1.Analysis of epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 1247 cases of infectious diseases of the central nervous system
Jia-Hua ZHAO ; Yu-Ying CEN ; Xiao-Jiao XU ; Fei YANG ; Xing-Wen ZHANG ; Zhao DONG ; Ruo-Zhuo LIU ; De-Hui HUANG ; Rong-Tai CUI ; Xiang-Qing WANG ; Cheng-Lin TIAN ; Xu-Sheng HUANG ; Sheng-Yuan YU ; Jia-Tang ZHANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(1):43-49
Objective To summarize the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system(CNS)by a single-center analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1247 cases of CNS infectious diseases diagnosed and treated in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from 2001 to 2020.Results The data for this group of CNS infectious diseases by disease type in descending order of number of cases were viruses 743(59.6%),Mycobacterium tuberculosis 249(20.0%),other bacteria 150(12.0%),fungi 68(5.5%),parasites 18(1.4%),Treponema pallidum 18(1.4%)and rickettsia 1(0.1%).The number of cases increased by 177 cases(33.1%)in the latter 10 years compared to the previous 10 years(P<0.05).No significant difference in seasonal distribution pattern of data between disease types(P>0.05).Male to female ratio is 1.87︰1,mostly under 60 years of age.Viruses are more likely to infect students,most often at university/college level and above,farmers are overrepresented among bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis,and more infections of Treponema pallidum in workers.CNS infectious diseases are characterized by fever,headache and signs of meningeal irritation,with the adductor nerve being the more commonly involved cranial nerve.Matagenomic next-generation sequencing improves clinical diagnostic capabilities.The median hospital days for CNS infectious diseases are 18.00(11.00,27.00)and median hospital costs are ¥29,500(¥16,000,¥59,200).The mortality rate from CNS infectious diseases is 1.6%.Conclusions The incidence of CNS infectious diseases is increasing last ten years,with complex clinical presentation,severe symptoms and poor prognosis.Early and accurate diagnosis and standardized clinical treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality rate and ease the burden of disease.
2.Remote Virtual Companion via Tactile Codes and Voices for The People With Visual Impairment
Song GE ; Xuan-Tuo HUANG ; Yan-Ni LIN ; Yan-Cheng LI ; Wen-Tian DONG ; Wei-Min DANG ; Jing-Jing XU ; Ming YI ; Sheng-Yong XU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(1):158-176
ObjectiveExisting artificial vision devices can be divided into two types: implanted devices and extracorporeal devices, both of which have some disadvantages. The former requires surgical implantation, which may lead to irreversible trauma, while the latter has some defects such as relatively simple instructions, limited application scenarios and relying too much on the judgment of artificial intelligence (AI) to provide enough security. Here we propose a system that has voice interaction and can convert surrounding environment information into tactile commands on head and neck. Compared with existing extracorporeal devices, our device can provide a larger capacity of information and has advantages such as lower cost, lower risk, suitable for a variety of life and work scenarios. MethodsWith the latest remote wireless communication and chip technologies, microelectronic devices, cameras and sensors worn by the user, as well as the huge database and computing power in the cloud, the backend staff can get a full insight into the scenario, environmental parameters and status of the user remotely (for example, across the city) in real time. In the meanwhile, by comparing the cloud database and in-memory database and with the help of AI-assisted recognition and manual analysis, they can quickly develop the most reasonable action plan and send instructions to the user. In addition, the backend staff can provide humanistic care and emotional sustenance through voice dialogs. ResultsThis study originally proposes the concept of “remote virtual companion” and demonstrates the related hardware and software as well as test results. The system can not only achieve basic guide functions, for example, helping a person with visual impairment to shop in supermarkets, find seats at cafes, walk on the streets, construct complex puzzles, and play cards, but also can meet the demand for fast-paced daily tasks such as cycling. ConclusionExperimental results show that this “remote virtual companion” is applicable for various scenarios and demands. It can help blind people with their travels, shopping and entertainment, or accompany the elderlies with their trips, wilderness explorations, and travels.
3.Icariin plus curcumol enhances autophagy through the mTOR pathway and promotes cathepsin B-mediated pyroptosis of prostate cancer cells
Xu-Yun Wang ; Wen-Jing Xu ; Bo-Nan Li ; Tian-Song Sun ; Wen Sheng
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2024;14(2):55-64
Objective: To examine the effect of icariin plus curcumol on prostate cancer cells PC3 and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: We employed the Cell Counting Kit 8 assay and colony formation assay to assess cell viability and proliferation. Autophagy expression was analyzed using monodansylcadaverine staining. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were used to evaluate protein expressions related to autophagy, pyroptosis, and the mTOR pathway. Cellular damage was examined using the lactate dehydrogenase assay. Moreover, cathepsin B and NLRP3 were detected by co-immunoprecipitation. Results: Icariin plus curcumol led to a decrease in PC3 cell proliferation and an enhancement of autophagy. The levels of LC3- Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and beclin-1 were increased, while the levels of p62 and mTOR were decreased after treatment with icariin plus curcumol. These changes were reversed upon overexpression of mTOR. Furthermore, 3-methyladenine resulted in a decrease in inflammatory cytokines, pyroptosis-related protein levels, and lactate dehydrogenase concentration, compared to the icariin plus curcumol group. Inhibiting cathepsin B reversed the regulatory effects of icariin plus curcumol. Conclusions: Icariin plus curcumol demonstrates great potential as a therapeutic agent for castration-resistant prostate cancer by enhancing autophagy via the mTOR pathway and promoting pyroptosis mediated by cathepsin B. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of icariin and curcumol for prostate cancer treatment.
4.Epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in China from 2010 to 2022
Yue SHI ; Mengjie GENG ; Sheng ZHOU ; Xi CHEN ; Junling SUN ; Xueying TIAN ; Hong XU ; Yu LI ; Canjun ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(2):130-136
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in China from 2010 to 2022, so as to provide insights into formulation of the leptospirosis control strategy. Methods All data pertaining to clinically diagnosed cases and confirmed cases of leptospirosis reported in China from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2022 was collected from Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information Management System. The spatial, temporal and population distributions, and report and diagnosis institutions of leptospirosis cases were analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method. Results A total of 4 559 leptospirosis cases were reported in China from 2010 to 2022, with an annual average number of 351 cases, and the number of reported leptospirosis cases reduced from 679 cases in 2010 to 158 cases in 2018. A total of 4 276 leptospirosis cases were reported in Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province, Guangdong Province, Hunan Province, Fujian Province, Zhejiang Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Anhui Province, Jiangxi Province and Guizhou Province, accounting for 93.79% of the total number of leptospirosis cases in China. The number of leptospirosis cases had recently appeared a remarkable decline in Yunnan Province, while a significant rise was seen in the number of leptospirosis cases in two provinces of Zhejiang and Guangdong. No leptospirosis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2010 to 2020; however, there were 5 cases and 2 cases reported in 2021 and 2022, respectively. There was only one leptospirosis case reported in Shaanxi Province from 2010 to 2017; however, leptospirosis cases were reported in the province for 5 consecutive years since 2018. Leptospirosis cases were reported throughout the year in China from 2010 to 2022, with the peak of incidence found during the period between August and October, and the peak of leptospirosis incidence varied in provinces. A higher number of leptospirosis cases was seen among men than among women, with a male to female ratio of 2.3:1, and the median age of leptospirosis cases was 50 years (interquartile range, 23 years), with the highest proportion of leptospirosis cases reported at ages of 51 to 60 years (23.21%). Among all reported leptospirosis cases, 53.28% were confirmed cases, and the proportion of confirmed cases increased from 35.05% in 2010 to 61.66% in 2022. In addition, there were 67.22% of leptospirosis cases (2 937 cases) reported by comprehensive hospitals, 20.44% (893 cases) by disease control and prevention institutions, 7.23% (316 cases) by grassroots healthcare institutions and 5.10% (223 cases) by other healthcare and medical institutions, and the mortality of reported leptospirosis cases was 1.07% in China from 2010 to 2022, with a higher mortality seen among men than among women (1.39% vs. 0.36%; χ2 = 9.52, P = 0.002). Conclusions The incidence of leptospirosis remained at a low level in China from 2010 to 2022, and southern China was still the main endemic area for leptospirosis. The epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis cases varied in endemic provinces, and leptospirosis cases had been continued to be reported in Shaanxi and Henan provinces, which should be paid much attention to. Intensified surveillance of leptospirosis, improved diagnosis and treatment capability of leptospirosis cases and leptospirosis control with adaptations to local circumstance are recommended.
5.Mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria interference in functional dyspepsia and intervention status of Chinese medicine for Shu Gan Jian Pi
Jun GUO ; Zheng-Quan WU ; Zheng-Yan WANG ; Hui-Jun ZHANG ; Sheng-Cai LI ; Xu-Dong TIAN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(15):2292-2295
Gastrointestinal dyskinesia is a central factor contributing to the development of functional dyspepsia(FD),which is characterized by the rupture of the gastrointestinal nerve-Cajal interstitial cell-smooth muscle network.Gan Yu Pi Xu are similar to endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERs)-mitochondrial autophagy homeostasis imbalance.Mitochondrial autophagy disorders are the biological basis of Pi Xu,and Gan Yu is the macroscopic manifestation of ERs,and regulation of ERs-mitochondrial autophagy pathway is an important way to prevent and control FD.In this paper,we start from the theory of"liver-spleen correlation",combine the changes of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in the process of gastrointestinal dyskinesia,reveal the correlation between the pathogenesis of Gan Yu Pi Xu and the autophagy of ERs and mitochondria,and elucidate the mechanism of gastrointestinal dyskinesia by the method of Shu Gan Jian Pi,so as to provide a new point of view for the treatment of gastrointestinal dyskinesia in FD.
6.Risk factors and prevention strategies for intraperitoneal hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy
Wei LI ; Sheng WU ; Yujian TIAN ; Xiaoming TANG ; Chuang CAI ; Zhiwei XU
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2024;29(3):243-248
Objective To investigate the risk factors and preventive strategies of pancreaticoduodenectomy postoperative hemorrhage.Methods A total of 208 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the 904th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force,PLA from January 2017 to December 2021 were enrolled.Twenty-one patients with postoperative hemorrhage were retrospectively analyzed.Results Univariate analysis indicated that postoperative hemorrhage was mainly associated with pancreatic leakage,biliary leakage,abdominal infection,hypoproteinemia,diabetes,improper use of ultrasound knife,skeletonization,intraoperative blood loss,preoperative jaundice,etc.(P<0.05),but not gender and age(P>0.05).Among the 21 patients with postoperative hemorrhage,4 cases recovered after conservative treatment such as hemostasis and blood transfusion,6 cases underwent interventional treatment,11 cases underwent abdominal exploration,and 2 cases died of postoperative multiple organ failure.Pancreatic leakage(OR=3.963,95%CI:1.120-14.025),biliary leakage(OR=4.013,95%CI:1.173-13.734)and abdominal infection(OR=7.545,95%CI:1.833-31.051)were independent risk factors for postoperative hemorrhage.Conclusions The improvement of anastomotic manipulation,reduction of anastomotic leakage,and control and prevention of abdominal infection are important to prevent postoperative hemorrhage of pancreaticoduodenectomy.Surgical treatment should be performed as soon as possible for the patients with poor conservative treatment effect.
7.A preliminary exploration of reduced port laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with right-sided overlap and single-flap valvuloplasty (ROSF)
Wei PENG ; Qiankun SHAO ; Xinyu LIANG ; Shangcheng YAN ; Qiang CHEN ; Rui REN ; Mengchao SHENG ; Wenting XU ; Yuan TIAN ; Yongyou WU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(10):1069-1074
Objective:This study aimed to share preliminary experiences of single-incision plus two ports laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with right-sided overlap and single-flap valvuloplasty (ROSF).Methods:Following the 6th edition of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines, proximal gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed. Using a single-port approach, the esophagus was transected at least 2 cm above the tumor's upper margin with linear staplers. The stomach was then extracted through a periumbilical incision, and the proximal stomach was subsequently transected extracorporeally, while ensuring appropriate resection margins on both the greater and lesser curvatures. A single flap was created before returning the remnant stomach to the abdominal cavity and re-establishing pneumoperitoneum. The No.2 clip was used to grasp and elevate the esophageal stump. An incision was made at the right lower edge of the esophageal stump to guarantee that the esophageal lumen was open. The linear stapler was then inserted into the openings of the stomach and esophagus to perform a side overlap anastomosis with a length of 3 cm. Another barbed suture was used to close the common opening of the esophagus and the stomach, and the same barbed suture were used to suture the gastric wall to the lower edge of the muscle flap. The first barbed suture was then used to sequentially suture the proximal brim of the flap to the esophagus and the right brim of the flap to the right brim of the mucosal window. After completion of anastomosis, a drainage tube was inserted through the right upper port. This procedure was employed from November 2023 to March 2024 on five patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and upper stomach. The cohort consisted of three males and two females, with an age range of 62 to 75 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 13.7 to 24.2 kg/m2. All cases were preoperatively staged as T1-2N0M0, confirmed by endoscopic biopsy and enhanced CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.Results:All five patients successfully underwent the surgery. The median surgery time was 180-325 minutes, with the intraoperative blood loss of 30-50 ml. The number of lymph nodes harvested ranged from 18 to 27. The time to first flatus, and restore liquid diet and was 2.0-5.0 and 1.0-3.0 days, respectively. The postoperative length of stay was 9.0-11.0 days. The pain scores on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). On the first day, the pain scores were 3.0 in two cases, 2.0 in two cases, and 1.0 in one case. On the second day, the pain scores were 2.0 in two cases and 1.0 in three cases. On the third day, the pain scores were 1.0 in four cases and 2.0 in one case. No short-term postoperative complications were observed, and there were no perioperative deaths.Conclusion:Single-incision plus two ports laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with ROSF is safe and feasible.
8.A preliminary exploration of reduced port laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with right-sided overlap and single-flap valvuloplasty (ROSF)
Wei PENG ; Qiankun SHAO ; Xinyu LIANG ; Shangcheng YAN ; Qiang CHEN ; Rui REN ; Mengchao SHENG ; Wenting XU ; Yuan TIAN ; Yongyou WU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(10):1069-1074
Objective:This study aimed to share preliminary experiences of single-incision plus two ports laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with right-sided overlap and single-flap valvuloplasty (ROSF).Methods:Following the 6th edition of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines, proximal gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed. Using a single-port approach, the esophagus was transected at least 2 cm above the tumor's upper margin with linear staplers. The stomach was then extracted through a periumbilical incision, and the proximal stomach was subsequently transected extracorporeally, while ensuring appropriate resection margins on both the greater and lesser curvatures. A single flap was created before returning the remnant stomach to the abdominal cavity and re-establishing pneumoperitoneum. The No.2 clip was used to grasp and elevate the esophageal stump. An incision was made at the right lower edge of the esophageal stump to guarantee that the esophageal lumen was open. The linear stapler was then inserted into the openings of the stomach and esophagus to perform a side overlap anastomosis with a length of 3 cm. Another barbed suture was used to close the common opening of the esophagus and the stomach, and the same barbed suture were used to suture the gastric wall to the lower edge of the muscle flap. The first barbed suture was then used to sequentially suture the proximal brim of the flap to the esophagus and the right brim of the flap to the right brim of the mucosal window. After completion of anastomosis, a drainage tube was inserted through the right upper port. This procedure was employed from November 2023 to March 2024 on five patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and upper stomach. The cohort consisted of three males and two females, with an age range of 62 to 75 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 13.7 to 24.2 kg/m2. All cases were preoperatively staged as T1-2N0M0, confirmed by endoscopic biopsy and enhanced CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.Results:All five patients successfully underwent the surgery. The median surgery time was 180-325 minutes, with the intraoperative blood loss of 30-50 ml. The number of lymph nodes harvested ranged from 18 to 27. The time to first flatus, and restore liquid diet and was 2.0-5.0 and 1.0-3.0 days, respectively. The postoperative length of stay was 9.0-11.0 days. The pain scores on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). On the first day, the pain scores were 3.0 in two cases, 2.0 in two cases, and 1.0 in one case. On the second day, the pain scores were 2.0 in two cases and 1.0 in three cases. On the third day, the pain scores were 1.0 in four cases and 2.0 in one case. No short-term postoperative complications were observed, and there were no perioperative deaths.Conclusion:Single-incision plus two ports laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with ROSF is safe and feasible.
9.Mechanism of action and experimental validation study of liver cancer treatment by Zheng Gan Decoction using bioinformatics
Tian-Li SONG ; Yi-Min WANG ; Xu LIU ; Sheng HUANG ; Hai-Xia LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(7):1383-1391
Aim To invepredict the mechanism of ac-tion and targets of the traditional Chinese medicine compound Zheng Gan Decoction against hepatocellular carcinoma based on bioinformatics,and to experimen-tally verify the mechanism of anticancer action of Zheng Gan Decoction against DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in a rat model.Methods The compounds of CZLF were collected from TCMSP and HERB Herbal Histology Database,and the potential targets of CZLF were predicted from Uniprot Protein Database,and the disease targets of hepatocellular carcinoma were searched with the help of OMIM,TTD,and Gene Cards databases,and then Venny analysis was per-formed on the targets of the disease-drugs,and then the protein-drug interactions(PI)of CZLF were mapped by String database,which was used for the study.After that,we used String database to draw pro-tein-protein interaction(PPI)network,R 4.1.3 soft-ware and Metascape database to enrich gene ontology(GO)and analyze KEGG signaling pathway for the core intersected targets,and finally,we used Cyto-scape 3.8.2 software for visualization to construct"compound-pathway-target-disease".Lastly,Cytoscape 3.8.2 software was used to visualize and construct a"compound-pathway-target-disease"network diagram,which was finally verified by Western blot experiment.Results Bioinformatics results showed that there were 171 common targets between Zheng Gan Decoction and diseases,and Zheng Gan Decoction might exert its an-ticancer effect through the main active ingredients such as lignans,quercetin,β-glutosterol,ivy saponin,etc.,as well as through the core protein targets such as CASP3,BCL2,AKT1,IL6,etc.,and the modula-tion of the Hippo signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt sig-naling pathway.The results of animal experiments showed that the expression content of apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3,BCL-2 and Bax was detected by Western blot,and the expression of Bax and caspase-3 proteins was up-regulated and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated in the treatment group of Zheng Gan Decoction.Conclusions This study sug-gests that Zheng Gan Decoction may inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and promote the apop-tosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating the apoptosis-related proteins of caspase-3,Bcl-2,and Bax,so as to achieve the effect of anti-hepatocellular carcinoma.
10.Retinal Thinning as a Marker of Disease Severity in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Yueting CHEN ; Haotian WANG ; Bo WANG ; Wenbo LI ; Panpan YE ; Wen XU ; Peng LIU ; Xinhui CHEN ; Zhidong CEN ; Zhiyuan OUYANG ; Sheng WU ; Xiaofeng DOU ; Yi LIAO ; Hong ZHANG ; Mei TIAN ; Wei LUO
Journal of Movement Disorders 2024;17(1):55-63
Objective:
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) involves a variety of visual symptoms that are thought to be partially caused by structural abnormalities of the retina. However, the relationship between retinal structural changes, disease severity, and intracranial alterations remains unknown. We investigated distinct retinal thinning patterns and their relationship with clinical severity and intracranial alterations in a PSP cohort.
Methods:
We enrolled 19 patients with PSP (38 eyes) and 20 age-matched healthy controls (40 eyes). All of the participants underwent peripapillary and macular optical coherence tomography. Brain 11C-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-fluorophenyl) tropane (11C-CFT) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography imaging were also performed in patients with PSP. We investigated the association between retinal thickness changes and clinical features, striatal dopamine transporter availability, and cerebral glucose metabolism.
Results:
The peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and macula were significantly thinner in patients with PSP than in controls. The thickness of the superior sector of the pRNFL demonstrated a significant negative relationship with the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III and Hoehn and Yahr staging scale scores. A significant negative correlation was found between outer inferior macular thickness and disease duration. Outer temporal macular thickness was positively correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. In PSP, lower outer temporal macular thickness was also positively correlated with decreased dopamine transporter binding in the caudate.
Conclusion
The pRNFL and macular thinning may be candidate markers for monitoring disease severity. Additionally, macular thinning may be an in vivo indicator of nigrostriatal dopaminergic cell degeneration in PSP patients.

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