Objective:To investigate the clinical data, drug resistance and treatment prognosis of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS) in a hospital in Shanghai. Methods:The clinical data of AIDS patients with Cryptococcus neoformans infection in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 2014 to December 2023, and the drug sensitivity to 5 antifungal drugs in vitro, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. Results:From January 2014 to December 2023, there were 295 AIDS patients with Cryptococcus neoformans infection in our hospital, with 255 males and 40 females. CD4 + T lymphocyte counts ≤100 cells/μl were detected in 251 patients. A total of 384 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans were isolated from the 295 patients, with the highest detection rate in cerebrospinal fluid samples (65.9%, 253/384), followed by blood samples (29.4%, 113/384). The sensitivity of 384 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans to 5-fluorocytosine was the highest (98.5%, 379/384), followed by fluconazole (95.6%, 367/384) and amphotericin B (95.3%, 366/384). After treatment against cryptococcal infection, 252 patients (86.0%, 252/293) were discharged and 20 patients (6.8%, 20/293) died. The other 2 cases were not treated for cryptococcal infection. Conclusions:As Cryptococcus neoformans is an important pathogen of AIDS patients, clinicians should actively carry out laboratory examination of Cryptococcus and rational drug use according to the results of drug sensitivity test, while alert to the occurrence of drug resistance.

Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture on the motor function of Parkinson disease(PD)model mice and to investigate the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture on PD from the perspective of cellular senescence.Methods:C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal control(NC)group,a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)group,an acupuncture(ACU)group,and a rasagiline(RAS)group,with 6 mice in each group.Except for the mice in the NC group,all mice were injected intraperitoneally with MPTP[30 mg/(kg·bw)]to establish a PD mouse model.After the models were successfully established,mice in the ACU group received acupuncture at Baihui(GV20)and bilateral Yanglingquan(GB34)for 15 min,once a day for 14 consecutive days.Mice in the RAS group were treated with gavage of rasagiline mesylate[0.5 mg/(kg·bw)],once daily for 14 d.Mouse balance and motor functions were detected using the mouse fatigue rotating rod apparatus.Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-positive neurons and the protein expression levels of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1(SATB1),p21,and p53 in the substantia nigra(SN)region of the mouse brain in each group.The glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity of mouse brain SN tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The protein expression levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)in the SN tissue of mice in each group were detected by Western blotting.The relative expression of SATB1,p21,and p53 mRNA in the SN of each group was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results:Compared to the NC group,the overall rod performance(ORP)score,the number of TH-positive neurons,and GSH-Px activity in the SN region were significantly lower in the mice in the MPTP group(P<0.01);compared to the MPTP group,the ORP score,the number of TH-positive neurons,and GSH-Px activity were significantly increased in the ACU group and the RAS group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared to the NC group,the protein levels of IL-6 and SA-β-gal in the SN tissue,the protein and mRNA expression levels of p21 and p53 were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared to the MPTP group,the protein levels of IL-6 and SA-β-gal in the SN tissue,the protein and mRNA expression levels of p21 and p53 were significantly decreased in the ACU group and the RAS group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared to the NC group,the relative expression of SATB1 protein and mRNA in the SN of mice in the MPTP group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared to mice in the MPTP group,mice in the ACU group and the RAS group showed significant increases in the relative expression of SATB1 protein and mRNA(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture can improve motor function and increase the number of TH-positive neurons in the SN of PD model mice.Its neuroprotective effect may relate to the regulation of the SATB1/p21 signaling pathway and the inhibition of cellular senescence-related biomarker expression in the SN.

Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture on the motor function of Parkinson disease(PD)model mice and to investigate the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture on PD from the perspective of cellular senescence.Methods:C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal control(NC)group,a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)group,an acupuncture(ACU)group,and a rasagiline(RAS)group,with 6 mice in each group.Except for the mice in the NC group,all mice were injected intraperitoneally with MPTP[30 mg/(kg·bw)]to establish a PD mouse model.After the models were successfully established,mice in the ACU group received acupuncture at Baihui(GV20)and bilateral Yanglingquan(GB34)for 15 min,once a day for 14 consecutive days.Mice in the RAS group were treated with gavage of rasagiline mesylate[0.5 mg/(kg·bw)],once daily for 14 d.Mouse balance and motor functions were detected using the mouse fatigue rotating rod apparatus.Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-positive neurons and the protein expression levels of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1(SATB1),p21,and p53 in the substantia nigra(SN)region of the mouse brain in each group.The glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity of mouse brain SN tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The protein expression levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)in the SN tissue of mice in each group were detected by Western blotting.The relative expression of SATB1,p21,and p53 mRNA in the SN of each group was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results:Compared to the NC group,the overall rod performance(ORP)score,the number of TH-positive neurons,and GSH-Px activity in the SN region were significantly lower in the mice in the MPTP group(P<0.01);compared to the MPTP group,the ORP score,the number of TH-positive neurons,and GSH-Px activity were significantly increased in the ACU group and the RAS group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared to the NC group,the protein levels of IL-6 and SA-β-gal in the SN tissue,the protein and mRNA expression levels of p21 and p53 were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared to the MPTP group,the protein levels of IL-6 and SA-β-gal in the SN tissue,the protein and mRNA expression levels of p21 and p53 were significantly decreased in the ACU group and the RAS group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Compared to the NC group,the relative expression of SATB1 protein and mRNA in the SN of mice in the MPTP group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared to mice in the MPTP group,mice in the ACU group and the RAS group showed significant increases in the relative expression of SATB1 protein and mRNA(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture can improve motor function and increase the number of TH-positive neurons in the SN of PD model mice.Its neuroprotective effect may relate to the regulation of the SATB1/p21 signaling pathway and the inhibition of cellular senescence-related biomarker expression in the SN.

Objective:To investigate the clinical data, drug resistance and treatment prognosis of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS) in a hospital in Shanghai. Methods:The clinical data of AIDS patients with Cryptococcus neoformans infection in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 2014 to December 2023, and the drug sensitivity to 5 antifungal drugs in vitro, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. Results:From January 2014 to December 2023, there were 295 AIDS patients with Cryptococcus neoformans infection in our hospital, with 255 males and 40 females. CD4 + T lymphocyte counts ≤100 cells/μl were detected in 251 patients. A total of 384 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans were isolated from the 295 patients, with the highest detection rate in cerebrospinal fluid samples (65.9%, 253/384), followed by blood samples (29.4%, 113/384). The sensitivity of 384 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans to 5-fluorocytosine was the highest (98.5%, 379/384), followed by fluconazole (95.6%, 367/384) and amphotericin B (95.3%, 366/384). After treatment against cryptococcal infection, 252 patients (86.0%, 252/293) were discharged and 20 patients (6.8%, 20/293) died. The other 2 cases were not treated for cryptococcal infection. Conclusions:As Cryptococcus neoformans is an important pathogen of AIDS patients, clinicians should actively carry out laboratory examination of Cryptococcus and rational drug use according to the results of drug sensitivity test, while alert to the occurrence of drug resistance.

ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanism by which Si Junzitang in intervening in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） by regulating the O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine modification （O-GlcNAcylation） of nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） p65 in the paracancerous tissues. MethodThe orthotopic liver cancer mouse model was established. Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups： Normal group， model group， Si Junzitang low-dose group （10 g·kg^-1）， and Si Junzitang high-dose group （25 g·kg^-1）， with 6 mice in each group. The O-GlcNAcylation level and phosphorylation modification level of p65 in the paracancerous tissues were detected using Western blot. The O-GlcNAcylation of p65 was assessed using immunoprecipitation （IP）. The mRNA expression of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， vascular endothelial growth factor A （VEGFA）， matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2）， matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） in the paracancerous tissues was detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The tumor number， liver weight， locomotor activity， grip strength， and Qi status of the mice were observed and analyzed. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a significant decrease in O-GlcNAcylation in the paracancerous tissues （P<0.01）， a significant decrease in p65 O-GlcNAcylation （P<0.01）， a significant increase in p65 phosphorylation （P<0.01）， significantly elevated mRNA levels of cytokines IL-6， TNF-α， TGF-β₁， VEGFA， MMP-2， and MMP-9 （P<0.01）， significantly increased liver weight （P<0.01）， significantly declined grip strength， number of grid crossings， and number of vertical stand-ups （P<0.01）， and significantly dwindled Qi status （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the Si Junzitang low-dose and high-dose groups showed significantly increased levels of O-GlcNAcylation in the paracancerous tissues （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly upregulated p65 O-GlcNAcylation levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and significantly decreased p65 phosphorylation levels （P<0.01）. In the Si Junzitang low-dose group， the mRNA levels of IL-6， TGF-β₁， and VEGFA significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the Si Junzitang high-dose group， the mRNA levels of IL-6， TNF-α， TGF-β₁， VEGFA， MMP-2， and MMP-9 significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the number of tumors larger than 3 mm in diameter significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and liver weight significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Additionally， grip strength， number of grid crossings， and number of vertical stand-ups significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， along with a significant increase in qi status （P<0.01）. ConclusionSi Junzitang can inhibit the progression of orthotopic HCC in mice， which may be achieved by increasing the O-GlcNAcylation level in the paracancerous tissues， enhancing the O-GlcNAcylation of p65， inhibiting the phosphorylation modification of p65， and ultimately suppressing the expression of downstream IL-6， TNF-α， TGF-β₁， VEGFA， MMP-2， and MMP-9.

Objective To observe the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(Akt)signal transducer in liver tissue of rats with bilateral ovarian castration(OVX)by electroacupuncture at Guanyuan(CV4)point,and explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture in up regulating PI3K/Akt signal pathway,regulating lipid metabolism,and reducing weight was investigated.Methods Thirty-two female SD rats were randomly divided into blank,sham operation,model and electroacupuncture group,with 8 rats in each group.Perimenopausal obesity(PMO)model was prepared by OVX in the model and the electroacupuncture group.After the model was successfully prepared,the electroacupuncture group was subjected to electroacupuncture at CV4(continuous wave,2 Hz,1 mA),once day,20 min once time,and for 14 consecutive days.The body mass of each group of rats was recorded during the whole experiment,and Lee's index was calculated during sampling.The pathological changes of liver were observed by HE staining.Serum levels of HDL,LDL and TG were detected by ELISA.Western blot analysis of PI3K,Akt,p-Akt protein expression and p-Akt/Akt in liver tissues.Results Compared with blank group and sham operation group,the body mass of rats in model group was significantly increased(P＜0.05),Lee's index was increased(P＜0.05),fat vacuoles appeared in liver,serum HDL level was decreased(P＜0.001),LDL and TG levels were increased(P＜0.01).PI3K,Akt,p-Akt,p-Akt/Akt were decreased in liver(P＜0.05).Compared with model group,body mass and Lee's index of rats in electroacupuncture group were decreased(P＜0.05),fat vacuoles in liver were decreased,HDL level was increased(P＜0.01),LDL and TG levels were decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),PI3K,Akt and P-Akt were decreased(P＜0.05),and p-akt/Akt decreased(P＜0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at CV4 can significantly up-regulate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,improve lipid metabolism disorder and accumulation,and reduce body mass in OVX rats.

Objective To observe the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(Akt)signal transducer in liver tissue of rats with bilateral ovarian castration(OVX)by electroacupuncture at Guanyuan(CV4)point,and explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture in up regulating PI3K/Akt signal pathway,regulating lipid metabolism,and reducing weight was investigated.Methods Thirty-two female SD rats were randomly divided into blank,sham operation,model and electroacupuncture group,with 8 rats in each group.Perimenopausal obesity(PMO)model was prepared by OVX in the model and the electroacupuncture group.After the model was successfully prepared,the electroacupuncture group was subjected to electroacupuncture at CV4(continuous wave,2 Hz,1 mA),once day,20 min once time,and for 14 consecutive days.The body mass of each group of rats was recorded during the whole experiment,and Lee's index was calculated during sampling.The pathological changes of liver were observed by HE staining.Serum levels of HDL,LDL and TG were detected by ELISA.Western blot analysis of PI3K,Akt,p-Akt protein expression and p-Akt/Akt in liver tissues.Results Compared with blank group and sham operation group,the body mass of rats in model group was significantly increased(P＜0.05),Lee's index was increased(P＜0.05),fat vacuoles appeared in liver,serum HDL level was decreased(P＜0.001),LDL and TG levels were increased(P＜0.01).PI3K,Akt,p-Akt,p-Akt/Akt were decreased in liver(P＜0.05).Compared with model group,body mass and Lee's index of rats in electroacupuncture group were decreased(P＜0.05),fat vacuoles in liver were decreased,HDL level was increased(P＜0.01),LDL and TG levels were decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),PI3K,Akt and P-Akt were decreased(P＜0.05),and p-akt/Akt decreased(P＜0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at CV4 can significantly up-regulate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,improve lipid metabolism disorder and accumulation,and reduce body mass in OVX rats.

Objective To analyze the occupational hazards and protective measures for personnel in an iodine-125(¹²⁵I) seed source production company. Methods In 2022, a ¹²⁵I seed source production enterprise in Guangdong Province was selected as the research subject. The occupational hazards in the workplace of the research subject was identified using the system engineering analysis method. The FLUAK program based on Monte Carlo method was used to simulate the blocking protection of the production of the ¹²⁵I seed source, and to estimate the dose of internal and external irradiation of seed source that affected workers. Results The main occupational radiation hazards in the seed production were non-sealed radioactive materials, including external irradiation from X-ray and γ ray and internal irradiation from aerosols formed by iodine volatilization. Estimated maximum dose equivalent rate around the chest and eye lens for workers were 0.52 and 0.02 μSv/h, respectively. The expected annual effective dose for workers in each work site was 0.035 mSv, and the expected annual equivalent dose to the eye lens for all workers in various work sites was 0.001 mSv. The maximum annual equivalent dose of operator's hand was 80.620 mSv. The maximum dose of internal irradiation to the worker was 18.750 mSv, which was caused by the volatilization of nuclides. Conclusion With effective protection measures for internal and external irradiation in place, the annual exposure doses for seed production personnel and operator’s hand are below the national limits. Adequate measures should be taken on hand protection.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common complications after liver transplantation. The survival rate of recipients after liver transplantation with diabetes mellitus and the long-term survival rate of grafts are significantly lower than those of their counterparts without diabetes mellitus. In recent years, diabetes mellitus after liver transplantation has attracted widespread attention along with the rapid development of liver transplantation in China. Although post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) has been extensively investigated in the past two decades, multiple problems remain to be further resolved. The study was designed to review the latest research progress upon diabetes mellitus after liver transplantation, covering the definition and diagnostic criteria of PTDM, risk factors, prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus after liver transplantation, aiming to deepen the understanding of diabetes mellitus following liver transplantation, deliver effective prevention and management, improve the long-term survival rate and enhance the quality of life of the recipients.

The ongoing pandemic of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by a newly discovered β Coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). How long the adaptive immunity triggered by SARS-CoV-2 can last is of critical clinical relevance in assessing the probability of second infection and efficacy of vaccination. Here we examined, using ELISA, the IgG antibodies in serum specimens collected from 17 COVID-19 patients at 6-7 months after diagnosis and the results were compared to those from cases investigated 2 weeks to 2 months post-infection. All samples were positive for IgGs against the S- and N-proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Notably, 14 samples available at 6-7 months post-infection all showed significant neutralizing activities in a pseudovirus assay, with no difference in blocking the cell-entry of the 614D and 614G variants of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, in 10 blood samples from cases at 6-7 months post-infection used for memory T-cell tests, we found that interferon γ-producing CD4
Adaptive Immunity/physiology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood* ; COVID-19/immunology* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology* ; T-Lymphocytes/physiology* ; Time Factors ; Viral Proteins/immunology*