Objective:To investigate the correlation of peripheral blood relative mitochondrial DNA copy number(mtDNAcn)with intrinsic capacity and body composition, and to identify potential biomarkers for healthy aging.Methods:Clinical data of 416 patients admitted to our hospital from September 2019 to June 2021 were consecutively collected.MtDNA was extracted from peripheral blood of these subjects, and mtDNAcn was determined by a real-time fluoresence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). Intrinsic capacity assessment included 5 aspects that were exercise[Morse Fall Scale(MFS), Physiological Frailty Phenotype(PFP), Sarcopenia Questionnaire(SARC-CALF), Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB), Time Up and Go Test(TUG)]; vitality[Mini Nutritional Assessment(MNA), Multidimensional Prognostic Index(MPI)]; cognition[Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)scale]; psychology[Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)]; sensory capacities[Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-the Comorbidity Index(CIRS-CI)]. To assess body composition, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure body fat, including trunk fat, total body fat, fat in the abdominal region, fat in the buttock region, and then to calculate fat index(FMI)and limb skeletal muscle mass index(ASMI).Results:Spearman correlation analysis showed that mtDNAcn had a negatively correlation with age( r=-0.176, P<0.05). After adjustment for gender and body mass index, partial correlation analysis showed mtDNAcn were still negatively correlated with age( r=-0.144, P<0.05). Furthermore, mtDNAcn was significantly correlated with 4 m gait speed, the scores of SARC-CalF, MFS, MNA, MMSE, MPI and its sub-scale's Activities of Daily Living(ADL)and Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire(SPMSQ)( r=0.171, -0.207, -0.163, 0.221, 0.184, -0.210, 0.241, -0.269, all P<0.05). After adjustment for age, gender and body mass index, partial correlation analysis showed mtDNAcn still had a significant correlation with gait speed, the scores of MFS, MNA, MPI and SPMSQ( r=0.170, -0.170, 0.148, -0.242, -0.188, all P<0.05). In addition, the Spearman correlation analysis showed that mtDNAcn was positively correlated with FMI, trunk fat, total body fat, abdominal fat and fat in the buttock region( r=0.168, 0.143, 0.175, 0.116, 0.199, all P<0.05). However, after adjustment for age and gender, mtDNAcn was only correlated with FMI, total body fat, fat in the buttock region( r=0.126, 0.131, 0.127, all P<0.05). On the other hand, multiple linear regression analysis showed that mtDNAcn was significantly correlated with age, gait speed, FMI, total body fat, fat in the buttock region, the scores of MFS, PFP, MNA and MPI( β=-0.191, 0.156, 0.126, 0.131, 0.125, -0.119, -0.145, 0.151, -0.171, all P<0.05). Conclusions:MtDNAcn is correlated with physical function, frailty, nutrition, falling, cognition and body composition, and may be considered as a biomarker for the evaluation of the locomotion and vitality of human intrinsic capacity.

Objective:To understand the relationship between the RNA shedding time of SARS-CoV-2 infected persons and the single nucleotide mutation of the virus, the population of infected persons, underlying diseases and other factors, so as to provide more clues for the study of SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics.Methods:The data of epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and underlying diseases of infected persons in a cluster epidemic of COVID-19 in Jiangsu province from July to September 2021 were collected. Nasopharyngeal swab samples of cases were collected, and the whole genome of the virus was sequenced by second-generation sequencing technology. The online analysis platform was used to judge the virus type and analyze the mutation site, and Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the relationship between the RNA shedding time of SARS-CoV-2 and various research factors.Results:There were 350 persons who finally obtained the whole genome sequence of the virus in this COVID-19 outbreak, of which 60.3% were female, the median age was 49 years old (interquartile range, IQR: 37-65 years old)), and the median time of virus shedding was 33 days ( IQR, 26-44 days). The whole-genome sequencing analysis showed that compared with the Wuhan reference strain sequence, the infected persons’ sequence had 34~41 nucleotide mutation sites, belonging to VOC/Delta variant (B.1.617.2 evolutionary branch), and C346T, C1060T, T2803C, T7513C, A29681C were the main single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of this epidemic. Cox regression analysis showed that age, underlying disease, clinical classification, vaccination, SNP T2803C and T7513C had an impact on the RNA shedding time of SARS-CoV-2. The adjusted multivariate Cox regression result showed that age [ HR=0.73, 95% CI (0.55, 0.95)] and T7513C [ HR=0.37, 95% CI (0.18, 0.77)] were still the risk factors for the extension of SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding time. Conclusions:This study analyzed the effects of the individual factors and viral single nucleotide variations on the time of viral RNA shedding. Those who were older, suffered from hypertension, had more severe clinical symptoms, were not vaccinated or incompletely vaccinated, and had T7513C mutation in the infected virus, had a risk of a long RNA shedding time of SARS-CoV-2, which should be given special attention and follow-up after rehabilitation.

Objective: To screen and analyze the key differentially expressed genes characteristics in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with bioinformatics method. Methods: NAFLD-related expression matrix GSE89632 was downloaded from the GEO database. Limma package was used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in healthy, steatosis (SS), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) samples. WGCNA was used to analyze the output gene module. The intersection of module genes and differential genes was used to determine the differential genes characteristic, and then GO function and KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis were performed. The protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed using the online website STRING and Cytoscape software, and the key (Hub) genes were screened. Finally, R software was used to analyze the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of the Hub gene. Results: 92 differentially expressed genes characteristic were obtained through screening, which were mainly enriched in inflammatory response-related functions of "lipopolysaccharide response and molecular response of bacterial origin", as well as cancer signaling pathways of "proteoglycan in cancer" and "T-cell leukemia virus infection-related". 10 hub genes (FOS, CXCL8, SERPINE1, CYR61, THBS1, FOSL1, CCL2, MYC, SOCS3 and ATF3) had good diagnostic value. Conclusion: The differentially expressed hub genes among the 10 NAFLD disease-related characteristics obtained with bioinformatics analysis may become a diagnostic and prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for NAFLD. However, further basic and clinical studies are needed to validate.
Computational Biology/methods* ; Gene Expression Profiling/methods* ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics* ; Protein Interaction Maps/genetics*

On the base of the paradigms of clinical studies on modern moxibustion by identifying the acupoint sensitization, the records of ancient literature in successive dynasties were collected on "identifying the sensitization" of acupoints in acupuncture. In association with acupoint detection of acupuncture recorded in current textbooks, a novel concept, "exerting acupuncture by identifying the acupoint sensitization" is proposed. Acupoint sensitization is the common initial link of effect achieved by both acupuncture and moxibustion. Hence, on the basis of the routine acupoint selection by differentiating syndrome, the state of acupoint must be considerably emphasized in either acupuncture or moxibustion. The clinical curative effect may be improved by selecting the sensitized points and identifying sensitization. This novel mode of diagnosis and treatment focuses on identifying acupoint sensitization by unifying acupuncture with moxibustion and in coincidence with the modern clinical characteristics of either acupuncture or moxibustion.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Moxibustion

Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum(GGEC) is commonly used for the clinical treatment of indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, and infantile malnutrition with accumulation. In recent decades, omnivorous domestic chickens, the original source of GGEC, has been replaced by broilers, which may lead to significant changes in the quality of the yielding GGEC. Through subjective and objective sensory evaluation, biological evaluation, and chemical analysis, this study compared the odor and quality between GGEC derived from domestic chickens and that from broilers. The odor intensity between them was compared by odor profile analysis and it was found that the fishy odor of GGEC derived from domestic chickens was significantly weaker than that of GGEC from broilers. Headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(HS-SPME/GC-QQQ-MS/MS) suggested that the overall odor-causing chemicals were consistent with the fishy odor-causing chemicals. According to the odor activity va-lue and the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) result, dimethyl trisulfide, 2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine, and 2-methylisoborneol were responsible for the fishy odor(OAV≥1) and the content of fishy odor-causing chemicals in GGEC derived from broilers was 1.12-2.13 folds that in GGEC from domestic chickens. The average pepsin potency in GGEC derived from broilers was 15.679 U·mg~(-1), and the corresponding figure for the medicinal from domestic chickens was 26.529 U·mg~(-1). The results of pre-column derivatization reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography(RP-HPLC) assay showed that the content of total amino acids and digestion-promoting amino acids in domestic chickens-derived GGEC was 1.12 times and 1.15 times that in GGEC from broilers, and the bitter amino acid content was 1.21 times folds that of the latter. In conclusion, GGEC derived from domestic chickens had weaker fishy odor, stronger enzyme activity, higher content of digestion-promoting amino acids, and stronger bitter taste than GGEC from broilers. This study lays a scientific basis for studying the quality variation of GGEC and provides a method for identifying high-quality GGEC. Therefore, it is of great significance for the development and cultivation of GGEC as both food and medicine and breeding of corresponding varieties.
Animals ; Odorants/analysis* ; Chickens ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Solid Phase Microextraction ; Amino Acids ; Endothelium/chemistry* ; Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis*

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the combination of Naoxintong Capsule with standard care could further reduce the recurrence of ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of severe bleeding. METHODS: A total of 23 Chinese medical centers participated in this trial. Adult patients with a history of ischemic stroke were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio using a block design to receive either Naoxintong Capsule (1.2 g orally, twice a day) or placebo in addition to standard care. The primary endpoint was recurrence of ischemic stroke within 2 years. Secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction, death due to recurrent ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. The safety of drugs was monitored. Results were analyzed using the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: A total of 2,200 patients were enrolled from March 2015 to March 2016, of whom 143 and 158 in the Naoxintong and placebo groups were lost to follow-up, respectively. Compared with the placebo group, the recurrence rate of ischemic stroke within 2 years was significantly lower in the Naoxintong group [6.5% vs. 9.5%, hazard ratio (HR): 0.665, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.492-0.899, P=0.008]. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary outcomes and safety, including rates of severe hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of Naoxintong Capsule with standard care reduced the 2-year stroke recurrence rate in patients with ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of severe hemorrhage in high-risk patients. (Trial registration No. NCT02334969).
Adult ; Humans ; Secondary Prevention/methods* ; Ischemic Stroke ; Stroke/prevention & control* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications* ; Double-Blind Method ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors

Objective:The investigation and research on the application status of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) is very important to understand the real situation and future development of this technology in China.Methods:This study comprehensively investigated the basic situation of HVPG technology in China, including hospital distribution, hospital level, annual number of cases, catheters used, average cost, indications and existing problems.Results:According to the survey, there were 70 hospitals in China carrying out HVPG technology in 2021, distributed in 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central Government). A total of 4 398 cases of HVPG were performed in all the surveyed hospitals in 2021, of which 2 291 cases (52.1%) were tested by HVPG alone. The average cost of HVPG detection was (5 617.2±2 079.4) yuan. 96.3% of the teams completed HVPG detection with balloon method, and most of the teams used thrombectomy balloon catheter (80.3%).Conclusion:Through this investigation, the status of domestic clinical application of HVPG has been clarified, and it has been confirmed that many domestic medical institutions have mastered this technology, but it still needs to continue to promote and popularize HVPG technology in the future.

Qixuehe Capsules is a compound Chinese patent medicine developed for treating the disorder of Qi and blood(a common etiology of gynecological disease), which has remarkable effects on smoothing liver and regulating Qi, activating blood circulation, and relieving pain. However, due to its complex prescriptions(15 herbs) and multiple effects, the quality control of Qixuehe Capsules has always been a bottleneck problem limiting its sustainable development. Therefore, this study adopted the traditional Chinese medicine Q-markers quantitative identification system established previously by our research group based on the combination of analytic hierarchy process and entropy weight methods. With the different effects of Qixuehe Capsules as the entry point, the comprehensive scores of chemical ingre-dients in Qixuehe Capsules under the items of effectiveness(smoothing liver and regulating qi, activating blood circulation, and relieving pain), testability and specificity were calculated and integrated, respectively. Subsequently, through the analysis of compatibility relationship of Qixuehe Capsules, 15 active ingredients with high comprehensive scores were found to be the top Q-mar-kers of Qixuehe Capsules, including ferulic acid, quercetin, caffeic acid, kaempferol, rutin, Z-ligustilide, senkyunolide Ⅰ, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, senkyunolide A, gallic acid, tetrahydropalmatine and eugenol. Collectively, this study not only provided scientific evidence for further research on the improvement and standardization of quality standards of Qixuehe Capsules but also provided methodological references for the quantitative identification of Q-markers of multi-effect traditional Chinese medicine formulae.
Analytic Hierarchy Process ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Entropy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective:To share the practice of medical care and rescue in the 2017-2019 Amne Machin extreme cross-country challenge.Methods:At the invitation of the Organizing Committee of Amne Machin extreme cross-country challenge of Maqin County of Qinghai Province. More than 150 medical personnel were sent to make the rescue plan and implement the medical security for three consecutive years. The support was divided into leading command group, expert consulting group, on-site medical support group, rear medical support group, and medical material support group. The on-site medical support group was equipped with the ambulance, corresponding emergency medical equipments and medicines to provide medical support at eight medical stations from the starting point to the endpoint and along the route between each station.Results:There were no cardiac arrest and sudden death cases during the three competitions. A total of 56 patients (5 cases of combined injuries) were received, including 21 cases of mild altitude reaction, 8 cases of abrasions, 13 cases of muscle spasm and strain, 11 cases of hypoglycemia, and 3 cases of abdominal pain. All the injured were treated and observed in time. Each patient achieved a complete remission.Conclusions:To achieve the success of medical security of the highest average altitude cross-country race certified by International Trail Running Association (ITRA), we must formulate a scientific and perfect medical security work plan in the first place: pre competition physical examination, especially the application of sports cardiopulmonary function test, screen out athletes who may have medical accidents; during the competition, focus on monitoring and tracking the players who may have problems; each support point is closely connected with the support vehicle; do a good job of first aid training for all kinds of personnel, so that medical accidents can be found, aided, and transferred at the first time. The medical care and rescue of Amne Machin extreme cross-country challenge have played a good role in the security of the international plateau sports events, which provides a reference for the security of similar events.

Objective:To understand the current status of HIV self-testing reagent use in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and related factors in men who have sex with men (MSM).Methods:From December 2018 to December 2019, "Gold data" online platform (www.jinshuju.com) was used to conduct multicenter PrEP studies in Shenyang, Beijing, Chongqing and Shenzhen of China.Results:A total of 1 222 MSM PrEP users were included in the multicenter study. The average age of the participants was (31.5±8.7) years, and the number of sexual partners in the past three months was 3 ( P 25, P 75:2,6). The proportions of those who did not use condoms in anal sex with fixed, casual and commercial partners were 62.7% (456/727), 56.3% (440/781) and 41.0% (16/39), respectively. Up to 74.5% (910/1 222) of participants had used HIV self-testing reagents, and the number of HIV self-testing during last year was 3 ( P 25, P 75:2,5). The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that compared with age group >40 years, those with education level of junior high school or below, those with psychological identity as female, event driven PrEP users, those never using new type drugs in past 3 months, the participants aged 18- years (a OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.35-3.14), 26- years (a OR=2.72, 95% CI: 1.77-4.17), 31- years (a OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.19-2.59), undergraduates (a OR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.35-3.49), graduate students and above (a OR=3.06, 95% CI: 1.69-5.54), those with psychological identity as male (a OR=3.22, 95% CI: 1.55-6.70), daily PrEP users (a OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.03-1.78), and new type drug users in the past three months (a OR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.30-2.28) had higher proportions of HIV self-testing behaviors. Conclusions:The proportion of HIV self-testing in MSM PrEP users was high, while it was relatively low in older age group, event driven PrEP users and MSM never using new type drugs. To assess and improve the effectiveness and compliance of PrEPs, it is necessary to provide better HIV self-testing service for MSM with low HIV self-testing rate.