Objective: To determine the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Piwei Peiyuan Pill (PPP) combined with moxibustion for treating patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome. Methods: Ninety-six CAG patients with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled at the Department of Spleen and Stomach Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from June 2022 to December 2023. The patients were randomly divided into a control, a Chinese medicine, and a combined group using a random number table method, with 32 cases in each group (two cases per group were excluded). The control group was treated with rabeprazole combined with folic acid tablets (both thrice daily), the Chinese medicine group was treated with PPP (8 g, thrice daily), and the combined group was treated with moxa stick moxibustion (once daily) on the basis of the Chinese medicine group for 12 consecutive weeks. Gastric mucosa atrophy in the three groups was observed before and after treatment. The gastric mucosal pathological score was evaluated. The Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) scale was used to evaluate the patients′ physical and mental health status and quality of life.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-37, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β levels in each group. Real-time fluorescence PCR was used to detect the relative expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) mRNA in each group. Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression levels of proteins related to the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway, and the adverse drug reactions and events were recorded and compared. Results: There was no statistical difference in age, gender, disease duration, family history of gastrointestinal tumors, alcohol consumption history, and body mass index among the three groups of patients.The total therapeutic efficacy rates of the control, Chinese medicine, and combined groups in treating gastric mucosal atrophy were 66.67% (20/30), 86.67% (26/30), and 90.00% (27/30), respectively (P<0.05). Compared to before treatment, the pathological and PRO scale scores of gastric mucosa in each group decreased after treatment, and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-37, and TGF-β levels decreased. The relative STAT3 and mTOR mRNA expression levels, as well as the relative STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels decreased (P<0.05), whereas the IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased (P<0.05). After treatment, compared to the control group, the pathological score of gastric mucosa, PRO scale score, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-37, TGF-β content, relative STAT3 and mTOR mRNA expression levels, and relative STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels in the Chinese medicine and combined groups after treatment were reduced (P<0.05), whereas the IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased (P<0.05). After treatment, compared to the Chinese medicine group, the combined group showed a decrease in relative STAT3, mTOR mRNA expression levels, and STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels (P<0.05). Conclusion The combination of PPP and moxibustion may regulate the inflammatory mechanism of the body by inhibiting the abnormal activation of the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway, upregulating related anti-inflammatory factor levels, downregulating pro-inflammatory factor expression, and increasing related repair factor expression, thereby promoting the recovery of atrophic gastric mucosa, reducing discomfort symptoms, and improving the physical and mental state of CAG patients with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome.

Objective:To study the distribution of drug resistance genes and virulence genes in multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains.Methods:A total of 96 strains of Salmonella typhimurium were collected，and drug sensitivity tests were performed to evaluate the drug resistance and multidrug-resistance of Salmonella typhimurium.Multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains were selected to conducted whole genome sequencing，and the distribution of drug resistance genes and virulence genes in the strain were analyzed.Results:Salmonella typhimurium strains had the highest resistance rates to ampicillin and ampicillin/sulbactam，with 89.58% and 76.04%，respectively.Followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole，ceftriaxone，and aztreonam，with 47.92%，38.54% and 33.33%，respectively，and low resistance rates to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin，with 8.33% and 4.17%，respectively.Ninety-six strains were all sensitive to carbapenem antibiotics and piperacillin/tazobactam.Fifty-seven strains（59.38%）of Salmonella typhimurium showed multidrug-resistance.Resistance genes were detected in all 57 multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains,with higher carrier rates of 98.25%,77.19%,and 59.65% for aac(6')-Iaa,aadA22,and blaTEM-1B,respectively.The multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains had the highest carrier rates for invA，sipA，sseL，and sopB.Conclusion:Multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains have a high incidence and a high carrier rate for multiple drug resistance genes and virulence genes.The monitoring and prevention of Salmonella typhimurium should be strengthened in the clinic in order to reduce the spreading epidemic of multidrug-resistant strains.

Objective:To explore the protective effect of zonisamide (ZNS) on oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and its underlying mechanism.Methods:Human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) were cultured in vitro and divided into the control group, OGD group, and drug administration group (OGD+ZNS group) according to the random number table method. The OGD method was used to establish a TBI cell model. After modeling, the cell activity, the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and β-galactosidase staining were detected to evaluate cell function and senescence. Additionally, mitochondrial morphology and potential membrane changes were observed using Mito Tracker Red and JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential staining. ATP concentration was measured, and protein was extracted from SH-SY5Y cells and then subjected to Western blot analysis to detect endoplasmic reticulum stress-related markers, including glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), and β-actin.Results:The OGD group had a significantly lower cell survival rate compared to the control group ( P<0.01), while the OGD+ZNS group had a significant higher cell survival rate than the OGD group ( P<0.01). The LDH release rate was significantly higher in the OGD group than in the control group ( P<0.01), while the OGD+ZNS group had a significant lower LDH release rate compared to the OGD group ( P<0.01). Moreover, the cell staining results indicated that compared to the control and OGD+ZNS groups, the cells in the OGD group exhibited significant damage and senescence with darker staining while the mitochondrial staining results demonstrated a significant reduction in mitochondrial linear junctions and decreased mitochondrial activity in the OGD group compared to the control and OGD+ZNS groups. Compared to the control and OGD+ZNS groups, the OGD group exhibited a significant reduction in mitochondrial staining red fluorescence, a significant increase in green fluorescence, and a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. The OGD group demonstrated a significant decrease in ATP concentration compared to the control group ( P<0.01), whereas the OGD+ZNS group exhibited a significant higher ATP concentration compared to the OGD group ( P<0.01). Western blot analysis revealed significant upregulation of GRP78, CHOP, and PDI in the OGD group compared to the control group (all P<0.05), while in the OGD+ZNS group, the expression levels of these proteins were significantly downregulated compared to the OGD group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Zonisamide can protect OGD TBI cell model by preserving mitochondrial activity and inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become the forefront of research in computer science, which has been widely used in the medical field.Ophthalmology is a discipline highly dependent on imaging inspection.AI has great advantages in image recognition.The combination of the two has gradually become a research focus in ophthalmology.Recent research results have promoted the development of the diagnosis, classification, staging, treatment approach and follow-up of treatment effects of ophthalmic diseases, such as angle-closure glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.In recent years, the rapid development of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) has become an indispensable part of the ophthalmic auxiliary examination.More and more researchers have applied deep learning technology in AI to identify and interpret OCT and OCTA images to diagnose eye diseases.Some researchers have applied AI to OCTA to improve the quality of images.AI shows excellent specificity and accuracy in interpretation and diagnosis for disease through images which can even be comparable to human experts.This article mainly outlines the concept and characteristics of AI as well as the current application of AI combined with OCT and OCTA images in eye diseases.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of 2 fixation modes [dynamic hip screw (DHS) plus anti-rotation screw versus 3 cannulated compression screws (CCS)] in the treatment of femoral neck fractures complicated with comminuted posterior wall.Methods:The data were analyzed retrospectively of the 109 patients who had been treated for femoral neck fractures complicated with comminuted posterior wall at Department of Orthopaedics, Shenzhen Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences from February 2017 to December 2019. They were divided into 2 groups according to 2 fixation modes. There were 42 males and 16 females with an age of 48.5 (40.0, 55.3) years in CCS group of 58 cases subjected to fixation with 3 CCSs; there were 31 males and 20 females with an age of 47.0 (38.0, 53.0) years in DHS group of 51 cases subjected to fixation with DHS plus anti-rotation screw. The length of incision, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, weight-bearing time for the affected limb, visual analog scale (VAS), hip Harris score, and incidence of postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups.Results:The comparison of preoperative general data between the 2 groups was not statistically significant, showing comparability between groups ( P>0.05). In the CCS group, the incision length [3.0 (2.9, 4.5) cm] and operation time [90.0 (73.8, 125.0) min] were significantly shorter than those in the DHS group [10.0 (9.0, 12.0) cm and 135.0 (110.0, 165.0) min], the intraoperative bleeding [40.0 (10.0, 100.0) mL] was significantly less than that in the DHS group [200.0 (150.0, 300.0) mL], the partial and complete weight-bearing durations of the affected limb [12.0 (12.0, 13.0) weeks and 24.0 (21.0, 25.0) weeks] were significantly longer than those in the DHS group [11.0 (10.0, 12.0) weeks and 19.0 (18.0, 20.0) weeks], and the perioperative VAS pain score [2.0 (2.0, 3.0) points] was significantly lower than that in the DHS group [5.0 (4.0, 6.0) points], but the incidence of follow-up complications [56.9% (33/58)] was significantly higher than that in the DHS group [33.3% (17/51)] (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the DHS group and the CCS group in the excellent and good rate of Harris hip score at one year after operation [94.1% (48/51) versus 91.4% (53/58)] ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the treatment of femoral neck fractures complicated with comminuted posterior wall, DHS plus anti-rotation screw and 3 CCSs can both result in fine therapeutic outcomes but a relatively high incidence of complications at late follow-up. However, the former fixation mode can shorten the weight-bearing time for the affected limb and reduce complications but is more invasive than the latter fixation mode.

Livestock husbandry is vital to economy of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China. However, there have been few surveys of the distribution of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens affecting domestic animals at these locations. In this study, 3,916 adult ixodid ticks infesting domestic animals were collected from 23 sampling sites during 2012-2016. Ticks were identified to species based on morphology, and the identification was confirmed based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA sequences. Ten tick species belonging to 4 genera were identified, including Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rh. bursa, H. asiaticum asiaticum, and Rh. sanguineus. DNA sequences of Rickettsia spp. (spotted fever group) and Anaplasma spp. were detected in these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses revealed possible existence of undescribed Babesia spp. and Borrelia spp. This study illustrates potential threat to domestic animals and humans from tick-borne pathogens.

Tendon-to-bone attachment, the junction of tendon and bone, is a special complex structure which spreads stress from skeletal muscles to bone, effectively reducing the stress concentration and balancing elastic modulus between tendon and bone. Injury to its interface is a kind of trauma in sports, such as rotator cuff tear, ACL/PCL tear and the Achilles tendon injury. The enthesis is not regenerated after injury and the healing enthesis consists of disorganized scar tissue, resulting in a high rate of rupture recurrence. Given a high incidence of tendon and ligament injuries and complex structural and cellular composition of the native enthesis, the reparative strategies for tendon-to-bone attachment are facing great dificulties. Although injury to tendon-to-bone attachment is always a major concern and challenge in sports medicine, not much is known about its pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the recent literature published at home and abroad from 4 perspectives of structure, development, treatment and animal models of enthesis. We hope this review may help clinical professionals understand more about the tendon-to-bone attachment.

To confirm that Bartonella and Wolbachia were carried by sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus) in southern Xinjiang of China, 17 M. ovinus samples, which were collected in Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, were randomly selected. In this study, the Bartonella gltA and Wolbachia 16S rRNA gene were amplified through conventional PCR and the sequence of those amplified products, were analyzed. The results demonstrated that Bartonella was carried by all of the 17 sheep keds and Wolbachia was carried by 15 out of them. Bartonella was identified as B. melophagi. Three strains of Wolbachia were supergroup F and 1 strain has not been confirmed yet. It is the first report about Wolbachia supergroup F was found in sheep keds and provided the molecular evidence that B. melophagi and Wolbachia supergroup F were carried by sheep keds in Aksu Prefecture of southern Xinjiang, China. The 2 pathogens were found in sheep keds around Taklimakan Desert for the first time.
Bartonella ; China ; Genes, rRNA ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sheep ; Wolbachia

Objective: Based on the nature, location and size of parotid tumor, different incisions were chosen and method of selecting the best cosmetic incision for parotid gland tumor operation would be discussed. Methods: 33 cases of parotid benign tumor patients that received by Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery of First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University during 2015-2017 were included in this study. According to the size of the tumor location, different incisions, mainly pretragal vertical, pretragal crutch and rhytidectomy incision were selected. The facial nerve and the great auricular nerve were protected during the operation. In 1-month and 3-month follow-up, clinical examination of temporary facial paralysis, salivary fistula, especially the cosmetic outcome after the surgery were evaluated. Results: The satisfaction rate of parotid cosmetic incision was significantly higher than that of the traditional group, the incidence of transient facial paralysis, salivary fistula was not statistically significant compared with the traditional incision. Conclusions According to the location of parotid tumor, we should choose the proper cosmetic incision approach, which is better than the traditional surgical incision.

The bursa of Fabricius (BF) is a central humoral immune organ unique to birds. Four bursal peptides (BP-I, BP-II, BP-III, and BP-IV) have been isolated and identified from the BF. In this study, the immunoadjuvant activities of BPs I to IV were examined in mice immunized with H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) vaccine. The results suggested that BP-I effectively enhanced cell-mediated immune responses, increased the secretion of Th1 (interferon gamma)- and Th2 (interleukin-4)-type cytokines, and induced an improved cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response to the H9N2 virus. BP-II mainly elevated specific antibody production, especially neutralizing antibodies, and increased Th1- and Th2-type cytokine secretion. BP-III had no significant effect on antibody production or cell-mediated immune responses compared to those in the control group. A strong immune response at both the humoral and cellular levels was induced by BP-IV. Furthermore, a virus challenge experiment followed by H&E staining revealed that BP-I and BP-II promoted removal of the virus and conferred protection in mouse lungs. BP-IV significantly reduced viral titers and histopathological changes and contributed to protection against H9N2 AIV challenge in mouse lungs. This study further elucidated the immunoadjuvant activities of BPs I to IV, providing a novel insight into immunoadjuvants for use in vaccine design.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Antibody Formation ; Birds ; Bursa of Fabricius ; Cytokines ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunity, Humoral ; Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype ; Influenza in Birds ; Lung ; Mice ; Peptides ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic