Objective　To assess the diagnostic efficacy of the cell-free Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA testing (CF-TB) in tuberculous pleurisy. Methods　A total of 71 patients diagnosed with tuberculous pleurisy and 35 patients with non-tuberculous pleurisy were selected from the Fifth People's Hospital of Wuxi between January to December 2022. The standard pleural puncture was conducted to collect pleural effusion, which was then utilized for Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture, GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin resistance (GeneXpert MTB/RIF), CF-TB, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) testing. Blood samples were subjected to tuberculosis infection T-cell spotting test (T-SPOT.TB) assay. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) was applied to obtain the optimal cut-off value for pleural fluid CF-TB and to compare the diagnostic performance of CF-TB with other methods. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0 software, with statistical significance defined as P<0.05. Results　The ROC curve analysis determined that the optimal cycle threshold (Ct) value for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy using CF-TB in pleural fluid was 38.489, with a sensitivity of 91.5% and specificity of 97.1%. In comparison, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of T-SPOT.TB and pleural fluid ADA in diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy were 86.0%, 71.4%, 86.0%, 71.4%, 81.1%, and 55.0%, 91.4%, 92.9%, 50.8%, 67.0%, respectively, all of which were lower than the diagnostic efficiency of CF-TB. Furthermore, the specificity of pleural fluid CF-TB in diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy (97.1%) was not significantly different from GeneXpert MTB/RIF (100%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture (100%), but its sensitivity (91.5%) was significantly higher than both GeneXpert MTB/RIF (19.7%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture (28.2%), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). Conclusions　Compared to the conventional gold standard for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy, CF-TB exhibits a higher sensitivity and its specificity is superior to that of tuberculosis immunological test. Consequently, CF-TB can serve as a valuable complement to other traditional detection methods in aiding the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.

Objective:To explore the impact of CACNA1C rs58619945 genotype on the cortical thickness of attentional networks in patients with Bipolar 1 disorder type (BD-Ⅰ). Methods:From August 2013 and August 2019, a total of 155 BD-Ⅰ patients were recruited from the outpatient and inpatient Departments of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, along with 82 healthy controls (HC) from the community and university. Genotype for the CACNA1C rs58619945 locus was determined for all BD-I patients and HC subjects, followed by 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging scans to measure the cortical thickness in the alert, orienting, and executive control subnetworks. General linear models (GLMs) were used to evaluate the impact of CACNA1C rs58619945 on the cortical thickness of attentional networks. Concurrently, attentional dimension functions were assessed using repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) and Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery rapid visual information processing (CANTAB RVP) test. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University(Ethics No. 2023-056). Results:Compared with the HC group, the BD-Ⅰ patients had shown reduced thickness in bilateral prefrontal cortex, bilateral posterior cingulate cortex, and bilateral superior temporal cortex( P<0.05). A significant interaction between the CACNA1C genotype and the cortical thickness(HC vs.BD) of right prefrontal cortex, right posterior parietal cortex and right superior temporal cortex was noted( P<0.05). Partial correlation analysis has demonstrated a significant correlation between CANTAB RVP and RBANS attention indices and cortical thickness in the right prefrontal cortex, right posterior cingulate cortex( P<0.05), and right superior temporal cortex predominantly among carriers of the BD-Ⅰ G allele. Conclusion:The G allele of CACNA1C rs58619945 is associated with cortical thickness of the right prefrontal cortex, right posterior cingulate cortex, and right superior temporal cortex in BD-Ⅰ, which are part of the alerting and orienting network.

OBJECTIVE To construct a double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies， and to provide a reference for building a talented team of licensed pharmacists and promoting the high-quality development of pharmaceutical care. METHODS Based on the competency iceberg model and double helix structure theory， literature analysis and the Delphi method were adopted to explore the model indicators； questionnaires were designed to survey licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies from Shandong Province. The exploratory factor analysis was used to correct the model indicators and establish a double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies， which was examined by validation factor analysis. RESULTS The recovery rate of the questionnaires in the two rounds of expert consultation was greater than 90%， the expert authority coefficients were both more than 0.86， and the overall Kendall’s W values were 0.288 and 0.510， respectively； after the correction of the exploratory factor analysis， the double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies was established， which contained 4 first-level indexes such as occupational literacy， occupational knowledge， occupational competency and internal motivation， and 23 second-level indexes. The model contained occupational knowledge and occupational competency in the explicit competency chain， occupational literacy and internal motivation in the implicit competency chain， and policy support， incentive mechanism， education and training as the hydrogen bonds connecting the two main chains. The validation factor analysis showed that the model’s goodness of fit index， comparative fit index， and normed fit index all exceeded 0.9； the reliability of the combination of the four first-level indexes ranged from 0.89 to 0.95； the average variance extracted ranged from 0.58 to 0.75， and Cronbach’s α coefficients for both the overall model and the first-level indicators were all greater than 0.84. CONCLUSIONS The constructed double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies is scientific， reasonable and practical.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of bladder volume on dosimetric parameters of clinical target volume (CTV) and organs at risk (OAR) of intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) for localized prostate cancer during the treatment planning and daily treatment.Methods:Clinical data of 25 patients with localized prostate cancer admitted to Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from November 2021 to June 2022 and enrolled in the "Proton Therapy System" (SAPT-PS-01) registered clinical trial were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were male and the median age was 72 years old. A total of 30 sets of IMPT plans were obtained. Based on the planning CT (30 sets) and weekly verification CT during treatment (172 sets), bladder volume, CTV and OAR dose parameters were collected. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between bladder volume in CT and the dosimetric parameters of CTV and OAR during IMPT plans, and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was adopted to compare the dosimetric parameters of CTV and OAR among different bladder volume change groups.Results:The V 95% of CTV1 and CTV2 were both 100.0%±0.0% in IMPT plans. Bladder volume was significantly negatively correlated with D mean, V 70 Gy(RBE), V 60 Gy(RBE), V 50 Gy(RBE), V 40 Gy(RBE) of the bladder ( P<0.001, 0.003, <0.001, <0.001,<0.001), and D mean, V 50 Gy(RBE) of the small intestine (both P<0.001). During treatment, bladder D mean, V 70 Gy(RBE), V 60 Gy(RBE), V 50 Gy(RBE), V 40 Gy(RBE)( P<0.001, 0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001), rectal D mean, V 50 Gy(RBE), V 40 Gy(RBE) (all P<0.001), small intestine D mean, V 50 Gy (RBE) (both P<0.001) of patients with bladder volume increase >20% compared to baseline were significantly decreased compared to those in IMPT plans. But CTV1 V 100%, and CTV2 V 95% were significantly decreased too( P=0.029, 0.020). In the bladder volume decreased>20% patients, the D mean, V 70 Gy(RBE), V 60 Gy(RBE), V 50 Gy(RBE), V 40 Gy(RBE) of the bladder were significantly increased compared to those in IMPT plans (all P<0.001). However, a bladder volume reduction of ≤20% and increase of ≤20% from baseline had no significant impact on CTV and OAR dosimetric parameters during treatment. Conclusions:For patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing proton therapy, a certain bladder volume should be ensured during planning CT scans. During the daily treatment, the bladder volume should be maintained between 80%-120% of the baseline level to ensure CTV coverage and good dose sparing to OAR.

Objective:To investigate the status of personnel, facilities, and technology of radiation therapy in Henan province in 2023.Methods:A unified online survey questionnaire was designed and distributed from March to April 2023 by the Henan Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Quality Control Center to various medical institutions throughout the province to investigate the personnel, radiotherapy equipment, quality control equipment, imaging equipment, and radiotherapy technology development of each radiotherapy unit. Descriptive statistical methods were mainly used.Results:As of April 30, 2023, there were a total of 168 units engaged in radiation therapy in Henan province. The number of physicians involved in radiation therapy was 956, along with 365 medical physicists and 680 technicians. The equipment inventory included 212 medical linear accelerators, 1 cobalt-60 therapy machine, 32 afterloading therapy apparatuses, 4 Cyber Knife, 173 CT simulators, 2 MRI simulators and 94 conventional simulators. Linear accelerators were the primary radiotherapy equipment, 2.15 units per 1 million population on average. Additionally, there were 11 units offering 2D radiotherapy, 24 units offering 3D conformal radiotherapy, 130 units offering intensity-modulated radiotherapy, 41 units offering rotational intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and 33 units offering stereotactic radiosurgery. Regarding physical quality control equipment, 16 units were equipped with three-dimensional water tanks, 162 units were equipped with radiation dose meters, 114 units were equipped with morning check meters, 60 units were equipped with film dose meters, and 108 units were equipped with intensity adjustment plan verification systems.Conclusions:In 2023, there is a shortage of radiation therapy professionals in Henan province. Disparities are observed in the distribution of radiation therapy equipment among regions. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy has become the mainstream technology for radiation therapy in Henan province. The configuration of radiation therapy quality control equipment and standardized quality control work should be further improved.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang （ZXGT） on isoproterenol （ISO）-induced myocardial infarction （MI） in rats through the tumor necrosis factor/nuclear factor-κB （TNF/NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodForty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into control group （blank）， model group， perindopril group （4 mg·kg^-1）， ZXGT group （24.4 g·kg^-1）， ZXGT +inhibitor group （ZXGT， 24.4 g·kg^-1， TNF-α receptor inhibitor R7050， 5 mg·kg^-1）， and an inhibitor group （R7050， 5 mg·kg^-1）， with eight rats in each group. The rats in each group were orally administered with their respective drugs for 7 days. Additionally， in the ZXGT + inhibitor group and the inhibitor group， R7050 was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 5 mg·kg^-1 on the 6^th and 7^th days. Except for the control group， all other groups were given intraperitoneal injections of ISO for 2 consecutive days to induce MI in rats. On the 7^th day of the experiment， the rats were anesthetized 30 min after ISO injection， and their electrocardiograms （ECGs） were recorded to observe ST-segment elevation. Small animal echocardiography was used to measure global longitudinal strain （GLS） and cardiac synchrony. Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta to measure the levels of serum cardiac troponin T （cTnT）， creatine kinase-MB （CK-MB）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）. Histopathological changes in myocardial tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the expression of TNF-α， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 proteins in myocardial tissue. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 （TNFR1）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 （TRAF2）， transforming growth factor-beta-activated kinase 1 （TAK1）， NF-κB inhibitory protein alpha （IκBα）， phosphorylated （p）-IκBα， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 proteins in myocardial tissue. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed significant ST segment elevation on the ECG （P<0.01）， increased GLS， and reduced cardiac synchrony on echocardiography （P<0.01）. Histopathological examination revealed extensive myocardial necrosis. Furthermore， the serum levels of cTnT， CK-MB， LDH， TNF-α， and IL-1β were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression levels of TNF-α， TNFR1， TRAF2， TAK1， p-IκBα， and p-NF-κB p65 proteins in myocardial tissue were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， while the expression level of IκBα was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the perindopril group， the ZXGT group， the ZXGT + inhibitor group， and the inhibitor group rats showed a significant reduction in ST-segment elevation on the ECG （P<0.05， P<0.01）， improvement in GLS and cardiac synchrony （P<0.05， P<0.01）， a decrease in the area of myocardial necrosis， and reduced serum levels of cTnT， CK-MB， LDH， TNF-α， and IL-1β （P<0.01）. Additionally， the ZXGT group， the ZXGT + inhibitor group， and the inhibitor group downregulated the increased TNF-α， TNFR1， TRAF2， TAK1， p-IκBα， and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression levels and upregulated IκBα expression levels in the myocardial tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. No significant differences were observed between the ZXGT group and the ZXGT + inhibitor group or the inhibitor group. ConclusionZXGT can protect against ISO-induced myocardial injury in rats and improve cardiac function， and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the TNF/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of Water-soluble total alkaloids of Yimucao Injection(YITA)on postpartum uterine involution.Methods A guinea pig abortion model was established by drug method.0.17 g·kg-1 YITA was intragastrically administered to record the amount of bleeding and the contents of E2 and P in serum of guinea pigs after delivery.The uterine coefficient was calculated and the contents of NO,ET-1 and Ca2+ in uterine tissue were measured.The isolated uterine model and the in vivo uterine model were prepared by guinea pigs.The former was given YITA 0.05,0.1 and 0.2 mg·mL-1,and the latter was intramuscularly injected with YITA 10,20 and 40 mg·kg-1.The changes of uterine smooth muscle(USM)contractile activity,frequency and tension were recorded by biological function test system.Results Intragastric administration of YITA could decrease the uterine coefficient(P<0.001),NO content in uterine tissue and serum P content in guinea pigs with medical abortion(P<0.01),significantly increased ET/NO ratio(P<0.001);it tended to increase Ca2+ content in uterine tissue(P<0.1).In the isolated USM test,50 and 100 mg·L-1 YITA significantly increased USM contractile activity in guinea pigs(P<0.05),and 200 mg·L-1 YITA significantly decreased USM contractile minimum in guinea pigs(P<0.05)in the in vivo USM contractile test,YITA enhanced USM contractile activity,and 40 mg·kg-1 YITA significantly increased USM contractile activity and frequency in guinea pigs(P<0.05);10 mg·kg-1 YITA significantly increased USM contractile frequency in guinea pigs(P<0.05)and tended to increase motility(P=0.0569<0.1);20 mg·kg-1 YITA tended to increase frequency(P=0.0898,0.0699 respectively,<0.1).Conclusion YITA has the effect of promoting uterine involution,and the mechanism is related to the regulation of ET/NO balance and the direct promotion of USM contraction.YITA is an effective substance for uterine contraction and hemostasis with leonurus injection in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage and uterine involution.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and toxicity of Croton tiglium L.(croton)oil on rats with cold accumulation constipation,and to clarify the toxic-effect relationship of croton oil in the treatment of cold accumulation constipation.Methods The rats were orally treated with 10%2℃activated carbon solution for 3 consecutive days to replicate the model of cold constipation.The rats were fed with croton oil on the fourth day,and then the time of first defecation and the number of defecations within 3 h were observed and recorded.HE staining was used to evaluate the general pathological conditions of the colon tissues of rats.The serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6,IL-10,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,cyclooxygenase(COX)-2,macrophage inflammatory protein(MIP)-1,alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and total protein(TP)were detected.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)and nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB P65 in colon tissues of rats.Results Croton oil could shorten the time of first defecation and increase the number of defecations within 3h in rats with cold accumulation constipation to varying degrees,and the 3.78,2.83,and 1.89 g·kg-1 croton oil group had significant statistical significance(P<0.05).HE staining results showed that compared with the model group,croton oil group could cause different degrees of inflammation and focal necrosis,goblet cell loss and lamina propria edema in the colon tissue of rats,and the 3.78 g·kg-1 croton oil group was the most serious in the colon tissue injury.In addition,compared with model group,croton oil group could increase the levels of COX-2,TNF-α and IL-6 in serum to varying degrees(P<0.05),and 3.78 g·kg-1 croton oil group had the most obvious effect.The level of MIP-1 in serum was increased in croton oil group,and the effect was significant in 3.78 g·kg-1 croton oil group(P<0.01).But croton oil group had no significant effect on serum IL-10 level of rats.The immunohistochemical results showed that the protein levels of MyD88 were increased in croton oil dose groups except 0.05 dose group,and there were significant differences in 3.78,2.83,and 1.89 g·kg-1 dose groups(P<0.05).The expression level of NF-κB p65 was enhanced in the colon of rats after croton oil treatment,and there was significant difference in 3.78 g·kg-1 croton oil group(P<0.05).In addition,compared with model group,croton dose groups had no changes in organ indexes of heart,spleen,lung,kidney and thymus(P>0.05),while liver organ indexes in1.89 and 0.94 g·kg-1 croton oil groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).The results of liver biochemical indexes showed that croton oil group did not increase the contents of ALT,AST,and TP in serum of rats,and the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion Croton oil can exert a dose-dependent purgative effect at 3.78,2.83,and 1.89 g·kg-1,but it also induced colonic mucosal injury in rats by regulating the inflammatory response mediated by the MyD88/NF-κB pathway.At 0.94 and 0.47 g·kg-1,croton oil almost did not cause colon tissue injury in rats,but it had a weak purgative effect at this dose,suggesting that the best concentration range of croton oil in the treatment of cold accumulation constipation may be between 0.94 and 1.89 g·kg-1.

Objective To investigate the mediating effect of mindfulness on the relations between FCR and QOL.Methods A total of 240 lung cancer patients who were admitted to 3 hospitals in Shanxi Province,from January 2022 to January 2023,were enrolled in the study by convinient sampling.The fear of progression questionnaire-short form(FoP-Q-SF),mindfulness attention awareness scale(MAAS)in Chinese and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of life questionnaire(EORTC QLQ)were employed in the cross-sectional survey.Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the association between FCR and QOL,and Bootstrap Model was adopted to analyse the mediating effect of mindfulness between FCR and QOL.Results A total of 240 questionnaires were distributed and 217 of them were retrieved,with an effective retrieval rate of 96.42%.FCR was found at a moderate level in all lung cancer patients,and it was negatively associated with the mindfulness and QOL(r=-0.348,P<0.01:r=-0.331,P<0.01).Bootstrap analysis revealed that the changes in mindfulness score acted as an intermediate variable between FCR and QOL,mediating 25.68%of the relationship.Conclusions FCR in lung cancer patients is negatively associated with QOL.This association may be explained by the reduction in mindfulness experienced by the patients.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a destructive pest native to America and has recently become an invasive insect pest in China. Because of its rapid spread and great risks in China, understanding of FAW genetic background and pesticide resistance is urgent and essential to develop effective management strategies. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of a male FAW (SFynMstLFR) and compared re-sequencing results of the populations from America, Africa, and China. Strain identification of 163 individuals collected from America, Africa and China showed that both C and R strains were found in the American populations, while only C strain was found in the Chinese and African populations. Moreover, population genomics analysis showed that populations from Africa and China have close relationship with significantly genetic differentiation from American populations. Taken together, FAWs invaded into China were most likely originated from Africa. Comparative genomics analysis displayed that the cytochrome p450 gene family is extremely expanded to 425 members in FAW, of which 283 genes are specific to FAW. Treatments of Chinese populations with twenty-three pesticides showed the variant patterns of transcriptome profiles, and several detoxification genes such as AOX, UGT and GST specially responded to the pesticides. These findings will be useful in developing effective strategies for management of FAW in China and other invaded areas.
Animals ; China ; Genomics ; Humans ; Male ; Pesticides ; Spodoptera/genetics* ; Transcriptome