Objective : To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatial clustering of brucellosis in Shanxi Province from 2019 to 2023, so as to provide a reference for formulating prevention and control measures of brucellosis. Methods: The case data of brucellosis in Shanxi Province from 2019 to 2023 were collected through the Infectious Disease Surveillance System of the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The seasonal distribution, population distribution, and region distribution of brucellosis cases were described. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was applied to explore the spatial clustering characteristics of brucellosis. Results: A total of 21 241 human brucellosis cases were reported in Shanxi Province from 2019 to 2023, with an average annual reported incidence of 11.87/100 000, showing an upward trend (P<0.05). The peak incidence period was from March to August, with 14 163 cases reported cumulatively, accounting for 66.68% of the total. There were 16 336 male cases and 4 905 female cases, with a male-to-female ratio of 3.33:1. The high-incidence age group was 40-<70 years, with 15 675 cases accounting for 73.80%. The majority of patients were farmers, with 17 926 cases accounting for 84.39%. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that there was spatial clustering in the incidence of brucellosis from 2019 to 2023 (all Moran's I>0, P<0.05). The high-high clustering areas were mainly Datong City, and Shuozhou City in northern Shanxi, and Linfen City in the southern Shanxi. The low-low clustering areas were mainly Taiyuan City and Yangquan City in central Shanxi, and Changzhi City and Jincheng City in southeastern Shanxi. Conclusions From 2019 to 2023, the reported incidence of brucellosis in Shanxi Province showed an upward trend. The incidence peaked from March to August, and males, middle-aged and elderly people and farmers were the high-risk groups. There was spatial clustering and the high-high clustering areas gradually expanded from northern Shanxi to southern Shanxi.

To address the limitations of traditional minimally invasive thermal ablation technology such as poor conformability, carbonization and electromagnetic radiation, this paper proposes a steam thermal ablation technology that uses saturated steam internal energy to replace the traditional electromagnetic radiation energy. Through the steam thermal ablation system and the steam thermal ablation needle designed based on simulation, the ex vivo pig liver experiments were carried out. The results have the characteristics of the maximum ablation axis ratio (short diameter / long diameter) and non-carbonization with the same type of thermal ablation technology. Based on the near-infrared light, in this paper the curative effect of the reduced scattering coefficient of the steam thermal ablation results was evaluated. The reduced scattering coefficients of the coagulation area all exceeded 16, reaching the completely damaged state, which verified that the steam thermal ablation can effectively inactivate the tumor cells.
Steam ; Animals ; Swine ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery* ; Ablation Techniques/methods* ; Liver/surgery* ; Equipment Design

The minimally invasive thermal ablation technology differs from traditional surgical operations, which requires auxiliary equipment to evaluate ablation results. However, the ultrasound and CT currently used in clinical practice have shortcomings such as artifacts and radiation. Therefore, this paper proposes a design for a minimally invasive thermal ablation evaluation system based on the principle of electrical impedance tomography technology to monitor the ablation range. At the same time, the innovative introduction of a programmable gain feedforward signal as the parameter signal of the multiplier demodulator in the electrical impedance tomography system design can effectively solve the problem of weak signals being submerged in noise and improve imaging accuracy. The system controls the amplitude of the excitation current signal and the acquisition / processing of boundary voltages via an STM32, uploads the collected data to an upper computer, and reconstructs the conductivity distribution using the Newton-Raphson algorithm to map the size of the ablation area. Experimental results show that the system can effectively reflect the size of the microwave ablation area. Under the same minimally invasive ablation parameters, the average imaging errors are 0.6 mm for the long diameter, 0.8 mm for the short diameter, and 1.75% for the axial ratio (long diameter / short diameter), demonstrating high consistency. This verifies the technical potential of electrical impedance tomography in minimally invasive thermal ablation.
Electric Impedance ; Tomography/instrumentation* ; Equipment Design

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C₀), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug‍-‍drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Delphi Technique

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tongluo Mingmu capsules in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy with blood stasis， collateral obstruction， and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome. MethodA randomized， double-blind， positive-control， and multi-center clinical trial design method was used. 416 patients with diabetic retinopathy with blood stasis， collateral obstruction， and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome in four test centers were included （the ratio of the treatment group to the control group was 3∶1）. On the basis of standardized hypoglycemic treatment， the treatment group was given both four Tongluo Mingmu capsules and two Calcium Dobesilate capsule agents three times a day， while the control group were given both two Calcium Dobesilate capsules and four Tongluo Mingmu capsule agents three times a day. The course of treatment was 12 weeks. The curative effect of Tongluo Mingmu capsules was evaluated by comparing the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy， traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndrome score， corrected visual acuity， fundus changes， fundus fluorescence angiography， and other curative effect indexes before and after treatment in the two groups. At the same time， general examination， laboratory examination， and adverse events were performed to evaluate the safety of the drug. ResultThe baseline demographic data and disease characteristics of the treatment group and the control group were balanced and comparable， with the difference not statistically significant. After 12 weeks of treatment， the total effective rate of the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy in the treatment group （61.0%， 189/310） was better than that in the control group （44.1%， 45/102）， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=8.880， P<0.01）. The total effective rate of TCM syndromes in the treatment group （88.4%， 259/293） was better than that in the control group （69.9%， 65/93）， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=17.927， P<0.01）. The disappearance rate of dry eyes （χ²=8.305）， dull complexion （χ²=4.053）， lassitude （χ²=10.267）， shortness of breath （χ²=8.494）， and dry stool （χ²=8.657） in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group， and the difference between the groups was statistically significant （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In terms of improving corrected visual acuity （χ²=8.382）， fundus changes （χ²=6.026） ， the treatment group was significantly better than the control group （P<0.05）. During the trial， the incidence of adverse events in the treatment group and the control group was 1.3% and 2.9%， respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups. In addition， there were no serious adverse events and adverse events leading to withdrawal in both groups. ConclusionTongluo Mingmu capsules can improve the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy and enhance the efficacy of TCM syndromes， visual acuity， fundus changes， and fundus fluorescein angiography， with great safety. Therefore， it can provide a new alternative therapeutic drug for patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: To analyze the correlation between preschool children s emotional competence and home rearing environment in Shangrao City, so as to provide support for improving children s emotional competence development as well as their home rearing environment. Methods: A total of 1 242 children aged 3-6 years old from 10 kindergartens in Shangrao City were retrospectively investigated by stratified cluster random sampling method in December 2022, and the Children s Emotional Adjustment Scale-Preschool Version (CEAS-P) and the Home Nurture Environment Scale for children aged 3-6 were surveyed on parents of preschool children. The t-test was used to test the difference, Spearman correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of preschool children s emotional competence. Results: There were significant differences in emotional competence scores of preschool children for demographic indicators including age, place of residence, health status and whether they were only children ( F/t =5.98, 6.56, 38.00, 2.23, P <0.01). The emotional competence of preschool children was positively correlated with the home rearing environment ( r=0.62, P <0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that diverse activities/play participation, social adaptation/self management, and emotional warmth/self expression in home rearing environment were positive predictors of children s emotional ability ( β =0.30, 0.28, 0.16), while neglect/intervention/punishment were negative predictors ( β =-0.09)( P <0.05). Conclusions The home rearing environment is a factor related to young children s emotional competence. It is suggested specific parenting initiatives such as enriching family activities and play, strengthening children s self adaptation and management, giving warmth and let children express emotions, and preventing child neglect, interference and punishment should be conducted to improve children s emotional competence.

Objective:To evaluate the initial clinical outcome of applying a comprehensive debulking procedure centered on the digital and plantar flaps with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle to reconstruct the hypertrophic toes and forefoots in one-stage surgery in multiple toes macrodactyly in children.Methods:The clinical data of children with macrodactyly deformity treated by the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Design toe and plantar arbitrary flaps with a few vascular perforating branches which pedicle at the comparatively healthy proximal side and resect all tissues beyond the normal length. In severe toe, a composite tissue nail-flap with the artery was dissected to reconstruct the toenail. Fat debulking on the surface of deep plantar fascia as well as within the osseofascial sheath, resecting partially of the fatty infiltrated nerve, transverse and longitudinal osteotomy to shorten and narrowed phalanxes without epiphyseal block, arthroplasty and flexor tendon tightening were performed. Finally, toes shaped by wrapping toe flaps, and pelmas restored by plantar flaps which both with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle. The operation time, healing time, and whether the toes and toenails are preserved were all recorded. The maximum circumference of both foot, the difference in shoe size, the presence of skin ulcers, wound scars, toe webbing morphology, the presence of basic sensation, and the satisfaction of parents were followed-up after surgery. The modified follow-up questionnaire was used to evaluate the surgical effect, the total score is 0-12 points, and the higher the score, the better the surgical outcome. Descriptive methods was used for statistical analysis, and the measurement data conforming to normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD.Results:A total of 15 patients were enrolled, including 11 males and 4 females. The median age at the time of operation was 2.75 years (0.9-10.8 years). There were 11 cases with 2 toes and 4 cases with 3 toes, a total of 34 toes involved. The average surgical duration was 4.13 hours (3.25 hours for 2 toes and 5.00 hours for 3 toes). Only one severe case with 3 toes involved was amputated the biggest toe ray and totally 2 toe nail flaps were harvested unsuccessfully intraoperative. Except 3 toes had distal skin partially necrosis and 2 nail flaps were completely necrotic which healed after dressing changes, the rest of the toes were healing well after operation. The average follow-up time was 4.8 months (3-11 months), the difference of circumference was less than 1.5 cm, as well as in length was less than 0.5 cm between feet and all children were able to wear the appropriate shoes with same size. A total of 4 toes failed to retain toenails, and 1 had a very thin toenail. Except for one case with insufficient web depth, the other toe webs were close to normal. There was no skin ulcer occurred, the basic sensation of the feet was present, and wound scars were inconspicuous. The score of the modified questionnaire was 10.54±0.88, all parents were satisfied with the results.Conclusion:Comprehensive procedure centered on the digital and plantar flaps with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle for debulking multiple toes macrodactyly in children could completely excise distal hypertrophic tissues in a single operation, and the size of the affected feet and toes can be greatly reduced to wearing shoes of the same size, and have a high success rate in preserving the toes, as well as nails. The reconstructed feet, toes and toe webbing have near-normal morphology, hidden scar, no ulcers after walked and achieve a good initial effect.

To investigate the status and epidemiological characteristics of respiratory pathogens infections in children with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in Beijing Children′s Hospital from 2022 to 2023. A dual amplification technique was used to detect nucleic acids of seven common respiratory pathogens, including influenza A virus (Flu A), influenza B virus (Flu B), mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), adenovirus (ADV), and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP), in outpatient and inpatient children (aged 0-18 years) with influenza-like symptoms who sought medical care at Beijing Children′s Hospital, from January 2022 to March 2023. A total of 43 663 children were included in the study, of which 27 903 tested positive for respiratory pathogens with a total detection rate of 63.91%. Flu A had the highest detection rate of 69.93% (27 332/39 084), followed by MP about 13.22% (380/2 875). The total detection rate of RSV, PIV and ADV was 7.69% (131/1 704). Flu B had a detection rate of 0.16% (64/39 084). No CP was detected in this study. A total of 7 cases of dual infections were detected, with a detection rate of 0.41% (7/1 704). The Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in detection rates of pathogens among different genders, age groups, and different seasons. Among the seven pathogens, only Flu A had statistically significant differences in gender ( χ2=16.712, P<0.001). The detection rates of Flu A and MP showed an increasing trend with age (both P trend<0.001), while the detection rates of RSV and PIV showed a decreasing trend with age (both P trend<0.001). Flu A had its epidemic peak in winter and spring, with detection rates of 61.30% (3 907/6 374) and 77.47% (23 207/29 958) respectively; MP and PIV had higher detection rates in autumn (25.14% and 7.64% respectively); RSV showed a relatively higher detection rate in winter (8.69%); Flu B and ADV had lower detection rates throughout the study period (0.16% and 1.17% respectively). In conclusion, children with ILI in 2022-2023 were mainly infected with a single respiratory pathogen, and occasionally dual pathogen infections were observed. Among them, the detection rate of Flu A was the highest, and only Flu A showed a gender difference in detection rate. As the age of the children patients increased, the detection rate of Flu A and MP showed an increasing trend, while RSV and PIV showed a decreasing trend. The prevalence of Flu A, Flu B, MP, PIV, and RSV were seasonal.

Objective:To evaluate the initial clinical outcome of applying a comprehensive debulking procedure centered on the digital and plantar flaps with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle to reconstruct the hypertrophic toes and forefoots in one-stage surgery in multiple toes macrodactyly in children.Methods:The clinical data of children with macrodactyly deformity treated by the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Design toe and plantar arbitrary flaps with a few vascular perforating branches which pedicle at the comparatively healthy proximal side and resect all tissues beyond the normal length. In severe toe, a composite tissue nail-flap with the artery was dissected to reconstruct the toenail. Fat debulking on the surface of deep plantar fascia as well as within the osseofascial sheath, resecting partially of the fatty infiltrated nerve, transverse and longitudinal osteotomy to shorten and narrowed phalanxes without epiphyseal block, arthroplasty and flexor tendon tightening were performed. Finally, toes shaped by wrapping toe flaps, and pelmas restored by plantar flaps which both with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle. The operation time, healing time, and whether the toes and toenails are preserved were all recorded. The maximum circumference of both foot, the difference in shoe size, the presence of skin ulcers, wound scars, toe webbing morphology, the presence of basic sensation, and the satisfaction of parents were followed-up after surgery. The modified follow-up questionnaire was used to evaluate the surgical effect, the total score is 0-12 points, and the higher the score, the better the surgical outcome. Descriptive methods was used for statistical analysis, and the measurement data conforming to normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD.Results:A total of 15 patients were enrolled, including 11 males and 4 females. The median age at the time of operation was 2.75 years (0.9-10.8 years). There were 11 cases with 2 toes and 4 cases with 3 toes, a total of 34 toes involved. The average surgical duration was 4.13 hours (3.25 hours for 2 toes and 5.00 hours for 3 toes). Only one severe case with 3 toes involved was amputated the biggest toe ray and totally 2 toe nail flaps were harvested unsuccessfully intraoperative. Except 3 toes had distal skin partially necrosis and 2 nail flaps were completely necrotic which healed after dressing changes, the rest of the toes were healing well after operation. The average follow-up time was 4.8 months (3-11 months), the difference of circumference was less than 1.5 cm, as well as in length was less than 0.5 cm between feet and all children were able to wear the appropriate shoes with same size. A total of 4 toes failed to retain toenails, and 1 had a very thin toenail. Except for one case with insufficient web depth, the other toe webs were close to normal. There was no skin ulcer occurred, the basic sensation of the feet was present, and wound scars were inconspicuous. The score of the modified questionnaire was 10.54±0.88, all parents were satisfied with the results.Conclusion:Comprehensive procedure centered on the digital and plantar flaps with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle for debulking multiple toes macrodactyly in children could completely excise distal hypertrophic tissues in a single operation, and the size of the affected feet and toes can be greatly reduced to wearing shoes of the same size, and have a high success rate in preserving the toes, as well as nails. The reconstructed feet, toes and toe webbing have near-normal morphology, hidden scar, no ulcers after walked and achieve a good initial effect.