Objective To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes in patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy(T2DR)and to explore the correlation of TCM syndromes with serum inflammatory factors and adiponectin(APN)levels,so as to provide evidence for TCM syndrome differentiation of T2DR.Methods A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted in 42 patients(involving 84 eyes)diagnosed as T2DR in the Department of Ophthalmology,Ganzhou People's Hospital from September 2022 to March 2023.The correlation between fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)staging and TCM syndrome differentiation in patients with T2DR was explored.The relationship between TCM syndrome types and serum levels of inflammatory factors and APN,as well as the differences in serum inflammatory factors and APN levels of the patients with various FFA stages were analyzed.The correlation between each variable and TCM syndrome types in patients with T2DR was investigated.Results(1)Among the 42 patients with T2DR,27 cases were male and 15 cases were female,and their age averaged(54.0±12.0)years old.Among them,14 cases(33.3％)were differentiated as liver-kidney deficiency with malnutrition of eye collateral syndrome,15 cases(35.7％)were differentiated as yin-essence deficiency with internal dry-heat syndrome,9 cases(21.4％)were differentiated as qi-yin deficiency with collateral stasis and obstruction syndrome,4 cases(9.5％)were differentiated as yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation syndrome,and none case(0.0％)was differentiated as spleen dysfunction and water-damp obstruction syndrome.(2)FFA staging showed that FFA staging ≥ 4[i.e.,having proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)]was found in 78.6％(11/14)of the patients with liver-kidney deficiency with malnutrition of eye collaterals syndrome,73.3％(11/15)of the patients with yin-essence deficiency with internal dry-heat syndrome,100％(9/9)of the patients with qi-yin deficiency with collateral stasis and obstruction syndrome,and 100％(4/4)of the patients with yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation syndrome.But the intergroup comparison showed no significant differences among various syndrome types(P=0.272).(3)Among the 42 patients with T2DR,35 patients(83.3％)had higher level of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),28 patients(68.3％)had higher level of C-reactive protein(CRP)and 38 patients(90.5％)had higher level of glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)than the normal.However,there was no significant difference in the levels of serum inflammatory factors of TNF-α,CRP,interleukin-6(IL-6)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),APN and HbA1c among the patients with different FFA stages(P＞0.05),neither did the difference in serum APN,TNF-α,CRP,IL-6 and VEGF levels among the patients with different TCM syndrome types(P＞0.05).(4)The correlation analysis showed that the patients with yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation syndrome had a shorter course of eye diseases than the patients with liver-kidney deficiency with malnutrition of eye collaterals syndrome(r=-0.467,P=0.051),had higher CRP level than the patients with yin-essence deficiency with internal dry-heat syndrome(r=0.592,P=0.010),and had higher CRP level(r=0.668,P=0.013)and a longer course of diabetes(r=0.629,P=0.021)than the patients with qi-yin deficiency with collateral stasis and obstruction syndrome.Conclusion Increased serum TNF-α and CRP expressions are presented in the patients with T2DR.Liver-kidney deficiency with malnutrition of eye collaterals syndrome and yin-essence deficiency with internal dry-heat syndrome are the common syndromes in T2DR.Yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation syndrome is closely correlated with CRP level,and the patients with yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation syndrome have a longer course of diabetes.

Objective:To develop a set of lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) selection criteria for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with Lenke 1A curves named as "Gulou Rule", and compared with the traditional "last substantially touching vertebra (LSTV) Rule".Methods:Based on our previous retrospective studies about LIV selection, as well as our clinical experience, the key parameters associated with LIV selection were found out and quantified to form the "Gulou Rule". A prospective consecutive collection of 189 Lenke 1A cases (male 29 cases, female 160 cases) who underwent posterior spinal fusion surgery in our clinic from January 2021 to January 2022 were recruited, with an average age of 14.9±2.8 (range 10-18) years old. They were divided into 2 groups according to the enrollment number (odd or even number). Patients with odd numbers were guided by the "LSTV Rule",while those with even numbers followed the "Gulou Rule" for the selection of LIV. The duration of follow-up was at least two years. Radiographical parameters were measured preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at the final follow-up, including numbers of fused segments, Cobb angle of proximal thoracic curve, main thoracic curve and lumbar curve, correction rate, coronal and sagittal balance parameters. The incidence of distal adding-on at the last follow-up was recorded.Results:The "Gulou Rule" was defined as follows: when Risser ≥3, main curve length ≤8 segments, one level proximal to LSTV (LSTV-1) rotation ≤ I degree, LSTV-1 deviation from the CSVL <20 mm, preoperative coronal balance <10 mm, and the intervertebral disc between LSTV-1 and LSTV opens bidirectionally on bending films, the LIV can be selected as LSTV-1; if these conditions are not met, LIV should be selected as LSTV. At last, 120 patients (male 21 cases, female 99 cases) were enrolled in the study with at least a 2-year follow-up, with an average age of 15.1±2.4 (range 10-18) years old. Each group had 60 patients, and the average duration of follow-up was 31.0±5.4 months for the "LSTV Rule" group and 30.8±5.1 months for the "Gulou Rule" group. The LIV in the "Gulou Rule" group was on average at the T 12 and L 1 level, where as in the "LSTV Rule" group, it was at the L 1 and L 2 level ( P=0.004). The "LSTV Rule" group had an average fused segments of 10.5±1.7, while the "Gulou Rule" group was significantly lower with 9.7±1.5 segments ( t=2.760, P=0.003). At the last follow-up, the main curve correction rates were 74.8%±10.5% and 73.2%±12.3%, respectively, with no significant difference ( t=0.779, P=0.219). The incidence of distal adding-on phenomenon was 15% in the "LSTV Rule" group and 17% in the "Gulou Rule" group, with no significant difference between the two groups (χ 2=0.063, P=0.803). Conclusion:For Lenke 1A AIS patients, both the "Gulou Rule" and the "LSTV Rule" for guiding LIV selection can achieve satisfactory correction outcomes. Choosing LIV based on the "Gulou Rule" allows for the preservation of distal fusion segments and demonstrates better clinical applicability.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

One patient was admitted to a hospital due to"sepsis,chronic kidney disease,type 2 diabetes,shock,and cerebral infarction".Patient's blood specimen was taken for clinical examination.Aerobic and anaerobic culture results of catheter blood and venous blood were both positive.The pathogen was identified as Staphylococcus pas-teuri by VITEK MS,and the patient was diagnosed as catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by Staphylo-coccus pasteuri.Clinical empirical use of piperacillin for anti-infection treatment was ineffective,and vancomycin was eventually used for treatment based on in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing.Patient's condition improved after removing the venous catheter.There are currently no reported cases of Staphylococcus pasteuri in China.Ear-ly identification of pathogen and adjustment of treatment plans based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing results are crucial for effective treatment of this case.

Objective To analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with knee osteoarthritis,and to construct a nomogram prediction model in conjunction with multi-dimensional clinical indicators.Methods The clinical data of 234 pa-tients with knee osteoarthritis who were treated in our hospital from January 2015 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed,including 126 males and 108 females;age more than 60 years old for 135 cases,age less than 60 years old for 99 cases.Lysholm knee function score was used to evaluate the prognosis of the patients,and the patients were divided into good progno-sis group for 155 patients and poor prognosis group for 79 patients according to the prognosis.The clinical data of the subjects in the experimental cohort were analyzed by single factor and multiple factors.The patients were divided into experimental co-hort and verification cohort,the results of the multiple factor analysis were visualized to obtain a nomogram prediction model,the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),calibration curve and decision curve were used to evaluate the model's dis-crimination,accuracy and clinical benefit rate.Results The results of multivariate analysis showed that smoking,pre-treatment K-L grades of Ⅲto Ⅳ,and high levels of interleukin 6(IL-6)and matrix metallo proteinase-3(MMP-3)were risk factors for the prognosis of patients with knee osteoarthritis.ROC test results showed that the area under the curve of the nomogram model in the experimental cohort and validation cohort was 0.806[95％CI(0.742,0.866)]and 0.786[(95％CI(0.678,0.893)],re-spectively.The results of the calibration curve showed that the Brier values of the experimental cohort and verification cohort were 0.151 points and 0.134 points,respectively.When the threshold probability value in the decision curve was set to 31％,the clinical benefit rates of the experimental cohort and validation cohort were 51％and 56％,respectively.Conclusion The prognostic model of patients with knee osteoarthritis constructed based on multi-dimensional clinical data has both theoretical and practical significance,and can provide a reference for taking targeted measures to improve the prognosis of patients.

Objective To explore the effects of different sevoflurane elution methods on awakening quality and cognitive function of elderly obese patients undergoing hip joint replacement.Methods A total of 90 elderly obese patients underwent hip joint replacement under intravenous inhalation combined with general anesthesia and maintained anesthesia with sevoflurane during surgery were selected as the research subjects,and randomly divided into group A and group B,and sevoflurane was eluted by closed elution method and decreasing concentration elution method,respectively.The concentration of sevoflurane exhaled and cognitive function scores at different time points of patients between the two groups were compared,and the awakening quality and the occurrence of adverse reactions during the awakening period of patients between the two groups were compared.Results At the end of the surgery,the concentration of sevoflurane exhaled by patients in group B was significantly lower than that in group A(P<0.05),and the recovery time,awakening time,tracheal extubation time,and anesthesia recovery room stay time of patients in group B were significantly shorter than those in group A(P<0.05).The incidence of agitation during the awakening period of patients in group B was significantly lower than that in group A(P<0.05),and the cognitive function score at the time of 2 hours after awakening of patients in group A was significantly lower than that in group B(P<0.05).Conclusion For elderly obese patients undergoing hip joint replacement with intravenous inhalation combined with general anesthesia,sevoflurane can be eluted by decreasing concentration elution method before the end of surgery,and the patient wakes up smoothly and in a shorter time,with fewer adverse reactions and less impact on postoperative cognitive function.

Objective:To investigate two cases of rare pathogenic genes,initiation codon mutations in HBA2 gene,combined with Southeast Asian deletion and their family members to understand the relationship of HBA2:c.2T＞C and HBA2:c.2delT mutations with clinical phenotype.Methods:The peripheral blood of family members was obtained for blood cell analysis and capillary electrophoresis hemoglobin analysis.Gap-PCR and reverse dot blotting(RDB)were used to detect common types of mutations in α-thalassaemia gene.Sanger sequencing was used to analyze HBA1 and HBA2 gene sequence.Results:Two proband genotypes were identified as--SEA/αα with HBA2:c.2T＞C and--SEA/αα with HBA2:c.2delT.HBA2:c.2T＞C/WT and HBA2:c.2delT/WT was detected in family members.They all presented with microcytic hypochromic anemia.Conclusion:When HBA2:c.2T＞C and HBA2:c.2delT are heterozygous that can lead to static α-thalassemia phenotype,and when combined with mild α-thalassemia,they can lead to the clinical manifestations of hemoglobin H disease.This study provides a basis for genetic counseling.

Objective:To perform molecular diagnosis and pedigree analysis for one case with α-thalassemia who does not conform to the genetic laws,and explore the effects of a newly discovered rare mutation(HBA2:c.*12G＞A)on clinical phenotypes.Methods:Blood samples of the proband and her family members were collected for blood routine analysis,and the hemoglobin components were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis.The common α-and β-globin gene loci in Chinese population were detected by conventional techniques(Gap-PCR,RDB-PCR).The α-globin gene sequences(HBA1,HBA2)were analyzed by Sanger sequencing.Results:By analyzing the test results of proband and her family members,the genotype of the proband was-α3,7/HBA2:c.*12G＞A,her father was HBA2:c.*12G＞A heterozygous mutation carrier.Conclusion:This study identifies a rare α-globin gene mutation(HBA2:c.*12G＞A)that has not been reported before.It is found that heterozygous mutation carriers present with static α-thalassemia.

【Objective】 To evaluate and analyze the impact of COVID-19 epidemic on inventory of red blood cells (RBCs)in local and municipal blood stations in China, and to provide reference for the management of public health emergencies. 【Methods】 Relevant data from 2018 to 2021 were collected, and the differences in the volume of qualified RBCs, the usage efficiency of inventory RBCs, the average daily distribution of RBCs,the blood distribution rate of RBCs prepared by 400 mL whole blood, the difference in the average storage days of RBCs at the time of distribution, the average daily inventory of RBCs and the time of the average daily inventory of RBCs to maintain the distribution in 24 local and municipal blood stations in China during the COVID-19 epidemic and non-epidemic periods were retrospectively analyzed. 【Results】 Compared with non-epidemic periods, the volume of qualified RBCs [(117 525.979 ±52 203.175)U] and the average daily distribution of RBCs [( 156. 468 ± 70. 186) U ] increased significantly, but the usage efficiency of inventory RBCs decreased(97.24%±0.51%) significantly (P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the blood distribution rate of RBCs prepared by 400 mL whole blood(73.88%±20.30%), the average storage days of RBCs distribution(13.040 ±3.486), the average daily stock quantity of RBCs[(2 280.542 ±1 446.538) U ] and the time of the average daily inventory of RBCs to maintain the distribution[(15.062 ±7.453) d] (P>0.5). 【Conclusion】 During the COVID-19 epidemic, the inventory management of RBCs operated well, the overall inventory remained relatively stable, the stock composition and storage period showed no significant change.

Hard capsules of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) have different degrees of hygroscopicity, which affects the stability and efficacy of drugs. In this paper, 30 kinds of commercially available TCM capsules were used as the research object. The hygroscopicity curves of capsule contents, capsule shells, and capsules were tested respectively, and the first-order kinetic equation was used for fitting. The results show that during the 24 h hygroscopicity process, the capsule shell can reduce the weight gain caused by the hygroscopicity of the contents by 0.80%-53.0% and the hygroscopicity rate of the capsule contents by 1.74%-91.3%, indicating that the capsule shell has a strong delay effect on the hygroscopicity of the contents of the TCM capsules. Seven physical parameters of the contents of 30 kinds of TCM capsules were determined, and 14 prescription process-related parameters were sorted out. A partial least squares model for predicting the hygroscopicity rate of the contents of TCM capsules(with shell) for 24 h was established. It is found that the hygroscopicity rate of the capsule shell is positively correlated with the hygroscopicity of the contents of TCM capsules(with shell), suggesting that the capsule shell with a low hygroscopicity rate is helpful for moisture prevention. In addition, the pre-treatment process route of the preparation and the type of molding raw materials affect the hygroscopicity. A larger proportion of the extract in the capsule content and a smaller proportion of the fine powder of the decoction pieces indicate stronger hygroscopicity of the capsule content. The 24 h hygroscopicity rate of 15% was used as the classification node of hygroscopicity strength, and the hygroscopicity rate constant of 0.58 was used as the classification node of hygroscopicity speed. The classification system of hygroscopicity behaviors of TCM capsules was established: the varieties with strong and fast hygroscopicity accounted for about 6.67%, while those with strong and slow hygroscopicity accounted for about 33.3%; the varieties with weak and fast hygroscopicity accounted for about 26.7%, while those with weak and slow hygroscopicity accounted for about 33.3%. The classification system is helpful to quantify and compare the hygroscopicity behavior of different TCM capsules and provides a reference for the quality improvement, moisture prevention technologies, and material research of TCM capsules.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Wettability ; Capsules ; Powders ; Technology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal