ObjectiveTo investigate the status of overlapping hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus （HCV） infection and the serological characteristics of such patients. MethodsA total of 8 637 patients with HCV infection who were hospitalized from January 1， 2010 to December 31， 2020 and had complete data of HBV serological markers were enrolled， and the composition ratio of patients with overlapping HBV serological markers was analyzed among the patients with HCV infection. The patients were divided into groups based on age and year of birth， and serological characteristics were analyzed， and the distribution of HBV-related serological characteristics were analyzed across different HCV genotypes. ResultsThe patients with HCV/HBV overlapping infection accounted for 5.85%， and the patients with previous HBV infection accounted for 48.10%； the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 14.67%， while the patients with a lack of protective immunity against HBV accounted for 31.39%. The patients were divided into groups based on age： in the 0 — 17 years group， the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 61.41% （304 patients）； the 18 — 44 years group was mainly composed of patients with previous HBV infection （698 patients， 37.31%）， the 45 — 59 years group was predominantly composed of patients with previous HBV infection （1 945 patients， 50.38%）， and the ≥60 years group was also predominantly composed of patients with previous HBV infection （1 486 patients， 61.66%）. The patients were divided into groups based on the year of birth： in the pre-1992 group， the patients with previous HBV infection accounted for 51.63% （4 112 patients）； in the 1992 — 2005 group， the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 54.72% （168 patients）； in the post-2005 group， the patients with protective immunity against HBV accounted for 64.38% （235 patients）. In this study， 6 301 patients underwent HCV genotype testing： the patients with genotype 1b accounted for the highest proportion of 51.71% （3 258 patients）， followed by those with genotype 2a （1 769 patients， 28.07%）， genotype 3b （63 patients， 1.00%）， genotype 3a （10 patients， 0.16%）， genotype 4 （21 patients， 0.33%）， and genotype 6a （5 patients， 0.08%）. ConclusionWith the implementation of hepatitis B planned vaccination program in China， there has been a significant reduction in the proportion of patients with previous HBV infection among the patients with HCV/HBV overlapping infection， but there is still a relatively high proportion of patients with a lack of protective immunity against HBV.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test. Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.

A growing body of research points out that gut microbiota plays a key role in tumor immunotherapy. By optimizing the composition of intestinal microbiota, it is possible to effectively improve immunotherapy resistance and enhance its therapeutic effect. This article comprehensively analyzes the mechanism of intestinal microbiota influencing tumor immunotherapy resistance, expounds the current strategies for targeted regulation of intestinal microbiota, such as traditional Chinese medicine and plant components, fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics and dietary therapy, and explores the potential mechanisms of these strategies to improve patients' resistance to tumor immunotherapy. At the same time, the article also briefly discusses the prospects and challenges of targeting intestinal microbiota to improve tumor immunotherapy resistance, which provides a reference for related research to help the strategy research of reversing tumor immunotherapy resistance.

Objective To understand the surveillance situation of poliovirus in Guangzhou from 2011 to 2024, and to further strengthen polio surveillance and ensure the continued maintenance of a polio-free status. Methods An analysis was conducted on the discovery and investigation results of six cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) detected in Guangzhou. Results A total of 6 VDPV incidents were reported in Guangzhou from 2011 to June 2024, among which 5 incidents were from sewage sample testing in the Liede Sewage Treatment Plant in Guangzhou, all of which were confirmed as VDPV, with 1 for type I, 1 for type II, and 3 for type III. In addition, one confirmed HFMD case was identified as a type VDPV II carrier. No presence of any wild poliovirus (WPV), VDPV cases, or circulating VDPV (cVDPV) was reported. Conclusion Guangzhou City has maintained a high level of vigilance and effectiveness in the monitoring and prevention of polio. Continuously strengthening the construction of the polio monitoring network, optimizing vaccination strategies, and comprehensively improving public health awareness are still the focus of the prevention and control work in the future.

Acute lung injury （ALI） is a clinically critical disease with limited treatment options and poor prognosis， with high morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary inflammation caused by trauma， infection， and other factors in vivo and in vitro can damage alveolar epithelial and vascular endothelial barriers， resulting in lung tissue congestion and edema and eventually leading to significant dyspnea and hypoxemia， It can further develop into acute respiratory distress syndrome. Oxidative stress is one of the pathogenesis of ALI. A large number of reactive oxygen species （ROS） can promote the aggregation of inflammatory cells， increase pulmonary capillary permeability， and even directly damage lung tissue. Therefore， regulating oxidative stress becomes one of the effective means to reduce the degree of lung injury. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， ALI is divided into the categories of "sudden wheezing" and "dyspnea due to wheezing". TCM treats the causes of dampness， heat， poison， and stasis by syndrome differentiation and treatment， regulates Qi and blood， and balances Yin and Yang to restore the physiological function of the lung. In recent years， a large number of studies have shown that TCM can regulate ROS through multiple targets and mechanisms and play a role in reducing lung inflammation and protecting alveolar epithelial cells and endothelial vessels， in which the nuclear factor E₂ associated factor 2 （Nrf2） antioxidant pathway plays an important role. Based on the generation and clearance of ROS， this article summarized the related mechanisms of TCM monomers， TCM pairs， and TCM compounds in regulating oxidative stress to prevent ALI， so as to provide theoretical reference for the research and development of new TCM for ALI and clinical treatment.

AIM: To investigate the correlation of serum Silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 1(SIRT1)and Vasostatin-2 content with pathological changes in diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients.METHODS: A total of 104 DR patients(104 eyes)admitted to our hospital from April 2021 to April 2024 were included as the DR group. According to different disease stages, they were assigned into a non-proliferative DR(NPDR)group of 44 cases(44 eyes)and a proliferative DR(PDR)group of 60 cases(60 eyes). Meantime, 104 patients(104 eyes)with simple diabetes were treated as non-DR group. ELISA was applied to detect the levels of SIRT1 and Vasostatin-2 in serum. The diagnostic value of serum SIRT1 and Vasostatin 2 in DR was analyzed by ROC curve. Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the factors that affected the occurrence of DR. Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the relationship between the levels of SIRT1 and Vasostatin-2 in the serum of DR patients and angiogenesis indicators(VEGF, Ang-2).RESULTS: Compared with the non-DR group, the levels of SIRT1 and Vasostatin-2 in the serum of the DR group were significantly decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the NPDR group, the levels of SIRT1 and Vasostatin-2 in the serum of the PDR group were significantly decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the non-DR group, the levels of VEGF and Ang-2 in the serum of the DR group were obviously higher(P<0.05). Compared with the single detection of serum SIRT1 and Vasostatin-2 levels, combined detection significantly increased the AUC in the diagnosis of DR(Z=4.180, 5.128, all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that HOMA-IR(OR=3.455), fasting blood glucose(OR=1.467), SIRT1(OR=0.836), Vasostatin-2(OR=0.767), VEGF(OR=2.564), and Ang-2(OR=1.834)levels were the influencing factors on the occurrence of DR(all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the levels of SIRT1 and Vasostatin-2 in the serum of DR patients were negatively correlated with VEGF and Ang-2(rSIRT1 vs VEGF=-0.395, rSIRT1 vs Ang-2=-0.474, rVasostatin-2 vs VEGF=-0.323, rVasostatin-2 vs Ang-2=-0.583, all P<0.001).CONCLUSION: The abnormal decrease of serum SIRT1 and Vasostatin 2 levels in DR patients is closely related to the stage of DR lesions and angiogenesis.

AIM: To explore the risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy(DR)based on ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography(UWF-SS-OCTA), and to establish a clinical prediction model.METHODS:A total of 235 patients(235 eyes)with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from July to November 2024 were selected as the research objects. According to the presence or absence of DR, they were divided into 120 cases(120 eyes)in non-DR group(NDR group)and 115 cases(115 eyes)in non-proliferative DR group(NPDR group). Data on general characteristics, laboratory tests, and OCTA results were collected for both groups. Univariate analysis was employed to identify DR-related risk factors. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze these risk factors and to establish a DR prediction model. The efficacy of the model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis(DCA).RESULTS: The duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen(BUN), history of hypertension, and the choroidal vascular index(CVI)were found to be statistically significant in the model(all P<0.05). Specifically, the duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, BUN, and history of hypertension were identified as risk factors for DR among diabetic patients, while CVI was recognized as a protective factor. The area under the curve for the model predicting the probability of DR was 0.898(0.859-0.938), with a diagnostic threshold of 0.438. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 87.8% and 78.3%, respectively, indicating that the model possesses high predictive value for the occurrence of DR.CONCLUSION: The duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, BUN, history of hypertension, and CVI are significantly correlated with DR. The established prediction model demonstrates a substantial screening capability for DR.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test. Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.