Objective:To explore the effect of comprehensive moxibustion with Huolong cupping in patients with lung-spleen qi deficiency type allergic rhinitis.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. From October 2022 to April 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 66 patients with lung-spleen qi deficiency type allergic rhinitis who visited the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Clinic of Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine as the research subject. The patients were randomly divided into an experimental group ( n=33) and a control group ( n=33). Both groups received routine oral Chinese medicine treatment. On the basis of routine treatment, the experimental group performed comprehensive moxibustion with Huolong cupping on the meridians of the Du meridian and bladder meridian. This study compared the scores of Nasal Airway Resistance (NAR), Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Chinese version of Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) between two groups of patients before and after intervention. Results:Eventually 30 patients in each of the experimental group and control group completed the study. After intervention, the NAR score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that with the increase of treatment time, the TNSS, VAS, and RQLQ scores of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group with statistical differences ( P<0.05), and the time effect, inter group effect, and interaction effect were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Huolong cupping comprehensive moxibustion can reduce nasal resistance, meliorate nasal symptoms and accompanying nasal symptoms, and improve the quality of life of patients.

Further evidence is needed to explore the impact of high-altitude environments on the neurologic function of neonates.Non-invasive techniques such as cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography can provide data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity.This study will conduct multiple cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography monitoring sessions at various time points within the first 3 days postpartum for healthy full-term neonates at different altitudes.The obtained data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity will be compared between different altitudes,and corresponding reference ranges will be established.The study involves 6 participating centers in the Chinese High Altitude Neonatal Medicine Alliance,with altitude gradients divided into 4 categories:800 m,1 900 m,2 400 m,and 3 500 m,with an anticipated sample size of 170 neonates per altitude gradient.This multicenter prospective cohort study aims to provide evidence supporting the impact of high-altitude environments on early brain function and metabolism in neonates.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(4):403-409]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the skin surface microcirculation of acupoints of conception vessel, governor vessel and thoroughfare vessel in patients with primary dysmenorrhea using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), and provide acupoint selection basis of acupuncture-moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: Ninety-nine healthy female college students with regular menstrual cycles (normal group) and 94 female college students with primary dysmenorrhea (dysmenorrhea group) were recruited. Before menstrual period, on the first day of menstruation, and on the third day after menstruation, LSCI was used to observe the surface microcirculation at the abdominal acupoints of conception vessel, i. e. Yinjiao (CV 7), Qihai (CV 6), Shimen (CV 5), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and Qugou (CV 2), acupoints of thoroughfare vessel, i. e. Huangshu (KI 16), Zhongzhu (KI 15), Siman (KI 14), Qixue (KI 13), Dahe (KI 12), Henggu (KI 11) and acupoints of lumbosacral region of governor vessel, i. e. Xuanshu (GV 5), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Yaoshu (GV 2) as well as two non-acupoints. RESULTS: Before menstrual period, there was no significant difference in the surface blood perfusion of the acupoints between the dysmenorrhea group and the normal group (P>0.05). On the first day of menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of Xuanshu (GV 5), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and right Huangshu (KI 16) in the dysmenorrhea group was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05, P<0.01). On the third day after menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of the right Henggu (KI 11) in the dysmenorrhea group was lower than that in the normal group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION In patients with primary dysmenorrhea, on the first day of menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of Xuanshu (GV 5), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) of governor vessel, and the right Huangshu (KI 16) of thoroughfare vessel is increased, while on the third day after menstruation, the surface blood perfusion of the right Henggu (KI 11) of thoroughfare vessel is decreased. These findings might provide a basis for acupoint selection in the acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.
Humans ; Female ; Microcirculation ; Dysmenorrhea/therapy* ; Menstrual Cycle ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy

Objective: To investigate the incidence and trend of short-term outcomes among preterm infants born <34 weeks' gestation. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from the standardized database established by a multicenter cluster-randomized controlled study "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) using the evidence-based practice for improving quality (REIN-EPIQ) study". This study was conducted in 25 tertiary NICU. A total of 27 192 infants with gestational age <34 weeks at birth and admitted to NICU within the first 7 days of life from May 2015 to April 2018 were enrolled. Infants with severe congenital malformation were excluded. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the mortality and major morbidities of preterm infants by gestational age groups and different admission year groups. Cochran-Armitage test and Jonckheere-Terpstra test were used to analyze the trend of incidences of mortality and morbidities in 3 study-years. Multiple Logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the differences of outcomes in 3 study-years adjusting for confounders. Results: A total of 27 192 preterm infants were enrolled with gestational age of (31.3±2.0) weeks at birth and weight of (1 617±415) g at birth. Overall, 9.5% (2 594/27 192) of infants were discharged against medical advice, and the overall mortality rate was 10.7% (2 907/27 192). Mortality for infants who received complete care was 4.7% (1 147/24 598), and mortality or any major morbidity was 26.2% (6 452/24 598). The incidences of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, severe intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, proven necrotizing enterocolitis, and severe retinopathy of prematurity were 16.0% (4 342/27 192), 11.9% (3 225/27 192), 6.8% (1 641/24 206), 3.6% (939/25 762) and 1.5% (214/13 868), respectively. There was a decreasing of the overall mortality (P<0.001) during the 3 years. Also, the incidences for sepsis and severe retinopathy of prematurity both decreased (both P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the major morbidity in preterm infants who received complete care during the 3-year study period (P=0.230). After adjusting for confounders, infants admitted during the third study year showed significantly lower risk of overall mortality (adjust OR=0.62, 95%CI 0.55-0.69, P<0.001), mortality or major morbidity, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis and severe retinopathy of prematurity, compared to those admitted in the first study year (all P<0.05). Conclusions: From 2015 to 2018, the mortality and major morbidities among preterm infants in Chinese NICU decreased, but there is still space for further efforts. Further targeted quality improvement is needed to improve the overall outcome of preterm infants.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality/trends* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases/epidemiology* ; Patient Discharge ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/epidemiology* ; Sepsis/epidemiology*

INTRODUCTION: Institutional surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) guidelines are in place at all public hospitals in Singapore, but variations exist and adherence to guidelines is not tracked consistently. A national point prevalence survey carried out in 2020 showed that about 60% of surgical prophylactic antibiotics were administered for more than 24 hours. This guideline aims to align best practices nationally and provides a framework for audit and surveillance. METHOD: This guideline was developed by the National Antimicrobial Stewardship Expert Panel's National Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis Guideline Development Workgroup Panel, which comprises infectious diseases physicians, pharmacists, surgeons and anaesthesiologists. The Workgroup adopted the ADAPTE methodology framework with modifications for the development of the guideline. The recommended duration of antibiotic prophylaxis was graded according to the strength of consolidated evidence based on the scoring system of the Singapore Ministry of Health Clinical Practice Guidelines. RESULTS: This National SAP Guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the rational use of antibiotic prophylaxis. These include recommended agents, dose, timing and duration for patients undergoing common surgeries based on surgical disciplines. The Workgroup also provides antibiotic recommendations for special patient population groups (such as patients with β-lactam allergy and patients colonised with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), as well as for monitoring and surveillance of SAP. CONCLUSION This evidence-based National SAP Guideline for hospitals in Singapore aims to align practices and optimise the use of antibiotics for surgical prophylaxis for the prevention of surgical site infections while reducing adverse events from prolonged durations of SAP.
Humans ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Singapore ; Surgeons ; Hospitals, Public

Objective To measure the prevalence of mental health symptoms and identify the associated factors among college students at the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)outbreak in China. Methods We carried out a multi-center cross-sectional study via snowball sampling and convenience sampling of the college students in different areas of China.The rates of self-reported depression,anxiety,and stress and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)were assessed via the 21-item Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale(DASS-21)and the 6-item Impact of Event Scale-Revised(IES-6),respectively.Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics,health-related data,and information of the social environment.Data pertaining to mental health service seeking were also collected.Multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors. Results A total of 3641 valid questionnaires were collected from college students.At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak,535(14.69%)students had negative emotions,among which 402(11.04%),381(10.49%),and 171(4.90%)students had the symptoms of depression,anxiety,and stress,respectively.Meanwhile,1245(34.19%)college students had PTSD.Among the risk factors identified,male gender was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting depression symptoms(AOR=0.755,P=0.037],and medical students were at higher risk of depression and stress symptoms than liberal arts students(AOR=1.497,P=0.003;AOR=1.494,P=0.045).Family support was associated with lower risks of negative emotions and PTSD in college students(AOR=0.918,P<0.001;AOR=0.913,P<0.001;AOR=0.899,P<0.001;AOR=0.971,P=0.021). Conclusions College students were more sensitive to public health emergencies,and the incidence of negative emotions and PTSD was significantly higher than that before the outbreak of COVID-19.More attention should be paid to female college students who were more likely to develop negative emotions.We should strengthen positive and proper propaganda via mass media and help college students understand the situation and impact of COVID-19.Furthermore,we should enhance family support for college students.The government and relevant agencies need to provide appropriate mental health services to the students under similar circumstances to avoid the deterioration of their mental well-being.
COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Students/psychology* ; Universities

Objective:Considering the efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang （GQT） in releasing exterior and clearing interior to alleviate dampness-heat dysentery， we analyzed the mechanism of the chloroform extract of GQT in alleviating enterotoxicity caused by irinotecan to provide an experimental basis for the development of GQT. Method:Kunming mice （n=60） were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a loperamide group （positive drug of loperamide hydrochloride capsule， 0.4 mg·kg^-1）， and high- （2.3 g·kg^-1） and low-dose （1.16 g·kg^-1） GQT chloroform extract groups. The mouse model of delayed diarrhea was established by intraperitoneal injection of irinotecan hydrochloride （CPT-11， 55 mg·kg^-1） for four consecutive days， meanwhile， the mice in the blank group only received the same volume of normal saline. Corresponding drugs were administered by gavage on the fifth day， respectively， while the ones in the blank group and model group were given distilled water for five consecutive days. The general condition of mice in each group was observed， and diarrhea indexes of mice were recorded. Pathological changes in colon tissues of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-1β， cyclooxygenase （COX）-2， intercellular adhesion molecule （ICAM）-1， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA） and nitric oxide （NO） levels in colon tissues were detected with the assay kits. Furthermore， the expression levels of Kelch sample epoxy chloropropane associated protein 1 （Keap1）， nuclear factor E₂ related factor 2 （Nrf2）， tight junction protein-1 （ZO-1）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） and tight junction protein （Occludin） were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with the blank group， the model group showed declined body weight and reduced contents of GSH-Px and SOD （P<0.01）， whereas increased diarrhea indexes and TNF-α， IL-1β， COX-2， ICAM-1， MDA and NO levels （P<0.01）. Abundant inflammatory cells and colonic mucosa with defects， swelling， bleeding， and inflammatory exudation were revealed by HE staining in the mice of the model group. The expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， ZO-1， HO-1 and Occludin in colon tissues significantly declined （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the loperamide group and the high- and low-dose GQT chloroform extract groups exhibited improved weight loss， reduced diarrhea indexes， diminished TNF-α， IL-1β， COX-2， ICAM-1， MDA and NO， and elevated GSH-Px and SOD. HE staining indicated that the cells were compactly arranged with clear nuclei in the high- and low-dose GQT chloroform extract groups， and the expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， HO-1， Occludin， and ZO-1 were up-regulated. Conclusion:GQT chloroform extract may alleviate CPT-11-induced delayed diarrhea by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress for enhancing the intestinal barrier function. These findings are expected to provide a reference for exploring the toxicity-attenuating effect of Chinese medicinals on chemotherapy drugs and for developing famous classical formulas.

Taohong Siwutang is a classical famous formula for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. This paper reviewed the research progress of chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, clinical applications of Taohong Siwutang in recent years. At present, the study on the chemical constituents of different extracts of Taohong Siwutang is systematic. The study of its pharmacological effects mostly includes promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, regulating menstruation, promoting fracture healing, and so on. In clinical practice, Taohong Siwutang can be used in the treatment of multi-system and multi-viscera diseases, such as gynecological diseases, internal diseases, orthopedic diseases, dermatological diseases, and the like. Based on this, the quality markers of Taohong Siwutang are predicted and analyzed from the perspectives of quality transmissibility and traceability, ingredient specificity, component validity, component measurability, and formula compatibility environment, which is called five principles of quality marker (Q-marker). According to the analysis, ferulic acid, paeoniflorin, amygdalin, albiflorin, hydroxysafflor yellow A, catalpol and gallic acid can be selected as Q-markers of Taohong Siwutang. Subsequently, these Q-markers can be selected as indicators to conduct whole quality control of Taohong Siwutang and establish a quality traceable system by the quality transmitting of medicinal materials, decoction pieces, intermediates and corresponding objects, so as to provide a reference for the study of the whole process quality control system of Taohong Siwutang.

Objective: Several COVID-19 patients have overlapping comorbidities. The independent role of each component contributing to the risk of COVID-19 is unknown, and how some non-cardiometabolic comorbidities affect the risk of COVID-19 remains unclear. Methods: A retrospective follow-up design was adopted. A total of 1,160 laboratory-confirmed patients were enrolled from nine provinces in China. Data on comorbidities were obtained from the patients' medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio ( Results: Overall, 158 (13.6%) patients were diagnosed with severe illness and 32 (2.7%) had unfavorable outcomes. Hypertension (2.87, 1.30-6.32), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (3.57, 2.32-5.49), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (3.78, 1.81-7.89), fatty liver disease (7.53, 1.96-28.96), hyperlipidemia (2.15, 1.26-3.67), other lung diseases (6.00, 3.01-11.96), and electrolyte imbalance (10.40, 3.00-26.10) were independently linked to increased odds of being severely ill. T2DM (6.07, 2.89-12.75), CVD (8.47, 6.03-11.89), and electrolyte imbalance (19.44, 11.47-32.96) were also strong predictors of unfavorable outcomes. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease on admission (5.46, 3.25-9.19), while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes (6.58, 1.46-29.64) within two weeks. Conclusion Besides hypertension, diabetes, and CVD, fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, other lung diseases, and electrolyte imbalance were independent risk factors for COVID-19 severity and poor treatment outcome. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease, while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes.
Adult ; Aged ; COVID-19/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome