ObjectiveTo explore the spatial distribution patterns of flavonoid glycosides in Epimedium sagittatum and the influences of environmental factors on the accumulation of these components. MethodsThe spatial statistical analysis and GeoDetector model were used to analyze the distribution patterns of epimedin A，epimedin B，epimedin C，icariin，and total flavonoid glycosides in E. sagittatum samples from 92 different production areas in 36 cities of 13 provinces/municipalities/autonomous regions of China，as well as the effects of 28 environmental factors on the accumulation of each component. ResultsThe average content of flavonoid glycosides 64 （69.56%） producing areas and 30 （83.33%） cities met the quality standard of no less than 1.50% of total flavonoid glycosides in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.Epimedin A，epimedin B，epimedin C，icariin，and their sum showed significantly high accumulation.The hot spots regions of epimedin A and epimedin B were similar with each other，mainly located in western Hunan，eastern Hubei，eastern Guizhou，and northern Guangxi.The common hot spot areas of epimedin C and total flavonoid glycosides were in western and southwestern Hunan，southern Henan，northern Anhui，eastern Guizhou，and southern Chongqing.The hot spots areas of icariin were in southern Chongqing，western Hunan，and eastern and northeastern Guizhou.The interactions between environmental factors had stronger explanatory power for the accumulation of components than single factors.The strongest single factor and interactive factor affecting the accumulation of epimedin C were precipitation of wettest quarter （q=0.16） and its interaction with temperature seasonality （q=0.35），respectively.The strongest single factor influencing both the accumulation of icariin and total flavonoid glycosides was the precipitation of coldest quarter （q equals 0.15 and 0.22，respectively）.The strongest interactions were observed between precipitation of coldest quarter and gravel content （q=0.34），as well as between precipitation of coldest quarter and aspect （q=0.35）. ConclusionThirteen cities，including Zhumadian and Nanyang in Henan，Huaihua，Shaoyang，and Zhangjiajie in Hunan，and Zunyi，Qiandongnan，and Tongren in Guizhou，were hot spots of total flavonoid glycosides in E.sagittatum.Precipitation，gravel content，temperature seasonality，and aspect significantly influence the accumulation of flavonoid glycosides in E.sagittatum.This study provides reference for the utilization and production zoning of E.sagittatum.

Threatened abortion is a common disease of obstetrics and gynecology and one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in TCM obstetrics and gynecology， Western medicine obstetrics and gynecology， and pharmacology to deeply discuss the advantages of TCM and integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment as well as the medication plans for threatened abortion. After discussion， the experts concluded that chromosome， endocrine， and immune abnormalities were the key factors for the occurrence of threatened abortion， and the Qi and blood disorders in thoroughfare and conception vessels were the core pathogenesis. In the treatment of threatened abortion， TCM has advantages in preventing miscarriages， alleviating clinical symptoms and TCM syndromes， relieving anxiety， regulating reproductive endocrine and immune abnormalities， personalized and diversified treatment， enhancing efficiency and reducing toxicity， and preventing the disease before occurrence. The difficulty in diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with traditional Chinese and Western medicine lies in identifying the predictors of abortion caused by maternal factors and the treatment of thrombophilia. Recurrent abortion is the breakthrough point of treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. It is urgent to carry out high-quality evidence-based medicine research in the future to improve the modern diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with TCM.

Islet β cell dedifferentiation is one of the important reasons leading to insulin secretion defect or insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).HIF-1α/PFKFB3 signaling pathway is a newly discovered biological pathway related to T2DM,which is involved in the induction of islet β cells dedifferentiation by anaerobic glycolysis under high glucose environment.This article reviews the research progress of the role of HIF-1α/PFKFB3 signaling pathway in glycolysis induced islet β cell dedifferentiation.

Objective To investigate the distribution and seasonal fluctuations of visceral leishmaniasis vectors sandflies in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province, so as to provide insights into assessment of the visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk and formulation of visceral leishmaniasis control measures. Methods A total of 12 natural villages were sampled from Shilou County, Lishi District, Lanxian County, Linxian County and Wenshui County in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province from June to September, 2023, and sandflies were captured using light traps from 7 breeding habitats, including farmers’ houses, sheep pens, cattle pens, chicken coops, pig pens, mule and horse pens, and loess-cave dwellings. Following morphological identification of the sandfly species, the distribution of sandflies and the seasonal fluctuations of the sandfly density were analyzed. In addition, the Leishmania was detected in sandflies using a real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Results A total of 2 831 sandflies were captured with 156 light traps in Lüliang City from June to September, 2023, including 2 638 female sandflies (93.18%) and 193 male sandflies (6.82%), and the average density was 16.91 sandflies/(light-night). The seasonal fluctuations of the sandfly density all appeared a unimodal distribution in all survey sites, and the sandfly density peaked in July and then declined rapidly. Among all types of breeding habitats, the greatest sandfly density was found in sheep pens [39.04 sandflies/(light-night)]. In addition, 4.08% (2/49) of the sandfly samples were tested positive for Leishmania nucleic acid as revealed by the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Conclusions Sandflies were widely distributed in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province in 2023, and the peak of the sandfly density was observed in July, which had a visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk. Intensified surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis and sandfly vectors is required and targeted vector control is recommended.

BACKGROUND:Laser therapy is a non-invasive and painless treatment that is considered to be an effective method suitable for the treatment of osteoarthritis due to its simplicity and non-invasive nature.Currently,the mechanism of action of laser therapy is unclear and the results of studies on its clinical application are controversial. OBJECTIVE:To review and summarize the latest research progress of laser therapy on chondrocytes,animal experiments and clinical efficacy,and to explore the possible mechanism of laser-mediated multi-pathway biological effects,so as to provide a theoretical basis for further research on the laser treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint. METHODS:A literature search was performed in CNKI,WanFang Data,VIP and PubMed databases for relevant literature published from 2018 to 2023,with"laser therapy,low level laser therapy,high level laser therapy,photobiomodulation,knee osteoarthritis,chondrocytes"as the search terms in Chinese and English,respectively.Together with 14 articles searched manually,70 articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Laser therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is mainly categorized into two types:low-level laser therapy and high-level laser therapy.Differences in laser parameters and treatment protocols have a direct impact on laser efficacy.When appropriate parameters are used,low-level lasers show positive effects in cellular experiments,animal models,and clinical efficacy.High-level lasers have been less studied in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis,but some preliminary clinical studies have shown positive results.Cell experiments have shown that low-level laser promotes chondrocyte proliferation and cartilage matrix synthesis,thereby reducing inflammatory response.Animal experiments have shown that low-level laser can reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors,promote cartilage matrix synthesis,inhibit matrix degradation,and effectively improve the repair process of cartilage tissue.Low-level laser is also able to reduce oxidative stress damage and relieve pain in knee osteoarthritis.In clinical trials,both low-and high-level laser can reduce patients'pain and improve functional activities.The combination of laser therapy and exercise therapy modalities may improve the therapeutic effect.Lasers may affect intracellular signaling and cellular functions through photobiological or thermodynamic effects.This provides direct evidence that laser promotes articular cartilage regeneration.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for positive margins after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions, and to follow up the recurrence.Methods:The endoscopic, clinical and pathological data of 489 patients with early gastric cancer or precancerous lesions treated by ESD in Fujian Provincial Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected. They were categorized into a negative group (371 cases), a low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN)-positive group (79 cases), and a high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or cancer-positive group (39 cases) according to the different margins. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for positive margins, the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test to compare the risk of recurrence in different margin groups, and the Cox proportional risk regression model to explore the associated factors that caused recurrence in those with positive margins.Results:In the 489 patients, the positive resection margin rate was 24.1% (118/489), of which HGIN or cancer accounted for 33.1% (39/118). LGIN-positive margin was more likely to occur for lesions larger than 10 cm 2 ( OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.13-2.08, P=0.033), in the presence of ulcers ( OR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.37-4.54, P=0.012) and for 1-2 years of ESD experience [ OR=1.69 (1-2 years VS 5-6 years), 95% CI: 1.51-1.94, P=0.026]. Those located in the upper 1/3 of the stomach [ OR=3.64 (upper 1/3 VS lower 1/3), 95% CI: 1.27-5.50 P=0.010] and submucosal infiltration (SM1 VS M1+M2: OR=2.37, 95% CI: 1.04-5.72, P=0.028; SM2 VS M1+M2: OR=6.08, 95% CI: 1.31-12.75, P=0.002) were high risk factors for HGIN/cancer-positive margin. Postoperative follow-up was completed in 337 patients, with a median follow-up time of 26.0 (22) months. The overall cumulative recurrence was 5.3% (18/337), 2.1% (5/239) in the negative margin group, 8.3% (6/72) in the LGIN-positive margin group, and 26.9% (7/26) in the HGIN/cancer-positive group, with statistically significant differences among the 3 groups ( P<0.05). Risk factors for recurrence in the positive margin group included positive basal margins ( HR=5.17, 95% CI: 1.47-14.09, P=0.011) and SM1 invasion ( HR=4.82, 95% CI: 1.38-14.77, P=0.013). Conclusion:Positive margins after ESD for early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions are related to lesion location, size, presence of ulceration, depth of infiltration, and endoscopists' experience. The overall risk of recurrence is higher in those with positive margins than in those with negative margins. Additional treatments need to be considered comprehensively for those with submucosal invasion and positive basal margins.

【Objective】 To analyze the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection data of blood donors from 18 domestic blood stations, so as to investigate the HBV infection situation of blood donors. 【Methods】 The positive rate of HBV and its distribution characteristics of regions, the percentage of HBsAg+ ELISA in first-time vs repeated blood donors, and the percentage of HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ blood donors of 18 domestic blood stations during 2017 to 2020 were collected from the Working Platform for Practice Comparison of Blood Centers, and the HBV infection among blood donors were statistically analyzed. 【Results】 From 2017 to 2020, the positive rate of HBV in blood donors among 18 domestic blood stations was 13.48/10 000-144.02/10 000, with the average HBV positive rate in eastern, central and western region at 26.14/10 000, 51.98/10 000 and 41.00/10 000, respectively. The HBsAg+ rate by ELISA among first-time and repeated blood donors was 14.55/10 000-305.39/10 000 vs 1.04/10 000-87.43/10 000 The HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ yield was 1.80/10 000-35.31/10 000. 【Conclusion】 The distribution of HBV infection in blood donors has regional characteristics, and HBV prevalence was low in repeated blood donors. HBsAg ELISA combined with HBV DNA detection can better ensure blood safety.

Objective:To investigate imaging characteristics of papulopustular rosacea (PPR) by high-frequency ultrasound combined with color Doppler flow imaging.Methods:From August 2021 to August 2022, 30 patients with PPR were enrolled from the Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and 30 healthy volunteers served as controls. The 22-MHz high-frequency ultrasound combined with color Doppler blood flow imaging was performed to measure the skin thickness, echo and blood flow parameters at the cheek, and the ultrasound results were compared between the two groups. Comparisons between groups were conducted by using t test or chi-square test. The diagnostic value was analyzed using the area under the curve (AUC) in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:In the case group, there were 12 males and 18 females, and their ages ranged from 22 to 65 years (42.3 ± 12.8 years) ; in the control group, there were 10 males and 20 females, and their ages ranged from 24 to 62 years (41.0 ± 8.4 years) . The epidermal and dermal thicknesses at the cheek were significantly higher in the case group (132.64 ± 12.29 μm, 1 812.29 ± 85.52 μm, respectively) than in the control group (104.34 ± 14.45 μm, 1 671.77 ± 146.55 μm, respectively, both P < 0.05) . High-frequency ultrasound images showed that the case group was mainly characterized by irregular hypoechoic areas in the cheek dermis (80%) , while banded moderately echoic areas were common in the cheek dermis in the control group (90%) ; subepidermal low-echogenic bands and dermal irregular hypoechoic areas were more likely to appear in the case group than in the control group (93.33% vs. 43.33%, 80% vs. 10%, respectively, both P < 0.001) . Compared with the control group, the case group showed a significantly increased proportion of patients with abundant blood flow signals (93.3% vs. 10%, P < 0.05) , and significantly increased blood vessel diameters (1.60 ± 0.42 mm vs. 0.95 ± 0.32 mm, P < 0.05) ; there was no significant difference in peak systolic blood flow velocity and vascular resistance index between the two groups (both P > 0.05) . The AUC of high-frequency ultrasound combined with color Doppler flow imaging quantitative parameters (including epidermal thicknesses, dermal thicknesses, and blood vessel diameters) was 0.989 (95% CI: 0.970 - 1.000) for the diagnosis of PPR, and the sensitivity and specificity were both 96.7%, which were higher than those of single parameter-based diagnostic model. Conclusion:High-frequency ultrasound combined with color Doppler flow imaging can help improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of PPR, by accurately and non-invasively measuring skin thickness and blood flow parameters.

Objective:To investigate the unqualified hepatitis C virus (HCV) detection result of blood donors from the served area of blood institutions.Methods:The data related to HCV markers detected of the first and repeat blood donors were collected from the system of practice comparison for the Chinese mainland blood institutions from 2017 to 2021. The anti-HCV reactive rate and the rates of anti-HCV negative but HCV-RNA reaction and all the relationship between rates and the annual, regional and different blood donors were statistically analyzed.Results:During 2017-2021, the number of anti-HCV reactive per 100 000 blood donors decreased from 444.3 to 250.44 in the served area of 22 blood institutions ( χ2=49.677, P<0.05). The number of HCV RNA detected positive per 100 000 anti-HCV negative increased from 0.69 to 2.05 year by year, but there was no statistical significance ( χ2=0.643, P>0.05). The anti-HCV unqualified rate was significantly different among regions ( χ2=3 260.283, P<0.05). The anti-HCV unqualified rate of the first blood donors was significantly higher than that of the repeated blood donors ( F=130.993, P < 0.05). The annual number of HCV RNA detected positive per 100 000 anti-HCV negative blood samples from donors ranged from 0 to 17.28. Conclusions:The anti-HCV unqualified rate of blood donors in the served area of 22 blood institutions decreased year by year. Compared with repeated blood donors, HCV infection should be emphasized in first-time blood donors. The implementation of HCV RNA test can detect out much more HCV infections and reduce the risk of transfusion transmitted infectious HCV.

Objective:To investigate the association between relative mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) and coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis (abbreviated as coal-burning-borne fluorosis).Methods:From June 2018 to March 2019, using cross-sectional study, 482 patients with coal-burning-borne fluorosis were selected as the case group in Bijie City, a typical coal-burning-borne fluorosis area of Guizhou Province; meanwhile, 212 healthy individuals from Changshun County, a non-coal-burning-borne fluorosis area in Guizhou Province, were selected as the control group. Questionnaire survey and physical examination were used to collect general condition such as basic information and living habits of the two groups, peripheral venous blood samples were collected, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative mtDNA-CN in peripheral blood. The correlation between relative mtDNA-CN and coal-burning-borne fluorosis was analyzed by binary and unordered multi-class logistic regression.Results:There were significant differences in the body mass index (BMI), and the distribution of gender rario, marital status and education level between the control group and the case group ( t = 7.91, χ 2 = 5.11, 13.33, 34.32, P < 0.05). The relative mtDNA-CN in the control group was higher than that in the case group [median (quartile): 202 (138, 292) vs 131 (96, 217), Z = - 7.80, P < 0.001]. The results of binary logistic regression analysis [odds ratio (95% confidence interval)] showed that educational level [primary school: 0.572 (0.377 - 0.868), junior high school and above: 0.292 (0.174 - 0.493)], relative mtDNA-CN [131 - < 217: 0.265 (0.144 - 0.488), ≥217: 0.183 (0.100 - 0.335)] and BMI [1.222 (1.142 - 1.307)] were the influencing factors for the risk of coal-burning-borne fluorosis( P < 0.05). In subgroups with different BMI and educational levels, the relative mtDNA-CN was significantly negatively correlated with the risk of coal-burning-borne fluorosis( Ptrend < 0.05), and there was no interaction between mtDNA-CN and BMI and educational levels ( Pinteraction > 0.05). The results of unordered multi-class logistic regression analysis showed that the relative mtDNA-CN were significantly negatively correlated with the risk of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis ( Ptrend < 0.05). Conclusion:The higher the relative mtDNA-CN, the lower the risk of coal-burning-borne fluorosis, suggesting that mtDNA-CN may be a potential biomarker of coal-burning fluorosis.