, dissolved in 50% CMC-Na solution) was given by gavage every other day for 4 weeks; normal saline was given in the control and model groups. After treatment, the levels of creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and microalbuminuria (mALB) were detected with ELISA, and renal pathologies were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Renal expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured by immunohistochemistry, and the protein expressions of CD31 and Notch signaling pathway components were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: The rat models of DN showed significantly increased CRE, BUN, and mALB levels, obvious renal pathologies under electron microscopy, increased renal VEGF, ET-1 and CD31 expressions, and upregulated Notch1, NICD, and MAML1 protein levels. Treatment with DZJTC at the 3 doses and DAPT significantly reduced CRE, BUN, and mALB levels, improved renal pathology, decreased VEGF, ET-1 and CD31 expressions, and lowered Notch1, NICD and MAML1 levels, and the effects were the most pronounced with high-dose DZJTC. CONCLUSIONS DZJTC ameliorates hyperproliferation and dysfunction of renal vascular endothelium in DN rats possibly by regulating renal VEGF and ET-1 levels via inhibiting NICD- and MAML1-mediated Notch signaling pathway.
Animals ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/drug therapy* ; Receptor, Notch1/metabolism* ; Kidney/blood supply* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Down-Regulation ; Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism* ; Nuclear Proteins/metabolism*

Objective To explore the relationship between ribonuclease A3(RNase3)gene polymorphism and its expression level with airway inflammation and glucocorticoid efficacy in children with bronchial asthma(BA).Methods A total of 110 children with bronchial asthma admitted to Handan Maternal and Child Health Hospital June 2022 to June 2024 were selected as the study objects.According to the severity of the condition at admission,they were divided into mild group(n=64),moderate to severe group(n=46),and children who underwent physical examination in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group(n=82).Molecular weight array gene analysis(MassArray)was used to detect the genotyping of RNase3 gene rs2073342 locus.Quantitative real-time PCR(RT-PCR)was used to detect the expression level of RNase3 mRNA.The clinical data of the children were collected,and the differences of genotype and allele frequency were compared.The relationship between RNase3 gene polymorphism and BA susceptibility was analyzed by unconditioned Logistic regression.Results Compared with the mild group,IL-6(21.49±3.01ng/L vs 13.21±2.84ng/L)and PCT(19.16±4.02μg/L vs 9.94±3.15μg/L)in the moderate and severe group were significantly increased(t=-14.568,-12.952),while FVC,PEF and FEV1 were significantly decreased(t=2.534,3.304,2.011),and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The genotype distribution of RNase3 gene rs2073342 in both control and study groups was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg balance law(χ2=0.402,0.689,all P>0.05),indicating population representation.Compared with the control group and the mild group,the CC,CA genotype frequencies were higher in moderate to severe group(χ2=35.008,23.079),Compared with the control group,the frequency of CC and CA genotypes in mild group was higher(χ2=7.325),the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Compared with mild group,RNase3 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children with C gene BA at rs2073342 in moderate to severe group was higher,and the difference was statistically significant(t=-19.622,P<0.05).In the same group,the mRNA expression level of RNase3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the children with C gene BA at rs2073342 was higher than that of the children without C gene(t=4.169,22.608,all P<0.05).Unconditional Logistic regression results showed that RNase3 gene carrying allele C or dominant model(CC vs CA+AA)was a risk factor for severe disease in BA children(P<0.05).The total effective rate of genotype AA carriers was the highest after glucocorticoid therapy,and the therapeutic effect of genotype AA carriers was significantly better than that of genotype AC and CC,and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=11.858,P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of RNase3 mRNA in peripheral blood of BA children increased significantly with the exacerbation of the disease.Carrier of allele C or dominant model(CC vs CA+AA)is a risk factor for severe disease in BA children.Genotype AA carriers had better therapeutic effect.

Objective To analyze the value of actin-related protein 2(ACTR2)and DEAD-box RNA helicase 3X-linked(DDX3X)expression in evaluating the severity of Rotavirus gastroenteritis(RVGE)in children.Methods A total of 153 children with rotavirus gastroenteritis admitted to Handan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from September 2022 to September 2024 were selected as the research objects.According to the severity of RVGE,the children with RVGE were divided into mild group(n=60),moderate group(n=71)and severe group(n=22).In addition,60 healthy children were randomly selected as the healthy group.The clinical data of the light group,the medium group and the heavy group were compared.The expression levels of ACTR2 and DDX3X in serum of each group were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.ROC curve was used to analyze the evaluation value of combined detection of serum ACTR2 and DDX3X in children with severe RVGE.Results The age of children with RVGE in the severe group was significantly lower than that in the mild group and the moderate group,and the differences were statistically significant(Z=8.307,5.885,all P＜0.001).There were statistically significant differences in dehydration and diarrhea among the three groups(F=9.434,126.080,all P＜0.05).The expression levels of ACTR2(1.20±0.28)and DDX3X(1.22±0.37)in RVGE group were significantly higher than those in control group(1.01±0.02,1.04±0.09),and the differences were statistically significant(t=5.071,3.584,all P＜0.05).The expression levels of ACTR2[1.11±0.23,1.23±0.21,1.42(1.25,1.57)]and DDX3X[1.14±0.22,1.25±0.24,1.32(1.23,1.62)]in the serum of the mild group,the moderate group and the severe group increased in turn,and the differences were statistically significant(Z=27.196,18.013,all P＜0.05).The ROC curve analysis results showed that the combined detection of serum ACTR2 and DDX3X predicted the AUC(95%CI)of critically ill RVGE patients,with higher sensitivity and specificity than the detection of the two alone(Z=2.573,2.101,P=0.014,0.034).Conclusion The expression levels of serum ACTR2 and DDX3X are closely related to the severity of RVGE.The combined detection of the two has a high predictive value for the diagnosis of the severity of RVGE.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule(DZJTC)for repairing renal vascular endothelial injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods Fifty male SD rat models of DN,established by left nephrectomy,high-sugar and high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection,were randomized into DN model group,low-,medium-,and high-dose DZJTC treatment groups,and DAPT(a γ-secretase inhibitor)treatment group,with 10 rats with normal feeding as the control group.DZJTC was administered by daily gavage at 0.315,0.63,or 1.26 g/kg,and DAPT(20 mg/kg,dissolved in 50%CMC-Na solution)was given by gavage every other day for 4 weeks;normal saline was given in the control and model groups.After treatment,the levels of creatinine(CRE),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and microalbuminuria(mALB)were detected with ELISA,and renal pathologies were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Renal expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and endothelin-1(ET-1)were measured by immunohistochemistry,and the protein expressions of CD31 and Notch signaling pathway components were detected using Western blotting.Results The rat models of DN showed significantly increased CRE,BUN,and mALB levels,obvious renal pathologies under electron microscopy,increased renal VEGF,ET-1 and CD31 expressions,and upregulated Notch1,NICD,and MAML1 protein levels.Treatment with DZJTC at the 3 doses and DAPT significantly reduced CRE,BUN,and mALB levels,improved renal pathology,decreased VEGF,ET-1 and CD31 expressions,and lowered Notch1,NICD and MAML1 levels,and the effects were the most pronounced with high-dose DZJTC.Conclusion DZJTC ameliorates hyperproliferation and dysfunction of renal vascular endothelium in DN rats possibly by regulating renal VEGF and ET-1 levels via inhibiting NICD-and MAML1-mediated Notch signaling pathway.

Esophageal cancer cases in China account for more than 50% of the world, among which approximately 90% are histological subtypes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Over 50% of esophageal cancer patients are initially diagnosed at locally advanced or advanced stages. The R0 resection rate with surgical treatment alone is relatively low, and local recurrence and distant metastasis are prone to occur, resulting in a low 5-year survival rate. Recent research has focused on neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer, but the most effective form of such therapy remains undetermined. Immunotherapy is currently the most active research field in tumor treatment. Further exploration of the treatment model combing immunotherapy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is expected to improve the therapeutic effect and survival benefit in patients with locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective:To analyze research trends, hotspots, and international collaboration in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) from 2010 to 2024 using bibliometric methods.Methods:A total of 4 368 articles published between January 2010 to December 2024 were retrieved from PubMed using the search strategy temporomandibular disorders[MeSH Terms] OR temporomandibular joint disorders[Title/Abstract]. The R package"bibliometrix" was employed to analyze publication statistics, author collaboration networks, and keyword co-occurrence.Results:The annual publication volume in the TMD field increased 3.4-fold from 2010 to 2024, with an average annual output of 291.2 articles. MANFREDINI DANIELE was identified as the most prolific author (74 articles). The Journal of Oral Rehabilitation ranked first in terms of publication quantity (454 articles). The University of S?o Paulo (Brazil) emerged as the leading contributor, followed by Sichuan University (China) globally. Research hotspots predominantly focused on the DC/TMD diagnostic criteria and pain mechanisms. Analysis of international collaboration networks revealed that core authors (e.g., Lobbezoo F, Manfredini D) have driven advancements in the field through multidisciplinary collaboration (dentistry+psychology+medical imaging). The high-frequency occurrence of the imaging keyword "magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)" underscores its pivotal role in diagnosing disc displacement. Chinese institutions (Sichuan University, Peking University) ranked second globally in research output; however, interdisciplinary international collaboration remained limited, with multiple-country publications (MCP) accounting for only 13.0%. Conclusions:TMD research demonstrates interdisciplinary integration, highlighting the need for future emphasis on Asian population studies and innovative diagnostic/therapeutic technologies.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term protective efficacy of the recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cell-derived hepatitis B vaccine（CHO-HepB）26 years post-vaccination in the rural China.Methods:Zhengding county，Hebei province was designated as a rural monitoring site for CHO-HepB efficacy. Study participants included individuals born between 1997 and 1999 who had completed the three-dose CHO-HepB primary series without booster doses. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in late 2024 using random sampling. Demographic and vaccination history data were collected via questionnaires，and hepatitis B virus（HBV）serological markers were detected using chemiluminescence. Historical surveillance data were integrated to infer infection statuses of HBsAg-positive individuals and evaluate longitudinal trends in anti-HBs seropositivity and antibody titers.Results:Among 178 participants（mean time since vaccination：26.2 years），the seroprevalence rates were 0.6% for HBsAg（95% CI：0.0%-1.6%），64.6% for anti-HBs（95% CI：57.6%-71.6%），and 1.1% for anti-HBc（95% CI：0.0%-2.7%）. Compared to the pre-vaccination baseline HBsAg positivity of 11.3% in children under 10 years of age，the estimated vaccine protection rate was 95%. Two notable cases were identified：one with concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBc positivity and one with anti-HBs and anti-HBc positivity，suggestive of transient HBV exposure（1999—2009）without chronicity. Natural immune boosting was inferred for the latter case based on anti-HBs titer dynamics. Longitudinal analysis of four prior cross-sectional surveys（2005，2009，2013，and 2017）revealed no significant upward trends in HBsAg and anti-HBc positivity（both P>0.05）over 26 years，while anti-HBs seropositivity declined significantly（ P<0.05）from 6 to 26 years post-vaccination. Conclusion:The CHO-HepB vaccine demonstrates sustained immunological persistence and robust long-term protection up to 26 years post-immunization. Continued emphasis on rigorous implementation of mother-to-child transmission prevention strategies is critical for future hepatitis B control.

Objective:To investigate the pathogenetic characteristics of clinical isolates of Streptococcus suis in Henan Province from 2020 to 2023. Methods:Eight clinical isolates of S. suis in Henan Province from 2020 to 2023 were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serotype and virulence genes were detected by the serum agglutination test and PCR, and antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the microbroth dilution method. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), minimum core genome (MCG), identification of antibiotic resistance genes, and core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) analysis were conducted using whole genome sequencing. Results:The results showed that eight S. suis strains isolated from humans were mainly serotype 2 (75.0%), while the rest were serotype 14 (25.0%). ST353 (62.5%) was the predominant genotype, followed by ST1 (25.0%) and ST7 (12.5%). All isolates belonged to the MCG1 group. The virulence genotypes of these isolates were primarily mrp(NA2)/ sly+/ ef+/ gapdh+(75.0%), while the remaining were mrp(EU)/ sly+/ ef+/ gapdh+(25.0%). These isolates carried tetracycline, macrolide, lincosamide and aminoglycoside resistance genes, and their resistance rates to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin were 100.0%, 87.5% and 87.5%, respectively, and 62.5% strains were intermediate-resistant to penicillin. The cgSNP analysis indicated that these isolates were closer to the isolates from Guangdong, Zhejiang and Guangxi Provinces, with five ST353 strains and one ST7 strain belonging to Clade Ⅰ, and two ST1 strains belonging to Clade Ⅱ. Conclusion:The human isolates of S. suis in Henan Province are mainly ST353, harboring multiple virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.

Melatonin is widely used as an over-the-counter medication to treat insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurogenetic disorders (NGD). However, there is still a lack of research on its efficacy and safety, and clinical practice standards are to be established. In response, the International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA) convened an expert panel and developed a consensus statement:"Melatonin Use in Managing Insomnia in Children with Autism and Other Neurogenetic Disorders-an Assessment by the International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA)", which was published in Sleep Medicine, April 2024. The consensus focused on the efficacy and adverse effects of melatonin treatment for insomnia in children with ASD and NGD-including Smith-Magenis syndrome, Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex. It systematically reviews randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted between 2012 and 2022, and integrates current best clinical practices to formulate 10 consensus recommendations. Despite these contributions, the consensus has limitations: a small number of included RCTs, a lack of grading for evidence quality, and recommendation strength. Furthermore, the study population is primarily composed of children from Western countries. This article seeks to interpret the consensus to improve standardized use of melatonin for insomnia in Chinese children with ASD and NGD, and to provide a reference for the future development of localized evidence-based guidelines.

Objective:To assess the fall risk of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases, analyze the related influencing factors, and construct a prediction model based on machine learning technology, so as to provide a basis for the fall management of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 450 patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2017 to June 2024 were selected as the research objects by convenience sampling method. By reviewing electronic medical records, trained nurses extracted the patients' general information and Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL) scores during hospitalization. Lasso regression was used to screen risk factors, and machine learning libraries were used to construct support vector machine (SVM), decision tree, XGBoost, and neural network models. Bootstrap resampling method and area under the curve (AUC) were used to verify the model performance.Results:Among the 450 patients, there were 261 males and 189 females, with a mean age of (66.0 ± 8.4) years. Among them, 90 patients fell during hospitalization and 360 patients did not fall. The results of Lasso regression showed that ADL score ≤60 points, use of hypnotics, hypokalemia, nighttime toilet visits≥2 times, use of antihypertensive drugs, no caregiver, and history of atrial fibrillation were all risk factors for falls in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases (regression coefficients ranging from 0.61 to 1.20, all P<0.01). Among the machine learning models, XGBoost had the best comprehensive performance (AUC=0.98), which was better than decision tree (AUC=0.66), SVM (AUC=0.95), and neural network (AUC=0.87). Conclusions:The fall risk of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases is jointly affected by physiological, medication and behavioral factors, and the XGBoost model can effectively identify high-risk groups. In actual clinical work, nursing strategies can be optimized in combination with risk factors, and the application of intelligent fall prediction and assessment tools can be promoted.