ObjectiveTo investigate the awareness and clinical practice of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B （2022 edition） among clinicians. MethodsFrom July 19 to December 31， 2024， a self-designed electronic questionnaire was distributed via the WeChat mini program to collect related data from 1 588 clinicians nationwide， including their awareness and practice based on 18 questions regarding testing and referral， diagnosis and treatment， and follow-up. ResultsAmong all respondents， only 350 clinicians correctly understood all the updated key points of antiviral indications and treatment for special populations in the 2022 edition of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B， with an overall awareness rate of 22.0%. Only 20% ‍—‍ ‍40% of the patients with positive HBV DNA and an age of >30 years receive antiviral therapy， while 80% ‍—‍ ‍100% of the patients with positive HBV DNA and a family history of hepatitis B cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma receive antiviral therapy. The median follow-up rates at 1 year， 3 years， and 5 years were 67.5% 57.5% and 47.5%，respectively， showing a trend of gradual reduction， which might be associated with the influencing factors such as insufficient time for follow-up management by clinicians， insufficient awareness of the disease among patients， and poor adherence to follow-up. ConclusionThere is a gap between the awareness and practice of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B （2022 edition） among clinicians. It is recommended to further strengthen training and focus on the whole process of “detection， diagnosis， treatment， and management” for patients with chronic hepatitis B in healthcare institutions， in order to promote the implementation of the guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on chronic diarrhea in the Chinese population are lacking, and the association between obesity and chronic diarrhea in East Asian populations remains inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic diarrhea and its association with obesity in a representative community-dwelling Chinese population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a multistage, randomized cluster sampling involving 3503 residents aged 20-69 years from representative urban and rural communities in Beijing. Chronic diarrhea was assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), and obesity was determined based on body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the relationship between obesity and chronic diarrhea. RESULTS: The standardized prevalence of chronic diarrhea in the study population was 12.88%. The average BMI was 24.67 kg/m 2 . Of all the participants, 35.17% (1232/3503) of participants were classified as overweight and 16.13% (565/3503) as obese. After adjustment for potential confounders, individuals with obesity had an increased risk of chronic diarrhea as compared to normal weight individuals (odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-2.06). A nonlinear association between BMI and the risk of chronic diarrhea was observed in community residents of males and the overall participant group ( P  = 0.026 and 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study presents initial findings on the prevalence of chronic diarrhea among residents of Chinese communities while offering substantiated evidence regarding the significant association between obesity and chronic diarrhea. These findings offer a novel perspective on gastrointestinal health management.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Chronic Disease/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diarrhea/epidemiology* ; Obesity/complications* ; Prevalence ; East Asian People/statistics & numerical data*

Intestinal fibrosis is a significant clinical challenge in inflammatory bowel diseases, but no effective anti-fibrotic therapy is currently available. Glucagon receptor (GCGR) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) are both peptide hormone receptors involved in energy metabolism of epithelial cells. However, their role in intestinal fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Herein GCGR and GLP1R were found to be reduced in the stenotic ileum of patients with Crohn's disease as well as in the fibrotic colon of mice with chronic colitis. The downregulation of GCGR and GLP1R led to the accumulation of the metabolic byproduct lactate, resulting in histone H3K9 lactylation and exacerbated intestinal fibrosis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Dual activating GCGR and GLP1R by peptide 1907B reduced the H3K9 lactylation in epithelial cells and ameliorated intestinal fibrosis in vivo. We uncovered the role of GCGR/GLP1R in regulating EMT involved in intestinal fibrosis via histone lactylation. Simultaneously activating GCGR/GLP1R with the novel dual agonist peptide 1907B holds promise as a treatment strategy for alleviating intestinal fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanisms of Qingre Lidan Jiedu Recipe (QLJR) for improving cognitive dysfunction in rats with high copper load. METHODS: Seventy-five male SD rats were randomized into normal control group, model group, QLJR group, penicillamine (PCA) group, and QLJR+ PCA group. Except for those in the control group, all the rats were fed a high-copper diet for 12 weeks. The effects of the treatments on cognitive function of the rats were assessed using the Barnes maze and passive avoidance tests. Hippocampal expressions of NIX, FUNDC1 and LC3 of the rats were detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, and changes in mitochondrial morphology were observed with transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Behavioral tests showed prolonged target hole latency, shortened latency to enter the dark chamber, and increased error counts of the rats in the model group, which were significantly improved in QLJR+PCA group; the error counts were significantly lower in QLJR+PCA group than in either QLJR or PCA group. Among all the groups, the hippocampal expressions of NIX and FUNDC1 were the lowest and LC3 I/II expression the highest in the model group; NIX and FUNDC1 expressions were significantly higher and LC3 I expression was lower in QLJR+PCA group than in QLJR group and PCA group. Immunofluorescence staining revealed weakened NIX and FUNDC1 expressions and enhanced LC3 expression in the hippocampus of the rats in the model group as compared with those in the normal control and QLJR+PCA groups, but their expressions did not differ significantly between QLJR and PCA groups. The rats in the model group showed obvious structural disarray of the mitochondria, which were improved in all the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS QLJR improves cognitive dysfunction in rats with high copper load possibly by regulating mitophagy.
Animals ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Copper/toxicity* ; Mitophagy/drug effects* ; Hippocampus/drug effects* ; Cognition Disorders/drug therapy* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/chemically induced*

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan in improving the cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease （AD） from cell apoptosis mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodsFour-month-old SD male rats were randomly assigned into a blank group， a sham group， a model group， a donepezil hydrochloride （0.45 mg·kg^-1） group， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （15.30， 7.65， and 3.82 g·kg^-1， respectively） Hei Xiaoyaosan groups， with 10 rats in each group. The sham group received bilateral hippocampal injection of 1 μL normal saline， while the other groups received bilateral hippocampal injection of 1 μL beta-amyloid 1-42 （Aβ_1-42） solution for the modeling of AD. Rats were administrated with corresponding agents once a day for 42 consecutive days. The Morris water maze test was carried out to assess the learning and memory abilities of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe pathological changes in the hippocampus of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 （Caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of PI3K， Akt， and NF-κB. A cell model of AD was established by co-culturing Aβ_1-42 and PC12 cells in vitro. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by the cell-counting kit 8 （CCK-8） assay and flow cytometry （FC）， respectively. ResultsAnimal experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the model group had a prolonged escape latency （P<0.01）， a reduced number of crossing platforms （P<0.01）， disarrangement and a reduced number of hippocampal neurons， up-regulated expression of Bax and Caspase-3， down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）， decreased p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt levels， and an increased p-NF-κB/NF-κB level （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， donepezil hydrochloride and high- and medium-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan shortened the escape latency and increased the number of crossing platforms （P<0.05， P<0.01）， improved the arrangement and increased the number of hippocampal neurons， down-regulated the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3， up-reguated the expression level of Bcl-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced the p-NF-κB/NF-κB level （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Cell experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the model group exhibited an increased apoptosis rate （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the serum containing Hei Xiaoyaosan at various doses improved the cell viability （P<0.01）， and the serum containing Hei Xiaoyaosan at the high dose decreased the cell apoptosis （P<0.01）. ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan may improve the learning and memory abilities of AD model rats by regulating cell apoptosis， while increasing the vitality and reducing the apoptosis rate of AD model cells via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To establish and optimize a novel method, focus forming assay (FFA), for quantitation of influenza A virus (FluA) and compare its application performance with traditional plague forming assay (PFA).Methods:The foci chromogenic effects of three peroxidase substrates in immunostaining were compared. The PFA and FFA methods were used to explore FluA incubation times and plaque morphology on 12-well plates, and to determine optimal incubation times and virus adsorption volumes for different FluA subtypes on 96-well plates. The correlation between FFA and PFA was evaluated, and the optimized FFA was applied to the in vitro antiviral efficacy analysis of Favipiravir and neutralization test against different subtypes of FluA. Results:TRUEBLUE substrate was identified as the optimal substrate for foci visualization. Compared with the PFA, the FFA showed improved sensitivity and reduced detection time in FluA titration, and good correlation was shown between the two methods′ results. By replacing the 96-well plate with the 12-well plate for FFA titration of different subtypes of FluA, the detection time was shortened, and the amount of serum samples used could be further reduced by optimizing the virus adsorption volume. The half-maximal effective concentration of favipiravir against influenza viruses assessed by the FFA and PFA methods showed no significant difference, and was consistent with the results obtained from quantitative PCR. Additionally, the focus reduction neutralization test and hemagglutination inhibition assays demonstrated strong correlation in determining antibody titers against FluA in serum neutralization assays.Conclusions:The improved FFA method developed here provides a more efficient experimental tool for FluA titration, antiviral drug screening and broad-spectrum vaccine evaluation.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence of human respiratory syncytial virus（RSV）and the evolutionary characteristics of the adhesion glycoprotein（G）gene in Xi'an from 2023 to 2024.Methods:Respiratory specimens were collected from patients with acute respiratory infections in Xi'an between October 2023 to October 2024. RSV nucleic acid screening was performed using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR；full-length G gene sequencing was conducted on nucleic acid-positive specimens. Genotyping characterization of the obtained sequences was performed using Nextclade v3.10.0 software.Results:A total of 2 548 respiratory tract infection samples were collected，with 104 cases（4.08%，104/2 548）testing positive for RSV. The highest RSV positivity rate was observed in children aged ≤1 year（12.24%，18/147），and significant difference in positivity rates were found among age groups（χ 2=37.868， P<0.001）. Since October 2023，RSV has seen an epidemic peak during January to February 2024，and gradually declined thereafter，with no positive cases from May to September 2024. Among the 43 RSV-positive samples，12 strains were identified as subtype A（all genotype A.D.3），and 31 strains were subtype B（14 genotype B.D.4.1.1 and 17 genotype B.D.E.1）. Conclusion:From October 2023 to October 2024，RSV had an epidemic peak in January and February in Xi＇an，with subtype B being the predominant circulating type.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological and genetic characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) in Xi′an city from 2021 to 2023.Methods:Collected clinical cases of HFMD, epidemiological information and samples were obtained. The specimens were tested by the real-time RT-PCR for enterovirus A71(EVA71), CVA16, CVA6 and CVA10, respectively. The VP1 regions of CVA6 were amplified and sequenced, MEGA X was used for phylogenetic analysis.Results:From 2021 to 2023, a total of 1 393 HFMD samples were collected, 1 106 (79.40%, 1 106/1 393) of which were positive for enteroviruses. The proportions of EVA71, CVA16, CVA6 and CVA10 were 0.45% (5/1 106), 16.64% (184/1 106), 72.42% (801/1 106) and 2.17% (24/1 106). A total of 801 HFMD cases tested positive for CAV6, including 783 mild cases and 18 severe cases, mainly in children aged ≤5 years (86.02%, 689/801), with a male/female ratio of 1.49∶1. The composition ratio of CVA6 infection differed with year(χ 2=332.62, P<0.01), and the highest composition ratio of CVA6 was in 2023 (91.01%, 638/701). The nucleotide and amino acid similarities in the VP1 region of Xi′an strains of CVA6 were 92.4%-99.8% and 98.3%-100.0%, respectively. Compared with the CVA6 prototype strain(Gdula), the nucleotide and amino acid similarities in the VP1 region of Xi′an strains were 82.2%-84.0% and 95.4%-96.0%, respectively, and there were 18 amino acid mutations in different degrees. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of VP1 region sequences, the CVA6 strains in Xi′an city from 2021 to 2023 belonged to D3a subtype, and could be divided into two clusters with 18 strains in cluster 1 while two strain in cluster 2. Conclusions:The sub-genotype D3a of CVA6 is the predominant virus causing HFMD in Xi′an city from 2021 to 2023, and there are two transmission chains. The monitoring and prevention of CVA6 should be strengthened.

Objective:To establish a fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR assay based on N_sgRNA of SARS-CoV-2 and preliminarily apply it on real samples.Methods:Recombinant plasmid, specific primers and probes of N_sgRNA were designed and synthesized based on Wuhan-Hu-1/2019_MN908947 and synthesis mechanism of subgenomic RNA (sgRNA). Using recombinant plasmid as amplification templates, the optimal reaction conditions and reaction system were screened according to the Ct value, fluorescence intensity, and shape of amplification curve and was evaluated for sensitivity, reproducibility, and specificity. Meanwhile, the possibility of practical application of the method was explored by testing 172 clinical samples and 256 municipal wastewater samples. Results:A qRT-PCR assay for N_sgRNA in SARS-CoV-2 was initially established. The detection limit of the assay was 20 copies/mL, and the variation coefficients of in-batch (0.002%~0.767%) and batch to batch repetition (0.016%~0.752%) were less than 1%. Only N_sgRNA recombinant plasmid was detected in the specificity assay. So the method is more highly sensitive, specific and reproducible. The RatiosgRNA/ gRNA of clinical samples HK.3, EG.5.1, JN.1 and their sub-lineages and their corresponding urban sewage samples in epidemic period were significantly different ( P<0.05). There is a strong correlation between the median of RatiosgRNA/ gRNA in clinical samples and sewage samples in the same period (correlation coefficient r=1.000, P=0.010). Conclusions:In this study, a qRT-PCR method for detecting N_sgRNA of SARS-CoV-2 was established and the method has the characteristics of higher sensitivity, stronger specificity and better repeatability, and it can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of elevated cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1) in patients with dermatomyositis associated with positive anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody.Methods:142 consecutive cases with newly onset anti-MDA5(+) (MADEDM)-DM admitted to the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2018 to October 2021 were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, the low serum CYFRA21-1 group (CYFRA21-1≤4 ng/ml) and the high serum CYFRA21-1 group (CYFRA21-1>4 ng/ml). The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests results, imaging examinations treatment and outcome were collected for statistical analysis. Enumeration data were expressed as the number of cases and percentage (%). Normally distributed parameters were tested by t-test. Parameters with skewed distribution were tested by Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon analysis. Categorical variables were compared by the Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Risk factor analysis was performed using Logistic regression. Cumulative survivals were described by Kaplan-Meier curves. Results:The age of onset in the high CYFRA21-1 group [(56±9)years vs. (50±10) years, t=-3.50, P=0.001] was higher than that in the low CYFRA21-1 group. Fever [63.3% (38/60) vs. 40.2% (33/82), χ2=7.39, P=0.007] was more common in the high CYFRA21-1 group, and arthritis [41.7% (25/60) vs. 69.5%(57/82), χ2=11.01, P=0.001] was less common. Myalgia, myasthenia, rashes, Raynaud′s phenomenon and skin ulcers had no significant difference between the two groups. The WBC count [5.2(4.1, 6.9)×10 9/L vs. 4.3(3.2, 6.2)×10 9/L, Z=-2.57, P=0.010], neutrophil count [4.0(2.9, 5.5)×10 9/L vs. 2.9(2.1, 4.5)×10 9/L, Z=-3.25, P=0.001] and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio [5.75(3.50, 9.20) vs. 3.55(2.64, 5.41), Z=-3.77, P<0.001] in high CYFRA21-1 group were significantly higher than those in low CYFRA21-1 group. At the same time, LDH [384(302, 519)U/L vs. 318(260, 405)U/L, Z=-2.98, P=0.003], ferritin [1 204(677, 2 039)ng/ml vs. 570(229, 846)ng/ml, Z=-4.78, P<0.001], KL-6 [995(658, 1 491)U/ml vs. 750(563, 1 197)U/ml, Z=-2.49, P=0.013], ESR [36(22, 61)mm/1 h vs. 28(15, 46)mm/1 h, Z=-2.18, P=0.029] and CRP [9.2(4.7, 31.5)mg/L vs. 3.1(1.1, 11.6)mg/L, Z=-3.53, P<0.001] were significantly increased in the high level of CYFRA21-1 group, while serum albumin[(32±5)g/L vs. (35±5)g/L, t=3.92, P<0.001] was significantly decreased. There was no significant difference in the titers of serum anti-MDA5 antibodies between the two groups. The positive rate of anti-RO52 antibody [44(74.6%) vs. 44(53.7%), χ2=6.40, P=0.011] in high CYFRA21-1 group was higher than that in low CYFRA21-1 group. The ground glass opacity (GGO) score [1.75(1.33, 2.42) vs. 1.09(0.67, 1.67), Z=-4.60, P<0.001] based on high resolution CT (HRCT) was also significantly increased in the CYFRA21-1 high level group. Compared with the low CYFRA21-1 group, the high CYFRA21-1 group had a higher probability of RP-ILD [48.3%(29/60) vs. 23.2%(19/82), χ2=9.80, P=0.002] and a higher 6-month mortality rate[48.3%(29/60) vs.13.4%(11/82), χ2=19.70, P<0.001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥53 years old [ OR(95% CI)=5.197(1.781, 15.165), P=0.003], duration < 2 months [ OR(95% CI)=3.314 (1.058, 10.378), P=0.040], NE/LYMP >5 [ OR(95% CI)=3.443(1.120, 10.586), P=0.031], CRP>5 mg/L[ OR(95% CI)=6.271(1.749, 22.480), P=0.005], CA125>14 U/ml[ OR(95% CI)=7.500 (2.409, 23.345), P=0.001] and CYFRA21-1>4 ng/ml[ OR(95% CI)=3.665(1.258, 10.676), P=0.017] were independent risk factors for death within 6 months in MDA5-DM patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the survival rate of the high CYFRA21-1 group was significantly lower than that of the low CYFRA21-1 group( P<0.001). Conclusion:Elevated CYFRA21-1 is an independent risk factor for early mortality in MDA5-DM patients and can serve as a novel serological marker for risk stratification in these patients.