Background The moderation role of environmental factors in the spread of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) has attracted much attention, but the existing conclusions are inconsistent. For example, some scholars believe that high temperature, high humidity, and high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) increase the risk of HFMD, but other scholars have reached the opposite conclusion, or believe that there is no significant relationship. Objective Based on distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM), to investigate the relationship between the incidence of HFMD and meteorological and air pollutant variables in Lianyungang City, and to provide scientific basis for early warning. Methods Daily data of meteorological factors and air pollutants in Lianyungang City from 2021 to 2024 were retrieved. Meteorological factors included average daily temperature, average wind speed, average air pressure, and relative humidity. Air pollutant indicators included PM_2.5, inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), NO₂, and ozone (O₃). Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze their correlations with HFMD, and the R package (version 4.3.1) dlnm was used to construct a DLNM model. Results During the study period, a total of 10503 cases were reported, with a male to female ratio of 1.47∶1 and the highest proportion of scattered children (49.97%). The Spearman correlation analysis results showed that daily average temperature (r=0.40), relative humidity (r=0.17) and O₃ (r=0.14) were positively correlated with the incidence of HFMD (all Ps<0.01), while average air pressure (r=−0.34), PM_2.5 (r=−0.24), PM₁₀ (r=−0.24), CO (r=−0.22), and NO₂ (r=−0.06) were negatively correlated with it (all Ps<0.05). There was no statistical relationship of SO₂ and average wind speed with the incidence of HFMD (both Ps>0.05). The cumulative risk effect was greatest when the daily average temperature was 28.50 ℃ (CRR=4.63, 95%CI: 2.68, 8.01). The average wind speed below 0.50 m·s⁻¹ and in the range of 2.50-3.50 m·s⁻¹ showed an acute risk effect, and low pressure (below 1016.00 hPa) could immediately increase the risk of the disease. The cumulative risk effect was greatest when the relative humidity was 100% (CRR=3.16, 95%CI: 1.77, 5.65). The greatest cumulative protective effects of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were present at concentrations of 158.00 μg·m⁻³ (CRR=0.12, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.99) and 561.50 μg·m⁻³ (CRR=0.01, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.99) respectively. The protective effect of CO was the strongest at the highest concentration (67.00 μg·m⁻³) (RR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.34, 0.64). The cumulative protective effects of SO₂ and NO₂ were both most significant at the concentration of 0.50 μg·m⁻³. Low concentrations of O₃ (below 48.00 μg·m⁻³) showed a risk effect, and the single-day protective effect was significant when the concentration was 141.00 μg·m⁻³. Conclusion There is a nonlinear and hysteretic relationship between environmental factors and the incidence of HFMD. A rational and efficient early warning and prevention and control system can be constructed accordingly.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of infliximab（IFX）， ustekinumab（UST） and vedolizumab（VDZ） in the treatment of active Crohn’s disease （CD）. METHODS The patients with active CD who were diagnosed and initially received any of the aforementioned biologics at the First Affiliated Hospital of the USTC （Anhui Provincial Hospital） from January 2020 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects. They were divided into the IFX group （34 cases）， the UST group （37 cases）， and the VDZ group （15 cases） based on their treatment regimens. Patients in all three groups received induction and maintenance therapy with IFX， UST or VDZ for at least 12 months. The CD Activity Index （CDAI） scores and their changes from baseline （ΔCDAI）， clinical remission rates， clinical response rates， nutritional indicators [body mass index （BMI）， albumin （ALB）， hemoglobin （HGB）]， and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein （CRP）， erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）] of three groups after the induction phase （9th week of treatment） and during the maintenance phase （12th month of treatment） were compared. Additionally， the cumulative clinical remission rates at 1 year of treatment and the incidence of adverse events （AEs） were compared. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in the aforementioned baseline indicators among the three groups （ P ＞0.05）. In all three groups， the CDAI scores were significantly lower after the induction phase and during the maintenance phase， compared to the baseline （ P ＜0.05）. In the IFX group， CDAI scores at the above time points were significantly lower than those in the UST and VDZ groups during the same periods （ P ＜0.05）， and the absolute value of ΔCDAI during the maintenance phase was significantly higher than that in the VDZ group （ P ＜0.05）. The clinical remission rate in the IFX group during the maintenance phase was significantly higher than that in the UST and VDZ groups during the same period， and the clinical response rate was significantly higher than that in the VDZ group during the same period （ P ＜0.05）. The levels of ALB， HGB， CRP and ESR in the IFX group after the induction phase and during the maintenance phase， as well as the levels of CRP and ESR in the UST group after the induction phase， all improved significantly compared to the baseline. Furthermore， the levels of ALB and HGB in the IFX group were significantly higher than those in the UST and VDZ groups during the same period （ P ＜0.05）. The cumulative clinical remission rates among the three groups were significantly different （ P ＜0.05）， with patients in the IFX group achieving remission more rapidly and at a higher proportion. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of AEs among IFX， UST and VDZ groups （14.71%， 8.11% and 20.00%， respectively； P ＞0.05）； infusion reactions were the most common AEs in the IFX group （8.82%）. CONCLUSIONS Compared with UST and VDZ， IFX demonstrates a higher clinical remission rate during the maintenance phase， more effectively improves active CD patients’ nutritional status， and continuously reduces systemic inflammatory responses. However， clinicians should be mindful of the risk of adverse events， such as infusion reactions， associated with this drug.

ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 （MAP-2）， alpha-tubulin （α-tubulin）， and synaptophysin （SYP） are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein （α-Syn） and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease （PD）， analyzed their correlation， and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group （30 cases） and a control group （30 cases）. Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine， and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score， TCM syndrome score， and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment， the TCM syndrome score， UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. After treatment， the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% （19/30）， and that of the treatment group was 86.7% （26/30）. The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group （Z=-2.03， P<0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group， were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.

Background/Aims: Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated. Methods: TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Results: TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Conclusions Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.

Objective To analyze the application effect of size-specific dose estimate(SSDE)in radiation dose and images quality of coronary CT angiography(CCTA).Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 56 patients undergoing CCTA at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between February 2022 and February 2025.These patients were assigned to observation group(SSDE injection),while another 56 patients undergoing CCTA during the same period were enrolled as routine group(traditional injection).The two groups were compared for coronary enhancement value,images quality score,objective parameters of images quality[image noise,CT value,contrast to noise ratio(CNR),signal to noise ratio(SNR)],radiation dose parameters[dose-length product(DLP),CT dose index volume(CTDIvol),effective dose(ED)],anteroposterior diameter,left-right diameter and fsize.Results The CCTA image quality score and coronary enhancement value in observation group were significantly higher than those in routine group(P<0.05).Compared with routine group,observation group had higher CT value,CNR,and SNR,as well as lower image noise(P<0.05).The CTDIvol,ED,DLP and SSDE of observation group were lower than those of routine group(P<0.05).The?size in observation group was smaller,while anteroposterior diameter and left-right diameter were longer than those in routine group(P<0.05).Conclusion The application of SSED protocol in CCTA scanning can effectively improve radiation dose and images quality.

Objective To explore the impact of factors such as economic level,regional differences,and healthcare policies on the medical costs and the clinical treatment behaviors for benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)using big data technology.Methods A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed,including descriptive statistical analysis,central tendency analysis,comparative analysis,and structural analysis to explore regional differences in the treatment of BPH and the underlying causes.Results The mean medical cost per case in the provincial capital city(19 502 yuan)was significantly higher than that in the prefecture-level city(16 526 yuan),with a difference of 2 976 yuan(+18%).Moreover,the cost distribution was more dispersed in the provincial capital([8 370 yuan-26 344 yuan]vs.[9 687 yuan-21 974 yuan]in the prefecture-level city).However,the provincial capital demonstrated better hospitalization efficiency,with a significantly shorter mean length of stay(9.24 days vs 10.21 days,-10.5%).All these differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).Payment methods influenced surgical choices.In the provincial capital,43.99%of patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP),with no cases of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate(HOLEP).In contrast,the prefecture-level city reported 22.71%of patients receiving plasmakinetic resection of the prostate(PKRP)and 19.19%undergoing HoLEP.Significant differences were observed in antibiotic utilization patterns.The most commonly used antibiotic in the provincial capital was piperacillin-tazobactam(19.96%),while cefotaxime dominated in the prefecture-level city(21.11%).Notably,ertapenem was frequently used in the provincial capital but rarely in the prefecture-level city,potentially due to cost considerations(P<0.05).Regional preferences were evident in antispasmodic medication;phloroglucinol injection was used in 80%of cases in the prefecture-level city,while anisodamine hydrobromide injection predominated in the provincial capital(P<0.05).For BPH-specific medications,although tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules were the primary choice in both regions,the prefecture-level city showed significantly higher usage(80.11%vs 49.17%).Finasteride tablets were more commonly prescribed in the provincial capital(39.03%vs.14.14%,P<0.05).Conclusion Economic levels,healthcare policies,and different hospitals significantly influence clinical decision-making and medical expenses.Hospitals should enhance refined management,while healthcare policy reforms need to advance from multiple perspectives and levels to improve the efficiency and equity of healthcare services.

Objective:To explore the effect of modified reed tube moxibustion based on spleen-kidney mutual assistance theory in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) combined with spleen-kidney yang deficiency type of insomnia.Methods:From September 2020 to December 2022, 64 patients with CAPD combined with insomnia of spleen-kidney yang deficiency type were selected from the Department of Nephrology, Ningbo Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University by the convenience sampling method. A randomized numerical table method was used to divide study subjects into a control group and a study group, with 32 cases in each group. The control group received conventional treatment and auricular needle-embedding therapy; while the study group received traditional treatment and auricular needle-embedding therapy combined with modified reed tube moxibustion. The intervention period lasted three months. Differences in Insomnia Severity Index, Chinese medicine syndrome score, and peritoneal dialysis adequacy were compared between the two groups.Results:After intervention, the Insomnia Severity Index score of the study group was lower than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The urea clearance index and creatinine clearance rate of the study group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05) . Conclusions:Modified reed tube moxibustion based on spleen-kidney mutual assistance theory has a positive effect on improving insomnia symptoms and dialysis adequacy in patients with CAPD combined with insomnia of spleen-kidney yang deficiency type.

Objective To analyze the application effect of size-specific dose estimate(SSDE)in radiation dose and images quality of coronary CT angiography(CCTA).Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 56 patients undergoing CCTA at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between February 2022 and February 2025.These patients were assigned to observation group(SSDE injection),while another 56 patients undergoing CCTA during the same period were enrolled as routine group(traditional injection).The two groups were compared for coronary enhancement value,images quality score,objective parameters of images quality[image noise,CT value,contrast to noise ratio(CNR),signal to noise ratio(SNR)],radiation dose parameters[dose-length product(DLP),CT dose index volume(CTDIvol),effective dose(ED)],anteroposterior diameter,left-right diameter and fsize.Results The CCTA image quality score and coronary enhancement value in observation group were significantly higher than those in routine group(P<0.05).Compared with routine group,observation group had higher CT value,CNR,and SNR,as well as lower image noise(P<0.05).The CTDIvol,ED,DLP and SSDE of observation group were lower than those of routine group(P<0.05).The?size in observation group was smaller,while anteroposterior diameter and left-right diameter were longer than those in routine group(P<0.05).Conclusion The application of SSED protocol in CCTA scanning can effectively improve radiation dose and images quality.

Objective To explore the impact of factors such as economic level,regional differences,and healthcare policies on the medical costs and the clinical treatment behaviors for benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)using big data technology.Methods A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed,including descriptive statistical analysis,central tendency analysis,comparative analysis,and structural analysis to explore regional differences in the treatment of BPH and the underlying causes.Results The mean medical cost per case in the provincial capital city(19 502 yuan)was significantly higher than that in the prefecture-level city(16 526 yuan),with a difference of 2 976 yuan(+18%).Moreover,the cost distribution was more dispersed in the provincial capital([8 370 yuan-26 344 yuan]vs.[9 687 yuan-21 974 yuan]in the prefecture-level city).However,the provincial capital demonstrated better hospitalization efficiency,with a significantly shorter mean length of stay(9.24 days vs 10.21 days,-10.5%).All these differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).Payment methods influenced surgical choices.In the provincial capital,43.99%of patients underwent transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP),with no cases of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate(HOLEP).In contrast,the prefecture-level city reported 22.71%of patients receiving plasmakinetic resection of the prostate(PKRP)and 19.19%undergoing HoLEP.Significant differences were observed in antibiotic utilization patterns.The most commonly used antibiotic in the provincial capital was piperacillin-tazobactam(19.96%),while cefotaxime dominated in the prefecture-level city(21.11%).Notably,ertapenem was frequently used in the provincial capital but rarely in the prefecture-level city,potentially due to cost considerations(P<0.05).Regional preferences were evident in antispasmodic medication;phloroglucinol injection was used in 80%of cases in the prefecture-level city,while anisodamine hydrobromide injection predominated in the provincial capital(P<0.05).For BPH-specific medications,although tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained-release capsules were the primary choice in both regions,the prefecture-level city showed significantly higher usage(80.11%vs 49.17%).Finasteride tablets were more commonly prescribed in the provincial capital(39.03%vs.14.14%,P<0.05).Conclusion Economic levels,healthcare policies,and different hospitals significantly influence clinical decision-making and medical expenses.Hospitals should enhance refined management,while healthcare policy reforms need to advance from multiple perspectives and levels to improve the efficiency and equity of healthcare services.