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 analyze the incidence and spatiotemporal distribution of typhus fever in Baoshan City, Yunnan Province from 2005 to 2023, to identify high-risk populations and regions, so as to provide a scientific basis for optimizing the allocation of local prevention and control resources and developing targeted intervention measures. MethodsData of typhus fever cases in Baoshan City from 2005 to 2023 were obtained from the Infectious Disease Information Management System of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the temporal, spatial and demographic distribution of typhus fever cases. Spatial clustering was assessed using spatial dynamic window scan statistics (circular and elliptical windows), flexible spatial scan statistics, and local spatial autocorrelation methods (including local Moran’s I, local Geary’s C, and Getis-Ord G_i*). Retrospective spatiotemporal scan statistics were employed to detect spatiotemporal clusters. ResultsA total of 1 099 typhus fever cases were reported in Baoshan City from 2005 to 2023. The incidence rate peaked at 6.31/ 100 000 in 2007, followed by a decline until reaching its lowest level at 0.21/100 000 in 2015 , and subsequently rebounded during 2016‒2023. The highest proportion of cases was among children under 10 years of age (31.12%), and the top three occupations of cases were farmers, students, and children, accounting for 88.62% of all cases. Cases occurred predominantly between June and September each year. The incidence was relatively high in Jiucheng Town (62.58/100 000), Yaoguan Town (57.15/100 000), and Dianyang Town (46.81/100 000) of Shidian County. Spatial clustering analyses indicated that high-risk areas were mainly located in the southern part of Baoshan City, showing a south-to-north trend. Spatiotemporal scan analyses identified five clusters, with the most likely cluster centered around Yaoguan Town, covering ten towns (subdistricts) during the period 2007‒2010. ConclusionThe incidence of typhus fever in Baoshan City exhibits a clear seasonal and spatial clustering pattern, with peak incidence occurring in summer and autumn. Spatially, cases are primarily distributed in the southern part of Baoshan City, and high-risk clusters exhibit a south-to-north trend. Farmers, students, and children are the high-risk groups.

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 the differential impact of ultra-high-resolution photon-counting detector CT (UHR PCD-CT) and energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) on image quality and calcified plaque-induced luminal stenosis in coronary CT angiography (CCTA).Methods:This retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent both EID-CT and UHR PCD-CT CCTA at the Geriatric Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2021 and November 2024. A total of 141 patients were included in the study, within 46 patients having scans within a 12-month interval. Image quality of all coronary artery segments was subjectively evaluated. Patients with paired scans (interval≤12 months) were included for calcified plaque analysis. Subjective visualization of calcified plaques evaluated. The blooming artifact was calculated as an objective evaluation index for assessing the calcified plaques. Additionally, the degree of coronary artery lumen stenosis resulting from calcified plaques was assessed, along with the measurement of plaque volume and the Agatston score. Changes in lumen stenosis between the two scans were also evaluated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the subjective scores of coronary artery image quality and calcified plaques between the two groups, and paired-sample t-tests were used to compare the blooming artifact and lumen stenosis degree. Results:The PCD-CT image quality score was significantly higher than that of EID-CT [PCD-CT : 5 (4,5), EID-CT: 4 (4,5); Z=-21.38, P<0.001]. Compared to EID-CT, PCD-CT reduced the blooming artifact (PCD-CT: 38.88%±9.09%, EID-CT: 50.11%±11.52%; t=-12.97, P<0.001), significantly improving the subjective score for visualization of calcified plaques [PCD-CT: 5 (4,5), EID-CT: 3 (2,3); Z=-9.68, P<0.001], and the measured lumen stenosis was notably lower in PCD-CT(PCD-CT:34.88%±18.20%, EID-CT:45.31%±23.42%; t=-9.93, P<0.001). Among 129 analyzed calcified plaques, luminal stenosis was reduced on PCD-CT in 110 plaques (85.3%) and increased in 19 (14.7%), including 4 plaques that had unclear boundaries with the adjacent lumen in EID-CT CCTA images, making the stenosis difficult to assess. Conclusion:Compared to EID-CT, UHR PCD-CT for CCTA significantly improves coronary artery image quality, provides clearer visualization of calcified plaques and adjacent lumen details, and it can reduce the overestimation of coronary artery caleified plaque stenosis.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between lipid levels and cognitive impairment in the elderly Chinese population using prospective cohort data.Methods:Based on the China-PAR (Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China) cohort, this study included 24 380 individuals aged ≥60 years who participated in the cognitive function follow-up survey from 2018 to 2019. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), with cognitive impairment defined according to different educational levels: MMSE ≤17 for illiterate individuals, MMSE ≤20 for those with primary education and MMSE ≤24 for those with secondary education or above. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression models were employed to examine the associations between six baseline lipid indicators and cognitive scores, as well as cognitive impairment. Additionally, restricted cubic splines were used to explore the exposure-dose relationship between lipid levels and cognitive function.Results:The study population had a median follow-up time of 11.6 years, with a baseline age of (59.7±6.8) years. Among the participants, 9 510 (39.0%) were males, and the mean MMSE score was 24.7±6.8. A total of 3 887 individuals (15.9%) were identified as cognitively impaired. The results of multivariable linear regression and logistic regression indicated that total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels were not only significantly positively associated with cognitive scores but also significantly associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment. Each 1 mmol/L increase in these lipid levels corresponded to β values (95% CI) of 0.267 (0.173-0.361), 0.385(0.271-0.499) and 0.331(0.231-0.431), respectively. Each 1 mmol/L increase in these lipid levels corresponded to odds ratio ( OR) (95% CI) values of 0.915 (0.876-0.956), 0.875 (0.830-0.923) and 0.886 (0.848-0.927), respectively. The dose-response curve demonstrated that the negative association was primarily observed within the guideline-recommended optimal lipid level range. Specifically, when LDL-C was less than 3.4 mmol/L and non-HDL-C was less than 4.1 mmol/L, the corresponding OR (95% CI) values were 0.859 (0.796-0.926) and 0.876 (0.818-0.939). Conclusion:Lipid levels exhibit a certain linear negative association with cognitive impairment in elderly Chinese adults, with LDL-C and non-HDL-C demonstrating a stronger effect, particularly within the guideline-recommended optimal range.

Objective:To develop the Amputation Scale for Severe Open Pelvic Fractures and explore its application value in patients with severe open pelvic fractures.Methods:A total of 27 patients with severe open pelvic fractures who underwent surgical treatment in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from January 2010 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 12 females, aged 38.6±11.6 years (range, 13-65 years). There were 13 cases of traffic injuries, 10 cases of fall from height injuries, and 4 cases of mechanical crushing injuries; 20 cases were admitted to the hospital in emergency, and 7 cases were transferred from other hospitals. All fracture types were Tile C, including 14 cases of Tile C1, 8 cases of Tile C2, and 5 cases of Tile C3. There were 16 cases of genitourinary system injury, 8 cases of anal or rectal injury, 12 cases of abdominal injury, 9 cases of chest injury, and 6 cases of craniocerebral trauma. The mangled extremity severity score (MESS) and the Amputation Scale for Severe Open Pelvic Fractures were used to evaluate whether amputation was performed. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of the two evaluation methods were calculated.Results:Among the 27 patients, 21 cases were treated with pelvic external fixator to control the volume, 16 cases were treated with gauze packing to stop bleeding, 8 cases were treated with temporary abdominal aorta occlusion, and 12 cases were treated with laparotomy because of abdominal injury. Seven of the 27 patients died, with a mortality rate of 26%. In 12 cases of one-stage amputation, 3 cases died, including 1 case died of multiple organ failure syndrome, 1 case died of gastrointestinal bleeding on the 7th day after amputation, and 1 case died of severe infection on the 4th day after amputation. Among the 15 cases of one-stage limb salvage, 4 cases died, of which 2 cases of second-stage amputation died of infection on the 5th day after one-stage limb salvage, and 1 case of one-stage limb salvage died of limb necrosis on the 3rd day after one-stage limb salvage. Two patients died of multiple organ failure syndrome. The MESS score of 27 patients was 6(6, 8) points (range, 6-13 points), and the Amputation Scale for Severe Open Pelvic Fractures score was 9.6±1.8 points (range, 6-14 points). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of MESS were 66.7%, 50%, 40%, 75% and 56%, respectively, while those of Amputation Scale for Severe Open Pelvic Fractures were 80%, 89%, 73%, 88% and 82%, respectively. The specificity and accuracy of MESS were significantly lower than those of Amputation Scale for Severe Open Pelvic Fractures ( P<0.05). All 20 patients who survived were followed up for 23.6±7.5 months (range, 11-37 months). Five cases had soft tissue infection at the stump of amputation, which were treated with debridement, and 3 cases underwent skin grafting, and the stump healed well at the last follow-up. Conclusion:The Amputation Scale for Severe Open Pelvic Fractures is better than MESS in the assessment of early amputation in patients with severe pelvic fractures.

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 explore the biological functions of pyroptosis-related genes in pneumonic plague using bioinformatics methods,and to evaluate their potential applicability as diagnostic markers.Methods The pneumonic plague-related dataset GSE220123 was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and screened for differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes(DE-PRGs).The functions of DE-PRGs were studied via Gene Ontology(GO),Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses,and immune infiltration analysis.The hub genes were identified via protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis,and further screened for key genes with sustained high expression characteristics based on differential expression analysis.The relative expression levels of the key genes were verified using the reverse transcription real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)method.Results A total of 17 DE-PRGs were screened,and PPI network analysis revealed 7 Hub genes.Among them,Casp4 continued to be up-regulated during the course of pneumonic plague.The results of reverse transcription qPCR were consistent with the those of bioinformatic analyses.Conclusion DE-PRGs play a crucial role in the immune response of pneumonic plague,especially Casp4,which has significant applications as a diagnostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for pneumonic plague.

The core pathological feature of Parkinson's disease(PD)is the abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein and the result ing neuronal damage.α-Synuclein exhibits toxic effects when it forms oligomers or fibrils,leading to neuronal death via multiple pathways,including mitochondrial dysfunction,impaired vesicular trafficking,dopamine auto-oxidation,and neuroinflammation.In addition,α-synuclein can propagate between cells via exosomes,endocytosis/exocytosis,tunneling nanotubes,or vagal nerve axonal transport,creating a cascade of pathological effects.Animal models of PD that recapitulate the key pathological hallmark of α-synuclein accumulation are indispensable tools for elucidating disease mechanisms and developing novel therapeutic interventions.To date,various strategies,including transgenic techniques,bacterial artificial chromosome(BAC)-mediated expression,viral vector-mediated overexpression,and gene editing,have been employed to develop α-synuclein overexpression animal models.These models have significantly advanced our exploration of the relationship between PD and α-synuclein.This systematic review considers the structure and function of α-synuclein,its mechanisms of toxicity,intercellular propagation pathways,animal models of overexpression,and potential therapeutic targets based on its pathogenic mechanisms.

Objective To reveal the detailed histological characteristics of pyramidal neuron cell bodies and their axonal projections along the corticospinal tract in the primary motor cortex(M1)of the brain,by using the biotinylated dextran amine(BDA)neural tracing technique combined with panoramic and local microscopic imaging technologies.Methods A total of 100 nL of 10％BDA(10,000 molecular weight)was injected into M1 region using stereotaxic system.The distribution of BDA labeling along the corticospinal tract was continuously tracked with panoramic tissue scanning analysis system.Detailed observations of the histological characteristics of BDA labeling were carried out with laser confocal microscope.Results It is more convenient to observe the overall distribution of BDA neural labeling by using the panoramic tissue scanning analysis system.Around the injection site in M1,the BDA labeling was shown in the somas of pyramidal neurons in layer V.In the M1 region corresponding to the contralateral site of the injection site and ipsilateral primary sensory cortex,BDA showed predominantly the anterograde labeled nerve fibers accompanied by a few retrograde labeled neurons.Besides,BDA labeled nerve fibers-including bundles and terminals-projecting to regions such as the ipsilateral striatum,thalamus,internal capsule,cerebral peduncle,and pons,and further reaching the contralateral spinal cord via the brainstem pyramidal decussation.Confocal microscopy and its 3D reconstruction system facilitated detailed analysis of the local microscopic features of BDA labeling,revealing retrograde labeled neuron cell bodies,dendrites and their spines,as well as anterograde labeled nerve fibers and their terminals.Conclusions These findings demonstrated that the integration of traditional BDA neural tracing with panoramic tissue scanning analysis and confocal microscopy provided an effective approach to the observation and analysis of long-projection neural circuits from panoramic to local perspectives,with broad application prospects.