Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Zhejiang Province from 2019 to 2023, so as to provide the reference for strengthening SFTS prevention and control. Methods: Data on laboratory-confirmed SFTS cases in Zhejiang Province from 2019 to 2023 were collected through the Infectious Disease Reporting Information System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Meteorological data, geographic environment and socioeconomic factors during the same period were collected from the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Geospatial Data Cloud, and Zhejiang Statistical Yearbook, respectively. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of SFTS from 2019 to 2023, and a Bayesian spatio-temporal model was constructed to analyze the influencing factors of SFTS incidence. Results: A total of 578 SFTS cases were reported in Zhejiang Province from 2019 to 2023, with an annual average incidence of 0.23/105. The peak period was from May to July, accounting for 52.60%. There were 309 males and 269 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.15∶1. The cases were mainly aged 50-<80 years, farmers, and in rural areas, accounting for 82.53%, 77.34%, and 75.43%, respectively. Taizhou City and Shaoxing City reported more SFTS cases, while Shaoxing City and Zhoushan City had higher annual average incidences of SFTS. The Bayesian spatio-temporal interaction model showed good goodness of fit. The results showed that mean temperature (RR=1.626, 95%CI: 1.111-2.378) and mean wind speed (RR=1.814, 95%CI: 1.321-2.492) were positively correlated with SFTS risk, while altitude (RR=0.432, 95%CI: 0.230-0.829) and population density (RR=0.443, 95%CI: 0.207-0.964) were negatively correlated with SFTS risk. Conclusions SFTS in Zhejiang Province peaks from May to July. Middle-aged and elderly people and farmers are high-risk populations. Taizhou City, Shaoxing City, and Zhoushan City are high-incidence areas. Mean temperature, mean wind speed, altitude, and population density can all affect the risk of SFTS incidence.

Objective To investigate occupational exposure levels of lead, arsenic and cadmium in the lead smelting plant of Hunan Shui Kou Shan Nonferrous Metals Group Co. Ltd., analyze their effects on health of employees, and compare the applicability of different occupational health risk assessment methods, and to provide a basis for prevention and control of occupational exposure risks in enterprises. Methods According to systematic sampling method, 380 employees with lead, arsenic and cadmium exposure (exposure group) and 100 non-exposure employees (non-exposure group) were selected from 2022 to 2024 for on-site investigation of occupational health [concentration time-weighted average (C_TWA)] and physical examination. The risk was evaluated by qualitative assessment method, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inhalation risk assessment method, and the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) semi-quantitative method. The consistency was analyzed by the Kappa test. Results C_TWA values of lead, arsenic, and cadmium in all positions were lower than the occupational exposure limit (OEL). The levels of blood lead, urine arsenic, and urine cadmium, as well as the prevalence of multiple systems in the exposure group were significantly higher than those in the non-exposure group (P<0.05). The proportions of chronic lead, arsenic, and cadmium poisoning were increasing year by year in the exposure group (P<0.05). The qualitative assessment method mainly indicated low and medium risk, while the EPA and MOM methods mainly indicated medium and high risk, with good agreement between the two methods (Kappa=0.676, P<0.05). Conclusion Although the enterprise meets the C_TWA standards, there are still occupational health risks of lead, arsenic, and cadmium. The EPA inhalation risk assessment method is more applicable.

Driven by policy initiatives promoting the integration of digital-intelligent technologies with primary healthcare and the digital transformation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Smart TCM has emerged as a pivotal strategy for enhancing primary healthcare services for major chronic diseases. This paper reviews the current status, challenges, and feasible pathways of Smart TCM in community-level management of cardiovascular–cerebrovascular diseases and tumors, which represent major chronic disease burdens. Our findings indicate that Smart TCM demonstrates emerging potential in primary healthcare for chronic diseases across the entire continuum of “prevention-screening-diagnosis-treatment-management.” However, several significant challenges persist, including data silos and security vulnerabilities, limited applicability of existing models to real-world clinical needs, and insufficient digital literacy among primary healthcare physicians and elderly patients. To address these constraints, this paper proposes a multidimensional strategy encompassing the development of secure and interoperable regional data platforms, lightweight intelligent devices and support services aligned with primary care capacity, unified technical and data standards with corresponding quality control systems, adaptive and dynamically updated artificial intelligent models, interdisciplinary workforce training and patient education programs, and enhanced policy and health insurance support. Overall, Smart TCM shows great promise for improving the efficiency of primary healthcare delivery and establishing innovative TCM-based chronic disease management paradigms.

Objective To enhance the gamma spectrometry analysis and detection capabilities of personnel in measuring radionuclides in bio-ash, and ensure the accuracy and precision of gamma spectrometer in our laboratory for the analysis of radionuclides in bio-ash. Methods The laboratory participated in the 2024 national interlaboratory comparison for radionuclide measurement in bio-ash. Radionuclides ²⁴¹Am, ¹³⁷Cs, and ⁴⁰K in four different bio-ash samples were measured. Based on the measurement methods specified in GB/T 16145—2022, sample measurement, result calculation, and uncertainty evaluation were performed using spectrometry analysis software and sourceless efficiency calibration software. The measurement results and performance evaluation of the laboratory in the comparison were analyzed, and factors affecting gamma-spectrometry measurement and result interpretation were discussed. Results The relative deviation (D) of the measurement results for radionuclides ²⁴¹Am and ¹³⁷Cs in the four bio-ash samples ranged from −10.2% to 2.0% and −1.7% to 0.3%, respectively. The P statistic ranged from 7.0% to 12.5% and 5.0% to 10.8%, respectively. These results met the criteria of |D| ≤ 20% (MARB), |D| ≤ 2.58P, and P ≤ 20% (MARB). The ζ-scores for the measurement of ⁴⁰K in the four bio-ash samples ranged from 0.8 to 1.3, satisfying the criterion of |ζ| < 2. All measurement results in this laboratory in the comparison were satisfactory. Conclusion The laboratory uses a high-purity germanium gamma spectrometer to measure radionuclides in bio-ash. The self-absorption correction method, analysis method, and uncertainty evaluation are appropriate, which can ensure the accuracy and precision of the measurement results. The measurement results are accurate and reliable.

ObjectiveTo identify the active components in Maimendong decoction (MMDD) against pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and validate their molecular effects in vitro, while focusing on the role of methylophiopogonanone B in regulating fibrosis.MethodsData on MMDD components and targets were gathered from databases including BATMAN-TCM and PubMed, whereas the PF gene data were sourced from GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD. Shared targets were determined using the STRING database, and molecular docking was used to analyze the essential molecules associated with fibrosis. To simulate PF conditions, human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HPF) and A549 cells were exposed to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Various assays were used to determine the effects of MMDD and methylophiopogonanone B on signaling pathways, apoptosis, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition.ResultsWe identified 11 active components from MMDD extracts that targeted 511 shared proteins associated with PF, revealing 10 key targets in network analysis. Gene ontology analysis indicated that processes and pathways such as apoptosis regulation and PI3K/Akt signaling were involved. In vitro experiments revealed that MMDD downregulated the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I (COL-I), and collagen type III and regulated Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways to promote apoptosis. The flow cytometry apoptosis assay revealed that MMDD promoted the TGF-β1-induced apoptosis of myofibroblasts. The primary active ingredient in MMDD, methylophiopogonanone B, reduced α-SMA, COL-I, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related protein levels in TGF-β1-treated HPF cells, decreased Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase 3, and increased Bax. Moreover, methylophiopogonanone B increased E-cadherin levels and reduced α-SMA, fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, and snail in TGF-β1-treated A549 cells.ConclusionMethylophiopogonanone B demonstrated the potential to treat PF by inducing myofibroblast apoptosis and inhibiting EMT. However, despite encouraging initial results, further clinical research is warranted to verify the safety and efficacy of methylophiopogonanone B in the management of PF

Objective To examine the correlation between fetal rectal ampulla diameter and gestational age,and to establish reference value ranges for low-risk fetuses between 18 and 40 weeks of gestation in Yibin region.Methods A total of 1,103 low-risk singleton pregnant women between 18 and 40 weeks of gestation were recruited from five hospitals in Yibin City(the Second People's Hospital,the First People's Hospital,the Fifth People's Hospital,the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Yibin City,and the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Cuiping District)for routine level Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ prenatal ultrasound screening from October 2022 to March 2024.Fetal rectal ampulla diameters,including anteroposterior diameter,transverse diameter,and area,were measured using prenatal ultrasound.The normality of these measurements was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test.Scatter plots depicting the relationship between fetal rectal ampulla diameter parameters and gestational age were generated using the"Overlap Scatter Plot"function in SPSS.Percentiles were calculated using the"Explore"function in SPSS,with reference value ranges described by P5,P10,P50,P90,and P95.Results The visual-ization rate of the fetal rectal ampulla diameter was 55%at 18～20 weeks of gestation,100%at 21～37 weeks,and 96%at greater than 37 weeks.The fetal rectal ampulla diameter exhibited a significant positive correlation with gestational age(r=0.925～0.949,P<0.01).Conclusions Prenatal ultrasound measurement of fetal rectal ampulla diameter demonstrates a robust correlation with gestational age.The reference intervals for the rectal ampulla diameter of low-risk fetuses between 18 and 40 weeks of gestation,established in this study,may offer valuable theoretical guidance for prenatal diagnosis of fetal rectal and anal abnormalities in Yibin region.

Objective To evaluate the applicability and guideline concordance of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology(CSCO)arti-ficial intelligence(AI)system in clinical decision-making for colorectal cancer(CRC)patients,and to explore its feasibility in real-world clinical applications.Methods A total of 972 CRC patients diagnosed and treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine,from January 2010 to December 2021,were included.Patient data were analyzed by the CSCO AI system to gener-ate treatment decisions,and decision concordance was assessed by a blinded independent central review(BICR)panel.The applicability and guideline concordance rates of the CSCO AI system were calculated for different treatment stages,and a logistic regression model was used to analyze factors influencing the system's decision discrepancies with actual treatments.Results The overall applicability rate of the CSCO AI system was 96.2%,and the overall guideline concordance rate was 94.9%.In the adjuvant and palliative treatment stages,the system's applicability rates were 95.8%and 96.7%,respectively,and the guideline concordance rates were 95.0%and 94.9%,respective-ly.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age≥65 years and high-risk stage Ⅱ treatment were significant factors affecting guideline concordance in the adjuvant treatment stage(both P<0.05).Conclusions The CSCO AI system demonstrated high applicability and guideline concordance in the adjuvant and palliative treatment stages for CRC.The system's clinical decision-making potential is sig-nificant,and it can be further optimized for specific clinical scenarios and promoted for use across various medical institutions.

Rice is the world's largest food crop, and its yield and quality are directly related to food security and human health. Grain size, as one of the important factors determining the rice yield, has been widely concerned by breeders and researchers for a long time. To decipher the regulatory mechanism of rice grain size, we obtained a multi-tiller, dwarf, and small-grain mutant htd1 by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutation from the Japonica rice cultivar 'Zhonghua 11' ('ZH11'). Genetic analysis indicated that the phenotype of htd1 was controlled by a single recessive gene. Using the mutation site map (Mutmap) method, we identified the candidate gene OsHTD1, which encoded a carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase involved in the biosynthesis of strigolactone (SL). The SL content in htd1 was significantly lower than that in 'ZH11'. Cytological analysis showed that the grain size of the mutant decreased due to the reductions in the length and width of glume cells. The function of htd1 was further verified by the CRISPR/cas9 gene editing technology. The plants with the gene knockout exhibited similar grain size to the mutant. In addition, gene expression analysis showed that the expression levels of multiple grain size-related genes in the mutant changed significantly, suggesting that HTD1 may interact with other genes regulating grain size. This study provides a new theoretical basis for research on the regulatory mechanism of rice grain size and potential genetic resources for breeding the rice cultivars with high yields.
Oryza/growth & development* ; Mutation ; Edible Grain/growth & development* ; Alleles ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Dioxygenases/genetics* ; Lactones/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genes, Plant ; Gene Editing ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Phenotype

Objective:To analyze the role of interleukin-33(IL-33)in the occurrence and development of glioma and its related mechanism by bioinformatics technology,and to validate it through histopathological experiments,and to discuss the possibility of IL-33 as an auxiliary marker for the diagnosis and treatment of brain glioma.Methods:The glioblastoma multiforme/lower grade glioma(GBMLGG)case data were downloaded from the UCSC XENA database,including data of 689 glioma samples,5 paracancerous samples,and 1 152 normal brain tissue samples;Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the difference in the expression of IL-33 mRNA between the GBMLGG samples and the normal brain tissues;according to the expression level of IL-33 in GBMLGG tissue,the tumor samples were divided into IL-33 low expression group and IL-33 high expression group;the Human Protein Atlas(HPA)was used to validate the difference in the protein expression of IL-33 in the GBMLGG samples;the R language DESeq2(v.1.36.0)package was used to screen the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in the GBMLGG tumor case samples;Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)signaling pathway enrichment analysis were used to perform pathway analysis on the DEGs;Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)was used to discuss the pathways significantly enriched by IL-33 in the GBMLGG tissues;GSVA package was used to analyze the immune infiltration in the GBMLGG samples;survival package and survminer package were used to analyze the effect of IL-33 expression level on the survival of the patients in different clinical subgroups of GBMLGG;univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the relationship between IL-33 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of the GBMLGG patients;the GBMLGG and control tissue samples were collected;immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of IL-33 and its receptor suppression of tumorigenicity 2(ST2)in the GBMLGG and normal brain tissue samples.Results:The expression levels of IL-33 mRNA and protein in the GBMLGG tissues were significantly increased compared with those in normal brain tissues;there were 634 DEGs in total between the IL-33 low and high expression groups,including 283 up-regulated DEGs and 351 down-regulated DEGs;the GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the DEGs were associated with biological behaviors such as activation of the classical pathway of complement,immunoglobulin complex formation,and mediated immunoglobulin receptor binding;in the course of GBMLGG development,high expression of IL-33 could degrade valine,leucine,and isoleucine,induce limonene and pinene degradation,promote propanoate metabolism,and simultaneously activate the Leishmania infection pathway,NOD-like receptor signaling pathway,and allograft rejection pathway;the infiltration levels of dendritic cell(DC)and mast cell in the IL-33 high expression group were higher than those in IL-33 low expression group;the infiltration levels of eosinophil,helper T cell,and central memory T cell(Tcm)were lower than those in IL-33 low expression group;the expression level of IL-33 was positively correlated with the infiltration of γδT cell(Tgd),helperT cell,macrophage,eosinophil,Tcm,and effector memory T cell(Tem)(P＜0.05);it was negatively correlated with the infiltration levels of DC,natural killer cell(NK),CD8+T cell,and CD56bright NK cell(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the overall survival(OS),disease-specific survival(DSS),and disease-free interval(DFI)of the GBMLGG patients between IL-33 high expression group and IL-33 low expression group(P＞0.05);the clinical subgroup analysis results showed that the expression level of IL-33 in oligodendrocytoma tissues was lower than those in astrocytoma and oligoastrocytoma tissues,and the expression level of IL-33 in glioblastoma tissues was higher than that in oligodendroglioma tissues.World Health Organization(WHO)stage and age were risk factors affecting the prognosis of the GBMLGG patients,and IDH mutation and primary treatment effect were protective factors affecting the prognosis;The immunohistochemical staining results showed that compared with normal brain tissues,the expression levels of IL-33 and its receptor ST2 proteins in the malignant glioma tissues were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and their expression levels were positively correlated in both normal brain tissues and malignant glioma tissues(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The expression level of IL-33 in the glioma tissue is significantly increased,and high expression of IL-33 may be a potential factor for poor prognosis in the glioma patients.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of azacitidine combined with CAG regimen in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who are not suitable for intensive chemotherapy.Methods:A retrospective case-series study was conducted. A total of 67 AML patients with newly diagnosed elderly, treatment-related secondary and myelodysplastic syndromes or myeloproliterative neoplasms primary transformation who were not suitable for intensive chemotherapy were selected from Heze Municipal Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023. Azacitidine combined with CAG regimen was given for treatment, and the efficacy and adverse reactions of the patients were observed.Results:Among the 67 patients, there were 32 females and 35 males with the median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 68 (65, 72) years old. There were 40 cases in the high-risk group, 13 cases in the medium-risk group, and 14 cases in the low-risk group. After 1 course of treatment with azacitidine combined with CAG regimen, the overall response rate (ORR) was 38.8% (26/67), with a complete remission (CR) rate of 20.9% (14/67), a complete remission rate with incomplete recovery of blood cell count (CRi) of 11.9% (8/67), and a partial remission (PR) rate of 6.0% (4/67). After 4 courses of treatment, the ORR was 59.7% (40/67), with a CR rate of 56.7% (38/67) and a CRi rate of 3.0% (2/67). There were no PR patients. All patients in the low-risk and medium risk groups achieved at least CRi, while the ORR in the high-risk group was 40.0% (16/40). There was a statistically significant difference in efficacy between different risk groups ( P < 0.001). The patient had mild adverse reactions, mainly pain and grade 1-2 hematological adverse reactions. Conclusions:AML patients who are intolerant to intensive chometherapy are effectively treated with azacitidine combined with CAG regimen, and the adverse reactions are mild.