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Melanoma is characterized by high malignancy, ranking the third among skin malignancies, and is associated with lack of specific treatment options and poor prognosis. Therefore, the development of effective therapies for melanoma is imperative. A critical challenge in addressing subcutaneous disease lies in overcoming the skin barrier. In this study, we engineered a microneedle (MN) system that integrates chemotherapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), and targeted therapy to enhance anti-tumor efficacy while effectively penetrating the skin barrier. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the MN drug delivery system (DDS) can effectively penetrate the stratum corneum of the skin, deliver therapeutics to subcutaneous tumor sites, and establish a drug reservoir at these locations to exert anti-tumor effects. Cellular experiments indicated that the engineered PTT chemotherapy-targeted MNs can be internalized by tumor cells, exhibiting enhanced cytotoxicity against them. In vivo pharmacological investigations revealed that the combination of PTT and chemotherapy delivered via this MN DDS produced synergistic anti-tumor effects, achieving a tumor inhibition rate of up to 98.15%. This in situ DDS minimizes involvement with other organs, significantly reducing chemotherapy-related side effects. In summary, the PTT chemotherapy-targeted MNs developed in this study demonstrate promising application potential by enhancing anti-tumor efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.

Objective:To understand the relationship between sleep duration and cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities (CMM) in middle-aged and elderly people in China.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study, based on the data of China Health and Retirement Tracing Survey (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2015, and included middle-aged and elderly people aged≥45 years in the cohort study. Age, gender, marital status, residence, education, smoking status, alcohol status, body mass index, history of diabetes, history of dyslipidemia, history of hypertension, history of stroke, history of heart disease, history of mental illness, depression scale score were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between daily sleep duration and the risk of CMM onset and to construct four models with stepwise adjusted covariates. A stratified analysis was established based on demographic factors, lifestyle factors, metabolic factors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular factors, and psychological factors. Meanwhile, a subgroup analysis was established according to different combinations of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases to explore the association between sleep length and the risk of CMM in different populations.Results:A total of 297 (4.4%) of the 6 788 included participants experienced CMM. In the multivariate logistic regression, the RR value (95% CI) for the risk of CMM for>9 h was 1.99 (1.86-2.08) and 1.78 (1.64-1.92), respectively (all P<0.001). The stratified analysis showed that the risk of CMM incidence between sleep duration<7 h and>9 h was associated in people with different age, sex, residence, smoking status, drinking status, body mass index, hypertension, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dyslipidemia, and depression (all P<0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that sleep duration<7 h with both diabetes, heart disease and stroke had the highest risk of CMM ( RR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.65-2.14). Conclusion:In the middle-aged and elderly group in China, there is a U-shaped association between sleep duration and CMM, that is, insufficient or too long sleep duration throughout the day is related to the increased risk of CMM.

Objective:To understand the consultation for post-exposure prophylaxis(PEP) services and their related factors among college students who were at high risk for HIV infection in Hangzhou,and to provide a reference basis for formulating an intervention model for college students at high risk of HIV infection.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2022, and March 2023, in 5 different types of schools in Hangzhou. The subjects should meet the inclusion criteria of age between 18 years and 24 years old self-reported having ever had sex in the past. The sample size was estimated at 864. An online survey was conducted among college students by questionnaire star of an online survey platform to collect their demographic information, sexual behavior characteristics, HIV test status, and consultation for PEP services. The HIV infection risk among participants was evaluated according to their sexual behavior. The consultation for PEP services and the related factors of college students who were at high risk for HIV infection were analyzed.Results:A total of 20 973 college students were surveyed, and 2 291 who have ever had sex were recruited in the study. The proportion assessed as being at high risk for HIV infection was 43.47% (996/2 291), and the proportion of consultation for PEP services was 9.24% (92/996). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that among college students who were at high risk for HIV infection, the positive related factors of consultation for PEP services included knowing about PEP services (a OR=17.49, 95% CI: 7.98-38.36) ,having HIV tests (a OR=3.92, 95% CI: 2.08-7.42) and access to condoms on campus (a OR=3.38, 95% CI: 2.02-5.65), and the negative related factor was homosexual orientation (a OR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.06-0.91). Conclusions:Among college students who were at high risk for HIV infection, the proportion of consultation for PEP services was at a lower level. It is necessary to strengthen further the health education of PEP services knowledge among college students, improve the PEP services system, and promote the utilization of PEP services to reduce new HIV infections among college students.

Objective:To analyze the utilization of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) service against HIV and related factors in young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Hangzhou.Methods:A cross-sectional study design was used in this questionnaire survey in young MSM recurited through local MSM social organization in Hangzhou from September 2022 to March 2023. The estimated sample size was 242. The information about the social-demographic characteristics, behavioral characteristics, utilization of the post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) service, awareness and utilization of PrEP service of the young MSM were collected. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors of the PrEP utilization.Results:A total of 273 young MSM aged 16- 24 years were surveyed in the study. A total for 20.1% (55/273) of them had used PrEP service. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the factors related to PrEP service utilization included age 16-20 years (a OR=3.03, 95% CI:1.12-8.20), education level of senior high school or below (a OR=2.83, 95% CI:1.09-7.35), full-time/part-time work (a OR=3.25, 95% CI: 1.26-8.38), homosexual activity in the past 6 months (a OR=6.71, 95% CI:1.84-24.55), inquiring medical staff about PrEP (a OR=4.71, 95% CI:1.99-11.13) and PEP service use (a OR=6.09, 95% CI:2.69-13.81). Conclusions:The utilization rate of PrEP service was low in young MSM in Hangzhou. It is necessary to strengthen the health education about PrEP and improve the undertanding of PrEP and service capability of medical staff to promote the utilization of PrEP service in young MSM.

OBJECTIVE T o analyze the distribution and clinical characteristics of carbapenem-resistant organisms(CRO)in the intestinal and respiratory tracts of high-risk ICU patients,and to evaluate the effectiveness of two screening methods:plate screening and Gene Xpert Carba(hereinafter referred to as Xpert Carba).METHODS In-testinal samples(anal swabs,feces)and respiratory samples(sputum,lavage fluid)from 320 patients admitted to the ICU ward of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from Apr.2023 to Dec.2024 were collected.Plate screening and Xpert Carba methods were used for active screening of CRO strains,and clinical data of patients were collected through electronic medical records.RESULTS The plate screening results indicated that 70 out of 573 samples from 320 patients tested positive for CRO,with a positive rate of 12.22％(70/573).The positive rates for anal swabs,feces,sputum and lavage fluid were 9.26％(20/216),10.39％(8/77),13.02％(22/169)and 18.02％(20/111),respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rates among different sample types.The predominant CRO-positive organisms detected were Klebsiella pneumoniae in intestinal samples and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in respiratory samples.Among 361 intestinal and respiratory samples tested from 88 patients,plate screening and Xpert Carba screening showed the positive rates of 14.40％(52/361)and 6.37％(23/361),respectively.Analysis of the clinical characteristics of the 31 CRO-posi-tive patients revealed that they were predominantly elderly(average age 69 years),with 51.61％(16/31)having a history of interdepartmental transfers and 48.39％(15/31)having surgerical history.The mechanical ventilation usage rate in the respiratory positive group(58.82％,10/17)was higher than that in the intestinal positive group(0,0/7)and the dual positive group(14.28％,1/7).Compared with Xpert Carba,plate screening had lower screening costs,higher positive rates across different sample types and a broader range of detected bacterial species.CONCLUSIONS The ICU ward is a high-prevalence area for CRO strains,with K.pneumoniae(from in-testinal samples)and P.aeruginosa(from respiratory samples)showing the highest isolation rates.Plate screen-ing boasts lower costs,higher detection rate and broader bacterial species coverage for active screening of CRO strains in the intestinal and respiratory tracts of high-risk ICU patients.

Objective:To quantitatively detect plasma ceramide (Cer) levels using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and analyze plasma ceramide levels in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) patients.Methods:A case-control study was conducted. Plasma samples were collected from 70 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the Health Check-Up Center of Suzhou Municipal Hospital between October 2023 and December 2023, as well as from 34 HoFH patients (including 11 patients with concomitant coronary artery disease) who were treated in the Cardiology Department of the same hospital during the same period. Deuterated isotopes were used as internal standards, and a Phenomenex Kinetex C18 column (2.1×100 mm, 2.6 μm) was employed for separation. An LC-MS/MS method was developed using an AB Sciex 6500+triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for the detection of ceramides, followed by method validation. Additionally, the differences in ceramide levels among healthy individuals, HoFH patients, and HoFH patients with concomitant coronary artery disease were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of various ceramides for HoFH.Results:A method for the quantification of 9 plasma ceramides was established, showing excellent linearity ( r>0.99), precision (1.8%-11.0%), and recovery rates (89.9%-114.7%), meeting the requirements for detection. Compared to the control group, the HoFH group exhibited significantly higher levels of Cer(d18∶1/14∶0), Cer(d18∶1/16∶0), Cer (d18∶1/18∶0), Cer (d18∶1/18∶1), Cer (d18∶1/20∶0), Cer(d18∶1/22∶0), Cer(d18∶1/24∶0), and Cer(d18∶1/24∶1) ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis revealed that Cer(d18∶1/18∶0) had the highest diagnostic value for HoFH, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83, a cutoff value of 64.6 ng/ml, and sensitivity and specificity of 82.4% and 87.1%, respectively. In HoFH patients complicated with coronary artery disease, the plasma ceramide levels of Cer(d18∶1/18∶0) [(155.7±25.1) ng/ml vs (103.0±11.1) ng/ml, P=0.03] and the ratio of Cer (d18∶1/18∶0) to Cer(d18∶1/24∶0) (0.077±0.012 vs 0.048±0.006, P=0.03) were significantly higher than in HoFH patients without coronary artery disease. Conclusion:A quantitative LC-MS/MS method was developed for detecting ceramides in human plasma, which shows potential diagnostic value for patients with HoFH.

Objective: To analyze the infection characteristics of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Hangzhou City, so as to provide the reference for effective AIDS intervention. Methods: Newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Hangzhou City in 2022 were recruited. Demographic information, HIV testing status, infection routes and sexual behaviors were collected using questionnaire surveys. Blood samples were collected before antiviral treatment, and HIV-1 pol gene sequences were detected to construct molecular transmission networks. The characteristics of HIV/AIDS cases, including infection routes, time, and location were analyzed. Factors affecting infection time and location among HIV/AIDS cases were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 007 HIV/AIDS cases were reported in Hangzhou City in 2022, with 907 cases (90.07%) completing questionnaire surveys. Among them, 833 were males (91.84%), and 532 had out-of-province household registrations (58.65%). Ninety-one molecular transmission networks were established, and 276 cases were involved, with homosexual contact as the main infection route (199 cases, 72.10%). There were 311 recently infected cases (35.34%) and 569 previously infected cases (64.66%) among 880 cases whose infection time could be determined. There were 531 locally infected. cases (70.24%) and 225 imported cases (29.76%) among 756 cases whose infection location could be determined. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the HIV/AIDS cases who were identified through voluntary counseling and testing (OR=1.826, 95%CI: 1.055-3.175) and sought sexual partners through homosexual dating apps (OR=2.461, 95%CI: 1.193-5.234) were more likely to be recently infected; the cases who lived in Hangzhou City for more than one year (>1 to 5 years, OR=2.853, 95%CI: 1.552-5.358; >5 years, OR=3.534, 95%CI: 1.382-9.804), sought sexual partners through entertainment venues (OR=3.449, 95%CI: 1.390-8.935), online/social apps (OR=2.416, 95%CI: 1.084-5.488) and homosexual dating apps (OR=3.734, 95%CI: 1.677-8.493) were more likely to be locally infected; student cases were more likely to be infected outside Hangzhou City (OR=0.115, 95%CI: 0.019-0.525). Conclusions The newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Hangzhou City in 2022 were primarily infected through homosexual contact, previously and locally. Seeking sexual partners through homosexual dating apps is an important influencing factor for recent and local infections, highlighting the need for strengthening traceback investigations of related cases.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Jincheng between 2015 and 2020. Methods Clinical data of 8,578 medical check-ups at Physical Examination Center of ou hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively selected. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the last 5 years was recorded, and Logistic regression was utilized to identify the risk factors for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Results The overall prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Jincheng was 14.57% in 2015-2020. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was higher in men than in women (16.99% vs 10.98%) and highest in the 40-59 age group (18.76%). No statistical difference was reported in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) between groups (P>0.05), while statistical difference was found in diabetes, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, weekly exercise frequency, daily vegetable intake, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and uric acid (UA) between two groups (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis denoted that BMI (OR=2.794, 95% CI: 1.745-4.550), waist circumference (OR=2.586, 95% CI: 1.585-4.299), diabetes (OR=0.644, 95% CI: 1.425-2.781), hypertension (OR=1.479, 95% CI: 1.121-2.290), weekly exercise ≥6h (OR=0.617, 95% CI: 0.519-0.709), daily vegetable intake ≥300g (OR=0.590, 95% CI: 0.467-0.652), TG (OR=1.481, 95% CI: 1.122-1.996), TC (OR=1.562, 95% CI:1.143-2.135), LDL-C (OR=1.440, 95% CI: 1.139-2.048), HDL-C (OR=0.656 , 95% CI: 0.587-0.783) , ALT (OR=1.591, 95% CI: 1.056-2.183), and UA (OR=1.412, 95% CI: 1.009-1.887) were risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (P<0.05) . Conclusion The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Jincheng City from 2015 to 2020 is 14.57%, the prevalence of males is higher than that of females, and the prevalence rate is the highest in the 40-59 age group. Moreover , diabetes mellitus , hypertension , BMI , waist circumference , weekly exercise , daily vegetable intake , serum TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, ALT, and UA are all associated with the risk of the disease.

Objective:To understand the consultation for post-exposure prophylaxis(PEP) services and their related factors among college students who were at high risk for HIV infection in Hangzhou,and to provide a reference basis for formulating an intervention model for college students at high risk of HIV infection.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2022, and March 2023, in 5 different types of schools in Hangzhou. The subjects should meet the inclusion criteria of age between 18 years and 24 years old self-reported having ever had sex in the past. The sample size was estimated at 864. An online survey was conducted among college students by questionnaire star of an online survey platform to collect their demographic information, sexual behavior characteristics, HIV test status, and consultation for PEP services. The HIV infection risk among participants was evaluated according to their sexual behavior. The consultation for PEP services and the related factors of college students who were at high risk for HIV infection were analyzed.Results:A total of 20 973 college students were surveyed, and 2 291 who have ever had sex were recruited in the study. The proportion assessed as being at high risk for HIV infection was 43.47% (996/2 291), and the proportion of consultation for PEP services was 9.24% (92/996). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that among college students who were at high risk for HIV infection, the positive related factors of consultation for PEP services included knowing about PEP services (a OR=17.49, 95% CI: 7.98-38.36) ,having HIV tests (a OR=3.92, 95% CI: 2.08-7.42) and access to condoms on campus (a OR=3.38, 95% CI: 2.02-5.65), and the negative related factor was homosexual orientation (a OR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.06-0.91). Conclusions:Among college students who were at high risk for HIV infection, the proportion of consultation for PEP services was at a lower level. It is necessary to strengthen further the health education of PEP services knowledge among college students, improve the PEP services system, and promote the utilization of PEP services to reduce new HIV infections among college students.