Objective To investigate the perioperative safety of patients with myasthenia gravis who take high doses of oral glucocorticoids. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with myasthenia gravis who received oral glucocorticoids and underwent thoracoscopic thymectomy at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital from April 2013 to October 2019. Patients were divided into a high-dose steroid group and a medium-to-low dose steroid group based on the dosage of oral steroids, and the clinical data of the two groups were compared. Results A total of 102 patients were included, including 19 (18.62%) males and 83 (81.37%) females, with an average age of (32.25±9.83) years. There were 75 patients in the medium-to-low dose steroid group and 27 patients in the high-dose steroid group. All patients in both groups successfully completed the surgery without major intraoperative bleeding, conversion to open chest surgery, delayed extubation, severe infection, or perioperative death. The daily oral steroid dose for the high-dose steroid group was (35.81±4.29) mg, and for the medium-to-low dose steroid group it was (15.29±2.17) mg. There was no statistical difference in the operation time [(124.69±23.51) min vs. (117.89±21.46) min, P=0.172] and intraoperative blood loss [(21.19±3.48) mL vs. (20.56±3.41) mL, P=0.419] between the two groups. Postoperatively, 12 (11.76%) patients developed complications: one patient of myasthenic crisis (the medium-to-low dose steroid group), which was improved after short-term respiratory support and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment; 11 patients of respiratory/swallowing difficulties (9 in the medium-to-low dose steroid group and 2 in the high-dose steroid group), which were improved after anticholinergic treatment to reduce oral secretions and sputum suction, and the patients were discharged smoothly. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (P=0.637). Conclusion On the basis of good perioperative management, it is safe and feasible for patients with myasthenia gravis who take high dose of oral steroids to undergo thymectomy, and they have the same perioperative safety as patients with medium-to-low dose steroids.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）， as one of the most common chronic liver diseases in the world， poses a severe challenge to precision diagnosis and treatment due to its complex pathogenesis and highly heterogeneous disease progression. Existing clinical classification systems cannot meet the needs for comprehensively analyzing the complexity of the disease and the heterogeneity of its adverse outcomes. In recent years， data-driven prognostic risk classification methods have gradually emerged， optimizing the ability for predicting adverse outcomes and enhancing the accuracy of identifying different endpoint outcomes. However， such paradigm of “classify first， associate outcomes later” suffers from a “black-box” nature， and there are various indicators for classification， leading to limited stability and generalizability in clinical application. Future research needs to integrate or establish large-scale population cohorts， develop outcome-oriented prognostic risk classification models， incorporate dynamic data， refine classification algorithms， and validate their generalizability across multiple populations， thereby providing reliable support for the precision diagnosis and treatment of MAFLD.

ObjectiveAbnormal lipids in neurons can cause the accumulation of α-synuclein（α-syn）. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis extract （ASH） in treating Parkinson's disease （PD） mice using lipidomics combined with network pharmacology. MethodsMice were divided into the blank group， model group and ASH （45.5 mg·kg^-1） group. Motor ability was evaluated by pole climbing time and autonomous activity count； The oxidative stress indicators were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Lipid biomarkers in brain tissues were screened and identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）， and metabolic pathway analysis was conducted. The key targets of ASH for PD treatment were explored using network pharmacology. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） database was used for pathway enrichment analysis， and the "compound-reaction-enzyme-gene" network was constructed using the MetScape plugin. The protein expression levels of glutathione S-transferase P1 （GSTP1）， glutathione S-transferase Mu 2 （GSTM2）， prostaglandin peroxide synthase 1 （PTGS1）， prostaglandin peroxide synthase 2 （PTGS2）， and prostaglandin E synthase （PTGES） were validated by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly prolonged pole climbing time and reduced autonomous activity count （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the ASH group demonstrated significantly faster pole climbing and increased autonomous activity count （P<0.01）. The model group exhibited significantly decreased superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） levels， and increased malondialdehyde （MDA） level in brain tissues compared with the blank group （P<0.01）. The ASH group showed increased SOD and GSH-Px levels and decreased MDA level compared with the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Lipidomics analysis identified 10 differential metabolites and 8 differential metabolic pathways. Network pharmacological analysis revealed 213 intersection targets between ASH components and PD， with KEGG enrichment involving the sphingolipid signaling pathway， lipid arteriosclerosis， phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway， mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） signaling pathway， and hypoxia inducible factor-1（HIF-1） signaling pathway. Integrated lipidomics and network pharmacology analysis highlighted the central role of the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway. The Western blot results showed that ASH effectively up-regulated GSTP1， GSTM2， and PTGS1 protein expression， and down-regulated PTGS2 and PTGES protein expression. ConclusionASH can ameliorate behavioral deficits， exert antioxidant effects， regulate lipid differential metabolites and the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway， thereby exerting therapeutic effects in PD model mice.

Approximately 20% to 30% of the global workforce is engaged in shift work. As a significant cause of circadian disruption, shift work is closely associated with an increased risk for periodontitis. Nevertheless, how shift work-related circadian disruption functions in periodontitis remains unknown. Herein, we employed a simulated shift work model constructed by controlling the environmental light-dark cycles and revealed that shift work-related circadian disruption exacerbated the progression of experimental periodontitis. RNA sequencing and in vitro experiments indicated that downregulation of the core circadian protein brain and muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1) and activation of the Gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis were involved in the pathogenesis of that. Mechanically, BMAL1 regulated GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis by suppressing NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling through modulating nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group D member 1 (NR1D1), and inhibiting Gsdmd transcription via directly binding to the E-box elements in its promoter. GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis accelerated periodontitis progression, whereas downregulated BMAL1 under circadian disruption further aggravated periodontal destruction by increasing GSDMD activity. And restoring the level of BMAL1 by circadian recovery and SR8278 injection alleviated simulated shift work-exacerbated periodontitis via lessening GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis. These findings provide new evidence and potential interventional targets for circadian disruption-accelerated periodontitis.
Pyroptosis/physiology* ; ARNTL Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Animals ; Periodontitis/etiology* ; Mice ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Shift Work Schedule/adverse effects* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gasdermins

Objective To establish an effective model for distinguishing glandular prodromal lesions(PGL)mixed with ground-glass nodules(mGGN)from minimally invasive adenocarcinoma(MIA)on CT based on artificial intelligence.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and CT image data of 180 patients with lung adenocarcinoma confirmed by surgical pathology and with CT manifestations of mGGN in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2017 to June 2023,inclu-ding 66 patients with PGL and 114 patients with MIA.Patients were divided into the training set(n=144)and the test set(n=36)in an 8∶2 ratio using a completely random method.The quantitative parameters and radiomics features of the lesions in CT images were automatically extracted using artificial intelligence soft-ware(United Imaging Research Platform uRP).By incorporating the most obvious correlation features of omics through dimensionality reduction,five machine learning classifiers were established,including logistic regression(LR),support vector machine(SVM),Random forest(RF),Gaussian process(GP),and Decision Tree(DT).The classifier with the training set highest area under the curve(AUC)was selected as the best radiomics model,and output the result as radiomics score(Rad-score).The clinical information,CT morpho-logical characteristics and quantitative data of the two groups were included in the multivariate logistic regres-sion analysis to screen the independent influencing factors for effectively differentiating PGL and MIA,and a clinical model was established.Finally,a comprehensive prediction model was constructed based on Rad-score and clinical risk factors.The diagnostic performance of the three models was evaluated by using the AUC,sen-sitivity,specificity and accuracy of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Eleven radiomics features for distinguishing PGL from MIA were obtained through LASSO dimensionality reduction.Among the five machine learning classifiers,GP has the best diagnostic performance,with AUC of 0.865 in the train-ing set and 0.762 in the test set,respectively.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used for clinical feature screening.The clinical model was constructed by using the average CT value,average long and short diameter,and solid partial long diameter of mGGN,and the AUCs of the training set and the test set were 0.870 and 0.794,respectively.The comprehensive prediction model demonstrated superior diag-nostic performance,with AUC,sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy in the training set being 0.948,81.1%,91.2%and 87.5%respectively,while 0.883,76.9%,91.3%and 86.1%respectively in the test set.Conclu-sion The comprehensive prediction model established based on the quantitative and omics feature analysis of pulmonary nodules by artificial intelligence can well distinguish mGGN mixed with PGL from MIA on CT,and can be used to guide clinical treatment decisions.

Objective:To explore the distribution of HIV-1 genetic subtypes and drug resistance profiles among HIV-1 infected patients with antiretroviral treatment (ART) failure in Henan Province and to provide evidence for optimizing ART regimens.Methods:HIV-1 infected patients who had received ART for at least 6 months with viral loads (VL) ≥200 copies/ml in 18 cities of Henan from January to December 2023. The plasma samples were collected, and partial pol gene sequences and full-length integrase ( int) gene sequences of HIV-1 were amplified using nested RT-PCR. HIV-1 subtypes were determined using the REGA HIV-1 subtyping tool, and drug resistance mutations were analyzed using the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database ( http://hivdb.stanford.edu/). Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify risk factors associated with drug resistance of HIV-1 infected patients. Results:Among 697 HIV-1 infected patients with ART failure, 14 HIV-1 genetic subtypes were identified. Subtype B was predominant (58.68%, 409/697), followed by CRF01_AE (21.95%, 153/697) and CRF07_BC (12.91%, 90/697). The overall drug resistance rate was 72.31% (504/697), with CRF55_01B exhibiting a resistance rate of 91.30% (21/23). Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) had the highest resistance mutation rate (67.29%, 469/697), followed by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)(56.81%, 396/697), protease inhibitors (PIs)(5.74%, 40/697), and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs)(2.75%, 19/691). The results of multivariate analysis showed that the positive correlation factor for drug resistance in HIV-1 infected individuals with failed ART was baseline CD4 +T lymphocyte counts <200 cells/μl (a OR=3.84, 95% CI: 1.69-8.72), and the negative correlation factor was ART duration of 3-5 years (a OR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.13-0.77), the initial treatment ART protocol used two types of NRTIs plus one type of PIs (a OR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.05-0.43) and two types of NRTIs plus one type of INSTIs protocol (a OR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.03-0.57). Conclusions:The drug resistance rate of HIV-1 infected patients with ART failure was relatively higher in Henan Province in 2023. Strengthening the monitoring of HIV-1 drug resistance is of great significance to improve the ART effect of HIV-1 infected patients.

Objective:To analyze risk factors associated with false-positive results of quantitative fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), evaluate its performance for detecting advanced colorectal neoplasia across different subgroups, and explore the optimal positivity thresholds for each subgroup.Methods:Individuals who participated in the Zhejiang Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in 2020-2021, completed questionnaire-based risk assessment and quantitative FIT for initial screening, and undertook colonoscopy for confirmed diagnosis were included in this study. The information of individuals, including demographic characteristics, lifestyles, history of diseases, and family history of colorectal cancer (CRC), was collected by using questionnaires. The diagnostic outcomes of the individuals were obtained through colonoscopy and pathological examination. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with false-positive FIT results. The optimal threshold of FIT was determined based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and 10-fold cross-validation. The effectiveness of FIT screening in different subgroups was compared using the unified threshold of 100 ng/ml or optimal positivity thresholds.Results:There were 25 874 individuals included in the analysis, with 14 694 (56.79%) having fecal hemoglobin concentrations ≥100 ng/ml. A total of 3 830 advanced adenoma cases (14.80%) and 362 CRC cases (1.40%) were identified. Age below 60 years old, females, underweight, smoking, drinking, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, no family history of CRC, no history of intestinal disease, no history of hypertension, and physical inactivity were associated with an elevated risk of false-positive results in FIT ( P<0.05). Compared to the predetermined threshold of 100 ng/ml, the false positive rate (FPR) of quantitative FIT decreased from 52.3% to 37.3% in all individuals, and decreased by more than 20% in females, individuals with normal weight, smokers, and those without a history of intestinal disease when adopting the optimal threshold (all P<0.001). Conclusion:The risk of false-positive results in quantitative FIT varies across different subgroups. Adopting the optimal thresholds could improve the specificity and reduce the FPR of quantitative FIT for CRC screening.

Objective To investigate the value of serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2)for predicting high-risk coronary plaques in elderly males.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 46 elderly males aged ≥60 years undergoing health check-ups and coro-nary computed tomography angiography in our hospital between May and July 2024.Their general clinical data were collected.Artificial intelligence software was used to analyze coronary calcium scores and plaque characteristics.The participants were divided into a high-risk plaque group(n=15)and a non-high-risk plaque group(n=31).The differences were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for high-risk coronary plaques.ROC curve was plotted to determine the predictive value of serum Lp-PLA2 for high-risk plaques,and its AUC value was calculated.Results The high-risk plaque group had significantly larger proportions of smoking history and hyperlipidemia,and higher level of homocysteine and Lp-PLA2 than the non-high-risk plaque group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Multiva-riate logistic regression analysis indicated that Lp-PLA2 was an independent risk factor for high-risk coronary plaques(HR=1.030,95％CI:1.008-1.053,P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUC value of Lp-PLA2 in predicting high-risk coronary plaques was 0.833(95％CI:0.694-0.927,P＜0.01),with a sensitivity of 93.3％,a specificity of 71.0％,a positive predictive value of 62.5％,and a negative predictive value of 100％.Conclusion Serum Lp-PLA2 is of signif-icant value in predicting high-risk coronary plaques in elderly men.

Objective To explore the application value of CMR myocardial strain technique in eld-erly males with HCM.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 50 elderly male pa-tients who underwent CMR examination at the Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from April 2020 to December 2024.According to being diagnosed with HCM or not,they were divided into a HCM group(24 cases)and a control group(26 cases).Post-processing soft-ware CVI42 was used to obtain two sets of basic functional and strain parameters of the left ven-tricle(LV)and left atrium(LA).The parameters of LV included LV mass,LV mass index(LV massi),global longitudinal strain(GLS),and so on,while the parameters of LA included minimum LA volume(LAV),minimum LA volume index(LA VI),LA passive strain(εe),LA peak early negative strain rate(SRe)and LA peak late negative strain rate(SRa),etc.The two sets of LV and LA parameters of basic functional and strain were compared between the two groups.Results The HCM group had significant higher LV mass and LV massi and minimum LAV and LAVI,but lower GLS,εe,SRe and SRa in 2D and 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography than the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The AUC value of 2D GLS,SRa,and logistic regres-sion model in predicting HCM was 0.887(95％CI:0.766-0.959),0.740(95％CI:0.597-0.854),and 0.929(95％CI:0.820-0.983),respectively,with a sensitivity of 76.92％,57.69％,and 84.62％,and a specificity of 70.83％,83.33％,and 91.67％,respectively.The logistic regression model demonstrated higher AUC value,sensitivity,and specificity than 2D GLS and SRa.Conclusion CMR myocardial strain technology is of significant diagnostic value for elderly male patients with HCM.

OBJECTIVE To investigate a suspected outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)infection in the intensive care unit of a traditional Chinese medicine hospital,identify the source of infec-tion and transmission routes,and provide a basis for prevention and control of CRKP infection.METHODS Epide-miological investigations were conducted on five patients with CRKP infections or colonization who were identi-fied in Jul.2024 at Suiyang County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Samples were collected from pa-tients,the ward environments,and hand surfaces to detect CRKP.Fourteen CRKP isolates were selected for car-bapenemase gene testing,and homology analysis was performed by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction(ERIC-PCR)and multilocus sequence typing(MLST).RESULTS The median age of the five cases was 73 years,and all had undergone multiple invasive procedures.Environmental monitoring showed a CRKP positive rate of 26.35％,with CRKP isolates detected on the hands of healthcare workers,surfaces in the wards and medical equipment surfaces.Genetic analysis showed that all 14 CRKP strains carried the KPC resist-ance gene;except for case 1,other strains carried the VIM gene.MLST identified CRKP of all strains as sequence type 48(ST48);while ERIC-PCR revealed two distinct genotypes:genotype A for case 1 and genotype B for the other cases and environmental isolates.After strengthening patient isolation and group treatment,strictly cleaning and disinfecting the ward environments and medical equipment,and strictly implementing hand hygiene,the infec-tion was effectively controlled.CONCLUSIONS Inadequate disinfection of the ward environments and medical e-quipment and poor compliance with hand hygiene are the main contributors to the suspected CRKP outbreak.Ho-mology analysis suggests the existence of two independent transmission chains.Timely identification and manage-ment of the infection sources,interruption of transmission routes,protection of susceptible individuals and imple-mentation of comprehensive infection control measures are essential for effective outbreak control.