Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health threat. The World Health Organization (WHO) 2020–2024 global TB reports provide a comprehensive overview of the TB situation from 2019 to 2023. In 2023, TB re-emerged as the world's leading infectious killer, with an estimated 10.8 million new cases. While the growth in the incidence rate slowed, the number of deaths decreased to 1.25 million. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted TB control efforts in 2020–2021. As control measures are gradually restored, a positive trend in TB control is emerging. However, significant regional disparities in incidence persist, with eight high-burden countries, including India and China, accounting for over two-thirds of the global total. In 2023, global treatment coverage for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) was 44.00% with a treatment success rate of 68.00%; yet, with 400 000 new drug-resistant cases, the control situation remains severe. China has achieved remarkable progress in TB control: new cases fell to 741 000 in 2023 (an incidence of 52 per 100 000); mortality decreased significantly; its share of the global DR-TB burden dropped from 14.00% to 7.30%; and the TB/HIV co-infection rate declined from 1.68% in 2019 to 0.66% in 2023, outperforming the global average. Globally, control measures continue to be optimized: treatment coverage increased from 70.00% in 2019 to 75.00% in 2023, the number of people receiving preventive therapy grew to 4.7 million, and rapid diagnostic coverage reached 48.00%. In China, the number of patients treated recovered to 565 000 in 2023, and rapid diagnostic coverage rose to 74.00%. Although technological innovations have enhanced the efficiency of prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management, achieving the 2030 End TB Strategy goals will require strengthening TB management, building primary healthcare capacity, and targeting interventions for high-risk populations, while balancing resource allocation with technological innovation to address the challenges of a heterogeneous global epidemic.

Several types of arthritis share the common feature that the generation of inflammatory mediators leads to joint cartilage degradation. However, the shared mechanism is largely unknown. H2BK120ub1 was reportedly involved in various inflammatory diseases but its role in the shared mechanism in inflammatory joint conditions remains elusive. The present study demonstrated that levels of cartilage degradation, H2BK120ub1, and its regulator WW domain-containing adapter protein with coiled-coil (WAC) were increased in cartilage in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients as well as in experimental RA and OA mice. By regulating H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3, WAC regulated the secretion of inflammatory and cartilage-degrading factors. WAC influenced the level of H3K27me3 by regulating nuclear entry of the H3K27 demethylase KDM6B, and acted as a key factor of the crosstalk between H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3. The cartilage-specific knockout of WAC demonstrated the ability to alleviate cartilage degradation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) mice. Through molecular docking and dynamic simulation, doxercalciferol was found to inhibit WAC and the development of cartilage degradation in the CIA and CIOA models. Our study demonstrated that WAC is a key factor of cartilage degradation in arthritis, and targeting WAC by doxercalciferol could be a viable therapeutic strategy for treating cartilage destruction in several types of arthritis.

Anxiety disorder is a major symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a comorbidity rate of ~40%. However, the neural mechanisms of the emergence of anxiety in ASD remain unclear. In our study, we found that hyperactivity of basolateral amygdala (BLA) pyramidal neurons (PNs) in Shank3 InsG3680 knock-in (InsG3680^+/+) mice is involved in the development of anxiety. Electrophysiological results also showed increased excitatory input and decreased inhibitory input in BLA PNs. Chemogenetic inhibition of the excitability of PNs in the BLA rescued the anxiety phenotype of InsG3680^+/+ mice. Further study found that the diminished control of the BLA by medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and optogenetic activation of the mPFC-BLA pathway also had a rescue effect, which increased the feedforward inhibition of the BLA. Taken together, our results suggest that hyperactivity of the BLA and alteration of the mPFC-BLA circuitry are involved in anxiety in InsG3680^+/+ mice.
Animals ; Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism* ; Basolateral Nuclear Complex/metabolism* ; Mice ; Anxiety/metabolism* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; Gene Knock-In Techniques ; Pyramidal Cells/physiology* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neural Pathways/physiopathology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microfilament Proteins

OBJECTIVE To analyze the non-genetic risk factors for severe cutaneous adverse reactions （SCARs） related to antiepileptic drugs （AEDs） in HLA-B*15：02 negative patients， and provide a basis for clinical precision medication. METHODS A retrospective case-control design was used to include patients who underwent HLA-B*15：02 testing at our hospital from January 2022 to December 2024. Patients were divided into SCARs group （15 cases who were HLA-B*15：02 negative and diagnosed with SCARs） and control group （38 cases who were HLA-B*15：02 negative and used AEDs）. Risk factors were evaluated using univariate analysis and a multivariable Firth penalty likelihood logistic regression model （Firth regression）， and Benjamin-Hochberg false discovery rate （FDR） and Firth regression were used for correction， and sensitivity analysis was used to quantify the impact of potential biases in carbamazepine exposure rates in the control group on the results. RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that age≥50 years， use of carbamazepine， and combination use of antibiotics/antiviral drugs were risk factors for developing AEDs- related SCARs （OR＝18.15， 7.54， 13.46， 95%CI of 4.13-79.84， 1.89-30.08， 1.36-133.18， all P＜0.05）， while taking lamotrigine was a protective factor [OR＝0.10， 95%CI of 0.02-0.39， P＜0.05]. After FDR correction， the above factors still maintained statistical significance （P＜0.05）. The results of multivariate analysis showed that age≥50 years [adjusted OR＝16.27， 95%CI of 3.98-66.55， P＜0.001] and taking carbamazepine [adjusted OR＝7.11， 95%CI of 1.82-27.85， P＝0.005] were independent risk factors for the occurrence of SCARs-related AEDs. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the adjusted risk OR range for taking carbamazepine was between 14.2 and 28.4. CONCLUSIONS Age≥50 years and use of carbamazepine are independent non- genetic risk factors for the development of SCARs-related AEDs in HLA-B*15：02 negative patients. It is recommended that elderly patients should prioritize the use of AEDs other than carbamazepine.

Objective     To explore the correlation between the imaging features of peripheral ground-glass pulmonary nodules and the invasion degree of lung adenocarcinoma, and the high risk factors for infiltrating lung adenocarcinoma under thin-slice CT, which provides some reference for clinicians to plan the surgical methods of pulmonary nodules before operation and to better communicate with patients, and assists in building a clinical predictive model for invasive adenocarcinoma. Methods    Clinical data of the patients with peripheral ground-glass pulmonary nodules (diameter≤3 cm) in thin-slice chest CT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to January 2020 were continuously collected. All patients underwent thin-slice CT scan and thoracoscopic surgery in our center. According to the pathological examination results, they were divided into two groups: an adenocarcinoma lesions before infiltration group, and an invasive lung adenocarcinoma group. The thin-slice CT imaging parameters of pulmonary nodules were collected. The nodular diameter, mean CT value, consolidation tumor ratio (CTR), nodular shape, vacuolar sign, bronchial air sign, lobulation sign, burr sign, lesion boundary, pleural depression sign, vascular cluster sign and other clinical data were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to analyze the independent risk factors for the infiltrating lung adenocarcinoma, and to analyze the threshold value and efficacy of each factor for the identification of infiltrating lung adenocarcinoma. Results     Finally 190 patients were enrolled. There were 110 patients in the adenocarcinoma lesions before infiltration group, including 21 males and 89 females with a mean age of 53.57±10.90 years, and 80 patients in the invasive lung adenocarcinoma group, including 31 males and 49 females with a mean age of 56.45±11.30 years. There was a statistical difference in the mean CT value, nodular diameter, CTR, gender, smoking, nodular type, nodular shape, vacuolar sign, lobulation sign, burr sign, lesion boundary, pleural depression sign, vascular cluster sign between the two groups (P<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in age (P=0.081), lesion site (P=0.675), and bronchial air sign (P=0.051). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that nodular diameter, mean CT value, CTR and lobulation sign were independent risk factors for differentiating preinvasive adenocarcinoma from invasive adenocarcinoma. At the same time, the threshold value was calculated by Youden index, indicating that the CTR was 0.45, the nodal diameter was 10.5 mm and the mean CT value was –452 Hu. Conclusion     In the peripheral ground-glass pulmonary nodules, according to the patient's CT imaging features, such as mixed ground-glass nodules, irregular shapes, vacuoles, short burrs, clear boundaries, pleural indentations, and vascular clusters, have a certain reference value in the discrimination of the invasion degree of ground-glass pulmonary nodules. At the same time, it is found in this research that peripheral ground-glass pulmonary nodules with diameter greater than 10.5 mm, CT value greater than –452 Hu, CTR greater than 0.45 and lobulation sign are more likely to be infiltrating lung adenocarcinoma.

Objective:To explore the effects of Jianpi Bushen Jiedu Prescription on the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells; To discuss its possible mechanism.Methods:Using human highly metastatic liver cancer cell line (HCCLM3) as the research object, they were randomly divided into control group and TCM group (100, 200, 400, 800, 1 600, 3 200 μg/ml Jianpi Bushen Jiedu Prescription) and Western medicine group (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40 μmol/L sorafenib) using a random number table method. Cell viability was detected using cell counting reagent (CCK-8) method; HCCLM3 cells were divided into control group and TCM (Jianpi Bushen Jiedu Prescription 800 μg/ml) group and combined group (Jianpi Bushen Jiedu Prescription 800 μg/ml +sorafenib 20 μmol/L). Western blot method was used to detect the protein expressions of kinase/signaling transducer and transcriptional activator (JAK2/STAT3) pathway related proteins (p-JAK2, JAK2, p-STAT3, STAT3) in each group.Results:Compared with the control group, viability and mobility of HCCLM cell in TCM group and Western medicine group decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05); compared with the control group, the protein expressions of P-JAK2, JAK2, P-STAT3 and STAT3 in the TCM group and the combined group decreased ( P<0.05), and the JAK2 protein expression in the combined group was lower than that in the TCM group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Jianpi Bushen Jiedu Prescription can inhibit the proliferation and migration of HCC cells by regulating JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of intraoperative prepositioning of dual mediastinal drains in elderly patients developing anastomotic leakage(AL)after a total endoscopic Ivor-Lewis procedure.Methods:This retrospective case-control study analyzed the clinical data of 500 elderly patients who underwent total endoscopic Ivor-Lewis surgery for esophageal or cardia cancer from January 2020 to December 2022.In the control group, one mediastinal drainage tube was placed intraoperatively, while in the study group, two mediastinal drainage tubes were placed.Both groups had a chest tube placed conventionally.The study compared the incidence of anastomotic leak(AL)at 1 month postoperatively, inflammatory indexes in patients with AL, grading of AL, rate of nasal fistula placement, incision infection, anastomotic stenosis, and incidence of hoarseness.Additionally, it compared ICU occupancy, ventilator use, and ICU length of stay between the two groups.Results:The analysis included clinical data from 455 elderly patients.Among the patients who developed AL, the study group had significantly lower peak body temperature[(39.58±1.03)℃ vs.(38.05±0.56)℃, t=4.298, P<0.05], white blood cell count[(18.63±3.35)×10 9/L vs.(14.28±2.78)×10 9/L, t=3.450, P<0.05], and C-reactive protein(CRP)levels[(154.66±41.64)mg/L vs.(122.19±31.29)mg/L, t=2.131, P<0.05]. The study group also had a significantly lower grading of AL and rate of nasal fistula placement(82.4% vs.30.0%, P<0.05). In terms of ICU indicators, the study group had a significantly lower ICU admission rate(64.7% vs.10.0%, P<0.05), shorter period of ventilator use[(6.47±8.15)days vs.(0.90±2.23)days, t=2.62, P<0.05], and shorter ICU stay[(11.70±8.89)days vs.(4.70±6.27)days, t=2.184, P<0.05]. Conclusions:Double mediastinal drainage tubes, have been found to significantly alleviate inflammation, decrease the rate of nasal fistula placement and ICU admission, and shorten the length of ICU stay in elderly patients.Therefore, they are considered safe and deserving of clinical promotion.

OBJECTIVE To systematically review the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in CYP2C19 loss-of-function carriers with mild ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack(TIA). METHODS Databases such as PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang were systematically searched, and the search period was from database establishment to June 2022. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS A total of 2 studies with 7 087 patients were included. Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor reduced the incidence of stroke[RR=0.78, 95%CI(0.66−0.93), I2=0%, P=0.007] and vascular event[RR=0.78, 95%CI(0.66−0.91), I2=0%, P=0.002] in patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA carrying the CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele. The incidence of any bleeding[HR=2.18, 95%CI(1.66−2.85)] and minor bleeding[HR=2.41, 95%CI (1.81−3.20)] in the ticagrelor-aspirin group was higher than that in the clopidogrel-aspirin group, and dyspnea (1.2% vs 0.2%, P<0.001) and arrhythmias(1.7% vs 0.8%, P=0.001) were more common in the ticagrelor-aspirin group than in the clopidogrel-aspirin group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of severe bleeding between the two groups. CONCLUSION Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor reduces the incidence of stroke and vascular events in patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA carrying the CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele, and did not increase the risk of severe bleeding. However, the ticagrelor group had a higher incidence of minor bleeding, dyspnea and arrhythmias.

  Objective  To establish a prediction model for non-curative resection in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and to evaluate its predictive value.  Methods  Clinical data of EGC patients in the Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University from January 2014 to July 2023 were retrospectively collected. According to the postoperative pathological results of ESD, the patients were divided into curative resection group and non-curative resection group. Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors for non-curative resection after ESD surgery and establish a prediction model, and the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves, calibration curves and clinical decision curve analysis.  Results  A total of 479 EGC patients who underwent ESD were included, with 60 cases in the non-curative resection group and 419 cases in the curative resection group. The results of multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that the lesion diameter > 2 cm (OR=3.017, 95% CI: 1.483-6.136, P=0.002), flat lesion morphology (OR=2.712, 95% CI: 0.774-9.497, P=0.043), undifferentiated/mixed histologic type (OR= 4.199, 95% CI: 1.621-10.872, P=0.003), and submucosal infiltration (OR=30.329, 95% CI: 13.059-70.436, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for non-curative resection after ESD in EGC patients. The area under the curve of ROC validated within the column-line graph prediction model constructed accordingly was 0.867 (95% CI: 0.811-0.923), the calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration, and decision curve analysis showed the model had a good clinical usefulness.  Conclusions  The prediction model constructed based on lesion diameter, lesion morphology, histologic type, and depth of mucosal infiltration has good differentiation, calibration, and clinical utility. This model is expected to assist in the early clinical screening of the population at high risk for noncurative resection after ESD in patients with EGC, and to provide a basis for the development of optimal clinical decisions.