Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the clinical manifestations and genetic characteristics of creatine deficiency syndrome (CDS) caused by GAMT gene mutations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and genetic data of two children diagnosed with GAMT deficiency-type CDS at the Children's Medical Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, from December 2020 to December 2024. RESULTS: The two patients presented with symptoms in infancy, and both had compound heterozygous mutations in the GAMT gene. Case 1 exhibited seizures and intellectual disability, while Case 2 had intellectual disability and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of cranial MRI in both patients indicated reduced creatine peaks. After creatine treatment, seizures in Case 1 were controlled, but both patients continued to experience intellectual disabilities and behavioral issues. As of December 2024, a total of 21 cases have been reported in China (including this study), and 115 cases have been reported abroad. All patients exhibited developmental delay or intellectual disabilities, with 66.9% (91/136) experiencing seizures, 33.8% (46/136) presenting with motor disorders, and 36.8% (50/136) having behavioral problems. Seventy-five percent (102/136) of patients received creatine treatment, leading to significant improvements in seizures and motor disorders, although cognitive improvement was not substantial. CONCLUSIONS GAMT deficiency-type CDS is rare and presents with nonspecific clinical features. Timely diagnosis facilitates targeted treatment, which can partially improve prognosis.
Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Creatine/deficiency* ; Guanidinoacetate N-Methyltransferase/deficiency* ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Mutation ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhabdomyolysis/genetics* ; Language Development Disorders ; Movement Disorders/congenital*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

ObjectiveTo explore the scientific connotation of fried charcoal survivability of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos（LJF） by analyzing the correlation between the color change and the intrinsic components during the processing of LJF Carbonisata（LJFC）， and taking pH， charcoal adsorption and microscopic characteristics as indexes. MethodLJFC samples with different degrees of processing were prepared according to the stir-frying time of 0.0， 1.5， 3.0， 4.5， 6.0， 7.5， 9.0， 10.5 min（numbered S1-S8）， and the contents of gallic acid， chlorogenic acid， cryptochlorogenic acid， rutin， luteoloside， isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C were determined by high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）， and the L^*（brightness）， a^*（red-greenness） and b^*（yellow-blueness） of LJFC samples with different degrees of processing were determined by spectrophotometer， and the correlation analysis and principal component analysis（PCA） between the contents of seven representative components and the color of the samples were carried out by SPSS 26. 0 and SIMCA-P 14.1. Then pH， adsorption force and characteristic structure of different samples of LJFC were detected and the processing pattern of LJFC was analyzed. ResultThe results of quantitative analysis revealed that the contents of luteoloside， rutin， chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid A gradually decreased， and the contents of cryptochlorogenic acid， isochlorogenic acid C and gallic acid firstly increased and then decreased. The L^* and b^* of the sample powders decreased， and a^* showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing. The L^* and b^* were positively correlated with the contents of chlorogenic acid， rutin， luteoloside， isochlorogenic acid A， b^* was positively correlated with the content of gallic acid， and a^* was positively correlated with the contents of cryptochlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid C. PCA revealed that samples could be clearly divided into 3 groups， S1-S2 as one group， S3-S5 as one group， and S6-S8 as one group， with S3 having the highest score. The results of regression analysis showed that only isochlorogenic acid C could be used to predict the contents of components by colorimetric values combined with regression equations. Physicochemical analysis showed that pH of LJFC increased with the increase of degree of charcoal stir-frying， while adsorption force showed a tendency of increasing and then decreasing， with the highest adsorption force in the S5 sample， and the non-glandular hairs， calcium oxalate clusters and pollen grains had a varying degree of decreasing with the deepening of processing degree， and the microstructures of S6-S8 samples were obviously charred with pollen grains almost invisible. ConclusionThe changes in chemical composition and color characteristics of LJFC during the processing have certain correlations， combined with the changes in physicochemical properties， S5 sample is found to be the optimal processed products， which can provide a reference for the processing standardization and quality evaluation of LJFC， and enrich the scientific connotation of fried charcoal survivability of LJF.

Doxorubicin(DOX)is a commonly administered chemotherapy drug for treating hematological malignancies and solid tumors;however,its clinical application is limited by significant cardiotoxicity.Cynaroside(Cyn)is a flavonoid glycoside distributed in honeysuckle,with confirmed potential biological functions in regulating inflammation,pyroptosis,and oxidative stress.Herein,the effects of Cyn were evaluated in a DOX-induced cardiotoxicity(DIC)mouse model,which was established by intraperitoneal injections of DOX(5 mg/kg)once a week for three weeks.The mice in the treatment group received dexrazoxane,MCC950,and Cyn every two days.Blood biochemistry,histopathology,immunohistochemistry,reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),and western blotting were conducted to investigate the cardioprotective effects and potential mechanisms of Cyn treatment.The results demonstrated the significant benefits of Cyn treatment in mitigating DIC;it could effectively alleviate oxidative stress to a certain extent,maintain the equilibrium of cell apoptosis,and enhance the cardiac function of mice.These effects were realized via regulating the transcription levels of pyroptosis-related genes,such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),caspase-1,and gasdermin D(GSDMD).Mechanistically,for DOX-induced myocardial injury,Cyn could significantly modulate the expression of pivotal genes,including adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α),sirtuin 3(SIRT3),and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2).We attribute it to the mediation of AMPK/SIRT3/Nrf2 pathway,which plays a central role in preventing DOX-induced cardiomyocyte injury.In conclusion,the present study confirms the therapeutic potential of Cyn in DIC by regulating the AMPK/SIRT3/Nrf2 pathway.

Objective:To sinicize the Gerontological Nurse Teacher Scale (GeNTS) and to test reliability and validity of the Chinese version, so as to provide a scientific measuring tool for the ability assessment of geriatric nursing teachers in China.Methods:The scale was translated according to the Brislin model and revised to form the Chinese version. The Chinese version of the GeNTS was used to facilitate the sampling of 375 nursing students from Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Neijiang Health Vocational College, and Sichuan Nursing Vocational College from June to August, 2023. SPSS 23.0 was used to analyze the data, and the critical ratio method, homogeneity test, Cronbach α coefficient method were used for item analysis, expert content validity index was used for content validity, exploratory factor method was used for structural validity test, internal consistency reliability, folding reliability, and re-test reliability were used for reliability test, and AMOS 28.0 was used for validation factor analysis.Results:The Chinese version of the GeNTS had 30 entries, and five common factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis, with a cumulative of 82.462%. Validated factor analysis showed that the χ2/ df = 2.501, root mean square error of qpproximation (RMSEA) = 0.051, stamdardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.043, incremental fit index (IFI) = 0.968, and normed-fit index (NFI) = 0.956, all of which were in the acceptable range, and the content validity of the Chinese version of the GeNTS was 0.837, with a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.977, a folded half reliability of 0.924, and a retest reliability of 0.924. Conclusions:The Chinese version of the Gerontological Nurse Teacher Scale has good reliability and validity. It is usefull to assess the situation of elderly nursing teachers in stimulating students′career interest in China.

Objective To investigate whether patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)can benefit from metformin tablets combined with drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets(Ⅱ).Methods A total of 84 PCOS patients diagnosed in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected.According to the treatment plan and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)index,patients were divided into monotherapy normal group[drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets(Ⅱ),HOMA-IR index<2.69,n=29],monotherapy abnormal group[drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets(Ⅱ),HOMA-IR index≥2.69,n=15],combination normal group[drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets(Ⅱ)+ metformin,HOMA-IR index<2.69,n=11]and combination abnormal group[drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets(Ⅱ)+ metformin,HOMA-IR index≥2.69,n=29].Luteinizing hormone(LH),testosterone(T),sex hormone binding globulin(SHBG),HOMA-IR index and efficacy of all groups were compared.Results Before treatment,HOMA-IR index of patients in monotherapy abnormal group was significantly higher than that in monotherapy normal group(P<0.05),and HOMA-IR index of patients in combination abnormal group was significantly higher than that in combination normal group(P<0.05).After treatment,LH and T of four groups were significantly lower than before treatment,and SHBG was significantly higher than before treatment(P<0.05).The HOMA-IR index of patients in other three groups was significantly lower than before treatment except monotherapy normal group(P<0.05).After treatment,HOMA-IR index of patients with monotherapy abnormal group was significantly higher than that of patients with monotherapy normal group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in LH,T,HOMA-IR index and SHBG between combination normal group and combination abnormal group(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in total effective rate between monotherapy normal group and combination normal group(χ2=3.398,P=0.183).The total effective rate in combination abnormal group was significantly higher than that in monotherapy abnormal group(χ2=6.360,P=0.042).Conclusion The combination of metformin tablets combined with drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets(Ⅱ)can improve insulin resistance in patients,and the combination regimen will benefit more patients with PCOS and insulin resistance.

The blood-brain barrier limits the brain delivery of most drugs and affects the treatment of central nervous system disorders. The transnasal drug delivery allows the drug to bypass the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain directly through pathways such as the olfactory and trigeminal nerves, thus improving the therapeutic efficacy of the drug while reducing drug degradation and avoiding hepatic first pass effect. With the rise of nanotechnology, the combination of nanoformulations with transnasal routes of administration is expected to achieve better brain targeting and treatment of brain diseases. On the basis of summarizing the characteristics of the various nose-to-brain pathways, this review summarizes the researches on novel transnasal nanopreparations such as exosomes and liquid crystals in recent years as well as new strategies to improve the efficiency of brain entry including focused ultrasound-mediated techniques. We also review the recent studies on transnasal brain entry nanopreparations in the treatment of various brain disorders and current research dilemmas, looking forward to the prospect of their future clinical applications.

Objective To determine the impact of progressive rehabilitation intervention based on the FITT principle on the recovery of elderly patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardi-al infarction(STEMI)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 184 STEMI patients admitted to our hospital between December 2021 and June 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into a study group(n=92)and a control group(n=92).Routine rehabilita-tion intervention was given to the control group,and progressive rehabilitation intervention based on the FITT principle was given to the study group.Both groups were intervened for 12 weeks.Metabolite equivalents(MET)of the two groups were evaluated before and at 4,8 and 12 weeks after intervention.Their cardiopulmonary reserve function and quality of life were evaluated with cardiopulmonary exercise testing and myocardial infarction multidimensional assessment scale(MIDAS)before and at 12 weeks after intervention.The incidence of adverse cardiovascular events such as ventricular arrhythmia and heart failure(HF)during 6 months of follow-up was recorded.Results There were significant differences in two sets of MET value groups,time points,and group time point interactions(P＜0.01).No statistical difference was found in MET values be-tween the two groups before intervention(P＞0.05).The MET values were increased in both groups at 4,8 and 12 weeks after intervention than before intervention,and those in the study group were higher than those in the control group at above three time points(P＜0.05).Com-pared with before intervention,the peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold oxygen uptake in 2 groups increased after intervention(P＜0.05).The peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold oxygen uptake in the study group were higher than those in the control group[(23.52±1.86)ml/(min·kg)vs(21.36±2.60)ml/(min·kg),P＜0.01;(14.33±2.02)ml/(min·kg)vs(12.08±1.76)ml/(min·kg),P＜0.01];Compared with before intervention,the carbon dioxide ventilation equivalent slope of 2 groups decreased after intervention(P＜0.05).The carbon dioxide equivalent slope of the study group was lower than that of the control group(26.12±2.34 vs 28.10±2.52,P＜0.01).Compared with before intervention,the MIDAS score was decreased in both groups af-ter intervention(65.30±5.20 vs 96.64±7.33,P＜0.01;70.46±5.87 vs 95.80±7.26,P＜0.01),and the score of the study group was lower than that of the control group(65.30±5.20 vs 70.46±5.87,P＜0.01).After a 6-month follow-up,there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Progressive reha-bilitation interventions based on the FITT principle can promote exercise tolerance,improve car-diopulmonary reserve function,and enhance the quality of life of elderly STEMI patients after PCI.