Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of electric fire acupuncture in patients with swallowing disorder caused by pseudobulbar palsy(PBP)after stroke.Methods Prospectively selected 82 patients with post-stroke PBP resulting in dysphagia admitted to the outpatient department of some hospital from July to December 2023 were divided into an observation group(41 cases treated by electro-fire acupuncture and routine western therapy)and a control group(41 cases by routine western therapy)according to the randomized numerical table method.The two groups were compared in terms of total clinical effective rate,symptom score and Ichiro Fujishima efficacy score.SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results After treatment,the observation group had the total clinical effective rate(95.1％)higher than that of the control group(78.0％),the symptom score involving in dysarthria,choking on drinking water and dysphagia lower while Ichiro Fujishima efficacy score higher than those of the control group,with all the differences being significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The electro-fire acupuncture combined with routine western therapy behaves well in treating patients with swallowing disorder caused by pseudobulbar palsy(PBP)after stroke,and thus is worthy promoting in medical institutions widely.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):64-68]

Objective To investigate the changing antibiotic resistance profiles of E.coli isolated from patients in the 52 hospitals participating in the CHINET program from 2015 to 2021.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested for clinical isolates of E.coli according to the unified protocol of CHINET program.WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 20.0 software were used for data analysis.Results Atotal of 289 760 nonduplicate clinical strains ofE.coli were isolated from 2015 to 2021,mainly from urine samples(44.7±3.2)％.The proportion of E.coli strains isolated from urine samples was higher in females than in males(59.0％vs 29.5％).The proportion of E.coli strains isolated from respiratory tract and cerebrospinal fluid samples was significantly higher in children than in adults(16.7％vs 7.8％,0.8％vs 0.1％,both P＜0.05).The isolates from internal medicine department accounted for the largest proportion(28.9±2.8)％with an increasing trend over years.Overall,the prevalence of ESBLs-producing E.coli and carbapenem resistant E.coli(CREco)was 55.9％and 1.8％,respectively during the 7-year period.The prevalence of ESBLs-producing E.coli was the highest in tertiary hospitals each year from 2015 to 2021 compared to secondary hospitals.The prevalence of CREco was higher in children's hospitals compared to secondary and tertiary hospitals each year from 2015 to 2021.The prevalence of ESBLs-producing E.coli in tertiary hospitals and children's hospitals and the prevalence of CREco in children's hospitals showed a decreasing trend over the 7-year period.The prevalence of CREco in secondary and tertiary hospitals increased slowly.Antibiotic resistance rates changed slowly from 2015 to 2021.Carbapenem drugs(imipenem,meropenem)were the most active drugs amongβ-lactams against E.coli(resistance rate≤2.1％).The resistance rates of E.coli to β-lactam/β-lactam inhibitor combinations(piperacillin-tazobactam,cefoperazone-sulbactam),aminoglycosides(amikacin),nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin(for urinary isolates only)were all less than 10％.The resistance rate of E.coli strains to antibiotics varied with the level of hospitals and the departments where the strains were isolated,especially for cefazolin and ciprofloxacin,to which the resistance rate of E.coli strains from children in non-ICU departments was significantly lower than that of the strains isolated from other departments(P＜0.05).The E.coli isolates from ICU showed higher resistance rate to most antimicrobial agents tested(excluding tigecycline)than the strains isolated from other departments.The E.coli strains isolated from tertiary hospitals showed higher resistance rates to the antimicrobial agents tested(excluding tigecycline,polymyxin B,cefepime and carbapenems)than the strains from secondary hospitals and children's hospitals.Conclusions E.coli is an important pathogen causing clinical infection.More than half of the clinical isolates produced ESBL.The prevalence of CREco is increasing in secondary and tertiary hospitals over the 7-year period even though the overall prevalence is still low.This is an issue of concern.

Objective To investigate and compare the epidemiological characteristics of common respiratory viruses among influenza-like illness(ILI)and severe acute respiratory infection(SARI)cases in Huzhou,Zhejiang Province before and after the COVID-19 pandemic,so as to provide a basis for formulating and adjusting the prevention and control strategies for viral respiratory infectious diseases.Methods ILI and SARI cases at two influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Huzhou and had throat swab samples collected during Nov 2017 to Feb 2020(pre-COVID-19 pandemic period)and Dec 2022 to Apr 2024(post-COVID-19 mitigation phase)were selected as the participants.Seven common viral respiratory pathogens were tested,including influenza A virus(H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes),influenza B virus(Victoria lineage,FluB),respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),rhinovirus(HRV),adenovirus(ADV),and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2).The positive rates of respiratory pathogens before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were compared across different age groups and different time.Results A total of 7 948 ILI samples and 2 294 SARI samples were included.The overall positive rate of ILI samples increased from 33.6%to 47.1%,primarily due to the increase in influenza and COVID-19 infections;the overall positive rate of SARI samples decreased from 31.4%to 24.8%,mainly due to the reduction in HRV and ADV infections.During the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,SARS-CoV-2(22.1%),H3N2(12.7%),and FluB(6.0%)were the primary pathogens in ILI samples,while RSV(7.1%),H3N2(5.3%),and HRV(4.5%)dominated in SARI samples.During the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,the influenza virus circulation period was shortened.Before the COVID-19 pandemic,RSV was mainly detected in autumn and winter,while during the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,out-of-season RSV epidemics were observed in spring and summer.Co-infection rate in ILI cases increased significantly in the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,predominantly consisting of co-infections of COVID-19 and influenza A virus,while co-infection rate in SARI cases showed a decline.Conclusion We found important epidemiological changes in respiratory viruses in Huzhou during the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase compared to pre-COVID-19 period,including increased positive rates of influenza and COVID-19,and disruptions to the seasonal patterns of influenza and RSV.The prevention and control strategies should be adjusted in a timely manner based on the monitoring data.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of electric fire acupuncture in patients with swallowing disorder caused by pseudobulbar palsy(PBP)after stroke.Methods Prospectively selected 82 patients with post-stroke PBP resulting in dysphagia admitted to the outpatient department of some hospital from July to December 2023 were divided into an observation group(41 cases treated by electro-fire acupuncture and routine western therapy)and a control group(41 cases by routine western therapy)according to the randomized numerical table method.The two groups were compared in terms of total clinical effective rate,symptom score and Ichiro Fujishima efficacy score.SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results After treatment,the observation group had the total clinical effective rate(95.1％)higher than that of the control group(78.0％),the symptom score involving in dysarthria,choking on drinking water and dysphagia lower while Ichiro Fujishima efficacy score higher than those of the control group,with all the differences being significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The electro-fire acupuncture combined with routine western therapy behaves well in treating patients with swallowing disorder caused by pseudobulbar palsy(PBP)after stroke,and thus is worthy promoting in medical institutions widely.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):64-68]

Objective To investigate the changing antibiotic resistance profiles of E.coli isolated from patients in the 52 hospitals participating in the CHINET program from 2015 to 2021.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested for clinical isolates of E.coli according to the unified protocol of CHINET program.WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 20.0 software were used for data analysis.Results Atotal of 289 760 nonduplicate clinical strains ofE.coli were isolated from 2015 to 2021,mainly from urine samples(44.7±3.2)％.The proportion of E.coli strains isolated from urine samples was higher in females than in males(59.0％vs 29.5％).The proportion of E.coli strains isolated from respiratory tract and cerebrospinal fluid samples was significantly higher in children than in adults(16.7％vs 7.8％,0.8％vs 0.1％,both P＜0.05).The isolates from internal medicine department accounted for the largest proportion(28.9±2.8)％with an increasing trend over years.Overall,the prevalence of ESBLs-producing E.coli and carbapenem resistant E.coli(CREco)was 55.9％and 1.8％,respectively during the 7-year period.The prevalence of ESBLs-producing E.coli was the highest in tertiary hospitals each year from 2015 to 2021 compared to secondary hospitals.The prevalence of CREco was higher in children's hospitals compared to secondary and tertiary hospitals each year from 2015 to 2021.The prevalence of ESBLs-producing E.coli in tertiary hospitals and children's hospitals and the prevalence of CREco in children's hospitals showed a decreasing trend over the 7-year period.The prevalence of CREco in secondary and tertiary hospitals increased slowly.Antibiotic resistance rates changed slowly from 2015 to 2021.Carbapenem drugs(imipenem,meropenem)were the most active drugs amongβ-lactams against E.coli(resistance rate≤2.1％).The resistance rates of E.coli to β-lactam/β-lactam inhibitor combinations(piperacillin-tazobactam,cefoperazone-sulbactam),aminoglycosides(amikacin),nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin(for urinary isolates only)were all less than 10％.The resistance rate of E.coli strains to antibiotics varied with the level of hospitals and the departments where the strains were isolated,especially for cefazolin and ciprofloxacin,to which the resistance rate of E.coli strains from children in non-ICU departments was significantly lower than that of the strains isolated from other departments(P＜0.05).The E.coli isolates from ICU showed higher resistance rate to most antimicrobial agents tested(excluding tigecycline)than the strains isolated from other departments.The E.coli strains isolated from tertiary hospitals showed higher resistance rates to the antimicrobial agents tested(excluding tigecycline,polymyxin B,cefepime and carbapenems)than the strains from secondary hospitals and children's hospitals.Conclusions E.coli is an important pathogen causing clinical infection.More than half of the clinical isolates produced ESBL.The prevalence of CREco is increasing in secondary and tertiary hospitals over the 7-year period even though the overall prevalence is still low.This is an issue of concern.

Objective:To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the cognition and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) of persons with cerebral small vessel disease.Methods:A total of 71 patients with cognitive impairment due to cerebral small vessel disease were randomly divided into a control group ( n=35) and a treatment group ( n=36). The treatment group was further divided into a group with mild cognitive impairment (a score of 21 to 26 on the mini-mental state exam, n=23) and a moderate cognitive impairment group (scoring 10 to 20, n=13). The treatment groups received 10Hz rTMS, while the control group received sham rTMS. Before and after 90 days of treatment, all were assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the cognitive subscale of the vascular dementia assessment scale (VaDAS-cog). Ability in the activities of daily living was quantified using the Barthel Index (BI). Results:After treatment, significantly increased MMSE and BI scores, but significantly decreased VaDAS-cog scores were observed in both groups. At that point the treatment group showed a significantly higher average post-treatment MMSE score (25.61±2.94) and BI score (80.00±7.85), but a significantly lower average VaDAS-cog score (44.06±3.41) than the control group. The average MMSE scores were not significantly different between the mild and moderate cognitive impairment subgroups. No severe adverse reactions were observed during the rTMS treatment.Conclusions:The 10Hz rTMS can effectively improve the cognition and daily living ability of persons with cerebral small vessel disease.

Objective:To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the cognition and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) of persons with cerebral small vessel disease.Methods:A total of 71 patients with cognitive impairment due to cerebral small vessel disease were randomly divided into a control group ( n=35) and a treatment group ( n=36). The treatment group was further divided into a group with mild cognitive impairment (a score of 21 to 26 on the mini-mental state exam, n=23) and a moderate cognitive impairment group (scoring 10 to 20, n=13). The treatment groups received 10Hz rTMS, while the control group received sham rTMS. Before and after 90 days of treatment, all were assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the cognitive subscale of the vascular dementia assessment scale (VaDAS-cog). Ability in the activities of daily living was quantified using the Barthel Index (BI). Results:After treatment, significantly increased MMSE and BI scores, but significantly decreased VaDAS-cog scores were observed in both groups. At that point the treatment group showed a significantly higher average post-treatment MMSE score (25.61±2.94) and BI score (80.00±7.85), but a significantly lower average VaDAS-cog score (44.06±3.41) than the control group. The average MMSE scores were not significantly different between the mild and moderate cognitive impairment subgroups. No severe adverse reactions were observed during the rTMS treatment.Conclusions:The 10Hz rTMS can effectively improve the cognition and daily living ability of persons with cerebral small vessel disease.

Objective To investigate and compare the epidemiological characteristics of common respiratory viruses among influenza-like illness(ILI)and severe acute respiratory infection(SARI)cases in Huzhou,Zhejiang Province before and after the COVID-19 pandemic,so as to provide a basis for formulating and adjusting the prevention and control strategies for viral respiratory infectious diseases.Methods ILI and SARI cases at two influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Huzhou and had throat swab samples collected during Nov 2017 to Feb 2020(pre-COVID-19 pandemic period)and Dec 2022 to Apr 2024(post-COVID-19 mitigation phase)were selected as the participants.Seven common viral respiratory pathogens were tested,including influenza A virus(H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes),influenza B virus(Victoria lineage,FluB),respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),rhinovirus(HRV),adenovirus(ADV),and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2).The positive rates of respiratory pathogens before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were compared across different age groups and different time.Results A total of 7 948 ILI samples and 2 294 SARI samples were included.The overall positive rate of ILI samples increased from 33.6%to 47.1%,primarily due to the increase in influenza and COVID-19 infections;the overall positive rate of SARI samples decreased from 31.4%to 24.8%,mainly due to the reduction in HRV and ADV infections.During the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,SARS-CoV-2(22.1%),H3N2(12.7%),and FluB(6.0%)were the primary pathogens in ILI samples,while RSV(7.1%),H3N2(5.3%),and HRV(4.5%)dominated in SARI samples.During the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,the influenza virus circulation period was shortened.Before the COVID-19 pandemic,RSV was mainly detected in autumn and winter,while during the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,out-of-season RSV epidemics were observed in spring and summer.Co-infection rate in ILI cases increased significantly in the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,predominantly consisting of co-infections of COVID-19 and influenza A virus,while co-infection rate in SARI cases showed a decline.Conclusion We found important epidemiological changes in respiratory viruses in Huzhou during the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase compared to pre-COVID-19 period,including increased positive rates of influenza and COVID-19,and disruptions to the seasonal patterns of influenza and RSV.The prevention and control strategies should be adjusted in a timely manner based on the monitoring data.

ObjectiveKaroshi, death from overwork, is a serious problem with unclear identification standards and mechanisms. This study aims to establish a karoshi rat model by integrating weight-bearing swimming and sleep deprivation. This model will enable us to investigate the adverse effects of acute physical and mental fatigue on cardiac functions and explore the response mechanisms to overwork using integrated omics approaches, specifically metabonomics and proteomics. MethodsThe experimental design involved healthy male sprague-dawley (SD) rats subjected to weight-bearing swimming and sleep deprivation for 7 d. The rats were monitored for changes in physiological function indexes, including electrocardiogram and respiration. Protein digestion, iTRAQ labeling, and quantitative data analyses were performed to determine differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Additionally, GC-MS analysis was conducted to identify differential metabolites. The integration analysis of differential metabolites and proteins shared by the fatigue group and the overwork group was performed to construct a relevant metabolic pathway network and integrate the proteomics and metabolomics data. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range t-tests. ResultsThe rats subjected to weight-bearing swimming and sleep deprivation showed various physical and behavioral changes associated with fatigue, including hair disorder, decreased muscle tension, reduced food intake, and weight loss. Analysis of cardiac functions revealed cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in the fatigue and karoshi groups, as evidenced by changes in heart color, myocardial fiber structure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and cardiac ultrasound measurements. Metabolomics analysis using GC-MS identified several differential metabolites in response to overwork, including amino acids involved in various metabolic pathways. Proteomic analysis using iTRAQ technology identified DEPs in the fatigue and karoshi groups, with a subset of DEPs shared by both groups. The GO analysis revealed that the up-regulated DEPs were primarily associated with mitochondria and peroxisomes in the cellular component category. The Reactome analysis further highlighted the enrichment of DEPs in the transfer of ferriheme from methemoglobin to hemopexin pathway. Integration analysis of the DEPs and differential metabolites revealed the activation of autophagy, increased mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, enhanced branched-chain amino acid degradation, and altered peroxisomal β-oxidation. These findings suggested complex metabolic adaptations to meet the increased energy demands during overwork while also dealing with oxidative stress. Furthermore, the reprogramming of energy metabolism was observed, with upregulation of fatty acid β-oxidation enzymes and glycolysis-related enzymes in the fatigue group, indicating a shift towards glucose metabolism. In contrast, the karoshi group showed a decreased dependence on fatty acids as an energy source and increased utilization of glucose. The model proposed in this study highlights the interconnected metabolic changes involving mitochondria, peroxisomes, and lysosomes in response to overwork. The findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms involved in overwork-related pathologies and provide a basis for further research in the field of karoshi. ConclusionOverall, metabolic reprogramming might provide sufficient energy to the heart, alleviate oxidative stress and damage to cardiac cells in response to excessive exertion and fatigue. Our findings provide an insight into response mechanism to overwork death and lay a foundation for further research on overwork death.

Objective To investigate the differences in clinical characteristics among children on prolonged mechanical ventilation(PMV)due to different primary diseases.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 59 pediatric patients requiring PMV from July 2017 to September 2022.According to the primary disease,they were divided into respiratory disease(RD)group,central nervous system(CNS)group,neuromuscular disease(NMD)group,and other disease group.The four groups were compared in terms of general information,treatment,and outcome.Results There were significant differences among the four groups in age,body weight,Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction-2(PELOD-2)score,Pediatric Risk of Mortality Ⅲ(PRISM Ⅲ)score,analgesic and sedative treatment,nutrition supply,rehabilitation treatment,tracheotomy,successful ventilator weaning,and outcomes(P＜0.05).Compared with the RD group,the CNS group and the other disease group had a significantly higher age and a significantly higher proportion of children receiving rehabilitation treatment,and the CNS group had a significantly higher proportion of children receiving tracheotomy(P＜0.008).Compared with the other disease group,the CNS group and the NMD group had significantly lower PELOD-2 and PRISM Ⅲ scores,and the CNS group had a significantly higher proportion of children with successful ventilator weaning and a significantly higher proportion of children who were improved and discharged(P＜0.008).Conclusions There are differences in clinical characteristics among children receiving PMV due to different etiologies.Most children in the RD group have a younger age,and children in the CNS group have a relatively good prognosis.