ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence rate of chronic non-communicable diseases （NCDs） and the association with quality of life in middle-aged and elderly patients with HIV/AIDS. MethodsThis cross-sectional study surveyed 432 patients with HIV/AIDS （aged≥45 years） in the Infectious Disease Center in Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University， and 366 participants were included in the analysis after quality control. A questionnaire and the EuroQol 5-Dimensional 3-level version （EQ-5D-3L） were used to investigate NCDs and quality of life and Tobit regression model was used to estimate the association between chronic diseases and quality of life. ResultsAmong the 366 participants， 29（7.9%） had cardiovascular disease， 45（12.3%） had hypertension， 122（33.3%） had hyperglycemia， 151（41.3%）had hyperlipidemia，7（1.9%） had cancer， 17 （4.6%） had chronic kidney disease， 38 （10.4%） had chronic liver disease， 21（5.7%） had musculoskeletal disorders， and 253（69.1%） suffered from at least one type of chronic diseases. The median （lower and upper quartiles） of EQ-5D utility index was 1.000（0.964~1.000）. Multivariate Tobit regression results of the total population showed that cancer ［b_a=-0.08，95%CI （-0.15，-0.01），P=0.036］， chronic kidney disease ［b_a=-0.07， 95%CI （-0.12，-0.02），P=0.006］， musculoskeletal disease ［b_a=-0.09， 95%CI （-0.13， -0.05），P<0.001］， and ≥3 types of chronic diseases［b_a=-0.05， 95%CI（-0.08，-0.01），P=0.013］ were negatively correlated with EQ-5D utility index. The stratified analysis results of different CD4+T cell levels showed that hypertension ［b_a=-0.07， 95%CI （-0.12， -0.02）， P=0.007］， chronic kidney disease ［b_a=-0.10，95%CI （-0.18，-0.03）， P=0.006］， musculoskeletal disease ［b_a=-0.15， 95%CI （-0.22，-0.07）， P<0.001］ and ≥3 types of chronic diseases ［b_a=-0.09， 95%CI （-0.09， -0.01）， P<0.001］ were negatively correlated with EQ-5D utility index in the group with CD4≤500 （cells/μL）， whereas cancer［b_a=-0.11， 95%CI （-0.20，-0.01）， P=0.031］ was negatively correlated with EQ-5D utility index in the group with CD4＞500（cells/μL）. ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of chronic non-communicable diseases in middle-aged and elderly patients with HIV/AIDS is relatively high. The classification of NCDs such as cancer or chronic kidney disease or other chronic diseases and the numbers of NCDs categories are negatively correlated with quality of life. However，this association varies among patients with HIV/AIDS of different CD4+T cell levels. It is suggested that we should try to prevent and identify NCDs at an early stage， strengthen linkages and integration of health services for AIDS and chronic NCDs， and jointly manage and control AIDS with chronic diseases to improve the quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS.

ObjectiveTo compare the contents and relative molecular weight distributions of proteins and polypeptides in Naoxuekang dropping pills， Huoxue Tongmai capsules and Maixuekang capsules of Hirudo single medicinal preparations， to evaluate the in vitro anticoagulant， antiplatelet and fibrinolytic activities of the three preparations， and to investigate the effects of temperature， pH and digestive enzymes on the anticoagulant activities of the three preparations. MethodsThe contents of soluble proteins and polypeptides in the three preparations were determined by bicinchoninic acid assay（BCA） and Bradford method， and the relative molecular weight distributions of the three preparations were determined by electrophoresis combined with gel chromatography. The antithrombin activity of the three preparations was evaluated by fibrinogen-thrombin time（Fibg-TT） method， and their anticoagulant activities were further assessed by the elongations of activated partial thromboplastin time（APTT）， prothrombin time（PT） and thrombin time（TT）. The antiplatelet aggregation activities of the three preparations were measured by turbidimetry and the fibrinolytic activities were measured by fibrin plate method. Relative TT was used as index to investigate the effects of temperature， pH and digestive enzyme buffer on anticoagulant activities of the three preparations. ResultsAt the lowest single dosage， the contents of proteins and polypeptides were in the order of Maixuekang capsules>Huoxue Tongmai capsules>Naoxuekang dropping pills. Both Huoxue Tongmai capsules and Maixuekang capsules had 11 electrophoretic bands between 4.0 kDa and 90 kDa， the bands of Maixuekang capsules were more clear in the range of >25 kDa， and there was 1 obvious band at 14 kDa for the two capsules. Huoxue Tongmai capsules had one specific band at 9.0 kDa and Maixuekang capsules had one specific band at 48.0 kDa. Naoxuekang dropping pills only had 2 electrophoretic bands at 6.5 kDa and 8.5 kDa， primarily containing peptides below 2 kDa， most of which were oligopeptides. The anticoagulant activity concentrations of the three preparations exhibited a certain dose-dependent effect. At the lowest single dosage， The anticoagulant activity concentrations were ranked as Naoxuekang dropping pills>Huoxue Tongmai capsules>Maixuekang capsules. The prolongation effect of the three preparations on coagulation time was dose-dependent. At the same concentration， the prolongation effect of Naoxuekang dropping pills and Huoxue Tongmai capsules was APTT prolongation rate>TT prolongation rate>PT prolongation rate， whereas for Maixuekang capsules， the sequence was TT prolongation rate>APTT prolongation rate>PT lengthening rate. At the single minimum dosage， the order of APTT prolongation rate was Maixuekang capsules>Huoxue Tongmai capsules≈Naoxuekang dropping pills， the order of PT prolongation rate was Naoxuekang dropping pills≈Maixuekang capsules>Huoxue Tongmai capsules， and the order of TT prolongation rate was Maixuekang capsules>Huoxue Tongmai capsules>Naoxuekang dropping pills. The three preparations showed dose-dependent effects on platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate（ADP） and arachidonic acid（AA）， and the effect induced by ADP was stronger than that induced by AA. The anti-platelet aggregation effect of Naoxuekang dropping pills was significantly stronger than that of Maixuekang capsules（P<0.01）， whereas Huoxue Tongmai capsules had the effect of promoting platelet aggregation. None of the three preparations had the ability to dissolve fibrin. The anticoagulant activity of Naoxuekang dropping pills was least affected by heating， while the activities of the two capsules decreased significantly within 5 min above 80 ℃， and continued to decrease within 2 h. Compared with pure water， the anticoagulant activities of the three preparations could be increased by 1-3 times under strong acidity（pH 1-3）. In the pepsin buffer， the anticoagulant activity of Naoxuekang dropping pills could be increased by 1-3 times， while the anticoagulant activities of Huoxue Tongmai capsules and Maxuekang capsules were significantly decreased， the lowest levels were about 60% and 20%， respectively. In trypsin buffer， the anticoagulant activities of Naoxuekang dropping pills， Huoxue Tongmai capsules and Maixuekang capsules decreased significantly， and the lowest levels decreased to about 41%， 41% and 35%， respectively. ConclusionThe contents of proteins and polypeptides and relative molecular weights of the preparations derived from lyophilized fresh Hirudo powder， dried Hirudo powder and reflux extract of Hirudo decrease sequentially， and the anticoagulant activity decrease gradually， but the anticoagulant pathway is different. And the anti-platelet aggregation activity of the reflux extract is significantly enhanced. The heat resistance and gastrointestinal stability of the three preparations increase successively， and the first two are suitable for enteric-soluble preparations， while the latter is suitable for routine oral administration. The above results can provide data reference for the rationality of different preparation methods， active substances， pharmacodynamics and mechanism of Hirudo preparations.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the peripheral neural mechanism underlying representation along the distribution of stomach meridian induced by intestinal inflammatory reaction using diarrhea predominant-irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) mice. METHODS: Among 62 healthy male C57BL/6 mice of clean grade, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a control group and a model group, 6 mice in each group, additionally, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a Tianshu group, a Liangqiu group and a Zusanli group, 4 mice in each group. In the model group, citrobacter was administered orally to establish IBS-D model. In the control group and the model group, the visceral pain threshold was observed using fecal colorectal distension (fCRD) induced electromyography of external oblique muscle, the positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was detected by myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining, the number, location and distribution rule of Evans blue (EB) extravasation points were observed by injection of EB staining solution into the tail vein. In the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, fluorescent dye Dil was injected at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25), "Liangqiu" (ST34) and "Zusanli" (ST36) respectively, to observe the dye-positive cell number in different dorsal root ganglion (DRG) segments. In the control group and the model group, the activation of satellite glial cells (SGCs) in different DRG segments was observed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, in the model group, the area under curve of electromyography of external oblique muscle was increased at fCRD of 25, 50 and 75 μL distilled water (P<0.001, P<0.01); the MPO-positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was increased (P<0.01). Few EB extravasation points could be found in the control group, while there were much more EB extravasation points observed in the model group, which was specially distribution in the area of stomach meridian, from "Huaroumen" (ST24) to "Zusanli" (ST36), as well as the surface area dominated by L₂-L₅ segment of the spinal cord. The Dil-positive cells were mainly exhibited in the DRG of T₁₁, L₅ and L₄ segments in the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, respectively. Compared with the control group, the ratio of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)/glutamine synthetase (GS) co-expression was increased in the DRG of T₁₁, L₄ and L₅ segments in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION The activation of SGCs within DRG of T₁₁, L₄ and L₅ segments may relate closely to the occurrence of the representation along the stomach meridian distribution in IBS-D mice.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Meridians ; Stomach/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Disease Models, Animal

The zebrafish model has attracted much attention due to its strong reproductive ability, short research cycle, and ease of maintenance. It has always been an important vertebrate model system, often used to carry out human disease research. Its motor behavior features have the advantages of being simpler, more intuitive, and quantifiable. In recent years, it has received widespread attention in the study of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for the treatment of sleep disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, fatigue, epilepsy, and other diseases. This paper reviews the characteristics of zebrafish motor behavior and its applications in the pharmacodynamic verification and mechanism research of TCM extracts, active ingredients, and TCM compounds, as well as in active ingredient screening and safety evaluation. The paper also analyzes its advantages and disadvantages, with the aim of improving the breadth and depth of zebrafish and its motor behavior applications in the field of TCM research.
Zebrafish/physiology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods* ; Animals ; Sleep Wake Disorders/physiopathology* ; Epilepsy/physiopathology* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology* ; Fatigue/physiopathology* ; Behavior, Animal/physiology* ; Motor Activity/physiology*

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: EPF3 is a fibrinolysin monomer isolated and purified from Pheretima vulgaris Chen, an earthworm used in traditional Chinese medicine as Dilong for treating blood stasis syndrome. Its composition, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activities, and relevant mechanisms have been confirmed through in vitro experiments. However, whether it has antithrombotic effects in vivo and can be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract is unknown. This study evaluates the antithrombotic effect in zebrafish and investigates the gastrointestinal stability and intestinal absorption mechanism of this protein in vitro. METHODS: The antithrombotic effect of EPF3 in vivo was verified using the zebrafish thrombus model induced by arachidonic acid and FeCl₃. Then, the protein bands of EPF3 incubated with simulated gastric fluid (SGF), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), and homogenate of Caco-2 cells (HC2C) were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to evaluate its gastrointestinal stability. Finally, the transport behavior and absorption mechanism of EPF3 were studied using Caco-2 cell monolayer. RESULTS: EPF3 could significantly enhance the returned blood volume and blood flow velocity in zebrafish with platelet aggregation thrombus induced by arachidonic acid. It could also prolong the formation time of tail artery thrombus and increase the blood flow velocity in zebrafish with vessel injury thrombus induced by FeCl₃. EPF3 was stable in SIF and HC2C and unstable in SGF. The permeability of EPF3 in Caco-2 monolayer was time-dependent and concentration-dependent. The efflux ratio was less than 1.2 during transport, and the transport behavior was not affected by inhibitors. EPF3 could reversibly reduce the expression of tight junction-related proteins, including zonula occludens-1, occludin, and claudin-1 in Caco-2 cells. CONCLUSION EPF3 could play a thrombolytic and antithrombotic role in zebrafish. It could be transported and absorbed into the intestine through cellular bypass pathway by opening the intestinal epithelium tight junction. This study provides a scientific explanation for the antithrombotic effect of earthworm and provides a basis for the feasibility of subsequent development of EPF3 as an antithrombotic enteric-soluble preparation. Please cite this article as: Zhong WL, Yang JQ, Liu H, Wu YL, Shen HJ, Li PY, Du SY. Antithrombotic effect in zebrafish of a fibrinolytic protein EPF3 from Dilong (Pheretima vulgaris Chen) and its transport mechanism in Caco-2 monolayer through cell bypass pathway. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 415-428.
Animals ; Zebrafish ; Humans ; Caco-2 Cells ; Fibrinolytic Agents/pharmacology* ; Thrombosis/drug therapy* ; Intestinal Absorption

Objective To investigate the expression and prognostic value of serum receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)and CXC-chemokine ligand 16(CXCL16)in patients with sepsis complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods A total of 234 patients with sepsis diagnosed and treated in a hospital from January 2019 to January 2022 were selected as the study subjects,and were divided into 82 patients with sepsis complicated with ARDS(ARDS group)and 152 patients with sepsis without ARDS(non-ARDS group)according to whether the subjects were complicated with ARDS.ARDS group was divided into survival group(n=50)and death group(n=32)according to the survival status within 28 days of admission.Another 60 healthy subjects who underwent physical examination in the same period were se-lected as the control group.Serum RAGE and CXCL16 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Pearson correlation analysis of serum RAGE and CXCL16 levels with sequential organ failure assess-ment(SOFA)score,acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score and oxygenation index in patients with sepsis and ARDS.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis of prognostic factors of sep-sis complicated with ARDS.The predictive value of serum RAGE and CXCL16 on the prognosis of sepsis complicated with ARDS patients was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve.Results The serum RAGE and CXCL16 levels in ARDS group were higher than those in non-ARDS group and control group,and the serum RAGE and CXCL16 levels in non-ARDS group were higher than those in control group,the differ-ence was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Compared with the survival group,the mechanical ventilation time,intensive care unit stay time,procalcitonin,SOFA score,APACHE Ⅱ score,serum RAGE,CXCL16 lev-els were higher in the death group,and the oxygenation index was lower,with statistical significance(all P＜0.05).The serum RAGE level in patients with sepsis complicated with ARDS was positively correlated with SOFA score and APACHE Ⅱ score(r=0.603,0.671,P＜0.05).Serum CXCL16 levels were positively corre-lated with SOFA score and APACHE Ⅱ score(r=0.655,0.707,P＜0.05).Serum RAGE and CXCL16 were negatively correlated with oxygenation index(r=-0.712,-0.683,P＜0.05).Multi-factor Logistics regres-sion analysis showed that serum RAGE and CXCL16 were independent risk factors for death within 28 days of admission in patients with sepsis complicated with ARDS.The area under the curve(AUC)of combined de-tection of serum RAGE and CXCL16 for predicting death within 28 days of admission in patients with sepsis complicated with ARDS was 0.882,which was higher than that of single index detection of serum RAGE and CXCL16,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=4.450,4.906,P＜0.05).Conclusion The com-bined detection of serum RAGE and CXCL16 is helpful to evaluate the clinical prognosis of sepsis complicated with ARDS patients.

BACKGROUND:Calcium phosphate(CaP)coatings are widely used to improve the integration of titanium implants into bone but these coatings are associated with risks of infection.It is thus desirable to confer antibacterial properties to CaP coatings. OBJECTIVE:To prepare CaP-MgO composite coatings by impregnating magnesium oxide(MgO)sol into CaP coatings and assess the in vitro antibacterial activities and cytocompatibility. METHODS:An electrolyte was determined by titration and used for CaP coating electrodeposition on titanium(referred to as Ti-CaP).MgO was impregnated into the coating by immersing in an MgO sol with different mass fractions(15%,30%,50%)and subsequently calcined to form MgO-CaP composite coatings,which were recorded as Ti-CaP-15Mg,Ti-CaP-30Mg and Ti-CaP-50Mg,respectively.Microstructure,tensile properties,critical load,and Mg2+ release of coatings in vitro were characterized.Antibacterial activity was assayed using spread plate method by culturing S.aureus on the pure titanium sheet surface and Ti-CaP,Ti-Cap-15mg,Ti-Cap-30mg and Ti-Cap-50mg surfaces for 24 and 48 hours.Mouse osteoblast suspension was inoculated on pure titanium sheets and Ti-CaP,Ti-CaP-15Mg,Ti-CaP-30Mg and Ti-CaP-50Mg coated titanium sheets,respectively.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay,and cell survival rate was calculated.The morphology of composite coating soaked in DMEM was also observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Homogeneous,microporous CaP coatings consisting of octacaclium phosphate crystal flakes were prepared on titanium by electrodeposition.After sol impregnation-calcination,MgO aggregates were filled into the inter-flake voids.The extent of MgO filling and Mg concentration in the coating increased with the number of sol impregnation procedures.When immersed in phosphate buffered saline,all composite coatings actively released Mg2+ within 1 day;subsequently,the Mg2+ release slowed down on day 3.A small amount of Mg2+ release was still detected on day 7.The yield strength,tensile strength and fracture growth rate of Ti-CaP-30Mg coated titanium were not significantly different from those of pure titanium(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the critical load of Ti-CaP,Ti-CaP-15Mg,Ti-CaP-30Mg and Ti-CaP-50Mg groups(P>0.05).(2)Except that pure titanium sheet and Ti-CaP had no antibacterial properties,the other samples had good antibacterial properties,and the antibacterial rate increased with the increase of MgO content in the coating.(3)After 1 and 3 days of co-culture,the cell survival rate of Ti-CaP-15Mg,Ti-CaP-30Mg and Ti-CaP-50Mg groups was lower than that of pure titanium group and Ti-CaP group(P<0.05).After 5 and 7 days of culture,there was no significant difference in cell survival rate among five groups(P>0.05).The content of MgO in the coating decreased gradually with the time of immersion in the medium.(4)The MgO sol impregnation added antibacterial properties to the CaP coatings while retained their biocompatibility.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.

Background and objective Both of lung cancer incidence and mortality rank first among all cancers in China.Previous lung cancer screening trials were mostly selective screening for high-risk groups such as smokers.Non-smoking women accounted for a considerable proportion of lung cancer cases in Asia.This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of community-based mass screening in Guangzhou and identify the high-risk factors for lung cancer.Methods Residents aged 40-74 years in Guangzhou were screened with low-dose computed tomography(LDCT)for lung cancer and the pulmonary nodules were classified and managed according to China National Lung Cancer Screening Guideline with Low-dose Computed Tomography(2018 version).The detection rate of positive nodules was calculated.Before the LDCT examination,residents were required to complete a"lung cancer risk factors questionnaire".The risk factors of the questionnaire were analyzed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)penalized Logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 6256 residents were included in this study.1228 positive nodules(19.63％)and 117 lung cancers were confirmed,including 6 cases of Tis,103 cases of stage Ⅰ(accounting for 88.03％of lung cancer).The results of LASSO penalized Logistic regression analysis indicated that age ≥50 yr(OR=1.07,95％CI:1.06-1.07),history of cancer(OR=3.29,95％CI:3.22-3.37),textile industry(OR=1.10,95％CI:1.08-1.13),use coal for cooking in childhood(OR=1.14,95％CI:1.13-1.16)and food al-lergy(OR=1.10,95％CI:1.07-1.13)were risk factors of lung cancer for female in this district.Conclusion This study highlighted that numerous early stages of lung cancer cases were detected by LDCT,which could be applied to screen-ing of lung cancer in women.Besides,age ≥50 yr,personal history of cancer,textile industry and use coal for cooking in childhood are risk factors for women in this district,which suggested that it's high time to raise the awareness of early lung cancer screening in this group.