To scientifically evaluate the intervention effect of Chinese medicine preventive administration(combined use of Huo-xiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and Jinhao Jiere Granules) on community population in the case of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), a large cohort, prospective, randomized, and parallel-controlled clinical study was conducted. Total 22 065 subjects were included and randomly divided into 2 groups. The non-intervention group was given health guidance only, while the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) intervention group was given two coordinated TCM in addition to health guidance. The medical instructions were as follows. Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid: oral before meals, 10 mL/time, 2 times/day, a course of 5 days. Jinhao Jiere Granules: dissolve in boiling water and take after meals, 8 g/time, 2 times/day, a course of 5 days, followed up for 14 days, respectively. The study found that with the intake of medication, the incidence rate of TCM intervention group was basically maintained at a low and continuous stable level(0.01%-0.02%), while the non-intervention group showed an overall trend of continuous growth(0.02%-0.18%) from 3 to 14 days. No suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case occurred in either group. There were 2 cases of colds in the TCM intervention group and 26 cases in the non-intervention group. The incidence of colds in the TCM intervention group was significantly lower(P<0.05) than that in the non-intervention group. In the population of 16-60 years old, the incidence rate of non-intervention and intervention groups were 0.01% and 0.25%, respectively. The difference of colds incidence between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). In the population older than 60 years old, they were 0.04% and 0.21%, respectively. The incidence of colds in the non-intervention group was higher than that in the intervention group, but not reaching statistical difference. The protection rate of TCM for the whole population was 91.8%, especially for the population of age 16-60(95.0%). It was suggested that TCM intervention(combined use of Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and Jinhao Jiere Granules) could effectively protect community residents against respiratory diseases, such as colds, which was worthy of promotion in the community. In addition, in terms of safety, the incidence of adverse events and adverse reactions in the TCM intervention group was relatively low, which was basically consistent with the drug instructions.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective: High PM concentration is the main feature of increasing haze in developing states, but information on its microbial composition remains very limited. This study aimed to determine the composition of microbiota in PM in Guangzhou, a city located in the tropics in China. Methods: In Guangzhou, from March 5 to 10 , 2016, PM was collected in middle volume air samplers for 23 h daily. The 16S rDNA V4 region of the PM sample extracted DNA was investigated using high-throughput sequence. Results: Among the Guangzhou samples, , , , , and were the dominant microbiota accounting for more than 90% of the total microbiota, and was the dominant gram-negative bacteria, accounting for 21.30%-23.57%. We examined the difference in bacterial distribution of PM between Beijing and Guangzhou at the genus level; was found in both studies, but was only detected in Guangzhou. Conclusion In conclusion, the diversity and specificity of microbial components in Guangzhou PM were studied, which may provide a basis for future pathogenicity research in the tropics.
Air Microbiology ; Air Pollutants ; analysis ; Bacteria ; classification ; isolation & purification ; China ; Cities ; Environmental Monitoring ; Microbiota ; Particle Size ; Particulate Matter ; analysis ; RNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; analysis

Objective:To study the mechanism of Wulingsan (WLS) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by network pharmacology. Method:The active components of WLS were screened on traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology(TCMSP) platform, and the targets were predicted in DragBank database. The "component-target" network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.2.1 software. Disease targets were searched in TTD, DrugBank and DisGenet databases. The Venn diagram was built to extract the target of WLS in the treatment of RA, and the gene oesthetics(GO) function annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedin of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) signal pathway enrichment analysis were performed by cluego plugin. The TCM-component-target-pathway network of WLS was constructed, and the network feature analysis was made by Network Analyzer. Result:Totally 52 components and 297 potential targets in WLS and 1 845 targets relating to RA were excavated, and 49 common targets of WLS-RA were obtained. The common targets were mainly enriched in 322 biological processes and 31 signaling pathways. Conclusion:WLS may regulate targets, such as prostaglandin epoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁), cysteine aspartate protein-3 (Caspase-3), transcription factor p65 (RELA), progesterone receptor (PGR), and adjust cancer-related pathways, tumor necrosis factor(TNF) signaling pathways, interleukin-17(IL-17) signaling pathways, nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) signaling pathways, Th17 cell differentiation, so as to inhibit the inflammatory response, regulate immune function and adjust apoptosis to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Even in the era of novel targeted agents, switching to a second-line nonsteroidal antiandrogen (NSAA) is still widely used in treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), especially in undeveloped countries. However, whether prior treatment with a second-line NSAA would impact the efficacy of abiraterone acetate (Abi) remains uncertain. In the current study, 87 mCRPC patients treated with Abi were analyzed. Among them, 21 were treated with a second-line NSAA (from bicalutamide to flutamide) before receiving abiraterone, while the remaining 66 received Abi directly. Therapeutic efficacy of Abi was compared between those with and without prior second-line NSAA using Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, and Cox regression models. The therapeutic efficacy of Abi was similar between those with or without the prior switching treatment of flutamide, in terms of either prostate-specific antigen progression-free survival (PSA-PFS, 5.5 vs 5.6 months, P = 0.967), radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS, 12.8 vs 13.4 months, P = 0.508), overall survival (OS, not reached vs 30.6 months, P = 0.606), or PSA-response rate (71.4% [15/21] vs 60.6% [40/66], P = 0.370). This is the first time that the impact of prior switching of treatment to a second-line NSAA on the efficacy of Abi in mCRPC patients has been addressed. Our data support that, use of prior sequential bicalutamide and flutamide does not seem to preclude response to abiraterone, although larger cohort studies and, ideally, a randomized controlled trial are needed. These findings will facilitate doctors' decision-making in the treatment of mCRPC patients, especially for those with previous experience of switching NSAA second-line treatments in the clinic.
Abiraterone Acetate/therapeutic use* ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use* ; Anilides/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Flutamide/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Nitriles/therapeutic use* ; Nonsteroidal Anti-Androgens/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/analysis* ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Tosyl Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo develop a rapid, highly sensitive, and quantitative method for the detection of NT-proBNP levels based on a near-infrared point-of-care diagnostic (POCT) device with wide scope.

METHODSThe lateral flow assay (LFA) strip of NT-proBNP was first prepared to achieve rapid detection. Then, the antibody pairs for NT-proBNP were screened and labeled with the near-infrared fluorescent dye Dylight-800. The capture antibody was fixed on a nitrocellulose membrane by a scribing device. Serial dilutions of serum samples were prepared using NT-proBNP-free serum series. The prepared test strips, combined with a near-infrared POCT device, were validated by known concentrations of clinical samples. The POCT device gave the output of the ratio of the intensity of the fluorescence signal of the detection line to that of the quality control line. The relationship between the ratio value and the concentration of the specimen was plotted as a work curve. The results of 62 clinical specimens obtained from our method were compared in parallel with those obtained from the Roche E411 kit.

RESULTSBased on the log-log plot, the new method demonstrated that there was a good linear relationship between the ratio value and NT-proBNP concentrations ranging from 20 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL. The results of the 62 clinical specimens measured by our method showed a good linear correlation with those measured by the Roche E411 kit.

CONCLUSIONThe new LFA detection method of NT-proBNP levels based on the near-infrared POCT device was rapid and highly sensitive with wide scope and was thus suitable for rapid and early clinical diagnosis of cardiac impairment.

Antibodies ; Biomarkers ; Heart Diseases ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; methods ; Infrared Rays ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Point-of-Care Testing ; Reagent Strips ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVES: To establish a high performance liquid chromatographic （HPLC） method for simultaneous determination of three effective constituents, including tetrahydrocannabinol （THC）, cannabidiol （CBD） and cannabinol （CBN） in Cannabis plants. METHODS: A C₁₈ column was used in this study, and acetonitrile-phosphate buffer （0.015 mol/L KH₂PO₄） was used as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. At a detection wavelength of 220 mm, UV absorption spectra were collected at the wavelength range of 190-400 nm, and the spectra and retention time were counted as qualitative evidence. RESULTS: THC, CBD and CBN could be well separated by this method. Three components had good linear relationship in the range of 0.4-40 μg/mL （R²≥0.999 3）. The recoveries were over 87%. The limits of detection were 1.8 ng, 2.0 ng and 1.3 ng, respectively. The relative standard deviation （RSD） were less than 5% for both inter-day and intra-day precisions. CONCLUSIONS Reversed-phase HPLC method is simple, rapid and accurate, and it is suitable for the qualitative and quantitative detection of THC, CBD and CBN in Cannabis plants.
Cannabidiol/analysis* ; Cannabinol/analysis* ; Cannabis/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dronabinol/analysis*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of MAC regimen in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia(AML) patients older than 55 years.

METHODSA total of 33 relapsed or non-remission AML patients older than 55 years were enrolled in this research. MAC regimen was given as the salvage treatment. Complete remission rate(CR), partial remission rate(PR), overall survival(OS), relapse-free survival(RFS) and adverse effect were analysed.

RESULTSCR rate after the salvage therapy with MAC was 51.1%, partial remission (PR) rate was 6.1%, the overall response rate (ORR) was 57.6%, the median OS was 8 months (1.0-66.0 months), the median relapse-free survival (RFS) was 10.1 months (2.3-40.4 months). Mortality related with salvage treatment in 30 days was 9.1%. Low incidence of severe organ damage were found.

CONCLUSIONMAC can be used as a relative effective and safe regimen for the salvage treatment of the older AML patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Chlorambucil ; Cytarabine ; Dactinomycin ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Methotrexate ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Remission Induction ; Salvage Therapy

OBJECTIVETo prepare and characterize a nano-scale fibrous hydrophilic poly-L-lactic acid/ Bioglass (PLLA/BG) composite membrane and evaluate its biocompatibility as a composite membrane for guiding bone regeneration (GBR).

METHODSPLLA/BG-guided bone regeneration membrane was treated by oxygen plasma to improved its hydrophilicity. The growth of MG-63 osteoblasts on the membrane was observed using Hoechst fluorescence staining, and the biocompatibility of the membrane was evaluated by calculating the cells adhesion rate and proliferation rate. Osteogenesis of MG-63 cells was assessed by detecting alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the formation of calcified nodules and cell morphology changes were observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTSThe cell adhesion rates of PLLA/BG-guided bone regeneration membrane treated with oxygen plasma were (30.570±0.96)%, (47.27±0.78)%, and (66.78±0.69)% at 1, 3, and 6 h, respectively, significantly higher than those on PLLA membrane and untreated PLLA/BG membrane (P<0.01). The cell proliferation rates on the 3 membranes increased with time, but highest on oxygen plasma-treated PLLA/BG membrane (P<0.01). Hoechst fluorescence staining revealed that oxygen plasma treatment of the PLLA/BG membrane promoted cell adhesion. The membranes with Bioglass promoted the matrix secretion of the osteoblasts. Under SEM, the formation of calcified nodules and spindle-shaped cell morphology were observed on oxygen plasma-treated PLLA/BG membrane.

CONCLUSIONOxygen plasma-treated PLLA/BG composite membrane has good biocompatibility and can promote adhesion, proliferation and osteogenesis of the osteoblasts.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Bone Regeneration ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Ceramics ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Osteogenesis ; Oxygen ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; chemistry

Objective Both epidemiologic characteristics and transmission mode of a varicella outbreak among schoolchildren in Shenzhen city were studied and related control measures were discussed.Methods Case definition was established.Case-finding and face-to-face investigation were conducted,followed by analysis on distributions of time,place and persons of the outbreak.Association between possible modes of transmission and the outbreak was explored.Retrospective cohort study was carried out.Results The overall attack rate of this outbreak was 4.4％ (122 of 2742).The attack rate among primary schoolchildren (8.3％,118/1419) was higher than that in the middle-school children (0.3％,4/1323).There were no statistically significant differences on the attack rates between male and female students.A total of 22 classes from the 9 grades were affected by this outbreak and the aggregation of varicella cases was found in classes.The highest attack rates was found in the students of fifth grade (23.7％),followed by from the third grade (13.4％).The main transmission mode appeared to be close personal contact.The outbreak,with four peaks of incidence,lasted 72 days.Data from the investigation suggested that the primary case was introduced into the school during military training involved by the students.Activities related to physical examination for all the schoolchildren seemed to have contributed to the spread of this disease among classes.Delayed isolation of cases appeared to be the major factor causing the spread of disease among classes.Intensive off-school activities or free community bus for children did not seem to be associated with the spreading of the disease.52.5％ (64/122) of the cases had received one-dose of varicella vaccine,with the median of onset after the vaccination as 7 years.The results demonstrated that one single-dose vaccine or long vaccination period were factors related to the insufficient immunity that causing the outbreak of disease.Conclusion Varicella outbreak has been one of the most grievous public health problems in schools,posting challenges on the implementation of isolation measures,in particular.Once the chain of transmission is in place,it is difficult to make the universal measures effective within a short period.

Objective To explore the applied value of high-field intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) in multi-image fusion guided stereotactic brain biopsy.Methods Twenty-four patients with intracranial lesions were examined by conventional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with 1.5T iMRI system before operation in our hospital from June 2011 to April 2012.The digital image data and preoperative PET/CT image data were transferred into BrainLAB planning workstation and all kinds of images were automatically fused.We used the BrainLAB software to reconstruct the corticospinal tract (CST) and three-dimensional display the anatomic relationship of CST and brain lesions.Leksell surgical planning workstation was used to help to choose the best target site and the reasonable needle track.The 1.5T iMRI was used to effectively monitor the intracranial condition during brain biopsy procedure.Results Needle biopsies were successfully performed in all 24 patients and pathological diagnosis was explicitly obtained in 23 patients,leading to a diagnostic yield of 95.8％.No patient suffered from significant complications during or after surgery.Conclusions With the help of high-field iMRI,multi-image fusion guided stereotactic brain biopsy conduces to achieving the purpose of higher positive rate of biopsy and lower incidence of complications.The method with this design combining MRI-DTI fusion images with the frame-based stereotactic biopsy can play a significant role in intracranial lesions of deep functional areas.