Objective: To analyze the process of handling a pulmonary tuberculosis(TB) outbreak among senior high school students in a boarding school in Chongqing, as well as to investigate the underlying causes of the outbreak, so as to provide evidence to inform TB prevention and control strategies in school settings. Methods: From November 2023 to April 2024, an epidemiological investigation was conducted into the TB outbreak in a grade 12 class from a boarding high school. Suspected cases were screened using symptom screening, tuberculin skin test (TST), and chest X-ray examinations. Confirmed cases underwent individual epidemiological interviews and sputum culture; Cultured positive mycobacterial strains were subjected to whole genome sequencing after identification as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results: A total of 10 active pulmonary TB cases were identified, all from the same class, yielding a student attack rate of 16.67%. Three isolates were culture positive, as well as all strains were of L2 type，and the WGS analysis of the strains suggested a common transmission chain. Excluding the index case, four additional cases were detected through symptom driven health care visits. Notably, 70% of patients presented with "chest tightness and chest pain" symptoms, and 50% had "cough" symptoms,but none were detected during morning health checks or tracking of absences due to illness. A total of 326 contacts were identified and underwent three rounds of screening and one follow up examination. In the initial screening, 35 close contacts from the same class showed strong TST positivity, corresponding to a strong positivity rate of 55.56%, significantly higher than the 20.76% observed among casual contacts ( χ 2=29.80, P <0.01). Among the 35 strongly TST positivvity close contacts and five individuals with moderate TST positivity whose induration had increased by ≥10 mm over two years, none received timely preventive treatment initially; five of them were subsequently diagnosed with active TB within three months. Following this, 25 individuals initiated preventive therapy, resulting in a preventive treatment initiation rate of 62.50%. Among TST negative classmates who converted to strong positivity on repeat TST testing at three months, 75.00% started preventive treatment, but only 22.22% completed the full course. Conclusion Inadequate implementation of morning health checks and cause tracking for absenteeism due to illness, poorly standardized screening procedures, and delayed preventive treatment may have been key factors contributing to the spread of the outbreak.

The chemical composition of Paeoniae Radix Alba(PRA) is complex, with primary secondary metabolites including monoterpenoids, tannins, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. In previous studies on the material basis of PRA, it was found that, in addition to the widely studied characteristic monoterpene glycosides, tannic acid components also play an important role in the efficacy of PRA. However, their pharmacological effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This paper reviews the tannic acid components in PRA, including pentagaloyl glucose(PGG), tetragaloyl glucose(TGG), trigaloyl glucose(TriGG), and gallic acid, along with their structures, properties, and characteristics to provide a detailed discussion of their pharmacological activities and related mechanisms, aiming to offer a theoretical basis for the material basis research and clinical application of PRA.
Paeonia/chemistry* ; Tannins/chemistry* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Animals ; Plant Extracts

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

The breakage pattern of unit particles during the production of oral solid dosage forms (OSD) is closely related to the quality of intermediate or final products. To accurately characterize the particles and study the evolution law of particle breakage, the Bonding model of the discrete element method (DEM) was used to investigate the breakage patterns of model parameters, particle shape and process conditions (loading mode and loading rate) on the dynamic breakage, force-time curve, breakage rate, maximum breakage size ratio and fracture strength of particles. The results showed that the particle breakage force was positively correlated with normal strength and bonded disk scale, negatively correlated with normal stiffness per unit area and tangential stiffness per unit area, and weakly correlated with tangential strength. The particle breakage rate was negatively correlated with the aspect ratio of the particles, and the maximum breakage size ratio was positively correlated with the aspect ratio of the particles; among the three loading modes, the breakage rate of compression breakage model was the largest, the breakage rate of shear breakage model was the second largest, and the breakage rate of wear breakage model was the smallest; the maximum breakage size ratio was positively correlated with the loading rate, the loading mode and the loading rate had no mutual influence on particle breakage rate, but had mutual influence on the maximum breakage size ratio. The research results will provide a theoretical basis for the shift of OSD from batch manufacturing to advanced manufacturing.

Depression is a prevalent mental illness worldwide, its multifaceted pathogenesis is still in the exploratory stage. MicroRNA (miRNA), as a crucial epigenetic regulator, plays an important role in depression. miR-124 is one of the most abundant miRNAs in the central nervous system including neurons and microglia, and involved in various biological events like neuron development and differentiation, synaptic and axonal growth, neural plasticity, inflammation and autophagy. Recent studies have reported abnormal expression of miR-124 in both depression patients and animal models. Most of the studies showed that miR-124 is upregulated in the hippocampus or prefrontal cortex in stress-induced rodent depression animal models such as CUMS, CSDS, CORT, CRS and LH but some evidence for divergence. Upregulation of miR-124 expression may be involved in depression-like behavior via CREB/BDNF/TrkB pathway, GR pathway, SIRT1 pathway, apoptosis and autophagy pathways by directly targeting these genes including Creb, Bdnf, Sirt1, Nr3c1, Ezh2 and Stat3. The downregulation of miR-124 expression in neurons is mainly involved in the neurogenesis and neuroplasticity impairments in depression by targeting the Notch signaling pathway and DDIT4/TSC1/2/mTORC1 pathway. The downregulation of miR-124 expression also was found in the activated microglia in the stress-induced models, and resulted in neuroinflammation. In summary, the abnormal expression of miR-124 in the brain of depression-related models and its related mechanisms are complex and even contradictory, and still need further research. This review provides a summary of the research progress of miR-124 in depression.

Influenza virus causes serious threat to human life and health. Due to the inherent high variability of influenza virus, clinically resistant mutant strains of currently approved anti-influenza virus drugs have emerged. Therefore, it is urgent to develop antiviral drugs with new targets or mechanisms of action. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is directly responsible for viral RNA transcription and replication, and plays key roles in the viral life cycle, which is considered an important target of anti-influenza drug design. From the point of view of medicinal chemistry, this review summarizes current advances in diverse small-molecule inhibitors targeting influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, hoping to provide valuable reference for development of novel antiviral drugs.

Objective To develop a damage control operation(DCO)simulation training platform for traumatic brain injury(TBI)in wartime based on mixed reality to open up a new path for surgical skills training of military surgeons.Methods The platform mainly consisted of wartime TBI DCO simulation training software,a surgical manikin and a HoloLens 2 MR device.The simulating training software was developed with C# language and the technologies of MR,basic gestures,spatial scanning positioning and etc on the basis of constructed surgical decision-making training system,virtual surgical environment and functional modules.The surgical manikin was customized with reference to the standard body type of an adult male with a height of 180 cm,and an electronic chip was developed and placed inside the head of the manikin to execute data matching with the simulation training software.The simulation training software was installed and run in the HoloLens 2 MR device to realize TBI DCO simulation training on the virtual reality interactive model.Results The platform developed implemented the functions of virtual reality interactive model reset positioning,operation simulation training,examination and on-site demonstration,which gained advantages in stimulating learning interest and facilitating risk-free,time-and space-indepen-dent,immersive and interactive learning and was generally recognized by the trainees.Conclusion The simulation training platform can be a supplementary to other training means to improve the ability of military surgeons in damage control operation.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(2):17-21]

Objective To evaluate the changes of brain structure in preschool children with non-lesional epilepsy(NLE)by analyzing their 3D-T1WI brain structural images with surface-based morphometry(SBM).Methods Thirty-five preschool children with diagnosed NLE in the neurology department of some hospital from January 2021 to September 2022 were enrolled into a NLE group,and 35 healthy preschool children from the same period were included in a control group.The two groups were compared in terms of cortical thickness,sulcus depth,gyrus index,cerebrospinal fluid volume,gray matter volume and white matter volume.SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results When compared with the control group,the NLE group had the thicknesses of temporal lobe cortex decreased at both left and right sides while the thickness of cingulate cortex increased on the right,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05);the NLE group had the depths of sulcus in lingual gyrus and middle frontal gyrus of right cerebral hemisphere reduced,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05);the NLE group had the gyrus index of left cerebral hemisphere talus cortex highered,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences between the two groups in cerebrospinal fluid,gray matter and white matter(P＞0.05).Conclusion Cortical structural abnormalities in children with NLE may be a major factor in its pathogenesis.SBM can be used to evaluate localized brain structural abnormalities in NLE children by analyzing their 3D-T1WI brain structural images,and thus can be an effective tool for determining the potential pathogenesis of NLE in children.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(2):62-66]

The steps for installation and withdrawal of WYD2000 field surgical lamp were introduced.The failures and causes of broken cross-arm connector of WYD2000 field surgical lamp were analyzed.The problems of WYD2000 field surgical lamp in vulnerability to breaking and difficulty in maintenance were solved by designing and manufacturing a special maintenance tool and optimizing the materials and fixing mode of cross-arm connection.References were provided for main-tenance and improvement of WYD2000 field surgical lamp.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(4):116-118]

Objective To investigate the Carabelli's traits on permanent maxillary molars in Han Chinese college students.Methods Intraoral photos and plaster models from 803 Han Chinese college students were observed and the Carabelli's traits on permanent maxillary molars were categorized by the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System.Chi-square tests were performed for the comparison of the differences between male and female,permanent maxillary first and second molars.Kendall's tau-b correlation analy-ses were performed for the correlation between bilateral antimeric molars.Results The frequencies of Carabelli's traits on permanent maxillary first and second molars were 37.61％and 3.99％respectively,46.73％and 6.30％in males,27.95％and 1.54％in females,which were statistically significant between permanent maxillary first and second molars(P＜0.01),male and female(P＜0.01).In the positive expression,the low-grade expression(ASUDAS 1-4)was predominant and accounted for 67.37％and 59.52％on the perma-nent maxillary first and second molars.The correlation between bilateral antimeric teeth were statistically significant on permanent max-illary first molars(tau-b=0.756,P＜0.01)and second molars(tau-b=0.477,P＜0.01).Conclusion The Carabelli's traits on perma-nent maxillary molars in Han Chinese college students mostly occur on permanent maxillary first molars with low-grade expression,and understanding this has great anthropological and clinical significance.