ObjectiveIn the context of the digital transformation of education, this study aims to construct a triadic interactive teaching model for surgical animal surgery in clinical medicine using modern information technology. It explores the effectiveness of different teaching methods in improving students' practical skills, aseptic awareness, and teamwork abilities, providing a reference for the reform of clinical practice education. MethodsA quasi-experimental research design was adopted. A total of 80 students from the eight-year clinical medicine program at Nanjing University were selected, including the Class of 2020 (control group, n=40) and the Class of 2021 (experimental group, n=40). The control group received traditional teaching methods, while the experimental group implemented the "Teacher-Student-AI" triadic interactive teaching model. This model utilized a smart teaching platform for personalized pre-class preparation , as well as data-driven post-class review and feedback throughout the entire teaching process. The "assessment indicators and scoring criteria for the surgical animal surgery course" were used to evaluate teaching effectiveness, with independent samples t-tests used for statistical analysis. ResultsPre-course assessments revealed no statistically significant differences in baseline theoretical knowledge or practical skills between the two groups (P>0.05). Upon completion of the course, the experimental group achieved higher scores than the control group across three key dimensions: practical skills (47.98±1.34 vs 46.92±2.51, P=0.022), aseptic awareness (17.84±1.16 vs 16.94±2.29, P=0.029), and teamwork (16.82±1.44 vs 15.95±1.22, P=0.004). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the scores for humane care awareness between the two groups (8.24±0.70 vs 8.16±0.53, P=0.589). ConclusionThe AI-based triadic interactive teaching model can, to some extent, address the limitations of traditional surgical animal surgery education. It plays a positive role in enhancing medical students' surgical skills, aseptic awareness, and collaborative abilities. This model facilitates the transition from traditional to personalized teaching and offers a practical framework for the digital reform of clinical practice education.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of schistosomiasis surveillance in Jiangsu Province during the stage moving from transmission control to transmission interruption, and to analyze the current risk and challenges, so as to provide the evidence for achieving the target of schistosomiasis elimination. Methods Schistosomiasis surveillance data were collected from Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, and the endemic areas, Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and livestock, Oncomelania hupensis snail distribution and implementation of integrated interventions were descriptively analyzed. In addition, the trends in areas with snails, seroprevalence of human S. japonicum infections and numbers of advanced schistosomiasis cases were assessed using a Joinpoint regression model. Results The endemic areas of schistosomiasis continued to shrink in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, with the number of schistosomiasis-eliminated counties (cities, districts) increasing from 53 (75.71%) to 63 (96.92%), and interruption of schistosomiasis transmission was achieved across the province. A total of 4 600 300 person-times were tested for serum antibodies against S. japonicum, with 28 719 person-times positive detected; and 616 500 person-times were tested S. japonicum infections among local residents in Jiangsu Province from 2012 to 2024, with only 3 egg-positives detected, and no egg-positives found since 2017. A total of 187 600 herd-times were tested for schistosomiasis in livestock, and no S. japonicum infections were found. O. hupensis snail survey was performed covering 1 018 408.97 hm², and a total of 35 556.35 hm² was found with snail-infested habitats, including 174.40 hm2 of emerging snail-infested habitats. A total of 1 102 800 O. hupensis snails were identified for S. japonicum infections, and no infections were found. The areas of snail-infested habitats appeared a tendency towards a rise in Jiangsu Province from 2019 to 2023 (APC = 23.67%, P < 0.05), and the actual areas of snail-infested habitats appeared a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2015 (APC = −22.77%, P < 0.05), and towards a rise from 2015 to 2023 (APC = 9.76%, P < 0.01). The seroprevalence of anti-S. japonicum antibodies appeared a tendency towards a decline among residents in Jiangsu Province from 2017 to 2023 (APC = −14.92%, P < 0.01). In addition, the number of newly diagnosed advanced schistosomiasis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2024 (APC = −12.02%, P < 0.01), and the numbers of advanced schistosomiasis patients requiring treatment showed a tendency towards a decline from 2012 to 2021 (APC = −10.56%, P < 0.01) and from 2021 to 2023 (APC = −20.06%, P < 0.01). Conclusions Great progresses had been achieved in schistosomiasis control in Jiangsu Province following transmission control, and transmission interruption had been achieved; however, there are still snail-infested habitats. High-intensity surveillance and integrated control are required to be maintained to advance the achievement of the target of schistosomiasis elimination in Jiangsu Province.

Objective To examine the impact of extreme temperature and drought stress on the survival of Bulinus globosus, so as to provide the theoretical evidence for the genomic research of Bulinus in absence of reference genes. Methods B. globosus snail samples were collected from Kiwani Shehia in Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania, and offspring snails were obtained through laboratory breeding and reproduction. A total of 120 10-week-old B. globosus snails from the same generation were selected and randomly assigned into four groups, including the high-temperature drought (HD) group, normal temperature drought (D) group, low-temperature drought (LD) group, and the control (C) group, of 30 snails in each group. Snails in HD, D, and LD groups were placed in beakers containing dry soil at the bottom and subsequently housed in climate chambers at 35, 26 ℃, and 10 ℃, respectively, while snails in Group C were maintained in 500 mL petri dishes containing dechlorinated tap water at 26 ℃. Following 3 days of breeding, living snails in each group were collected, and soft tissues were dissected and isolated. Total RNA was extracted from snail soft tissues for library construction, followed by high-throughput sequencing on the Illumina HiSeq 4000 sequencing system. De novo transcriptome assembly was performed using the Trinity software, and the longest transcripts were selected as unigenes. Gene functional annotations of unigenes were conducted using the Diamond software against Gene Ontology (GO) knowledgebase, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database, NCBI non-redundant (NR) protein sequences database, Protein Family (Pfam) database, and UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot (Swiss-Prot) knowledgebase. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were performed using the topGO and clusterProfiler software, respectively. In addition, four relevant genes were selected for validation using a real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) assay to verify the reliability of transcriptome sequencing results. Results Following 3 days of breeding, there were 7, 20, 28, and 30 survival B. globosus snails in HD, LD, D, and C groups, with corresponding survival rates of 23.33% (7/30), 66.67% (20/30), 93.33% (28/30), and 100.00% (30/30), respectively (χ² = 52.72, P < 0.001). De novo transcriptome assembly generated 176 942 unigenes, with annotation rates of 0.98%, 13.49%, 26.46%, 12.48%, and 14.39% against GO knowledgebase, KEGG pathway database, NR protein sequences database, Pfam database, and Swiss-Prot knowledgebase, respectively. There were 33 up-regulated and 72 down-regulated genes in Group D, 483 up-regulated and 815 down-regulated genes in Group HD, and 245 up-regulated and 172 down-regulated genes in Group LD relative to in Group C. Following removal of overlapping genes across groups and unmatched genes, 11 candidate genes were identified. GO and KEGG analyses revealed 3 heat shock protein (HSP)-related DEGs in these 11 candidate genes, which were annotated as HSP12.2, HSP70, and HSP20 genes and were all significantly up-regulated in each treatment group. Three immune and nervous system-related DEGs were identified, and were all significantly down-regulated in each treatment group, which were involved in the neural cell adhesion molecule L1-like protein pathway, fibrinogen binding protein pathway, and leukocyte elastase inhibitor-like protein pathway. qRT-PCR assay quantified that the expression trends of four genes related to temperature and drought stress across different treatment groups were highly consistent with transcriptome sequencing data. Conclusion The survival rate of B. globosus significantly reduces under combined stresses of extreme temperature and drought, possibly due to an imbalance in its cellular homeostasis regulatory system.

Background: and Purpose Therapeutic target selection in noninvasive brain stimulation for poststroke motor recovery typically relies on the interhemispheric inhibition model, which is effective for mildly affected patients but offers limited benefits for severely affected individuals. The mechanisms governing recovery from moderate-to-severe stroke remain poorly understood, which hinders the development of targeted interventions. Methods: We analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from patients with unilateral subcortical stroke and moderate-to-severe upper limb deficits, both pre- and postintervention, along with data from healthy controls. We developed a novel dynamic lag analysis method for identifying recovery-related homotopic sensorimotor regions with altered interhemispheric interactions. To further uncover the global reorganization pathway, we developed dynamic lateralization approaches to detect large-scale functional connectivity (FC) alterations associated with the identified regions in transient lateralization states. Results: Dynamic time-lag analysis revealed significantly reduced synchronized states in the homotopic dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) post-intervention compared with pre-intervention, which correlated with motor recovery. Further dynamic lateralization analysis revealed a prolonged segregation state in patients, characterized by weakened interhemispheric and strengthened intrahemispheric interactions. In this state, patients showed decreased FC in the ipsilesional PMd and increased FC in the contralesional PMd with bilateral subcortical networks. These recoveryrelated alterations were absent in the traditional static analysis. Conclusions Dynamic analyses targeting interhemispheric interactions are valuable for understanding neural reorganization after stroke. The diminished interactions between the homotopic PMd indicate a compensatory mechanism. Importantly, a state-dependent compensatory pathway was identified, wherein the contralesional PMd assumes the functions of the ipsilesional PMd through enhanced interactions with subcortical structures, potentially guiding more effective interventions.

Objective To analyze the application of NCompass nitinol stone retrieval basket in ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy, and to evaluate its roles in reducing stone retropulsion and improving stone-free rate(SFR)and stone acquisition rate.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of patients with upper ureteral stones＞1 cm who underwent ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy at China-Japan Friendship Hospital during Jan.2018 and Dec.2023, including 96 cases were in the NCompass group, and 68 cases in the non-basket group.The operation time, stone retropulsion rate, usage rate of flexible ureteroscopy, SFR and stone acquisition rate were compared between the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in the operation time [(29.2±8.4)min vs.(30.9±7.2)min, P=0.170] and stone retropulsion rate(15.6% vs. 27.9%, P=0.055)between the NCompass group and non-basket group.The NCompass group had significantly lower usage rate of flexible ureteroscopy than the non-basket group(24.0% vs. 47.1%, P=0.002), higher SFR 2 days(80.2% vs. 45.6%, P＜0.001)and 1 month(93.8% vs. 83.8%, P=0.040)after operation, as well as the stone acquisition rates 2 days(100% vs. 44.1%, P＜0.001)and 1 month(100% vs. 58.8%, P＜0.001)after operation. Conclusion The NCompass nitinol stone retrieval basket plays dual roles in ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy, which can effectively intercept stones and extract stone fragments, thus significantly improving the SFR and stone acquisition rate, and reducing stone retropulsion and the use of flexible ureteroscopy.

Objective: To compare the changes in the concentration of relevant growth factors released from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stored at -80℃ by cryopreservation and at 4℃ by refrigerated lyophilization over 2 years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for prolonging PRP storage duration. Methods: PRP (n=15) was separated using a blood cell separator and stored under -80℃ cryopreservation (F-PRP group) and 4℃ refrigerated freeze-drying conditions (FD-PRP group). The contents of growth factors (PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, EGF, TGF-β1, and VEGF) in both groups were measured by ELISA at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months. Results: PDGF-AA and VEGF maintained good stability in both groups for up to 24 months. PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 showed high stability in the first 12 months but their stability decreased gradually from 12th to 24th months. EGF demonstrated good stability in the first 6 months, and its stability gradually decreased from the 9th to 24th months. Comparing the F-PRP and FD-PRP groups, the concentrations of the five growth factors in the FD-PRP group were either not statistically different or higher than those in the F-PRP group at all time points. Specifically, the concentrations of EGF were significantly higher in the FD-PRP group at all time points. Conclusion: Both -80℃ freezing and 4℃ freeze-drying enable long-term preservation of PRP. Freeze-drying imposes less stringent storage requirements and facilitates growth factor compared to frozen storage.

Salmonellosis represents a global epidemic, and the emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella and its sustained transmission worldwide constitutes a significant public health concern. Flagellum-mediated motility serves as a crucial virulence trait of Salmonella that guides the pathogen toward the epithelial surface, enhancing gut colonization. Artemisia argyit essential oil, a traditional herb extract, demonstrates efficacy in treating inflammation-related symptoms and diseases; however, its effects on flagellum assembly and expression mechanisms in anti-Salmonella activity remain inadequately explored. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which Artemisia argyit essential oil addresses Salmonella infections. Network pharmacological analysis revealed that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Artemisia argyit exhibited anti-Salmonella infection potential and inhibited flagellum-dependent motility. The application of Artemisia argyit essential oil induced notable motility defects through the downregulation of flagellar and fimbriae expression. Moreover, it significantly reduced Salmonella-infected cell damage by interfering with flagellum-mediated Salmonella colonization. In vivo studies demonstrated that Artemisia argyit essential oil administration effectively alleviated Salmonella infection symptoms by reducing bacterial loads, inhibiting interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production, and diminishing pathological injury. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified forty-three compounds in Artemisia argyit essential oil, with their corresponding targets and active ingredients predicted. Investigation of an in vivo model of Salmonella infection using the active ingredient demonstrated that alpha-cedrene ameliorated Salmonella infection. These findings suggest the potential application of Artemisia argyit essential oil in controlling Salmonella, the predominant food-borne pathogen.
Artemisia/chemistry* ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry* ; Animals ; Flagella/drug effects* ; Salmonella Infections/microbiology* ; Humans ; Mice ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Salmonella/pathogenicity*

Objective:To detect the levels of sex hormones and insulin in follicular fluid(FF)and the expression level of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN)in granulosa cells in the infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),and to preliminarily explain the correlations between the insulin level and the expression level of PTEN mRNA.Methods:Seventy infertile patients were selected as the subjects and divided into PCOS group and control group(tubal obstruction or infertility due to male factors)according to infertility factors.All patients received in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)treatment.FF and ovarian granulosa cells were collected on the day of ovulation.The expression levels of PTEN mRNA in ovarian granulosa cells of the patients in two groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method.The levels of sex hormone and insulin in FF were measured by electrochemiluminescence.The correlations of the PTEN mRNA expression level in ovarian granulosa cells and testosterone(T)in FF with the level of insulin in FF were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis method.Results:There were no significant differences in age,infertility years,body mass index(BMI),basic sex hormone,total dose of gonadotropin(Gn)and days of ovulation induction in two groups(P＞0.05).Compared with control group,the anti-Mullerian hormone(AMH)and antral follicle counting(AFC)of the patients in PCOS group were significantly increased(P＜0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that the PTEN mRNA expression level in ovarian granulosa cells of the patients in the PCOS group was higher than that in control group(P＜0.001).The electrochemiluminescence results showed that the levels of T and insulin in FF of the patients in PCOS group were higher than those in control group(P＜0.05),whereas the estrogen and progesterone levels were lower than those in control group(P＜0.05).The Spearman correlation analysis showed that that T level in FF was positively correlated with the insulin level of the patients in PCOS group(r=0.577,P＜0.001),and the PTEN mRNA expression level in ovarian granulosa cells was positively correlated with the insulin levels in FF(r=0.616,P＜0.001);in control group,there was no correlation between T level and insulin level in FF(r=0.266,P=0.123),and there was no correlation between the expression level of PTEN mRNA in granulosa cells and the insulin level in FF in control group(r=-0.214,P=0.216).Conclusion:The high expression of PTEN in granulosa cells of the infertile patients with PCOS may be related to the local hyperinsulin level in the ovary,and PTEN participates in the occurrence and development of PCOS.

Objective:To assess the presence of chemotherapy-induced abnormal myocardial perfusion using SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with malignant hematologic diseases before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and to explore its predictive value for mid-to-long-term mortality risk after transplantation.Methods:From March 2016 to August 2022, 139 patients with malignant hematologic diseases (80 males, 59 females; age (45.7±13.0) years) who underwent resting MPI to assess the presence of chemotherapy-induced abnormal myocardial perfusion before HSCT at the First People′s Hospital of Changzhou were prospectively included. Baseline-data were collected and patients were followed up for mid-to-long-term (≥100d) adverse outcomes after transplantation. Overall survival (OS) of each patient was recorded. The χ2 test and independent-sample t test were used for data analysis. Cox regression analysis was utilized to identify independent risk factors affecting OS. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for survival analysis. Results:The median follow-up time of 139 patients was 41.6(19.5, 65.6) months, with all-cause mortality of 28.8%(40/139), and the cardiovascular mortality was 42.5%(17/40). The prior cardiotoxic therapies rate (anthracycline dose ≥250mg/m 2) was higher in the death group compared to that in the survival group (15.0% (6/40) vs 5.1% (5/99); χ2=3.87, P=0.049). Pre-transplant abnormal myocardial perfusion rate was also higher in the death group compared to that in the survival group (55.0%(22/40) vs 22.2%(22/99); χ2=15.19, P<0.001). But pre-transplant left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower in the death group compared to that in the survival group ((60.4±5.2)% vs (62.9±3.9)%; t=-3.07, P=0.003). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the abnormal myocardial perfusion indicated by MPI before transplantation was an independent risk factor affecting OS after HSCT in patients with malignant hematologic diseases (hazard rate ( HR)=2.70, 95% CI: 1.33-5.46, P=0.006). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the 1-, 2-, 5-year OS rates of patients with the abnormal myocardial perfusion and the normal myocardial perfusion were 73.5%, 69.1%, 49.2% and 94.6%, 89.9%, 81.6%, respectively, with significant difference ( χ2=17.01, P<0.001). Conclusions:Patients with abnormal myocardial perfusion detected by MPI before HSCT for malignant hematologic diseases have a poorer prognosis, characterized by lower post-transplantation OS rates. The utilization of MPI for assessing abnormal myocardial perfusion before transplantation in patients with malignant hematologic diseases can aid in predicting the mid-to-long-term mortality risk after transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between collateral circulation and viable myocardium (VM) in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO).Methods:A total of 88 patients (76 males, 12 females, age (61.0±9.8) years) with coronary CTO were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent both 99Tc m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging and 18F-FDG PET myocardial metabolism imaging for evaluation of VM at the First People′s Hospital of Changzhou between September 2012 and June 2023, and they were scheduled to receive coronary revascularization. The perfusion/metabolism mismatch myocardium was regarded as VM. The VM index within the CTO region was calculated, reflected the quantities of VM: VM index=(summed rest score within the CTO region-summed 18F-FDG uptake score within the CTO region)/reduced perfusion myocardial segments×4×100%. Rentrop grading of collateral circulation was performed based on coronary angiography. The differences of VM index within the CTO region between poor-developed (PD, Rentrop grade 0-1) and well-developed (WD, Rentrop grade 2-3) collateral circulation, and among different Rentrop grades were analyzed by the independent-sample t test or Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. The linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between Rentrop grading and VM index within the CTO region. The ROC curve was constructed to analyze the predictive value of Rentrop grading for VM within the CTO region. Results:The VM index within the CTO region was significantly higher in WD patients ( n=54) compared to those in PD patients ( n=34): (45.8±16.3)% vs (21.3±16.7)% ( t=-6.79, P<0.001). Moreover, the VM index within the CTO region increased with increased Rentrop grade, and there was a significant difference among 4 groups ( H=30.22, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that only the Rentrop grading was an independent influencing factor for the VM index within the CTO region ( β=9.29, 95% CI: 5.91-12.67, P<0.001). ROC curve showed that the sensitivity and specificity of Rentrop grading score≥2 for predicting the presence or absence of VM within the CTO region were 65.8%(52/79) and 7/9, with the AUC of 0.724(95% CI: 0.619-0.814). Conclusions:In CTO patients who are scheduled for revascularization and evaluation of VM, as the Rentrop grading increases, the VM index within the CTO region also increases. The presence of VM within the CTO region can be predicted with Rentrop grading score ≥2.