Human exhaled breath has great application prospects,e.g.,monitoring pharmacokinetics,disease diagnosis,due to its advantages such as non-invasive and high-frequency sampling.Breath samples can be collected from the oral and nasal cavity.However,the oral and nasal environment affect the chemical composition of breath sample.Therefore,the investigation on the chemical composition of mouth-exhaled breath and nose-exhaled breath is crucial for selection of appropriate sampling strategy for individual studies.In this work,secondary electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry(SESI-HRMS)was applied to analysis of respiratory metabolomics in real time.A quantitative analysis approach was established for 9 kinds of volatile organic compounds(VOCs)e.g.2-butanone,2-pentanone,ethyl acetate,methyl methacrylate,toluene,styrene,mesitylene,isoprene and limonene.The limit of detection was 2.3?240.8 ng/m3.The intra-day(n=6)and inter-day(n=18)relative standard deviations were 0.6%?4.6%and 4.3%?12.2%,respectively.Nine healthy subjects were recruited to investigate the chemical composition of mouth-exhaled and nose-exhaled breath.The results showed the good performance in quantitative analysis of 9 VOCs in breath air.It was found that the number of unique component(m/z)detected in mouth-exhaled breath(167)was 2.2 times greater than that detected in nose-exhaled breath(76),which might result from the complex environment in oral cavity.The signal intensity of commun component(163)was significantly different between mouth-exhaled breath and nose-exhaled breath.Additionally,the elemental composition analysis showed that the proportion of polar compounds detected in nose-exhaled breath was higher than that in mouth-exhaled breath.This study demonstrated that there was significant differences in the chemical composition between mouth-exhaled and nose-exhaled breath,which provided a theoretical basis for selection of exhalation mode.

Nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostic methods are considered the gold standard for detecting infectious pathogens.However,when applied to portable or on-site rapid diagnostics,they still face various limitations and challenges,such as poor specificity,cumbersome operation,and portability difficulties.The CRISPR(Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/CRISPR-associated protein(Cas)-fluorescence detection method holds the potential to significantly enhance the specificity and signal-to-noise ratio of nucleic acid detection.In this study,we developed a portable grayscale reader detection system based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)-CRISPR/Cas.On one hand,in the presence of CRISPR RNA(crRNA),the CRISPR/Cas12a system was employed to achieve precise fluorescent detection of self-designed LAMP amplification reactions for influenza A and influenza B viruses.This further validated the high selectivity and versatility of the CRISPR/Cas system.On the other hand,the accompanying independently developed portable grayscale reader allowed for low-cost collection of fluorescence signals and high-reliability visual interpretation.At the end of the detection process,it directly provided positive or negative results.Practical sample analyses using this detection system have verified its reliability and utility,demonstrating that this system can achieve highly sensitive and highly specific portable analysis of influenza viruses.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of the therapy of soothing liver and strengthening spleen(shortened as Shugan Jianpi therapy)in the treatment of active thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO)complicated with dry eye,and to provide a reference basis for clinical treatment.Methods A total of 108 patients with active TAO complicated with dry eye of liver depression and qi stagnation type were randomly divided into observation group and control group,54 patients in each group.Both groups were given conventional treatment for intervention of Graves'disease,and additionally the control group was given hormone shock therapy by intravenous injection of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate,and the observation group was treated with Chinese medicine prescription for soothing liver and strengthening spleen orally and intravenous injection of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate.The treatment period lasted for 12 weeks,and then the patients were followed up till to the 6th month.The changes of clinical activity score(CAS),proptosis,ocular surface disease index(OSDI),corneal fluorescein staining(FL),Schirmer I test(SIT)and tear film break-up time(BUT)in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate in the observation group was 94.44%(51/54)and that in the control group was 74.07%(40/54),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the CAS,OSDI score and proptosis of the patients in the two groups were all lower than those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the reduction in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the indicators of tear secretion function such as SIT,FL score and BUT of patients in the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the differences being all statistically significant(P＜0.01).Conclusion Shugan Jianpi therapy exerts certain clinical efficacy in treating patients with active TAO complicated with dry eye of liver depression and qi stagnation type,which can effectively relieve the proptosis,prolong the tear film break-up time,promote the secretion of tears and the repair of corneal epithelium,improve the visual function,and enhance the quality of life of the patients.

Objective To explore the relationship between postoperative restenosis and vascular endothelial function in patients with lower extremity arterial disease(LEAD).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 133 patients with diabetic lower extremity arteriopathy who had successfully undergone interventional therapy in our hospital,and the patients were followed up for one year,and the patients were grouped according to whether restenosis occurred,with 25 cases in the restenosis group and 108 cases in the non-stenosis group.The patient's vascular endothelial function index,inflammatory factor level,blood lipid four items and hemoglobin A1c(HbAlc)were detected,and peripheral blood cells of patients in the stenosis group and non-stenosis group were isolated for transcriptome sequencing.Multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to screen for independent risk factors for vascular endothelial function in postoperative restenosis.Results Serum endothelin-1(ET-1),von Willebrand factor(vWF),thromboxane B2(TXB2),vascular cell adhesion protein 1(VCAM-1),and nitric oxide(NO)were significantly higher in the stenosis group than in the non-stenosis group,while endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)were significantly lower than those in the non-stenosis group(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in blood lipids between the two groups(P>0.05).The HbAlc of the stenosis group was significantly higher than that of the non-stenosis group(P<0.01).The inflammatory factors in the stenosis group were significantly higher than those in the non-stenosis group(P<0.05).Transcriptome sequencing analysis results are consistent with test results.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that TNF-α,IL-6,ET-1,and vWF were independent risk factors for LEAD vascular restenosis(P<0.05).Conclusion Vascular endothelial function indexes(ET-1,vWF)and inflammatory factors(TNF-α,IL-6)are independent risk factors for restenosis after interventional surgery.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of rhubarb Tangluo pill on liver injury in type 2 diabetic rats.Methods ZDF(fa/fa)rats were given high-fat diet to induce type 2 diabetes model,and were randomly divided into model group,positive control group(0.18 g·kg-1 metformin)and experimental-L,-M,-H groups(0.54,1.08 and 2.16 g·kg-1 rhubarb Tangluo pill),with 8 rats in each group.Eight ZDF(fa/+)rats were selected as control group.The control group and model group were given equal volume of pure water once a day for 12 weeks.An oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)was performed after administration.Fasting blood glucose level,body mass and liver mass of rats were measured and liver index was calculated.The contents of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT),glutamic oxalacetic transaminase(GOT),triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)in serum were detected.The histomorphologic changes of liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining.The protein expression of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1(p-IRS1),phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt)and glucose transporter 4(GLUT4)were detected by Western blotting.Results After administration,the fasting blood glucose levels of control group,model group,positive control group and experimental-H group were(4.71±0.45),(29.9±2.97),(15.28±4.52)and(13.84±1.55)mmol·L-1,respectively;the liver index were 2.31±0.46,4.03±0.18,3.37±0.23 and 3.38±0.24;the relative expression level of p-IRS1 protein were 1.00±0.36,4.00±0.11,1.62±0.27 and 1.90±0.17,respectively;the relative expression levels of p-Akt protein were 1.00±0.25,0.21±0.04,0.73±0.15 and 0.54±0.04,respectively;GLUT4 protein relative expression levels were 1.00±0.11,0.40±0.08,0.86±0.04 and 0.70±0.06,respectively.Compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H group were statistically significant(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion Rhubarb Tanglu pill can effectively improve glycolipid metabolism and liver injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of IRS1/Akt signaling pathway.

Background Some studies have found that exposure to heavy metals significantly increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and welding operators in automobile manufacturing enterprises are exposed to heavy metals in the working environment. Objective To analyze the prevalence and related factors of NAFLD in workers of an automobile company in Guangzhou. Methods From January 1 of 2023 to December 31 of 2023, 5463 workers of an automobile company in Guangzhou who participated in the physical examination in the Occupational Health Surveillance Centre of Guangzhou Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment Hospital were selected as research subjects. The general data, laboratory examinations, B-ultrasound examinations, and other data of the subjects were obtained through the physical examination system. The exposed occupational hazards were identified based on the workplace hazard surveillance report provided by the automotive company. Logistic regression was used to analyze potential influencing factors of NAFLD, and stratified analysis was used to adjust confounding factors according to the stepwise model to evaluate the relationship between exposure to manganese and its inorganic compounds and NAFLD. Results A total of 2129 cases (38.97%) were reported positive NAFLD. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that women had a lower risk of NAFLD (OR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.25, 0.64), while age > 25 years old (OR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.39, 1.60), body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg·m⁻² (OR=7.54, 95%CI: 6.46, 8.79), and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR=4.87, 95%CI: 3.73, 6.36), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GGT) (OR=1.54, 95%CI: 1.17, 2.02), triglyceride (TG) (OR=3.47, 95%CI: 2.92, 4.14), and fasting blood glucose (OR=1.70, 95%CI: 1.32, 2.20) associated with a higher risk of NAFLD. NAFLD was positive in 39.40% of heavy metal exposed workers (701/1779). NAFLD was positive in 45.19% of workers exposed to manganese and its inorganic compounds (169/374), and among workers over 34 years old, exposure to manganese and its inorganic compounds (OR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.07, 2.97) significantly increased the prevalence of NAFLD. Conclusion The association between heavy metal exposure and NAFLD in workers of an automobile enterprise in Guangzhou is not significant, but age and gender are related to the prevalence of NAFLD. BMI, ALT, γ-GGT, TG, and fasting blood glucose are positively correlated with the prevalence of NAFLD. Exposure to manganese and its inorganic compounds in welding workers of the automobile enterprise is associated with elevated risk of the disease, and the prevalence of NAFLD is significantly increased in workers over 34 years old.

Objective To investigate the effect of Xiao Chaihu Decoction and Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction on the changes of gastric mucosal pathological score and gastrointestinal hormones in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency type.Methods A total of 156 cases of CAG patients with liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,78 cases in each group.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine,and the observation group was treated with Xiao Chaihu Decoction and Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment covered four weeks.The changes in the scores of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms such as epigastric distention and pain,poor appetite,loose stools,limb weakness,belching and acid regurgitation,gastric mucosal pathological scores and serum levels of gastrointestinal hormones of motilin(MTL)and gastrin(GAS)in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.The negative conversion rate of Helicobacter pylori(Hp)in the two groups was compared,and the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After four weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 93.59％(73/78),which was significantly higher than 82.05％(64/78)of the control group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of TCM symptoms such as epigastric distention and pain,poor appetite,loose stool,limb weakness,belching and acid regurgitation in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the pathological scores of gastric mucosa in the two groups were significantly decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was more significant than that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After four weeks of treatment,the negative conversion rate of Hp in the observation group was 91.03％(71/78),which was significantly higher than that in the control group(75.64％,59/78),and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,the level of serum GAS in the two groups was significantly decreased(P＜0.05)and the serum MTL level was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05);the decrease of serum GAS level and the increase of serum MTL level in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.05).(6)There were no obvious abnormalities in the routine test of blood,urine,stool,kidney function,and liver function,electrocardiograph and other safety indicators during the treatment of the two groups of patients,no adverse reactions such as dizziness,rash and chest distress occurred either,with high safety.Conclusion Xiao Chaihu Decoction combined with Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction exerts a significant therapeutic effect on GAS of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency type,which can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms,improve the pathological changes of gastric mucosa and promote Hp negative conversion.The therapeutic mechanism may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal hormone levels.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective To monitor the antifungal resistance of clinical isolates of Candida spp.in the East China region.Methods MALDI-TOF MS or molecular methods were used to re-identify the strains collected from January 2018 to December 2022.Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution method.The susceptibility test results were interpreted according to the breakpoints of 2022 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)documents M27 M44s-Ed3 and M57s-Ed4.Results A total of 3 026 strains of Candida were collected,65.33％of which were isolated from sterile body sites,mainly from blood(38.86％)and pleural effusion/ascites(10.21％).The predominant species of Candida were Candida albicans(44.51％),followed by Candida parapsilosis complex(19.46％),Candida tropicalis(13.98％),Candida glabrata(10.34％),and other Candida species(0.79％).Candida albicans showed overall high susceptibility rates to the 10 antifungal drugs tested(the lowest rate being 93.62％).Only 2.97％of the strains showed dose-dependent susceptibility(SDD)to fluconazole.Candida parapsilosis complex had a SDD rate of 2.61％and a resistance rate of 9.42％to fluconazole,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida glabrata had a SDD rate of 92.01％and a resistance rate of 7.99％to fluconazole,resistance rates of 32.27％and 48.24％to posaconazole and voriconazole non-wild-type strains(NWT),respectively,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida tropicalis had resistance rates of 29.55％and 26.24％to fluconazole and voriconazole,respectively,resistance rates of 76.60％and 21.99％to posaconazole and echinocandins non-wild-type strains(NWT),and a resistance rate of 2.36％to echinocandins.Conclusions The prevalence and species distribution of Candida spp.in the East China region are consistent with previous domestic and international reports.Candida glabrata exhibits certain degree of resistance to fluconazole,while Candida tropicalis demonstrates higher resistance to triazole drugs.Additionally,echinocandins resistance has emerged in Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida tropicalis,and Candida parapsilosis.

Cardiac arrest most commonly occurs outside of the hospital, known as out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and is an important global health problem. Approximately 40% of cardiac arrest has no clear cause. Hereditary arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies factors contribute to cardiac arrest. The identification of genetic factors for cardiac arrest after its occurrence is of great value not only for the individual, but also for relatives who may be at risk for the disease in their family. In the United States, there are over 350?000 cases of OHCA and over 200?000 cases of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) each year, and in Western Europe, cardiac arrest accounts for 15%-20% of all adult natural deaths and 50% of all cardiovascular deaths. In order to reduce the burden caused by cardiac arrest within society, it is essential to further understand its etiological factors, such as incidence in different regions, risk factors, and populations at higher risk. For each individual, cardiac arrest is the result of a complex interaction of genetic and acquired factors. Understanding the complex interplay of pathogenic factors in cardiac arrest and the development of individualized prevention and treatment approaches requires the collection of clinical data from cardiac arrest populations and multimodal analysis in order to identify epidemiological features and risk factors for cardiac arrest. Recently, cardiac arrest-related data are being collected and integrated in Europe in different regions and populations. As a result of the commitment to the creation of large datasets of clinical information on cardiac arrest populations, the knowledge of the pathology of cardiac arrest pathogenesis as well as risk factors is steadily increasing. This article reviews the epidemiologic data of cardiac arrest in recent years and the associated risk factors, thus providing ideas for developing better strategies for the prevention and treatment of cardiac arrest.