In order to explore the potential of nanoparticles from ethanol extracts of Euphorbia he-lioscopia L.(ZQNPs)in antibacterial application.In this study,ZQNPs were prepared by the self-assembly method using alcohol extract of Euphorbia helioscopia L.,polylysine and polyethylene glycol 1 000 as raw materials.The morphology and structure of ZQNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy,UV-vis spectrophotometer,and Fourier transform infrared spec-troscopy.The growth and biofilm inhibition of ZQNPs against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)were tested by broth microdilution,crystal violet,and checkerboard assays.The broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and antibacterial activity of ZQNPs against three clinical strains were evaluated by broth microdilution method.Finally,the antibacterial mechanism of ZQNPs was preliminarily explored by morphological observation and soluble protein detection of MRSA.The results showed that ZQNPs were self-assembled and cross-linked multi-faceted spheres with an average diameter of 67 nm.The MIC of ZQNPs against MRSA was 8 mg/L,and the antibacterial effect was much better than that of Euphorbia helioscopia L.mongolicum alcohol extract(MIC＞32 mg/L).The time killing curve again showed that ZQNPS had a good antibacteri-al effect on MRSA(8 mg/L)biofilm inhibition rate of 89％,and the antibacterial effect of ZQNPS combined with cefquinome sulfate showed additive results.The mics of ZQNPs against Gram-posi-tive bacteria(S.aureus)and gram-negative bacteria(E.coli)were 16 mg/L and 8 mg/L,respec-tively.The mics of ZQNPS against E.coli clinical strains were stable between 8 and 16 mg/L.The MIC of Salmonella clinical strains was 32-64 mg/L,and the MIC of S.aureus clinical strains was 8-64 mg/L.Preliminary antibacterial mechanism showed that ZQNPs could destroy the membrane structure of MRSA,lead to the release of intracellular substances,and affect the growth of MRSA.These results indicate that ZQNPs have a good antibacterial effect and have potential application value in antimicrobial therapy.

In order to explore the potential of nanoparticles from ethanol extracts of Euphorbia he-lioscopia L.(ZQNPs)in antibacterial application.In this study,ZQNPs were prepared by the self-assembly method using alcohol extract of Euphorbia helioscopia L.,polylysine and polyethylene glycol 1 000 as raw materials.The morphology and structure of ZQNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy,UV-vis spectrophotometer,and Fourier transform infrared spec-troscopy.The growth and biofilm inhibition of ZQNPs against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)were tested by broth microdilution,crystal violet,and checkerboard assays.The broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and antibacterial activity of ZQNPs against three clinical strains were evaluated by broth microdilution method.Finally,the antibacterial mechanism of ZQNPs was preliminarily explored by morphological observation and soluble protein detection of MRSA.The results showed that ZQNPs were self-assembled and cross-linked multi-faceted spheres with an average diameter of 67 nm.The MIC of ZQNPs against MRSA was 8 mg/L,and the antibacterial effect was much better than that of Euphorbia helioscopia L.mongolicum alcohol extract(MIC＞32 mg/L).The time killing curve again showed that ZQNPS had a good antibacteri-al effect on MRSA(8 mg/L)biofilm inhibition rate of 89％,and the antibacterial effect of ZQNPS combined with cefquinome sulfate showed additive results.The mics of ZQNPs against Gram-posi-tive bacteria(S.aureus)and gram-negative bacteria(E.coli)were 16 mg/L and 8 mg/L,respec-tively.The mics of ZQNPS against E.coli clinical strains were stable between 8 and 16 mg/L.The MIC of Salmonella clinical strains was 32-64 mg/L,and the MIC of S.aureus clinical strains was 8-64 mg/L.Preliminary antibacterial mechanism showed that ZQNPs could destroy the membrane structure of MRSA,lead to the release of intracellular substances,and affect the growth of MRSA.These results indicate that ZQNPs have a good antibacterial effect and have potential application value in antimicrobial therapy.

Objective To analyze the status quo of cognitive frailty (CF) in community elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its correlation with sleep quality, anxiety and depression. Methods Elderly patients with COPD receiving health management in the center were selected from July 2023 to June 2024. The general data of patients were collected and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Fried Frailty Phenotype (FP), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used for investigation, and the above scores were analyzed. All patients were divided into CF group (n=129) and non-CF group (n=319) according to MMSE score and FP score. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were used to analyze the influencing factors of CF in elderly COPD patients. Results Pearson correlation analysis showed that MMSE score was significantly negatively correlated with PSQI score and HADS score in elderly COPD patients (P<0.05), and FP score was significantly positively correlated with PSQI score and HADS score (P<0.05). After logistic regression analysis, it was found that education level, marital status and sleep time were protective factors of CF in elderly COPD patients (P<0.05), and PSQI score and HADS score were risk factors of CF in elderly patients with COPD (P<0.05). Conclusion CF in community elderly COPD patients is related to sleep quality, sleep duration and anxiety and depression. It is necessary to take clinical measures to improve the sleep quality and psychological status, so as to avoid or slow down the occurrence of CF.

Elderly patients are a crucial population for medical treatment and referral.The establishment of standardized and efficient referral channels is essential for enhancing the referral process, improving treatment outcomes for the elderly, and optimizing the allocation of medical resources.Referral network analysis examines the integrity, structure, and dynamics of referrals to infer the characteristics of the network.This can offer insights for enhancing referral policies and elevating medical service standards.While existing research predominantly concentrates on referral networks within the general population, there is a noticeable gap in studies focusing on elderly patients.This review article assesses domestic and international research on networks formed between medical institutions or physicians through patient referrals, aiming to inform and enhance referral policies in our country.

Elderly patients are a crucial population for medical treatment and referral.The establishment of standardized and efficient referral channels is essential for enhancing the referral process, improving treatment outcomes for the elderly, and optimizing the allocation of medical resources.Referral network analysis examines the integrity, structure, and dynamics of referrals to infer the characteristics of the network.This can offer insights for enhancing referral policies and elevating medical service standards.While existing research predominantly concentrates on referral networks within the general population, there is a noticeable gap in studies focusing on elderly patients.This review article assesses domestic and international research on networks formed between medical institutions or physicians through patient referrals, aiming to inform and enhance referral policies in our country.

Background::Total human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA and integrated HIV DNA are widely used markers of HIV persistence. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) can be used for absolute quantification without needing a standard curve. Here, we developed duplex ddPCR assays to detect and quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA.Methods::The limit of detection, dynamic ranges, sensitivity, and reproducibility were evaluated by plasmid constructs containing both the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) and human CD3 gene (for total HIV DNA) and ACH-2 cells (for integrated HIV DNA). Forty-two cases on stable suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) were assayed in total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA. Correlation coefficient analysis was performed on the data related to DNA copies and cluster of differentiation 4 positive (CD4 +) T-cell counts, CD8 + T-cell counts and CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, respectively. The assay linear dynamic range and lower limit of detection (LLOD) were also assessed. Results::The assay could detect the presence of HIV-1 copies 100% at concentrations of 6.3 copies/reaction, and the estimated LLOD of the ddPCR assay was 4.4 HIV DNA copies/reaction (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.6-6.5 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 5-log 10-unit range in total HIV DNA assay. For the integrated HIV DNA assay, the LLOD was 8.0 copies/reaction (95% CI: 5.8-16.6 copies/reaction) with linearity over a 3-log 10-unit range. Total HIV DNA in CD4 + T cells was positively associated with integrated HIV DNA ( r = 0.76, P <0.0001). Meanwhile, both total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA in CD4 + T cells were inversely correlated with the ratio of CD4/CD8 but positively correlated with the CD8 + T-cell counts. Conclusions::This ddPCR assay can quantify total HIV DNA and integrated HIV DNA efficiently with robustness and sensitivity. It can be readily adapted for measuring HIV DNA with non-B clades, and it could be beneficial for testing in clinical trials.

Objective    To compare and investigate the efficacy and differences of modified B-T shunt, central shunt and right ventricle-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) connection in the treatment of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods    A total of 124 children with PA/VSD underwent initial palliative repair in Shanghai Children's Medical Center from September 2014 to August 2019, including 63 males and 61 females, aged 7 days to 15 years. They were divided into in a modified B-T shunt group (55 patients), a central shunt group (22 patients) and a RV-PA connection group (47 patients). The clinical data of these children were retrospectively analyzed. Results    There were 9 early deaths after palliation, with an early mortality rate of 7.3%. The mean follow-up time was 26.5±20.3 months, with 5 patients lost to follow-up, 5 deaths during the follow-up period, and 105 survivors. The 1-year and 5-year survival rates were both 89.7%. The monthly increased Nakata index was 5.2 (–0.2, 12.3) mm2/m2, 9.2 (0.1, 23.6) mm2/m2, 6.3 (1.8, 23.3) mm2/m2 in the modified B-T shunt group, the central shunt group, and the RV-PA connection group, respectively, with no statistical difference among the three groups. The 1-year survival rate was 85.3%, 78.4%, 95.2%, and the 5-year (4-year in the central shunt group) survival rate was 85.3%, 58.8%, 95.2% in the three groups, respectively, with a statistical difference among them (P<0.05). The complete repair rate was 36.5%, 19.0% and 67.4% in the three groups, respectively, with a statistical difference among the three groups (P<0.001). Conclusion    All these three palliative surgical approaches can effectively promote pulmonary vascular development. But compared with systemic-pulmonary shunt, RV-PA connection has a lower perioperative mortality rate and can achieve a higher complete repair rate at a later stage, which is beneficial for long-term prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the effects of centralized volume-based procurement policy （hereinafter referred to as “centralized procurement”） on the use of anti-tumor drugs in medical institutions. METHODS The interrupted time series model was used to analyze the changes in the monthly purchase volume and purchase amount of docetaxel， gemcitabine and pemetrexed disodium in a third-grade class-A cancer hospital in Shanxi province from January 2018 to December 2021. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS After the implementation of the centralized procurement policy， both the selected drugs and the non-selected drugs had different degrees of price reduction， and the price reduction of the selected drugs was far greater than that of the non- selected drugs； average monthly purchase volume and amount of docetaxel decreased significantly in that month after the implementation of the policy， while those of gemcitabine and pemetrexed disodium increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. After the implementation of the policy， the average monthly purchase volume and amount of gemcitabine showed a downward trend， while those of docetaxel and pemetrexed disodium showed an upward trend （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. It is suggested that hospitals should strengthen pharmaceutical administration， and avoid adopting a “one size fits all” approach to non-selected drugs； relevant departments should further expand the collection range of anti-tumor drugs or carry out special collection of anti-tumor drugs， so as to save medical insurance funds and reduce medical expenses.

Background::Cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8 T) cells play critical roles in eradicating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection, but little is known about the effects of T cells expressing CD8 at low levels (CD8 low) or high levels (CD8 high) on HIV-1 replication inhibition after HIV-1 invasion into individual. Methods::Nineteen patients who had been acutely infected with HIV-1 (AHI) and 20 patients with chronic infection (CHI) for ≥2 years were enrolled in this study to investigate the dynamics of the quantity, activation, and immune responses of CD3 +CD8 low T cells and their counterpart CD3 +CD8 high T cells at different stages of HIV-1 infection. Results::Compared with healthy donors, CD3 +CD8 low T cells expanded in HIV-1-infected individuals at different stages of infection. As HIV-1 infection progressed, CD3 +CD8 low T cells gradually decreased. Simultaneously, CD3 +CD8 high T cells was significantly reduced in the first month of AHI and then increased gradually as HIV-1 infection progressed. The classical activation of CD3 +CD8 low T cells was highest in the first month of AHI and then reduced as HIV-1 infection progressed and entered the chronic stage. Meanwhile, activated CD38 -HLA-DR +CD8 low T cells did not increase in the first month of AHI, and the number of these cells was inversely associated with viral load ( r = -0.664, P = 0.004) but positively associated with the CD4 T-cell count ( r = 0.586, P = 0.014). Increased programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) abundance on CD3 +CD8 low T cells was observed from the 1st month of AHI but did not continue to be enhanced, while a significant T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) domains (TIGIT) abundance increase was observed in the 12th month of infection. Furthermore, increased PD-1 and TIGIT abundance on CD3 +CD8 low T cells was associated with a low CD4 T-cell count (PD-1: r = -0.456, P = 0.043; TIGIT: r = -0.488, P = 0.029) in CHI. Nonetheless, the nonincrease in PD-1 expression on classically activated CD3 +CD8 low T cells was inversely associated with HIV-1 viremia in the first month of AHI ( r = -0.578, P = 0.015). Notably, in the first month of AHI, few CD3 +CD8 low T cells, but comparable amounts of CD3 +CD8 high T cells, responded to Gag peptides. Then, weaker HIV-1-specific T-cell responses were induced in CD3 +CD8 low T cells than CD3 +CD8 high T cells at the 3rd and 12th months of AHI and in CHI. Conclusions::Our findings suggest that CD3 +CD8 low T cells play an anti-HIV role in the first month of infection due to their abundance but induce a weak HIV-1-specific immune response. Subsequently, CD3 +CD8 low T-cell number decreased gradually as infection persisted, and their anti-HIV functions were inferior to those of CD3 +CD8 high T cells.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the operability and effectiveness of a self-developed patellar bone canal locator (hereinafter referred to as "locator") in the reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). METHODS: A total of 38 patients with recurrent patellar dislocation who met the selection criteria admitted between January 2022 and December 2022 were randomly divided into study group (the patellar canal was established with a locator during MPFL reconstruction) and control group (no locator was used in MPFL reconstruction), with 19 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups ( P>0.05), such as gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, patella Wiberg classification, constituent ratio of cartilage injury, Caton index, tibia tubercle-trochlear groove, and preoperative Lysholm score, Kujal score, Tegner score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and so on. The Lysholm score, Kujal score, Tegner score, and VAS score were used to evaluate knee joint function before operation and at 3 days,1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation. The ideal prepatellar cortical thickness and canal length were measured before operation, and the actual prepatellar cortical thickness and canal length after operation were also measured, and D1 (the distance between the ideal entrance and the actual entrance), D2 (the ideal canal length minus the actual canal length), D3 (the ideal prepatellar cortical thickness minus the actual prepatellar cortical thickness) were calculated. RESULTS: Patients in both groups were followed up 6-8 months (mean, 6.7 months). The incision length and intraoperative blood loss in the study group were smaller than those in the control group, but the operation time was longer than that in the control group, the differences were significant ( P<0.05). There was no complication such as incision infection, effusion, and delayed healing in both groups, and no further dislocation occurred during follow-up. One patient in the study group had persistent pain in the anserine area after operation, and the symptoms were relieved after physiotherapy. The VAS score of the two groups increased significantly at 3 days after operation, and gradually decreased with the extension of time; the change trends of Lysholm score, Kujal score, and Tegner score were opposite to VAS score. Except that the Lysholm score and Kujal score of the study group were higher than those of the control group at 3 days after operation, and the VAS score of the study group was lower than that of the control group at 3 days and 1 month after operation, the differences were significant ( P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the scores between the two groups at other time points ( P>0.05). Patellar bone canal evaluation showed that there was no significant difference in preoperative simulated ideal canal length, prepatellar cortical thickness, and postoperative actual canal length between the two groups ( P>0.05). The postoperative actual prepatellar cortical thickness of the study group was significantly smaller than that of the control group ( P<0.05). D1 and D3 in the study group were significantly higher than those in control group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in D2 between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION The locator can improve the accuracy of MPFL reconstruction surgery, reduce the possibility of intraoperative damage to the articular surface of patella and postoperative patellar fractures.
Humans ; Patella/surgery* ; Patellar Dislocation/surgery* ; Patellofemoral Joint/surgery* ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Joint Dislocations ; Ligaments, Articular/surgery*