Objective To investigate the influencing factors of stroke patients with hypertension and their compliance with antihypertensive drugs, and to provide targeted intervention measures for stroke prevention in hypertensive patients.  Methods Using the method of multi-stage cluster sampling, a total of 59,434 permanent residents aged 40 and above were selected from 48 monitoring sites in 9 cities of Hebei Province from December 2019 to December 2020. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of stroke complicated with hypertension and the compliance of patients with antihypertensive drugs.  Results Among the 59 434 subjects, the prevalence rate of stroke was 4.33% and the prevalence rate of stroke complicated with hypertension was 82.47%. The results of univariate analysis showed that the proportion of women, rural areas, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and people with family history of stroke was higher in stroke patients with hypertension, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that rural areas, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and family history of stroke significantly increased the risk of stroke, and the OR (95%CI) values were 1.29 (1.03-1.62), 1.39 (1.12-1.72), 1.58 (1.25-1.99), 1.61 (1.22-2.12) and 1.60 (1.26-2.04), respectively. Among stroke patients with hypertension, 92.71% of patients took antihypertensive drugs. It was found that women's compliance with antihypertensive drugs was good, with an OR (95%CI) value of 1.46 (1.01-2.09).  Conclusion The prevalence rate of stroke complicated with hypertension is high in people aged 40 and above in Hebei Province. Hypertensive people should lower blood lipids, control blood glucose, and lose weight as soon as possible to prevent the occurrence of stroke.

ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis (hereinafter referred to as brucellosis) in Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, and to provide scientific evidence for adjusting prevention and control strategies. MethodsBased on the surveillance data of reported brucellosis cases in Baoshan City from 2020 to 2023 and the information collected through individual epidemiological questionnaire surveys, the epidemic status and clinical characteristics of brucellosis in Baoshan City were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. ResultsA total of 85 brucellosis cases were reported in Baoshan City from 2020 to 2023, and detailed individual information was obtained for 83 of them. Brucellosis in Baoshan City showed a clear seasonal pattern, with peak incidence from May to September. The average annual incidence rate was 0.80/100 000, with a male-to-female ratio of 7.5∶1. And 82.35% of the cases aged 30 to 60 years, with farmers being the predominant affected group. The main clinical manifestations of the cases were myalgia and arthralgia. Regarding transmission routes, 87.95% of the cases had a contact history with cattle, with livestock rearing and grazing being the main exposure modes. Most infections occurred at home. ConclusionFrom 2020 to 2023, the incidence of brucellosis in Baoshan City exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, with a peak period from May to September. Males and farmers were identified as the primary affected populations. It is recommended to strengthen livestock surveillance and control, and to enhance both awareness and self-protection capacity among high-risk groups.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of interleukin （IL）-17A in acute inhalational pneumonia induced by the highly drug-resistant and hypervirulent Staphylococcus aureus strain USA300-R in mice. MethodsAn acute inhalational pneumonia model was established in mice using an aerosolized pulmonary delivery technique. RNA sequencing （RNA-seq） and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） were employed to examine the expression dynamics of Il17a mRNA and IL-17A protein， respectively， in the lungs of infected mice. Il17a knockout （Il17a^-/-） mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. The survival rate， body weight， bacterial load in lung tissue， and histopathological changes were compared between Il17a^-/- and wild-type （WT） mice following inhalational infection with USA300-R. Results12 hours after USA300-R infection， compared to pre-infection， the expression level of Il17a mRNA in lung tissue and the level of IL-17A protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） increased by approximately 50-fold （P<0.01） and 6-fold （P<0.001）， respectively. Compared to WT mice， Il17a^-/- mice exhibited approximately 10-fold higher bacterial loads in lung tissue at both 12 and 24 hours post-infection （P<0.001， P<0.05）. However， they showed significantly attenuated lung histopathological injury， reduced alveolar wall thickening， markedly decreased neutrophil infiltration， and an approximately 50% improvement in survival rate （P<0.05）. ConclusionIn acute Staphylococcus aureus USA300-R inhalational pneumonia， IL-17A contributes to bacterial clearance by recruiting neutrophils； however， excessive neutrophil infiltration exacerbates pulmonary inflammation and injury， reduces survival rates， and represents a potential therapeutic target.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Xiaoyaosan （JJXYS） on behavioral abnormalities and hippocampal mitochondrial quality control （MQC） in the rat model of post-myocardial infarction depression （PMD） and preliminarily explore its potential mechanism. MethodsA rat model of PMD was established by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. Rats were randomized into a control group， a model group， a fluoxetine （FLX， 10 mg·kg^-1） group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose JJXYS （JJXYS-L/M/H， 1.12， 2.24， 4.48 g·kg^-1， respectively） groups. Depressive-like behaviors were evaluated by body weight monitoring， sucrose preference test， open field test， and forced swimming test. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to observe hippocampal histomorphology and neuronal changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to determine the serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， dopamine （DA）， interleukin-1 beta （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）. The mRNA levels of MQC-related genes including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha （PGC-1α）， nuclear respiratory factor 1 （Nrf1）， and transcription factor A， mitochondrial （TFAM） in the hippocampal tissue were measured by real-time PCR. The expression of proteins related to the dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1）/PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1）/Parkin signaling pathway was determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed restricted body weight gain， aggravated depressive-like behaviors， declined serum 5-HT and DA levels， evident hippocampal neuronal damage and reduced Nissl bodies， as well as downregulated expression of MQC-related genes and proteins （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， both FLX and JJXYS alleviated the above changes to varying degrees. Moreover， the JJXYS-M and JJXYS-H groups showed more pronounced effects， improving behavioral performance， restoring 5-HT and DA levels， alleviating hippocampal pathological injury， and upregulating the expression of PGC-1α/Nrf1/TFAM mRNA and Drp1/PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway-related proteins （P<0.05）. ConclusionJJXYS can significantly alleviate depressive-like behaviors and neurotransmitter imbalance in the rat model of PMD by regulating hippocampal MQC and upregulating the Drp1/PINK1/Parkin-related pathway. This study provides experimental evidence for the intervention of PMD with JJXYS.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of the Wulao Qisun prescription on pathological new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis （AS）. MethodsSynovial fibroblasts were isolated from the hip joints of AS patients and observed under a microscope to assess cell morphology. The cells were identified using immunofluorescence staining. The isolated AS fibroblasts were divided into blank group， low drug-containing serum group， medium drug-containing serum group， high drug-containing serum group， and positive drug group. After drug intervention， cell proliferation was measured using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay to observe fibroblast growth and determine the optimal intervention time. Alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity was measured using the alkaline phosphatase assay. Protein expression of osteocalcin （OCN）， osteopontin （OPN）， and runt-related transcription factor 2 （Runx2） was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a， β-catenin， and Dickkopf-1 （DKK-1） were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， each drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription and the positive drug group inhibited the proliferation of AS fibroblasts and reduced ALP expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription downregulated β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05）. The medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group significantly downregulated Wnt5a and β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the positive drug group showing the most pronounced effect （P<0.01）. The high drug-containing serum group and the positive drug group significantly upregulated DKK-1 mRNA expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription inhibited the expression of OPN and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group inhibited the expression of OCN， OPN， and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Wulao Qisun prescription can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts， thereby delaying the formation of pathological new bone in AS. The possible mechanism involves the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin-related gene expression， further inhibiting the transcription of downstream target genes.

Objective To investigate whether exposure pathways influence the distribution pattern and toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics(PSNPs)in hepatic cells.Methods Male C57BL/6J wild-type healthy mice aged 6 to 8 weeks old and weighed 18 to 22 g were administered with PSNPs via gavage or tail vein injection.Then,we tracked PSNPs distribution in the major organs of mice via an in vivo imaging system(IVIS).After that,we analyzed the cellular accumulation patterns in hepatic cell subpopulations(hepatocytes and Kupffer cells)using immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).300 nm PSNPs were administered via gastric gavage or tail vein injection,and 70 nm PSNPs were injected via the portal vein.The cellular localization of PSNPs in the liver was analyzed using immunofluorescence.Subsequently,using AML-12 cells,a normal mouse liver cell line,as the parenchymal hepatocyte model,the uptake of PSNPs in AML-12 cells was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscope(CLSM).Flow cytometry was performed to observe and quantify PSNPs uptake,and to analyze the underlying endocytosis mechanisms.IVIS was used to analyze PSNPs uptake features in vivo.Finally,using mouse macrophage line RAW264.7 as a Kupffer cell model and AML-12 cells as a parenchymal hepatocyte model,the cell-type-specific toxic effects induced by 100 μg/ml PSNPs were examined through transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses.Results IVIS revealed predominant hepatic accumulation of PSNPs regardless of exposure pathways via intragastric gavage or tail vein injection.Immunofluorescence/TEM demonstrated exposure pathway-dependent cellular distribution:intragastric PSNPs were localized mainly in hepatocytes,while intravenous PSNPs were accumulated in Kupffer cells.Changes in particle size(300 nm vs.70 nm)did not alter the cellular distribution pattern,while 70 nm PSNPs injected via the portal vein accumulated in Kupffer cells,which suggested that the cell-type-specific distribution of PSNPs in the liver was independent of PSNPs size and might be related to the transport of PSNPs in the gastrointestinal tract.Flow cytometry showed that PSNPs uptake by AML-12 was time-dependent and that the underlying endocytosis mechanism involved pathways mediated by clathrin(P<0.000 1),macropinocytosis(P=0.002 6),and lipid rafts(P<0.000 1).Findings on PSNPs distribution in blood revealed that the uptake of PSNPs by hepatocytes exhibited a rate saturation phenomenon.Multi-omics analysis identified distinct toxicity patterns:PSNPs disrupted lipid metabolism and neurotransmitter homeostasis in AML-12 cells and induced inflammation and oxidative stress in Kupffer cells.Conclusion Exposure pathways mediate the hepatic cell-type-specific distribution of PSNPs,thereby altering the downstream toxicological consequences induced by exposure to PSNPs.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of melatonin on the anoikis of melanoma cells.Methods The drug concentration of melatonin inhibiting melanoma cell line B16-F10 was optimized based on the effect on CCK-8 assay.An anti-anoikis of melanoma cell model was developed and divided it into four groups:The blank control group,the TrkB activator group,the melatonin group and the melatonin+TrkB activator group.Calce-in AM/EthD-1 fluorescence double staining was used to detect the anoikis of melanoma cells.Reactive oxygen spe-cies were detected using the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA.Western blot was used to detect the expression of Nrf2 protein and TrkB protein in each group.Results Melatonin significantly inhibited the proliferation of melanoma cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner with IC50 of 1×10-7 μmol/L.Its inhibitory effect was found to be related to in-duction of anoikis of melanoma cells.Melatonin could upregulate the generation of cellular reactive oxygen species(P<0.05),while addition of TrkB activator antagonized this effect.Melatonin could reduce the expression of Nrf2 protein and TrkB protein in melanoma cells(P<0.05),and the addition of TrkB activator could inhibite the effect of melatonin on the expression of Nrf2 protein and TrkB protein(P<0.05).Conclusions Melatonin can inhibit the pro-liferation of melanoma cell line B16-F10 through the mechanism of inducing anoikis.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of atherosclerotic index of plasma(AIP)for the risk of coronary heart disease(CHD)in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 299 patients with NAFLD.Based on presence or absence of CHD,the patients were divided into NAFLD with CHD group(n=177)and NAFLD group(n=122).Clinical data were collected from both groups,and AIP was calculat-ed.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the independent risk factors for CHD in patients with NAFLD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to evalu-ate the predictive value of AIP for the risk of CHD in patients with NAFLD.Results The NAFLD with CHD group had a higher proportion of males,smokers,and higher levels of alanine aminotrans-ferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),fasting plasma glucose(FPG),triglycerides(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),γ-glutamyltransferase(GGT),uric acid(UA),and AIP than the NAFLD group.The NAFLD with CHD group also had lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)than the NAFLD group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that males(OR=2.548,95％CI,1.402 to 4.632,P=0.002),high levels of AST(OR=1.038,95％CI,1.002 to 1.077,P=0.041),high levels of LDL-C(OR=1.811,95％CI,1.242 to 2.640,P=0.002),and high AIP(OR=16.117,95％CI,1.874 to 138.609,P=0.011)were independent risk factors for CHD in patients with NAFLD(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that AIP had an area under the curve of 0.746(95％CI,0.688 to 0.804)for pre-dicting CHD in patients with NAFLD,with a sensitivity of 76.3％and a specificity of 73.0％.Conclusion AIP is an independent influencing factor for CHD in patients with NAFLD and has certain predictive value for the risk of CHD in these patients.

Objective To construct a database for molecular mass spectra of toxins and drugs in order to facilitate the management and retrieval of mass spectra for nerve agents,metabolites and other small molecules.Methods Requirement analysis and functional design were performed using software engineering methods.The Spec2Vec algorithm was used for vector representation of mass spectra,while SMILES molecular structures were vectorized using the extended connectivity fingerprint(ECFP).A data storage model integrating structured information and vector representations was established using the Milvus database.Similarity search of mass spectra and molecular structures was conducted via vector similarity comparison and the FlashEntropySearch algorithm.Results The constructed database of mass spectra encompassed over 400,000 entries from such sources as OCAD,NIST,MASSBANK,metabolic products,and natural products of TCM,which was capable of searching for similarities in mass spectra and molecular structures.On a standard server,similarity search of mass spectra took no more than 5 seconds,while that of molecular structures took no more than 1 second.Conclusion The system enables efficient management of complex mass spectra and provides rapid retrieval and comparison of mass spectra-related information through advanced vector indexing technology,offering robust data support and research tools for toxicology and pharmacology.

Objective To develop a system for retrieving information from clinical records of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)based on generative large language models(LLMs).Methods Applicational needs of the system were analyzed,and entity types to be retrieved were identified.The functions,workflows,and architecture of the system were designed by combining the automatic retrieval capabilities of LLMs with human-in-the-loop(HITL).The software was developed using such frameworks as vLLM and Node.js.Interaction of multiple commercial/open source LLMs was implemented using OpenAI-compatible interfaces.The quality of information retrieved from LLMs was enhanced by prompt engineering.Results This system supported task allocation,automatic retrieval of structured information,and manual review.To evaluate its performance,the moonshot-v1-8k model was used to retrieve clinical records of TCM before manual edition was performed.Combining large language model pre-annotation with meticulous annotator edits improved accuracy by 26.6％compared to the BERT-BiLSTM-CRF model,and enhanced extraction efficiency by 1.6-fold relative to purely manual methods.Conclusion General generative LLMs can retrieve a wide range of entity information from TCM records with high accuracy and scalability.The design and implementation of this system approach may provide a useful reference for developing other biomedical information retrieval systems.