ObjectiveTo explore the effect of elbow-wrist functional orthosis on plantar pressure distribution and balance function in stroke patients with hemiplegia. MethodsFrom June, 2024 to April, 2025, 60 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were recruited from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, and Shanghai Hebin Rehabilitation Hospital. They were randomly divided into control group (n = 30) and intervention group (n = 30). The control group received routine neurological rehabilitation, while the intervention group received additional training with an elbow-wrist functional orthosis on the affected side, for eight weeks. Before and after intervention, the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) of the elbow joint, plantar pressure symmetry index (SI), plantar contact area and mean plantar pressure were recorded, and balance and mobility were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up & Go Test (TUGT) and 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT). ResultsTwo cases dropped out in the control group. After treatment, MAS grades of the elbow joint, forefoot SI, affected side plantar pressure area, BBS scores, TUGT and 10MWT of both groups improved (|Z| > 3.969, |t| > 3.528, P < 0.01), while the hindfoot SI and average pressure of the affected foot improved in the intervention group (∣t∣ > 4.264, P < 0.001). Except for TUGT and 10MWT, the intervention group was superior to the control group (∣Z∣ > 2.030, ∣t∣ > 2.096, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe elbow-wrist functional orthosis can enhance balance function in stroke patients with hemiplegia by reducing upper-limb spasticity, optimizing center-of-gravity distribution, and improving postural control.

This study aimed to explore the interaction between the small molecule Lyb24 and PyrD, a key enzyme in the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), and the effect of Lyb24 on the catalytic activity of PyrD, thus to provide a theoretical basis for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. The pET-30a(+)-PyrD recombinant plasmid was constructed using Nde I/Xba I double digestion technology and was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells using the heat-shock method. The recombinant protein was induced at 16 ℃ with 0.3 mmol/L isopropyl β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The recombinant PyrD protein was purified using nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity chromatography to obtain a high-purity product. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments were conducted to detect the direct interaction between Lyb24 and PyrD protein, and a DCIP-based colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the effect of Lyb24 on the catalytic activity of PyrD. The pET-30a(+)-PyrD plasmid was successfully constructed, and the recombinant PyrD protein with a molecular weight of approximately 36 kD was expressed and purified to a concentration of 5.58 mg/mL. Lyb24 exhibited high-affinity direct binding to PyrD (KD = 8.83 × 10−5 mol/L) and exerted an uncompetitive inhibition effect on the catalytic activity of PyrD. This study demonstrates that Lyb24, a small-molecule compound, directly binds to PyrD and inhibits its enzymatic activity, providing crucial experimental evidence for developing PyrD-targeted antibacterial agents with value of clinical translation.

Objective To analyze the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of and trends in the disease burden of dengue fever in China from 2005 to 2024, so as to provide insights into formulation of dengue fever control strategies. Methods Data pertaining to dengue fever cases in China from 2005 to 2024 were retrieved from the Infectious Disease Reporting Information System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and city population, gross domestic product (GDP), GDP per capita, and consumer price index in China were captured from the China Statistical Yearbook, National Bureau of Statistics of China, the China City Statistical Yearbook, and bureaus of statistics in each city. The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) due to dengue fever were calculated in China from 2005 to 2024. The direct and indirect economic burdens of dengue fever were estimated to calculate the total economic burden. The trends in the disease burden of dengue fever were estimated in China from 2005 to 2024 using a Joinpoint regression model with the software Joinpoint 4.9.0.0, and the average annual percent change (AAPC) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. In addition, the DALYs rate and economic burden of dengue fever in China were subjected to global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses using the software ArcGIS 10.8. Results The gross DALYs due to dengue fever were 5 558 person-years in China from 2005 to 2024, and the DALYs of dengue fever increased from 36 person-years in 2005 to 899 person-years in 2024, with an increase of 23.97 folds. The average annual DALYs rate of dengue fever was 0.02 person-years/10⁵ in China during the 20-year study period from 2005 to 2024, and the DALYs rate peaked in 2014 (0.13 person-years/10⁵) and reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022. YLDs were the main contributor of DALYs due to dengue fever in China from 2005 to 2024, with a total of 5 354 person-years, accounting for 96.33% (5 354 person-years/5 558 person-years) of the gross DALYs. The gross DALYs of dengue fever were 2 982 person-years among men (53.66%) and 2 575 person-years among women (46.34%) in China from 2005 to 2024, and high DALYs of dengue fever were measured among residents at ages of 15 to 30 years (1 639 person-years), 30 to 45 years (1 857 person-years), and 45 to 60 years (1 204 person-years), respectively, accounting for 84.56% (4 700 person-years/5 558 person-years) of total DALYs due to dengue fever in China. The total economic burden of dengue fever was estimated to be 612 million Yuan in China from 2005 to 2024, with an average annual economic burden of 30.584 million Yuan. The economic burden of dengue fever increased from 196 000 Yuan in 2005 to 121 million Yuan in 2024 in China, with an increase of 616.35 folds, and the per capita economic burden increased from 3 322.21 Yuan in 2005 to 4 940.01 Yuan in 2024, with an increase of 48.70%. Dengue fever cases were reported in 274 cities (counties) across 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in China from 2005 to 2024, with relatively higher DALYs in Guangdong Province and Yunnan Province. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the disease burden of dengue fever appeared positive aggregation in Chinese cities (counties) from 2005 to 2024 (global Moran’s I = 0.045, Z = 2.24, P < 0.05), with high-high clusters mainly concentrated in the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong Province and Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and Pu’er City in Yunnan Province, and the total economic burden (global Moran’s I = 0.032, Z = 9.55, P < 0.001), per capita economic burden (global Moran’s I = 0.208, Z = 27.34, P < 0.001), and the proportion of total economic burdens in GDP in 2024 (global Moran’s I = 0.017, Z = 5.91, P < 0.001) all presented positive aggregation, with relatively higher total economic burdens mainly concentrated in Guangdong Province and Yunnan Province. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that the gross DALYs rates of dengue fever appeared an overall tendency towards a rise in China from 2005 to 2024 (AAPC = 16.24%, P = 0.029), and the DALYs rate presented an overall tendency towards a rise among both men (AAPC = 14.75%, P = 0.028) and women (AAPC = 14.93%, P = 0.037) during the study period. The per capita direct economic burden appeared an overall tendency towards a rise among dengue fever patients in China from 2005 to 2024 (AAPC = 2.16%, P = 0.012); however, there was no significant difference in the trends in the per capita indirect economic burden (AAPC = 0.46%, P = 0.470). In addition, the DALYs rate of dengue fever appeared a tendency towards a rise in 84.67% (232/274) of cities (counties) in China from 2005 to 2024, and the per capita economic burden appeared a tendency towards a rise in 85.40% (234/274) of cities (counties), while the DALYs rate and per capita economic burden of dengue fever appeared a tendency towards a rise in 77.01% (211/274) of cities (counties). Conclusions The disease burden of dengue fever significantly increased in China from 2005 to 2024. It is recommended to reinforce integrated dengue fever control in high-risk areas and among high-risk populations, and to improve the surveillance of imported dengue fever cases and vector control.

This study investigated the types and distribution of rodents,and the infection status of eight pathogens in the high-altitude areas of western Sichuan,to provide a basis for control of rodent-borne diseases and pathogen surveillance in rodents in the area.From August to November of 2023,rodents were captured through the night method in high-altitude areas of western Sichuan.Nucleic acids were collected from the rodents'livers and lungs,and eight important pathogens were detected:Dabie bandavirus,Han-tavirus,Bartonella,Francisella tularensis,Anaplasma phagocytophilum,Rickettsia mooseri,Orientia tsutsugamushi,and Leptospira interrogans.The chi-square test was used to compare the composition ratios of rodent species and the difference in pathogen positivity rates among groups.A total of 114 rodents of nine species were captured.The dominant species in this area were Apodemus agrarius(22.81%),Apodemus chevrieri(18.42%),Niviventer confucianus(17.54%),Apodemus latronum(16.67%),and Apodemus peninsu-lae(13.16%).Other rodent species included Rattus nitidus(4.39%),Neodon irene(4.39%),Chodsigoa hypsibia(1.75%),and Nivi-venter excelsior(0.88%).Statistically significant differences in rodent species composition were observed among regions,altitudes,and habitats(χ2Region=112.358,P<0.05;χ2Altitude=96.843,P<0.05;χ2Habitat=48.842,P<0.05).The liver and lung pathogen results showed that the positivity rate of Bartonella was highest(29/114),whereas those of the other seven pathogens were 0%-4.39%.Five rodents were co-infected with two or more pathogens,and the composite positivity rate was 4.36%(5/114).Statistically significant differences in the positivity rates were observed for Leptospira interrogans among species(χ2=6.568,P=0.028)and Anaplasma phagocytophilum among habitats(χ2=7.596,P=0.027);however,no significant differences in the positivity rates of other pathogens were found among rodent species,regions,altitudes,habitats,and sexes(P>0.05).Thus,rodent species were abundant in the high-altitude areas of western Sichuan and carried a variety of pathogens.Multiple pathogens showed compound infections,among which the positivity rate of Bartonella was relatively high.The total infection rate of pathogens in living areas was relatively high,and the risk of pathogenesis to the population is greater.Therefore,rodent control and disease monitoring efforts should be strengthened.

Fluorine, as one of the important trace elements, has multiple physiological functions and participates in body metabolism. Moderate intake of fluoride is beneficial for human health, while excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and multi-organ damage. Typical symptoms of skeletal fluorosis include bone sclerosis, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and degenerative changes in articular cartilage. The pathological basis for skeletal changes in fluorosis involves enhanced osteogenesis and accelerated bone turnover, which are comprehensively regulated by multiple signaling pathways. Although the etiology of skeletal fluorosis has been determined, its pathogenic mechanisms remain inconclusive. In recent years, researchers have extensively investigated the signaling pathways involved in skeletal fluorosis development, including Notch, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and insulin signaling pathways, as well as their interactive networks. This article summarizes and reviews the recent research findings, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for comprehensively understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of skeletal fluorosis and offer insights for scientific prevention of skeletal fluorosis.

Objective To investigate the radiological features of intracranial white epidermoid cysts(WECs).Methods A retro-spective analysis was conducted on the CT and MRI findings of 7 patients pathologically confirmed with WECs.All patients under-went plain CT and MRI scans,and six patients underwent enhanced MRI scans.Results All cases were solitary lesions,located in the right middle cranial fossa(2 cases),suprasellar area(2 cases),left cerebellopontine angle(1 case),right cerebellar vermis(1 case),and cerebellomedullary cistern(1 case),respectively.The lesions appeared oval or irregular in shape with clear boundaries and no perile-sional edema.The CT scans predominantly showed high density in 7 cases,with calcification in 1 case.On T1WI,7 cases exhibited high signal with mixed signals in some areas;6 cases showed primarily low signal on T2WI and fluid attenuated inversion recovery(FLAIR),with 1 case predominantly showed high signal;all 7 cases demonstrated low signal on diffusion weighted imaging(DWI).The margins of 1 lesion appeared"curly",and another exhibited a"swirl"pattern.5 cases had no enhancement,while 1 case had mild marginal enhancement.Conclusion Intracranial WECs has certain imaging characteristics.When a cystic lesion shows high density on CT,predominantly high signal on T1WI,and mostly no enhancement,considering the possibility of WECs.

Fluorine, as one of the important trace elements, has multiple physiological functions and participates in body metabolism. Moderate intake of fluoride is beneficial for human health, while excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and multi-organ damage. Typical symptoms of skeletal fluorosis include bone sclerosis, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and degenerative changes in articular cartilage. The pathological basis for skeletal changes in fluorosis involves enhanced osteogenesis and accelerated bone turnover, which are comprehensively regulated by multiple signaling pathways. Although the etiology of skeletal fluorosis has been determined, its pathogenic mechanisms remain inconclusive. In recent years, researchers have extensively investigated the signaling pathways involved in skeletal fluorosis development, including Notch, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and insulin signaling pathways, as well as their interactive networks. This article summarizes and reviews the recent research findings, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for comprehensively understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of skeletal fluorosis and offer insights for scientific prevention of skeletal fluorosis.

Objective:To investigate the anti-inflammatory action and mechanism of action of rosmarinic acid(RA),a Chi-nese monomeric herbal compound based on the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in a rat model of acute gouty arthritis(AGA).Methods:Forty healthy male SD rats were randomly assigned to five groups,and the model and drug administration groups were established a rat model of AGA by injecting a suspension of sodium urate crystals(MSU)into the joint cavity of the right paw of the rats.The degree of ankle joint swelling was measured using vernier calipers and stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE).The inflammatory infiltration of the ankle joint and chondrocyte shedding was observed by staining with Safranine O-fast green(SOFG)and Mankin's score.The levels of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α in the right ankle joint of rats were determined by ELISA and the expression of NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway-associated proteins in the ankle joint were measured by Western blot.Results:Injection of MSU suspension into the ankle successfully induced AGA in rats.Compared with control group,the rats in model group showed significantly increased ankle swelling(P<0.01),greater in-flammatory infiltration,significant chondrocyte detachment,significantly increased secretion of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.01)and increased expressions of NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway-related proteins.Compared with model group,RA showed greater anti-inflamma-tory effects,dose-dependently inhibiting the development of ankle swelling in rats(P<0.01,P<0.001)and inhibited inflammatory cy-tokine infiltration.RA inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α(P<0.01)and inhibited the expressions of proteins associated with the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway(P<0.01).Conclusion:RA shows potent anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse model of AGA,and the mechanism is associated with regulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Objective To explore the status and trajectory of urinary incontinence in patients with bladder cancer after orthotopic neobladder surgery,and analyze the characteristics of different trajectory categories,to provide references for the intervention and management of urinary incontinence in patients after orthotopic neobladder surgery.Methods A prospective study design was adopted,and the convenience sampling was used to select 142 eligible patients who underwent in orthotopic neobladder surgery in a tertiary hospital from January 2019 to August 2022.Demographic and clinical data of the patients were collected.The continence status of patients was evaluated by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form(ICI-Q-SF)at 1 month after surgery,3 months after surgery,6 months after surgery and 1 year after surgery.Additionally,postoperative physical condition scores,pelvic floor muscle training,and timed urination information were collected.The Group-Based Trajectory Model was used to identify the development trajectory of urinary incontinence,and the logistic regression was conducted to identify influencing factors of urinary incontinence trajectories.Results 142 cases were included.There are 3 distinct daytime and nocturnal incontinence trajectory groups that were respectively identified:the significantly improved group(21.83％,29.58％),the slowly alleviated group(52.82％,48.59％),and the risk fluctuation group(25.35％,21.83％).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age,preservation of neurovascular bundles,and adherence to timed voiding were factors significantly influencing urinary incontinence trajectory categories(P＜0.05).Conclusion The trajectory of urinary incontinence in patients undergoing orthotopic neobladder surgery showed an overall improvement trend within a year,with group differences.Clinical attention should be paid to the dynamic evaluation of postoperative urinary incontinence in older,unreserved nerves,and those who did not adhere to scheduled urination,and a phased matching postoperative rehabilitation plan should be developed to improve the urinary control level of patients.

This study investigated the types and distribution of rodents,and the infection status of eight pathogens in the high-altitude areas of western Sichuan,to provide a basis for control of rodent-borne diseases and pathogen surveillance in rodents in the area.From August to November of 2023,rodents were captured through the night method in high-altitude areas of western Sichuan.Nucleic acids were collected from the rodents'livers and lungs,and eight important pathogens were detected:Dabie bandavirus,Han-tavirus,Bartonella,Francisella tularensis,Anaplasma phagocytophilum,Rickettsia mooseri,Orientia tsutsugamushi,and Leptospira interrogans.The chi-square test was used to compare the composition ratios of rodent species and the difference in pathogen positivity rates among groups.A total of 114 rodents of nine species were captured.The dominant species in this area were Apodemus agrarius(22.81%),Apodemus chevrieri(18.42%),Niviventer confucianus(17.54%),Apodemus latronum(16.67%),and Apodemus peninsu-lae(13.16%).Other rodent species included Rattus nitidus(4.39%),Neodon irene(4.39%),Chodsigoa hypsibia(1.75%),and Nivi-venter excelsior(0.88%).Statistically significant differences in rodent species composition were observed among regions,altitudes,and habitats(χ2Region=112.358,P<0.05;χ2Altitude=96.843,P<0.05;χ2Habitat=48.842,P<0.05).The liver and lung pathogen results showed that the positivity rate of Bartonella was highest(29/114),whereas those of the other seven pathogens were 0%-4.39%.Five rodents were co-infected with two or more pathogens,and the composite positivity rate was 4.36%(5/114).Statistically significant differences in the positivity rates were observed for Leptospira interrogans among species(χ2=6.568,P=0.028)and Anaplasma phagocytophilum among habitats(χ2=7.596,P=0.027);however,no significant differences in the positivity rates of other pathogens were found among rodent species,regions,altitudes,habitats,and sexes(P>0.05).Thus,rodent species were abundant in the high-altitude areas of western Sichuan and carried a variety of pathogens.Multiple pathogens showed compound infections,among which the positivity rate of Bartonella was relatively high.The total infection rate of pathogens in living areas was relatively high,and the risk of pathogenesis to the population is greater.Therefore,rodent control and disease monitoring efforts should be strengthened.