ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mucin 1 (MUC1) on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its regulatory mechanism. MethodsThe 60 NPC and paired para-cancer normal tissues were collected from October 2020 to July 2021 in Quanzhou First Hospital. The expression of MUC1 was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the patients with PNC. The 5-8F and HNE1 cells were transfected with siRNA control (si-control) or siRNA targeting MUC1 (si-MUC1). Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assay, and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis in the 5-8F and HNE1 cells. The qPCR and ELISA were executed to analyze the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of MUC1, NF-кB and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2). ResultsThe expression of MUC1 was up-regulated in the NPC tissues, and NPC patients with the high MUC1 expression were inclined to EBV infection, growth and metastasis of NPC. Loss of MUC1 restrained malignant features, including the proliferation and apoptosis, downregulated the expression of p-IкB、p-P65 and Bcl-2 and upregulated the expression of Bax in the NPC cells. ConclusionDownregulation of MUC1 restrained biological characteristics of malignancy, including cell proliferation and apoptosis, by inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway in NPC.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of children with fungal bloodstream infection(BSI)following chemotherapy for acute leukemia(AL).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 23 children with fungal BSI following chemotherapy for AL in three hospitals in Fujian Province,China,from January 2015 to December 2023.Their clinical features and prognosis were analyzed.Results Among all children following chemotherapy for AL,the incidence rate of fungal BSI was 1.38%(23/1 668).At the time of fungal BSI,87%(20/23)of the children had neutrophil deficiency for more than one week,and all the children presented with fever,while 22%(5/23)of them experienced septic shock.All 23 children exhibited significant increases in C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels.A total of 23 fungal isolates were detected in peripheral blood cultures,with Candida tropicalis being the most common isolate(52%,12/23).Caspofungin or micafungin combined with liposomal amphotericin B had a relatively high response rate(75%,12/16),and the median duration of antifungal therapy was 3.0 months.The overall mortality rate in the patients with fungal BSI was 35%(8/23),and the attributable death rate was 22%(5/23).Conclusions Fungal BSI following chemotherapy in children with AL often occurs in children with persistent neutrophil deficiency and lacks specific clinical manifestations.The children with fungal BSI following chemotherapy for AL experience a prolonged course of antifungal therapy and have a high mortality rate,with Candida tropicalis being the most common pathogen.

Panax notoginseng contains triterpene saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, polysaccharides, volatile oil and other active components, which have the effects of promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, removing blood stasis, etc. This study summarized the herbal research, chemical constituents and main pharmacological activities of P. notoginseng, and based on the theory of Q-markers of traditional Chinese medicine, predicted and analyzed the Q-markers of P. notoginseng from the aspects of plant kinship, efficacy, drug properties, measurability of chemical components, etc. It was found that ginsenosides Rg_1, Re, and Rb_1 with specific content ratio, ginsenosides Rb_2, Rb_3, Rc, Rd, Rh_2, and Rg_3, notoginseng R_1, dencichine and quercetin could be used as potential Q-markers of P. notoginseng, which facilitated the formulation of quality standards reflecting the efficacy of P. notoginseng.
Panax notoginseng/chemistry* ; Ginsenosides/analysis* ; Saponins/analysis* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Panax/chemistry*

The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of Isodon terricolous-medicated serum on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced hepatic stellate cell(HSC) activation. LPS-induced HSCs were divided into a blank control group, an LPS model group, a colchicine-medicated serum group, an LPS + blank serum group, an I. terricolous-medicated serum group, a Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) blocker group, and a TLR4 blocker + I. terricolous-medicated serum group. HSC proliferation was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure type Ⅰ collagen(COL Ⅰ), COL Ⅲ, transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1(caspase-1), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1). Real-time PCR(RT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of TLR4, IκBα, and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3), nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) p65, gasdermin D(GSDMD), and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC) in HSCs. Western blot(WB) was used to detect the protein levels of TLR4, p-IκBα, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, and GSDMD in HSCs. The results showed that I. terricolous-medicated serum could inhibit the proliferation activity of HSCs and inhibit the secretion of COL Ⅰ, COL Ⅲ, α-SMA, TGF-β1, caspase-1, MCP-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in HSCs. Compared with the LPS model group, the I. terricolous-medicated serum group, the colchicine-medicated serum group, and the TLR4 blocker group showed down-regulated expression of p-IκBα, NLRP3, NF-κB p65, GSDMD, and ASC, and up-regulated expression of IκBα. Compared with the TLR4 blocker group, the TLR4 blocker + I. terricolous-medicated serum group showed decreased expression of TLR4, p-IκBα, NLRP3, NF-κB p65, GSDMD, and ASC, and increased expression of IκBα. In conclusion, I. terricolous-medicated serum down-regulates HSC activation by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/metabolism* ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Isodon ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction ; Colchicine/pharmacology* ; Caspases

Objective: To investigate the incidence and trend of short-term outcomes among preterm infants born <34 weeks' gestation. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from the standardized database established by a multicenter cluster-randomized controlled study "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) using the evidence-based practice for improving quality (REIN-EPIQ) study". This study was conducted in 25 tertiary NICU. A total of 27 192 infants with gestational age <34 weeks at birth and admitted to NICU within the first 7 days of life from May 2015 to April 2018 were enrolled. Infants with severe congenital malformation were excluded. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the mortality and major morbidities of preterm infants by gestational age groups and different admission year groups. Cochran-Armitage test and Jonckheere-Terpstra test were used to analyze the trend of incidences of mortality and morbidities in 3 study-years. Multiple Logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the differences of outcomes in 3 study-years adjusting for confounders. Results: A total of 27 192 preterm infants were enrolled with gestational age of (31.3±2.0) weeks at birth and weight of (1 617±415) g at birth. Overall, 9.5% (2 594/27 192) of infants were discharged against medical advice, and the overall mortality rate was 10.7% (2 907/27 192). Mortality for infants who received complete care was 4.7% (1 147/24 598), and mortality or any major morbidity was 26.2% (6 452/24 598). The incidences of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, severe intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, proven necrotizing enterocolitis, and severe retinopathy of prematurity were 16.0% (4 342/27 192), 11.9% (3 225/27 192), 6.8% (1 641/24 206), 3.6% (939/25 762) and 1.5% (214/13 868), respectively. There was a decreasing of the overall mortality (P<0.001) during the 3 years. Also, the incidences for sepsis and severe retinopathy of prematurity both decreased (both P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the major morbidity in preterm infants who received complete care during the 3-year study period (P=0.230). After adjusting for confounders, infants admitted during the third study year showed significantly lower risk of overall mortality (adjust OR=0.62, 95%CI 0.55-0.69, P<0.001), mortality or major morbidity, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis and severe retinopathy of prematurity, compared to those admitted in the first study year (all P<0.05). Conclusions: From 2015 to 2018, the mortality and major morbidities among preterm infants in Chinese NICU decreased, but there is still space for further efforts. Further targeted quality improvement is needed to improve the overall outcome of preterm infants.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality/trends* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases/epidemiology* ; Patient Discharge ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/epidemiology* ; Sepsis/epidemiology*

This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of Pien Tze Huang(PZH) on enterovirus 71(EV71). To be speci-fic, chemiluminescence method was adopted to evaluate the toxicity of PZH to African green monkey kidney(Vero) cells and human rhabdomyosarcoma(RD) cells, and cytopathic effect(CPE) method to assess the inhibition on EV71-GFP reporter virus and EV71 C4 wild-type virus. The results showed that PZH had low cytotoxicity to Vero cells and RD cells, with the half-maximal cytotoxic concentration(CC_(50)) of about 0.691 3-0.879 2 mg·mL~(-1) for the two. In addition, PZH can effectively inhibit the replication of EV71 within the non-cytotoxic concentration range, and dose-dependently alleviate the cytopathic changes caused by virus infection, with the half-maximal effective concentration(EC_(50)) of 0.009 2-0.106 3 mg·mL~(-1). On the basis of the above results, the green fluorescent protein(GFP), indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA), and median tissue culture infective dose(TCID_(50)) were employed to assess and verify the anti-EV71-GFP and anti-EV71 C4 activity of PZH. The results demonstrated that PZH can dose-dependently lower the expression of GFP by EV71-GFP and structural protein VP-1 by EV71 C4 and decrease the production of progeny infectious viruses. The EC_(50) of PZH for EV71-GFP and EV71 C4 was about 0.006 0-0.006 2 mg·mL~(-1) and 0.006 6-0.025 6 mg·mL~(-1), respectively. This study suggested that PZH may exert antiviral activity by acting on EV71 and interfering with the expression of VP-1. At the moment, there is still a lack of specific anti-EV71 drugs. This study proposed a new idea for the symptomatic treatment of EV71 infections such as hand-foot-mouth disease and verified an effective drug for the treatment of EV71 infections.
Animals ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Enterovirus A, Human/physiology* ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; Vero Cells

To investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among residents in Chongchuan district, Nantong city in 2012 and 2018, and evaluate the effectiveness of community comprehensive management of DM. Based on the data of 17 780 and 13 382 residents in the cross-sectional surveys of the " National Demonstration Area for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases " project in Chongchuan District of Nantong City, Jiangsu Province in 2012 and 2018, 4 583 and 3 996 DM-related information were obtained. The population of Jiangsu Province in 2012 and 2018 was used as the reference for standardization. The rates of prevalence and management (including awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, control and control of patients under treatment) of DM in the two surveys were compared using chi-square test. The results showed that in 2012 and 2018, the prevalence rates of DM were 12.0% and 15.7% (χ²=24.25, P<0.05), and the standardized rates were 10.1% and 10.8% (χ²=1.05, P=0.306). The incidence rates were 5.7% and 2.3%, respectively (χ²=55.60, P<0.05). The standardized prevalence rates in the two surveys were 9.7% and 11.6% for males (χ²=3.66, P=0.056) and 10.5% and 9.9% for females (χ²=0.50, P=0.481), 7.2% and 6.5% (χ²=0.85, P=0.357) for people aged 18-59 years old and 20.6% and 21.9% (χ²=0.91, P=0.339) for people aged 60 years and over, respectively. The standardized rates of awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, control, and control of patients under treatment in 2018 were 84.4%, 80.3%, 95.2%, 58.4%, and 70.2%, respectively, higher than 47.2%, 23.4%, 44.8%, 30.4% and 59.4% in 2012 (χ²=183.33, χ²=380.65, χ²=282.99, χ²=93.24, χ²=6.22, all P<0.05). Among men, the standardized rates of awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, and control in 2018 were 85.8%, 78.8%, 91.8% and 62.7%, higher than 50.5%, 37.5%, 72.3% and 32.6% in 2012 (χ²=78.40, χ²=96.17, χ²=27.55, χ²=48.96, all P<0.05). Similarly, the standardized management rates in 2018 were 83.0%, 81.7%, 98.5%, 54.1% and 65.1%, higher than 44.0%, 10.0%, 18.3%, 28.2% and 48.8% in 2012 among women (χ²=105.52, χ²=326.36, χ²=317.22, χ²=43.34, χ²=3.87, all P<0.05). The standardized rates of awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, and control of people aged 18-59 and 60 years and over were 82.9%, 79.7%, 96.1%, 55.0% and 88.0%, 81.8%, 93.0% and 67.2%, higher than 42.6%, 19.8%, 42.2%, 27.5% and 63.9%, 36.8%, 53.9%, 40.8% in 2012 (χ²=44.51, χ²=102.17, χ²=57.78, χ²=21.65, all P<0.05; χ²=71.18, χ²=181.55, χ²=146.26, χ²=59.23, all P<0.05). The comprehensive prevention and control system of chronic diseases, which comprehensively covered the life of community residents, had good management effect on DM, and effectively promoted health education and health promotion.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus/prevention & control* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate death and attrition in HIV-infected children under initial antiretroviral therapy (ART) and associated factors in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in HIV-infected children under initial ART in Guangxi from 2004 to 2019, data from ART information system of National comprehensive AIDS prevention and treatment information system. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess factors associated with the death and attrition. Results: In 943 HIV-infected children, the overall mortality and attrition rates were 1.00/100 person-years and 0.77/100 person-years, respectively. The mortality and attrition rates within the first year of ART were 3.90/100 person-years and 1.67/100 person-years, respectively. The cumulative survival rate during the first, second, fifth and tenth year after ART was 96.14%, 95.80%, 93.68% and 91.54%, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models results showed that being female (aHR=2.00, 95%CI: 1.17-3.40), CD4⁺T lymphocytes (CD4) counts before ART <200 cells/μl (aHR=2.79, 95%CI: 1.54-5.06), weight-for-age Z score before ART <-2 (aHR=2.38, 95%CI: 1.32-4.26), hemoglobin before ART <80 g/L (aHR=2.47, 95%CI: 1.24-4.92), initial ART with LPV/r (aHR=5.05, 95%CI: 1.15-22.12) were significantly associated with death; being female (aHR=2.23, 95%CI: 1.22-4.07) and initial ART with LPV/r (aHR=2.02, 95%CI: 1.07-3.79) were significantly associated with attrition. Conclusions: The effect of ART in HIV-infected children in Guangxi was better, but the mortality and attrition rates were high within the first year of treatment. It is necessary to strengthen the training in medical staff and health education in HIV-infected children and their parents in order to improve the treatment effect.
Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use* ; Child ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Male ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, so as to provide insights into the assessment of the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and the scientific formulation of the schistosomiasis surveillance strategy. Methods From 2015 to 2019, a total of 19 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, including 4 fixed sites and 15 mobile sites. Snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling in combination with environmental sampling, and the infection of Schistosoma japonicum was detected by the crushing method combined with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. Results From 2015 to 2019, snail habitats were detected at areas of 17 040 to 39 527 m², including 6 214 m² emerging snail habitats and 16 563 m² re-emerging snail habitats. The overall mean density of living snails was 0.019 2 snails/0.1 m² and the occurrence of frames with snails was 1.11% in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites; however, no S. japonicum infection was identified in snails. The area of snail habitats increased by 121.46% in the national surveillance sites in 2019 as compared to that in 2015; however, 50.34% (Z = −0.422, P > 0.05) and 42.85% (χ² = 130.41, P < 0.01) reductions were seen in the overall means density of living snails and the occurrence of frames with snails. All snail habitats were distributed in the 4 fixed surveillance sites, and were mainly found in ditches, paddy fields and dry lands, with weeds as the primary vegetation type. Conclusions There are still risk factors leading to re-emergent transmission of schistosomiasis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, such as local snail spread, and the monitoring of schistosomiasis remains to be reinforced to further consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination in the region.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between umbilical cord blood erythrocyte index and thalasse-mia, and reveal its clinical value in the screening of thalassemia in neonates. METHODS: 2 919 cases of umbilical cord blood from neonatal who were born in Boai Hospital of Zhongshan Affiliated with Southern Medical University from July 2017 to December 2018 were collected, the routine blood tests were preformed to detect the umbilical cord blood. Thalassemia gene in peripheral blood of neonates was collected. The cut-off values of cord blood indexes were determined, and the sensitivity, specificity and other evaluation indexs were calculated. RESULTS: Among the cord blood in 2 919 neonates, 314 cases were detected out as thalassemia(positive rate: 10.76%). The average level of RBC and RDW in 2 605 children with non-thalassemia was lower than those with 314 children with thalassemia. The levels of Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC, HCT, Hb/RBC and MCV/RBC in children with non-thalassemia were higher than those with thalassemia, and there were significant differences in the neonates between the two groups. The RBC and RDW levels of neonates in the α-thalassemia group were higher than those in the non-thalassemia group, while the levels of Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC, HCT, Hb/RBC and MCV/RBC of neonates were lower than those in the non-thalassemia group. The levels of MCV, MCH and Hb/RBC of neonates in the β-thalassaemia group were lower than those in the non-thalassaemia group. The levels of MCV, MCH, Hb/RBC, and MCV/RBC of neonates in the complex thalassemia group were lower than those in the non-thalassemia group. When the cut-off value of MCV was set to 106.05 fl, the sensitivity was 0.548, and the specificity was 0.907, the specificity was the highest among all indexes. The area under the ROC curve of the combined diagnosis of MCH+MCV/RBC was the largest(0.807), the sensitivity was 0.710, the specificity was 0.841, the positive predictive value was 0.348, and the negative predictive value was 0.960. CONCLUSION The single indicator of umbilical cord blood red blood cells has advantages and disadvantages for the screening of thalassemia, but the combination of MCH+MCV/RBC can improve the accuracy of the screening or diagnosis of thalassemia, it also has a positive effect to the reduction of the birth rate of children with thalassemia major, which showed a high popularization value in primary hospitals.
Child ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Fetal Blood ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mass Screening ; alpha-Thalassemia/diagnosis* ; beta-Thalassemia