Diabetic kidney disease （DKD） stands as one of the most prevalent microvascular complications of diabetes，noted for its concealed onset and tendency to evolve into end-stage renal disease，profoundly impacting patients' life expectancy and quality of life. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition （EMT） is a central pathological process in the initiation and progression of DKD，facilitating disease advancement and renal fibrosis，thus representing a crucial focus of research into the pathological mechanisms of DKD. EMT is driven by the abnormal activation of signaling pathways，including transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）/Smad，secreted glycoprotein/β-catenin，Notch，tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB），and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin （PI3K/Akt/mTOR），leading to renal cellular injury and subsequently accelerating renal fibrosis and the progression of DKD. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM），characterized by its multi-target and multi-pathway therapeutic approach，demonstrates unique advantages in addressing DKD and EMT. Recent research has shown that active ingredients in TCM，including glycosides，flavonoids，and polyphenols，as well as TCM formulas，can precisely target these relevant signaling pathways，effectively inhibiting cellular injury in DKD and intervening in the EMT process. These findings not only underscore the potential of TCM monomers and formulas in treating DKD and EMT but also pave new directions for research in this field within TCM. This paper systematically reviewed the signaling pathways associated with EMT and provided an in-depth analysis of the research achievements and underlying mechanisms of TCM monomers and formulas in treating DKD and intervening in EMT，aiming to offer new insights and directions for TCM in the treatment of DKD and research on EMT，thereby further promoting the modernization and development of TCM.

Bluetongue virus is an arbovirus that seriously harms ruminants such as sheep,this study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism of bluetongue virus infection and host cell interferon antiviral immune response.The study was conducted to characterize the mRNA expression of inter-feron pathway genes by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,as well as Western blot analysis of MDA5,TRAF3,RIG-Ⅰ,and TBK1 protein expression in BHK-21 cells induced by BTV with a multiplicity of infections(MOI)of 1 for 18,24,and 36 h.The results showed that the most pro-nounced changes in the expression of interferon signaling pathway genes were observed at 24 h of induction,the gene mRNA expression levels of the IFN-α,IFN-β,RIG-Ⅰ,TBK1,MDA5,VISA,and TRAF3 genes were upregulated.However,the mRNA expression levels of IKKε and TRAF6 genes were downregulated.At the protein level,MDA5 and TBK1 proteins were upregulated while RIG-1 and TRAF3 proteins were downregulated,which showed that BTV infection induces a typeⅠ interferon immune response in BHK-21 cells.This study lays the foundation for further exploring the antiviral immunity mechanism of IFN-Ⅰ signaling pathway regulatory genes in host cells infected with BTV infection.

Objective To analyze the implementation effect of quality control on the homepage of inpatient medical re-cords based on the background of Disease Diagnosis Related Groups(DRG).Methods A retrospective study was conducted,including a total of 20,000 medical records from Dongguan People's Hospital from 2018 to 2022.Among them,10,000 medical records from January to December 2018,before the implementation of DRG-based quality control,were included as the control group;10,000 medical records from January to December 2022,after the implementation of DRG-based quality control,were in-cluded as the observation group.The implementation effect of quality control of hospital admission medical records among different groups based on DRG was explored.Results In the control group,there were 1,943 medical records with defects,accounting for 19.43％,which affected DRG grouping in 1,000 cases(51.47％)and did not affect DRG grouping in 943 cases(48.53％).In the observation group,there were 1,316 medical records with defects,accounting for 13.16％,among which 643 cases(48.86％)affected DRG grouping and 673 cases(51.14％)did not affect DRG grouping.The difference in the number of defective medical records between the groups was statistically significant(χ2=144.11,P<0.05).The missing rates of diagnos-tic and treatment information and cost information in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The completeness and accuracy rates of diagnosis and surgical information in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The implementation of quality control of hospital admission medical records based on DRG can significantly improve the quality of medical records,increase the accuracy of diagnosis and surgical information in medi-cal records,and have higher comprehensive quality control value.It is recommended for clinical promotion and use.

The management of antibiotic-resistant, bacterial biofilm infections in skin wounds poses an increasingly challenging clinical scenario. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is difficult to eradicate because of biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. In this study, we identified a new benzothiazole derivative compound, SN12 (IC₅₀ = 43.3 nmol/L), demonstrating remarkable biofilm inhibition at nanomolar concentrations in vitro. In further activity assays and mechanistic studies, we formulated an unconventional strategy for combating P. aeruginosa-derived infections by targeting the two-component (Gac/Rsm) system. Furthermore, SN12 slowed the development of ciprofloxacin and tobramycin resistance. By using murine skin wound infection models, we observed that SN12 significantly augmented the antibacterial effects of three widely used antibiotics-tobramycin (100-fold), vancomycin (200-fold), and ciprofloxacin (1000-fold)-compared with single-dose antibiotic treatments for P. aeruginosa infection in vivo. The findings of this study suggest the potential of SN12 as a promising antibacterial synergist, highlighting the effectiveness of targeting the two-component system in treating challenging bacterial biofilm infections in humans.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of treating mediate-risk pure ground glass pulmonary nodules （pGGNs） based on the state theory. MethodsA prospective clinical randomized controlled trial was used. Totally 141 cases of mediate-risk pGGNs were divided into treatment group （92 cases） and control group （49 cases） according to the random table method. The treatment group was given the basic Sanjie Formula （基础散结方） orally with modification according to the identification of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） state， 1 dose per day， 3 months as a course of treatment.Three months after the treatment patients were checked by CT. Patients who were clinically judged as cure， moderate to low risk， and turned to surgical resection do not carry out a second course of treatment，and the rest of the patients continued to complete the second courses. Patients in the control group did not receive any treatment and were only followed up periodically. Patients in both groups received a CT review 3 months and 6 months after enrolled. Comprehensive curative effect was evaluated according to the reduction rate of the area of pulmonary nodules shown in chest CT， to further explore the clinical effective difference for patients at different TCM state； the risk of malignancy index （Mayo score） was calculated by Mayo model at enrollment and 3 months and 6 months after enrolled. Adverse events were monitored continuously during the study. ResultsDuring the follow-up， 8 cases in the treatment group and 7 cases in the control group were lost. A total of 126 cases completed the whole process， including 84 cases in the treatment group and 42 cases in the control group. The total effective rates at 3 months and 6 months of the treatment group were 46.15% （30/65） and 45.71% （32/70） in the treatment group， while the total effective rates at 3 months and 6 months in the control group were 12.5% （4/32） and 10.00% （4/40）. Compared with the control group， the comprehensive curative effect of 3 months and 6 months of enrollment in treatment group was significantly better than that in corresponding control group （P＜0.01）. The pulmonary nodule area and Mayo score in the treatment group decreased after 3 and 6 months of enrollment （P＜0.01）. In contrast， there was no statistically significant difference in nodule area between pre- and post-enrollment time points in the control group （P＞0.05）， and probability of Mayo risk increased in the control group after 6 months of enrollment compared to pre-enrollment （P＜0.05）. Among the 84 patients in the treatment group， there were 15 cases of qi deficiency state， 7 cases of yin deficiency state， 5 cases of yang deficiency state， 20 cases of qi depression state， 32 cases of damp-heat state， and 5 cases of harmonious state； the difference in the distribution of the total clinical effective rate of the patients with different TCM states after treatment was statistically significant （P＜0.05）， and the total effective rate of two-by-two comparison of qi depression state was higher （13/20，65.00%） than that of the total effective rate of damp-heat state （8/32，25.00%， P＜0.00833）. There were no significant changes in blood routine， urine routine， liver function and kidney function in both groups， and no adverse events occurred. ConclusionTreating mediate-risk pGGNs based on the state theory can effectively reduce the area of pulmonary nodules and inhibit the growth of malignant risk of pulmonary nodules.

BACKGROUND: The presence of fibrosis is a criterion for subtype classification in the newly updated hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) guidelines. The present study aimed to summarize differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis of non-fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (NFHP) and fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (FHP) and explore factors associated with the presence of fibrosis. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with HP through a multidisciplinary discussion were enrolled. Collected data included demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and radiologic and histopathological features. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore factors related to the presence of fibrosis. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients with HP were enrolled, including 87 (43.1%) NFHP patients and 115 (56.9%) FHP patients. Patients with FHP were older and more frequently presented with dyspnea, crackles, and digital clubbing than patients with NFHP. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 125, carbohydrate antigen 153, gastrin-releasing peptide precursor, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, and antigen cytokeratin 21-1, and count of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophils were higher in the FHP group than in the NFHP group. BAL lymphocytosis was present in both groups, but less pronounced in the FHP group. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that older age, <20% of lymphocyte in BAL, and ≥1.75% of eosinophil in BAL were risk factors for the development of FHP. Twelve patients developed adverse outcomes, with a median survival time of 12.5 months, all of whom had FHP. CONCLUSIONS Older age, <20% of lymphocyte in BAL, and ≥1.75% of eosinophil in BAL were risk factors associated with the development of FHP. Prognosis of patients with NFHP was better than that of patients with FHP. These results may provide insights into the mechanisms of fibrosis in HP.
Humans ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Prospective Studies ; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic/diagnosis* ; Fibrosis ; Carbohydrates

Abstract: Objective To establish a rapid detection assay based on fluorescence recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) targeting Necator americanus eggs, and to evaluate its efficacy, providing technical support for rapid detection of Necator americanus in fecal samples. Methods The fluorescence RPA primers and probe were designed based on the cox1 gene of Necator americanus and then screened the optimal combination to develop the assay. The genomic DNA of Necator americanus eggs was diluted to 7 concentration gradients including 100 pg/µL, 10 pg/µL, 1 pg/µL, 100 fg/µL, 10 fg/µL, 1 fg/µL, 0.1 fg/µL, to determine the detection limit of the assay. The specificity of the assay was demonstrated by detected genomic DNA from Schistosoma japonicum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Clonorchis sinensis and Fasciola hepatica. A total of 44 fecal samples were collected and DNA extraction was performed, and the modified Kato-Katz method, semi-nest PCR method, and fluorescent RPA method were simultaneously used for detection to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity. Results The established fluorescence RPA assay can specifically amplify a fragment of 194 bp of the Necator americanus cox1 gene within 20 min, with a detection limit of 10 fg/µL. There was no cross-reactivity with Schistosoma japonicum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Clonorchis sinensis, Fasciola hepatica after specificity validation. In 44 fecal samples, 27 positive samples were detected by the fluorescence RPA assay, and 26 positive samples were detected by both the Kato-Katz and the semi-nested PCR. The fluorescence curve of sample number 1 was slightly higher than the negative control in the later stage of the reaction, but did not show a similar trend to the positive control, and was therefore judged to be a suspected negative sample. Compared with the Kato-Katz method and the semi-nest PCR method, The sensitivity of the fluorescent RPA method were 100.00% and the specificity were 94.44%, and the consistency of the detection results was good (Kappa=0.953>0.75). Conclusions The assay based on the fluorescence RPA is an efficient, sensitive and specific technique for detecting Necator americanus and it can be applied for surveillance and early warning of hookworm infection.

Objective : To investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1) on human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) glycolysis by regulating pyruvate kinase M2 ( PKM2) expression. Methods : HRMECs were cultured in vitro and divided into normal control (NC) group, high glucose (HG) group, high glucose + ginsenoside Rg1 (HG + GRg1) group, high glucose + ginsenoside Rg1 + low expression PKM2 ( HG + GRg1 + si-PKM2) group, and high glucose + ginsenoside Rg1 + overexpression PKM2 (HG + GRg1 + OE⁃PKM2) group. si-PKM2 and OE⁃PKM2 were transfected into HRMECs cells by cell transfection. The expression of PKM2 mRNA in HRMECs was detected by qRT⁃PCR. The expression levels of related proteins in HRMECs were detected by Western blot. The number of lumen formation in vitro was observed under an inverted microscope to quantify the angiogenesis ability. Cell culture medium of each group was collected, and glucose intake, lactate production and adenosine triphosphate(ATP)content were detected by glucose detection kit, lactate detection kit and ATP detection kit,re spectively. Results : HG induced HRMECs significantly increased the number of blood vessel formation, glycolysis and PKM2 expression, while GRg1 treatment significantly reduced the number of blood vessel formation, glycolysis and PKM2 expression; transfection of si⁃PKM2 assisted the inhibitory effect of GRg1 on glycolysis and angiogenesis while transfection of OE⁃PKM2 interfered with the function of GRg1 . Conclusion GRg1 inhibits angiogenesis by inhibiting PKM2 to reduce glycolysis of HRMECs.

There are eight forms of vitamin E in human blood, including α-, β-, γ-, δ-tocopherols and α-, β-, γ-, δ-tocotrienols. As the most abundant and active form of vitamin E, α-tocopherol is widely accepted as a reliable indicator for nutritional assessment of body vitamin E status across the world. Considering that different vitamin E forms have diverse biological activities, separation and detection of different vitamin E forms in human blood facilitates the understanding of the association between vitamin E and diseases. In this review, the advances in sample-pretreatment techniques and detection techniques for vitamin E in human blood were presented. Currently, the sample-pretreatment techniques include solid-phase extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, dispersive liquid-phase microextraction, supported liquid extraction and direct protein precipitation; the detection techniques include automatic biochemical analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography and ultra-high performance supercritical fluid chromatography mass spectrometry. This review summarizes the characteristics and scope of above-mentioned techniques used for detection of vitamin E in human blood, so as to provide insights into the selection of an appropriate method for inspection technicians.

The existing measuring methods of noise exposure on the basis of equal energy hypothesis are applicable to Gaussian noise while not fully applicable to non-Gaussian noise. Studies have shown that temporal structure (kurtosis) combined with noise energy has the potential to quantify non-Gaussian noise exposure effectively. However, there is no unified measuring method adopting this joint metric. In this paper, the measuring method of non-Gaussian noise exposure based on kurtosis adjustment was introduced, detailing measurement indicators, adjustment schemes, applicable objects, instrument requirements, and measurement steps. Adjusting the exposure duration of cumulative noise exposure (CNE) by kurtosis or adjusting the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (L_Aeq) by an adjustment coefficient based on animal or population studies can more accurately quantify workers' exposure to non-Gaussian noise and improve the underestimation of hearing loss caused by non-Gaussian noise. A large number of population studies are warranted in the future to verify the effectiveness of these two adjustment schemes.