Objective To determine the mutations of common deafness-related genes and explore the clinical significance of universal screening in neonates in Changning District of Shanghai. Methods Microarray gene screening was used to detect the following common mutation sites, including GJB2(c.35delG, c.176 del16, c.235delC, c.299 delAT); SLC26A4(c.IVS7-2A > G, c.2168A > G, c.1174A > T, c.1226G > A, c.1229C > T, c.IVS15+5G > A, c.1975G > C, c.2027T > A); mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA(m.1555A > G; m.1494C > T)and GJB3(c.538C > T). In addition, hearing screening was conducted. Results In a total of 2 006 neonates, 90 cases(4.49%)had the mutations, including 40(1.99%)carrying a GJB2 single heterozygous mutation, 38(1.89%)carrying a SLC26A4 single heterozygous mutation, 4(0.20%)carrying a mitochondrial 12S rRNA homogeneous mutation, and 6(0.30%)carrying a GJB3 single heterozygous mutation. There were two double heterozygous mutations. In addition, 11 cases failed in the hearing screening. Conclusion There are mutations of deafness-related genes in neonates in Changning District of Shanghai, in which GJB2 and SLC26A4 are common. It remains crucial to combine screening of common deafness-related genes and hearing test in neonates for improving the health quality. Moreover, it is significant in preventing and controlling the hearing disability in three levels.

ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of confirmed cases of human monkeypox infection in Changning District， Shanghai， and to explore their clinical and epidemiological characteristics. MethodsClinical data from 10 reported cases of monkeypox in individuals residing in Changning District or identified by local medical institutions between July 20 and September 30， 2023， were collected. Epidemiological case investigations were conducted， and throat swabs， anal swabs， and rash swabs were collected by the treating medical institutions. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used for monkeypox virus nucleic acid testing， and descriptive epidemiological analysis was applied to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the cases. ResultsAll 10 confirmed cases of human monkeypox infection were all young males with an average age of 35.4 years， all of whom belonged to the men who have sex with men （MSM） population， with no occupational clustering. The primary clinical symptoms included fever， rash， enlarged inguinal lymph nodes， and muscle soreness. Nine cases presented with a rash， and seven cases experienced fever symptoms. Among the 10 cases， one experienced fever， rash， enlarged lymph nodes， and muscle soreness； two had fever， rash， and enlarged lymph nodes； two had fever， rash， and systemic soreness； two had only a rash； one had fever or rash； and one was asymptomatic. Among the nine cases with a rash， the rash was mainly localized to the genital or anal area， with fewer cases presenting rashes on the limbs or trunk simultaneously. All cases reported a history of non-exclusive MSM behavior within 21 days before the onset of the disease. The interval between the last suspected high-risk exposure and the onset of symptoms was 4 to 10 days， with an average interval of 6.9 days. The time from the onset of fever to the appearance of a rash was 0 to 5 days， with an average of 1.87 days. ConclusionThe main clinical manifestations of human infection with monkeypox are fever， rash， and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes. The MSM population is a high-risk group for monkeypox infection， and its source of infection may be associated with MSM exposure. Early-stage symptoms are mild， leading to potential underdiagnosis. Additionally， patients may conceal information during the investigation process， which increases the difficulty of epidemic prevention and control.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) body constitution types in the elderly, and to provide an evidence for the control of cognitive impairment in the elderly. MethodsThe elderly aged 65 and above who participated in the community physical examinations in a community of Changning District, Shanghai were selected as the research subjects. The cognitive function was assessed by using the Clock Drawing Test combined with the Ascertain Dementia 8-item Questionnaire (AD8), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). The diagnostic criteria for MCI was identified based on the 2018 Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia and Cognitive Disorders, along with the assessment results and clinical history information. The current investigation method was used to collect the basic information and the prevalence of chronic disease of the subjects through questionnaire inquiries. The elderly subjects’ ability to take care of themselves was evaluated based on the Elderly Self⁃Care Ability Evaluation Scale, while the TCM body constitution types were determined based on the Chinese Medicine Health Care Management Service Specification. The association of the detection rate of MCI with gender, education level, history of chronic disease and TCM body constitution types were analyzed lastly. ResultsA total of 2 351 elderly people were investigated, including 1 037 males and 1 314 females, with an average age of (74.11±6.15) years. 174 subjects, accounting for 7.40%, were identified with MCI. The highest detection rate of MCI in the elderly are those with a Qi stagnation constitution (10.8%), followed by those with a dampness-heat constitution (9.1%) and a Qi deficiency constitution (8.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age, lower educational level, a history of tuberculosis, and TCM constitutions such as dampness-heat, Qi stagnation, and Qi deficiency were the potential risk factors for MCI. ConclusionThere is a significant association between TCM constitution types such as dampness-heat, Qi stagnation, and Qi deficiency with MCI. TCM techniques can be integrated into the health management services for the elderly population, and targeted interventions can be provided to those with imbalanced constitution types so as to reduce the risk of MCI.

Small intestine

The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognized CRISPR-Cas9, a super-selective and precise gene editing tool. CRISPR-Cas9 has an obvious advantage in editing multiple genes in the same cell, and presents great potential in disease treatment and animal model construction. In recent years, CRISPR-Cas9 has been used to establish a series of rat models of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), such as

ObjectiveTo understand the initiation of breastfeeding， and to analyze the related factors in postpartum mothers. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among 790 mothers whose children aged 0‒23 months. ResultsThe early initiation breastfeeding rate （the proportion of breastfeeding within 1 hour after birth） was 67.7%. The proportion of feeding breast milk as the first food after birth was 78.4%. 62.8% children were first breastfed within 1 hour after birth. Logistic regression analysis showed that mothers were more likely to initiate breastfeeding within 1 hour after delivery， if they delivered naturally， attended breastfeeding courses during pregnancy， believed that breastfeeding is or might be beneficial to the intellectual development of their children， intended to breastfeed their children， and were hospitalized for 1‒3 days. ConclusionThe proportion of feeding breast milk as the first food within 1 hour after birth needs to increase. Attentions should be paid to breastfeeding education during pregnancy to help mothers make correct feeding decisions， and to the advocacy for natural delivery to start a smooth initiation of breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVEWe ascertained the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by a series of experiments: Proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in vitro, ectopic and in situ bone formation and loaded porous calcium phosphate cement (CPC) on the repair of bone defects around dental implants.

METHODSBMSCs from Beagle dogs were cultured in vitro with basic culture medium containing BMP-2, bFGF, and BMP-2+bFGF. Proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs were quantified using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test. The CPC seeded with BMSCs and BMP-2, bFGF, combined BMP-2 with bFGF were implanted subcutaneously into nude rats in ectopic bone formation, and were implanted into critical-sized bone defects of Beagle dogs in the in situ bone formation. The bone formation was detected by histology examination and quantified using an image analysis system. Polychrome sequential fluorescent labels and fluorescence histological examinations of undecalcified sections were performed post-operatively.

RESULTSIt was determined that BMP-2+bFGF promoted BMSCs statistically significant proliferation and differentiation compared to either BMP-2 or bFGF in vitro. The CPC with BMP-2+bFGF group yielded more bone than those with either BMP-2 or bFGF in ectopic bone formation test. The percentages of newly ectopic formed bone were higher in the BMP-2+bFGF group (48.79% +/- 11.31%) than those in other groups (BMP-2 group, 30.71% +/- 10.85%; bFGF group, 27.33% +/- 9.67%; and the control group, 10.65% +/- 6.05%). Undecalcified showed that new bone was actively formed in the BMP-2+bFGF group after 12 weeks in the in situ bone formation test. The bone mineralization apposition rate (MAR) was better in the BMP-2+bFGF group than in other groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONBMP-2 combined with bFGF are more effective than one alone in promoting the formation of new bone.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone and Bones ; Calcium Phosphates ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Dogs ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Rats

Objective To investigate and analyze a food borne disease event caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) which happened in a company in Shanghai, and to explore the significance of laboratory testing technology in event traceability analysis, then making suggestions on key directions for food-borne disease prevention. Methods On the basis of epidemiological and hygienic investigation, the virulence genes and molecular typing techniques were used for the VP strains detected in the incident. Results A total of 65 patients were consistent with the case definition.The restaurant had no food business license, and its employees had no health certificate.VP was detected in anal swabs of 5 patients and 2 employees, and the PFGE map showed the same. Conclusion The event is suspiciously caused by food contamination from restaurant employees during food processing, assembly or transportation.It is suggested that the management should be improved of all aspects of the restaurant after cooking, and restaurants providing takeaway should be strengthened.

ObjectiveTo investigate the levels of neutralizing antibodies against the novel coronavirus in the serum of elderly individuals aged 60 years and above in Shanghai’s Changning District， following natural infection and mixed immunity， in order to provide a basis for strengthening immunity in the elderly. MethodsElderly people who participated in free health check-ups at 10 community health service centers in Changning District from May to June 2023 were selected as the subjects. Information such as gender， age， COVID-19 infection history， COVID-19 vaccine immunization history， and chronic disease history were collected. Serum samples of the subjects were collected and quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies was performed by magnetic particle chemiluminescence method. The antibody levels of different populations were analyzed. ResultsA total of 620 subjects were included， 586 of whom （241 males and 345 females） met the study conditions. There were 90 people in the full vaccination + infection group， 224 people in the intensive vaccination + infection group， and 272 people in the unvaccinated + infection group. The positive rates of COVID-19 antibody in the three groups were 94.44% （95%CI： 87.51%‒98.17%）， 95.98% （95%CI：92.51%‒98.15%） and 22.06% （95%CI： 17.28%‒27.46%）， respectively. The positive rates in full vaccination + infection group and intensive vaccination + infection group was significantly higher than that in unvaccinated + infection group （χ²=147.561，P<0.01；χ²=271.729，P<0.01）. The antibody level in full vaccination + infection group （640.74 AU·mL^-1） and intensive vaccination + infection group （1 200.88 AU·mL^-1） was significantly higher than that in unvaccinated + infection group （4.51 AU·mL^-1） （all P<0.01）.The antibody level in the intensive vaccination + infection group was also significantly higher than that in the whole vaccination + infection group （P < 0.05）. ConclusionAfter 5‒6 months of infection， the neutralizing antibody positive rate and antibody level were significantly higher in the elderly who received the full vaccination and infection or intensive vaccination and infection. It is recommended that elderly individuals， who have been infected for more than 5‒6 months but have not been vaccinated， should consider getting vaccinated to enhance their levels of neutralizing antibodies.

Cholesterol is an important precursor of many endogenous molecules. Disruption of cholesterol homeostasis can cause many pathological changes, leading to liver and cardiovascular diseases. CYP1A is widely involved in cholesterol metabolic network, but its exact function has not been fully elucidated. Here, we aim to explore how CYP1A regulates cholesterol homeostasis. Our data showed that CYP1A1/2 knockout (KO) rats presented cholesterol deposition in blood and liver. The serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol were significantly increased in KO rats. Further studies found that the lipogenesis pathway (LXRα-SREBP1-SCD1) of KO rats was activated, and the key protein of cholesterol ester hydrolysis (CES1) was inhibited. Importantly, lansoprazole can significantly alleviate rat hepatic lipid deposition in hypercholesterolemia models by inducing CYP1A. Our findings reveal the role of CYP1A as a potential regulator of cholesterol homeostasis and provide a new perspective for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.