Objective To investigate the species of ticks in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, so as to provide insights into management of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Methods During the period between May 2023 and June 2024, livestock breeding farms and vegetation neighboring the place of residence of confirmed and suspected patients with tick-borne disease were selected as sampling points in rural areas from Yindian Township, Gaocheng Township, Wanhe Township, Wushan Township, Xiaolin Township, Xihe Township, Hedian Township and Beijiao Street in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, where confirmed and suspected cases with tick-borne diseases had been reported. The parasitic ticks on the body surface of free-range livestock were captured with tweezers in livestock breeding farms, and free ticks on the vegetation surface were captured with the flagging method. Morphological identification of tick samples was performed under a microscope, and the gender and developmental stage of ticks were determined. One engorged adult tick, 2 to 3 blood-feeding but non-engorged adult ticks, 10 to 15 unfed female ticks, 15 to 20 unfed male ticks, and 30 to 40 tick nymphs or larvae were assigned into a group, respectively. Genomic DNA was extracted from tick samples in each group, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. Sequence analysis was performed with the DNASTAR software, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using the software MEGA 7.0. In addition, the phylogenetic tree was generated using the maximum likelihood method based on the Kimura 2 parameter model. Results A total of 2 438 ticks were captured from Suizhou City, Hubei Province during the period between May 2023 and June 2024, including 595 free ticks and 1 483 parasitic ticks. Three developmental stages of ticks were captured, including larvae, nymphs, and adults, and 75.18% (1 899/2 438) of captured ticks were adult, in which 79.04% (1 501/1 899) were female. Morphological and molecular biological assays identified one family, three genera and four species of captured ticks, including 2 425 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks (99.47%) and one H. flava tick (0.04%) of the genus Haemaphysalis, 11 Rhipicephalus microplus ticks (0.45%) of the genus Rhipicephalus, and one Ixodes sinensis tick (0.04%) of the genus Ixodes in the family Ixodidae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the H. longicornis sequence (SZ49) in this study was clustered with sequences from Yunnan Province (GenBank accession number: MH024510.1), Hebei Province (GenBank accession number: MK450606.1) and Henan Province (GenBank accession number: MZ230645.1) into a clade, and the H. flava sequence (SZ19) in this study was clustered with sequences from Japan (GenBank accession number: MW064044.1), South Korea (GenBank accession number: ON629585.1), and Jiangsu Province (GenBank accession number: PP494741.1) and Hebei Province of China (GenBank accession number: MH520685.1) into a clade, while the R. microplus sequence (SZ8) in this study was clustered with the sequences from India (GenBank accession number: MK621328.1), and Henan Province (GenBank accession number: MT555307.1) and Guizhou Province of China (GenBank accession number: PP446801.1) into a clade. The sequence of I. sinensis (SZ23) in this study had 99.51% homology with that (GenBank accession number: OM368265.1) of ticks sampled from Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Conclusion There are four tick species of H. longicornis, H. flava, R. microplus and I. sinensis in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, and H. longicornis is the dominant species. H. flava is firstly recorded in Suizhou City.

This consensus will introduce the characteristics of fillers used in the surgical cavities of domestic nasal surgery patients based on relevant literature and expert opinions. It will also provide recommendations for the selection of cavity fillers for different nasal diseases, with chronic sinusitis as a representative example.
Humans ; Nasal Cavity/surgery* ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; China ; Consensus ; Sinusitis/surgery* ; Dermal Fillers

Objective To determine the median effective dose(ED50)of ropivacaine for spinal anesthesia in sub-high altitude cesarean sections.Methods A total of 30 parturients from sub-high altitudes received initial 14 mg(1.4 mL)of 1%ropivacaine intrathecally.Effectiveness was defined by sensory block to T6 within 15 minutes without additional epidural anesthesia.Doses were adjusted by±1 mg based on response.ED50 and 95%CI were estimated using Dixon's method and isotonic regression.Adverse reactions were noted.Results Thirty parturients with an average age of(30.88±5.56)years,gestational weeks of(40±1.41)weeks,height of(156.69±5.80)cm,and weight of(67.44±10.48)kg were studied.The ED50 was 10.68 mg(95%CI:9.65-12.58 mg)by Dixon's method and 10.33 mg(95%CI:9.41-12.07 mg)by isotonic regression.Intraoperatively,8 cases of hypotension,1 case of bradycardia,and 7 cases of nausea and vomiting were observed,no hypertension or shivering occurred among the parturients.Conclusion The ED50 for ropivacaine in sub-high altitude cesarean sections is 10.68 mg,which is higher than the currently known ED50 required for patients in plain areas.

Background: Diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis is one of the main mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy. As a common histone methyltransferase, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been implicated in fibrosis progression in multiple organs. However, the mechanism of EZH2 in diabetic myocardial fibrosis has not been clarified. Methods: In the current study, rat and mouse diabetic model were established, the left ventricular function of rat and mouse were evaluated by echocardiography and the fibrosis of rat ventricle was evaluated by Masson staining. Primary rat ventricular fibroblasts were cultured and stimulated with high glucose (HG) in vitro. The expression of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) trimethylation, EZH2, and myocardial fibrosis proteins were assayed. Results: In STZ-induced diabetic ventricular tissues and HG-induced primary ventricular fibroblasts in vitro, H3K27 trimethylation was increased and the phosphorylation of EZH2 was reduced. Inhibition of EZH2 with GSK126 suppressed the activation, differentiation, and migration of cardiac fibroblasts as well as the overexpression of the fibrotic proteins induced by HG. Mechanical study demonstrated that HG reduced phosphorylation of EZH2 on Thr311 by inactivating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which transcriptionally inhibited peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) expression to promote the fibroblasts activation and differentiation. Conclusion Our data revealed an AMPK/EZH2/PPAR-γ signal pathway is involved in HG-induced cardiac fibrosis.

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Humans ; Consensus ; Hypersensitivity ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Immunotherapy/adverse effects* ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Allergens

Objective:To explore the method of developing a canal-shaped implant template using a combined automatic pre-planning and 3D printing technology, and assess its impact on dose and efficacy improvement.Methods:Retrospective analysis of 15 patients with advanced cervical cancer admitted to the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from September 2020 to September 2022 was performed. Patients had characteristics such as vaginal stump recurrence, tumor eccentric growth, and previous hysterotomy, etc. Three-dimensional images were obtained by CT scan after automatic pre-planning. The PMT 3D software was used to analyze digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) radiotherapy data, capture the coordinates of the pre-planned stay points to establish the implant channel, and generate the size and shape of the canal-shaped implant template based on patients' physiological structure. Dosimetric parameters, such as conformity index (CI), were evaluated. The changes of tumor size before and after treatment were analyzed by paired t-test. Results:Fifteen patients were treated with the canal-shaped implant template. The CI was 0.74±0.26, the total radiation dose (HR-CTV) D 90% (EQD 2, α/β=10) was (85.5±6.8) Gy, and the D 2 cm3 (EQD 2, α/β=3)for bladder, rectum, small intestine, and colon were (72.2±4.2), (65.8±6.1), (65.2±4.4), and (69.8±3.7) Gy, respectively, meeting clinical needs. After the treatment, the tumor volume was significantly decreased. The template had a good fit with the vaginal cavity, and a small amount of air gap on the sidewall did not affect the dose. Non-parallel needle insertion increased the utilization of the cavity space and implant needles. Conclusion:The method of developing the canal-shaped implant template using automatic pre-planning and 3D printing technology is efficient and effective, meets the requirements of modern precise radiotherapy, and has practical clinical value.

Objective: To investigate the clinical and molecular biological characteristics of patients with accelerated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (aCLL) . Methods: From January 2020 to October 2022, the data of 13 patients diagnosed with aCLL at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed to explore the clinical and molecular biological characteristics of aCLL. Results: The median age of the patients was 54 (35-72) years. Prior to aCLL, five patients received no treatment for CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), while the other patients received treatment, predominantly with BTK inhibitors. The patients were diagnosed with aCLL through pathological confirmation upon disease progression. Six patients exhibited bulky disease (lesions with a maximum diameter ≥5 cm). Positron emission tomography (PET) -computed tomography (CT) images revealed metabolic heterogeneity, both between and within lesions, and the median maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the lesion with the most elevated metabolic activity was 6.96 (2.51-11.90). Patients with unmutated IGHV CLL accounted for 76.9% (10/13), and the most frequent genetic and molecular aberrations included +12 [3/7 (42.9% ) ], ATM mutation [6/12 (50% ) ], and NOTCH1 mutation [6/12 (50% ) ]. Twelve patients received subsequent treatment. The overall response rate was 91.7%, and the complete response rate was 58.3%. Five patients experienced disease progression, among which two patients developed Richter transformation. Patients with aCLL with KRAS mutation had worse progression-free survival (7.0 month vs 26.3 months, P=0.015) . Conclusion: Patients with aCLL exhibited a clinically aggressive course, often accompanied by unfavorable prognostic factors, including unmutated IGHV, +12, ATM mutation, and NOTCH1 mutation. Patients with CLL/SLL with clinical suspicion of disease progression, especially those with bulky disease and PET-CT SUVmax ≥5, should undergo biopsy at the site of highest metabolic uptake to establish a definitive pathological diagnosis.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics* ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Biopsy ; Disease Progression

Aim To investigate the role of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - associated postinterstitial pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Methods The mouse model of RA was constructed by subcutaneous administration of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and chicken II collagen (Col-II) to the tail root of mice. The blank group was given the same amount of distilled water, and the control group was given the same amount of glacial acetic acid (solvent). The degree of toe swelling (joint swelling degree and arthritis index) was monitored to evaluate the mouse modeling. The pathological changes of mouse lung tissues were observed by HE and Masson staining. The expression of TGF-β in lung tissues were observed by immunohistochemical staining. The level of hydroxyproline in lung tissues was measured by chemiluminescence method. The expressions of Smad2, Smad3 and phosphorylated p-Smad2 and phosphorylated p-Smad3 in lung tissues were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with blank group and solvent group, the joint swelling and arthritis index of model group significantly increased. Twenty-one days after administration, HE staining showed inflammatory changes in lung interstitium of the model group, Masson staining showed collagen fiber deposition and obvious fibrosis in lung interstitium of the model group, and immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of TGF-β in cytoplasm of lung interstitial cells of the model group increased, which was brown and yellow. Meanwhile, hydroxyproline was significantly raised in lung tissue homogenate of the model group. Further WB analysis showed that compared with blank group and solvent group, the expression of p-Smad2 and pSmad3 in lung tissues of the model group was significantly up-regulated (P < 0. 05, P < 0. 01). Conclusions RA can give rise to pulmonary fibrosis, and the expressions of p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 are up-regulated, which is be pivotal in pulmonary fibrosis and RA-related post-interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.