Application progress of ultrasound in the production and processing of traditional Chinese herbal medicines.

The quality of Chinese herbal medicines is the key to the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. The processing of Chinese herbal medicines is an important part of the production and quality formation of medicinal materials. Traditional processing methods have low productivity and cannot guarantee the quality of Chinese herbal medicines.

A bridge dynamic response analysis and load recognition method using traffic imaging.

As the primary variable load of bridges, vehicle load is an important parameter for bridge health monitoring. However, traditional Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems and the commonly used method of placing sensors on the bridge are challenging to apply in load monitoring for many small and medium-sized bridges. Therefore, this paper proposes a bridge vehicle load identification method based on traffic surveillance video data.

Iguratimod suppresses plasma cell differentiation and ameliorates experimental Sjögren's syndrome in mice by promoting TEC kinase degradation.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with an unclear pathogenesis, and there is currently no approved drug for the treatment of this disease. Iguratimod, as a novel clinical anti-rheumatic drug in China and Japan, has shown remarkable efficacy in improving the symptoms of patients with pSS in clinical studies. In this study we investigated the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of iguratimod in the treatment of pSS.

Preparation, structural characterization, biological activity, and nutritional applications of oligosaccharides.

Oligosaccharides are low-molecular-weight carbohydrates between monosaccharides and polysaccharides. They can be extracted directly from natural products by physicochemical methods or obtained by chemical synthesis or enzymatic reaction. Oligosaccharides have important physicochemical and physiological properties.

Implementation of Individualized Low-Dose Computed Tomography-Guided Hook Wire Localization of Pulmonary Nodules: Feasibility and Safety in the Clinical Setting.

CT-guided hook-wire localization is an essential step in the management of small pulmonary nodules. Few studies, however, have focused on reducing radiation exposure during the procedure. This study aims to explore the feasibility of implementing a low-dose computed tomography (CT)-guided hook wire localization using tailored kVp based on patients' body size.

Evaluation of diagnostic efficacy of NRP-1/CD304 in hematological diseases.

Background: Previous studies had explored the diagnostic or prognostic value of NRP-1/CD304 in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), whereas the expression and application value of NRP-1/CD304 in other common hematological diseases have not been reported.

Methods: Bone marrow samples from 297 newly diagnosed patients with various hematological diseases were collected to detect the expression of NRP-1/CD304 by flow cytometry (FCM). The diagnostic efficacy of NRP-1/ CD304-positive diseases was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared.

Association between exposures to phthalate metabolites and preterm birth and spontaneous preterm birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Emerging evidence from observational studies proves the association between preterm birth (PTB) and phthalate metabolites; however, such findings are inconsistent and inconclusive. This meta-analysis aimed to clarify this association by accessing the connection between 11 phthalate metabolites and PTB, and 6 phthalate metabolites and spontaneous PTB. The PubMed, Embase, and WOS (Web of Science) databases were searched up to July 2020.

Association Between Perivascular Adipose Tissue Density and Atherosclerosis in the Descending Thoracic Aorta.

Radiodensity measured by computed tomography (CT) in Hounsfield Units (HU) is emerging as a clinical tool for detecting perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) inflammation. In the present study, we hypothesized that PVAT radiodensity might predict the risk of descending thoracic aorta atherosclerosis. A total of 73 subjects who underwent CT angiography to investigate aortic disease were retrospectively analyzed.

Pharmacological Validation of ASIC1a as a Druggable Target for Neuroprotection in Cerebral Ischemia Using an Intravenously Available Small Molecule Inhibitor.

Acidosis is a hallmark of ischemic stroke and a promising neuroprotective target for preventing neuronal injury. Previously, genetic manipulations showed that blockade of acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a)-mediated acidotoxicity could dramatically alleviate the volume of brain infarct and restore neurological function after cerebral ischemia. However, few pharmacological candidates have been identified to exhibit efficacy on ischemic stroke through inhibition of ASIC1a.

Disrupted presynaptic nectin1-based neuronal adhesion in the entorhinal-hippocampal circuit contributes to early-life stress-induced memory deficits.

The cell adhesion molecule nectin3 and its presynaptic partner nectin1 have been linked to early-life stress-related cognitive disorders, but how the nectin1-nectin3 system contributes to stress-induced neuronal, circuit, and cognitive abnormalities remains to be studied. Here we show that in neonatally stressed male mice, temporal order and spatial working memories, which require the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC)-CA1 pathway, as well as the structural integrity of CA1 pyramidal neurons were markedly impaired in adulthood. These cognitive and structural abnormalities in stressed mice were associated with decreased nectin levels in entorhinal and hippocampal subregions, especially reduced nectin1 level in the MEC and nectin3 level in the CA1.

Associations Between Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Concentrations in Human Placenta and Small for Gestational Age in Southwest China.

Background: Prenatal exposures to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may affect fetal growth. Small for gestational age (SGA) is a measure based on birth weight and gestational age at birth and represents a good indicator of fetal growth but it has been used only in a small number of studies. The present study aimed to examine the associations between PBDEs exposure and the risk of SGA among participants from a birth cohort in Southwest China.

[Perioperative Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with Coronary Stents Undergoing Elective Non-Cardiac Surgery].

Among patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery (NCS), those with coronary stent implants are gradually becoming a patient group that cannot be easily overlooked. Previous history of heart disease, coronary stents and antiplatelet agents expose these patients to dual perioperative risks of thrombosis and bleeding. Formulating appropriate plans for perioperative antiplatelet therapy will help reduce the risks and ensure the safety of patients.

A nerve conduit filled with Wnt5a-loaded fibrin hydrogels promotes peripheral nerve regeneration.

Aims: Peripheral nerve injury is a significant clinical problem with a substantial impact on quality of life, for which no optimal treatment has been found. This study aimed to analyze the effect and mechanism of Wnt5a-loaded fibrin hydrogel on a 10-mm rat sciatic nerve defect.

Methods: The Wnt5a-loaded fibrin hydrogel was synthesized by mixing a Wnt5a solution with thrombin and fibrinogen solutions.

Tuberculosis treatment delay and nosocomial exposure remain important risks for patients undergoing regular hemodialysis.

Background And Objective: Studies have reported an increased tuberculosis (TB) incidence among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This nationwide nested Case-control study investigated the risk of active TB due to nosocomial exposure and its correlation with the delay in TB treatment in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: Adult (aged ≥20 years) patients with incident ESRD over 2000-2010 were identified from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database; 2331 patients with incident active TB (Case) were matched with 11,655 patients without TB (control) by age, sex, year of ESRD onset, Charlson comorbidity index, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes mellitus, at a 1:5 case-to-control ratio.

A rare complication of pelvic perforation by an excessive medial slide of the helical blade after treatment of an intertrochanteric fracture with proximal femoral nail anti-rotation: A case report and literature review.

Intertrochanteric fractures have become a severe public health problem in elderly patients. Proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) is a commonly used intramedullary fixation device for unstable intertrochanteric fractures. Pelvic perforation by cephalic screw is a rare complication.

Awareness regarding and vaccines acceptability of human papillomavirus among parents of middle school students in Zunyi, Southwest China.

The objective of this study was to investigate the parent cognition of information regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV) and their willingness toward HPV vaccination of their middle-school-aged children in Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China.The results provide a basis for improving the awareness concerning HPV-related information as a key vaccination strategy for implementing the HPV vaccine in the local context. Methods include the random cluster sampling method and questionnaires to survey parents.

The automated processing algorithm to correct the test result of serum neuron-specific enolase affected by specimen hemolysis.

Introduction: Serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is an important tumor marker for small cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma. However, the test of serum NSE compromised by specimen hemolysis is presented as a falsely higher result, which seriously disturbs clinical decision. This study aimed to establish a solution integrated with laboratory information system to clear the bias from hemolysis on serum NSE test.

Hemodialysis acutely altered interferon-gamma release assay test result and immune cell profile.

Patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) are at risk of TB development. IGRA-positive patients showed significant decrease in quantitative IGRA result with alterations in CD3CD4CD45RO, NK cell, and monocyte subsets immediately upon HD procedure. Our result suggested that the timing of IGRA testing is crucial in end-stage renal disease population.

[Experience in treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy by relaxing the sinew of hand three meridians with the tendon-bone needling therapy of Chinese medicine].

The clinical experience of professor - in treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) with the tendon-bone needling therapy of Chinese medicine is introduced. Professor believes that the pathogenesis of CSR is the damage on the neck and the sinew of hand three meridians, the formation of clustered nodules, obstruction in meridians and the stagnation of and blood. In treatment, the tendon-bone needling therapy is mainly adopted to relaxing clustered nodules and the sinew of hand three meridians and promoting and blood circulation.

The noncanonical role of the protease cathepsin D as a cofilin phosphatase.

Cathepsin D (cathD) is traditionally regarded as a lysosomal protease that degrades substrates in acidic compartments. Here we report cathD plays an unconventional role as a cofilin phosphatase orchestrating actin remodeling. In neutral pH environments, the cathD precursor directly dephosphorylates and activates the actin-severing protein cofilin independent of its proteolytic activity, whereas mature cathD degrades cofilin in acidic pH conditions.

Health economic evaluation of primary human papillomavirus screening in urban populations in China.

Background: On Nov 17, 2020, WHO launched a global initiative to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer through the implementation of HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening and treatment for precancer and cancer. China has the largest burden of cervical cancer in the world, but only has a national cervical cancer screening program in rural areas since 2009. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening in urban China, using Shenzhen City as an example.

Late endosomes promote microglia migration via cytosolic translocation of immature protease cathD.

Organelle transport requires dynamic cytoskeleton remodeling, but whether cytoskeletal dynamics are, in turn, regulated by organelles remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that late endosomes, a type of prelysosomal organelles, facilitate actin-cytoskeleton remodeling via cytosolic translocation of immature protease cathepsin D (cathD) during microglia migration. After cytosolic translocation, late endosome-derived cathD juxtaposes actin filaments at the leading edge of lamellipodia.

Tactile modulation of memory and anxiety requires dentate granule cells along the dorsoventral axis.

Touch can positively influence cognition and emotion, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report that tactile experience enrichment improves memory and alleviates anxiety by remodeling neurons along the dorsoventral axis of the dentate gyrus (DG) in adult mice. Tactile enrichment induces differential activation and structural modification of neurons in the dorsal and ventral DG, and increases the presynaptic input from the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC), which is reciprocally connected with the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), to tactile experience-activated DG neurons.

Prevalence of late-onset hypogonadism among middle-aged and elderly males in China: results from a national survey.

This study aimed to propose an operational definition of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) that incorporates both clinical symptoms and serum testosterone measurements to evaluate the prevalence of LOH in aging males in China. A population-based sample of 6296 men aged 40 years-79 years old was enrolled from six representative provinces in China. Serum total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured and free testosterone (cFT) was calculated.