Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as an alternative for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in treating multiple pulmonary nodules. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 113 patients with multiple pulmonary nodules admitted to Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2020 to October 2022. The patients were divided into the RFA group (n＝50) and the VATS group (n＝63) based on the treatment method. Perioperative indicators (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative length of hospital stay), oncological outcomes (recurrence-free survival [RFS], overall survival [OS]), and postoperative complication rates were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors. Results The operation time in the RFA group was significantly shorter than that in the VATS group ([75.2±20.1] min vs [102.3±28.7]) min, P＜0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in intraoperative blood loss and postoperative length of hospital stay. After follow-up of 24 (12, 30) months, no statistically significant differences were found in RFS (HR＝1.25, P＝0.445) or OS (HR＝1.42, P＝0.402) between the two groups. Mixed ground-glass nodules with high solid component and solid nodule were identified as independent risk factors for RFS (HR＝2.44, P＝0.023; HR＝2.97, P＝0.007) and OS (HR＝2.87, P＝0.022; HR＝3.43, P＝0.005) in patients with multiple pulmonary nodules. The total complication rate in the RFA group was lower than that in the VATS group (12.0% vs 34.9%, P＝0.009). Conclusions The efficacy of CT-guided RFA in treating multiple pulmonary nodules is comparable to that of VATS, with good safety, and it shows promise as an alternative to surgical treatment for multiple pulmonary nodules.

Recurrent wound complications after cardiac surgery are usually associated with deep sternal wound infections. We report a rare case of a patient with persistent wound complications and no clear evidence of deep sternal infection, who was eventually diagnosed with fungal osteitis and successfully treated with free tissue transfer. A 66-year-old man with multiple comorbidities underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using the left internal thoracic artery as a conduit. Three months after surgery, the patient developed persistent wound complications at the sternotomy site. Despite repeated debridement, the wound failed to heal, and cultures remained negative for several months. Eventually, Aspergillus fumigatus was identified, and invasive fungal osteitis was confirmed histologically. After serial debridement, definitive reconstruction was performed using a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. The right internal thoracic artery and vein served as recipient vessels, ensuring dead space obliteration and stable chest wall coverage. The patient recovered without further wound complications, and long-term antifungal therapy was maintained. At follow-up, no evidence of recurrent infection was observed. This case highlights the clinical challenges posed by fungal osteitis, a rare but difficult-to-treat condition.

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate alterations in white matter microstructure and spontaneous neural activity in male college smokers, and to further explore their associations with nicotine dependence. Given that adolescence and early adulthood represent critical periods for brain maturation, particularly for white matter development, understanding the neural correlates of smoking behavior during this stage is of substantial importance for both neuroscience and public health. MethodsA total of 115 male undergraduate students were initially recruited for this study. After quality control and exclusion procedures, 52 male college smokers and 42 demographically matched healthy non-smokers were included in the final analysis. All participants underwent multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). White matter fiber tracts were reconstructed using the automated fiber quantification (AFQ) method, which enables precise identification and quantification of major fiber bundles. Eighteen major white matter tracts were segmented for each participant. Along the core trajectory of each tract, 100 equidistant nodes were sampled. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was calculated at each node to assess white matter microstructural integrity, while amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was computed to evaluate spontaneous neural activity within white matter tracts. Between-group differences in FA and ALFF were assessed using two-sample t-tests, with appropriate corrections applied for multiple comparisons. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between imaging-derived metrics (FA and ALFF values in regions showing significant group differences) and nicotine dependence severity, as measured by the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND). ResultsCompared with healthy non-smokers, male college smokers exhibited significantly increased FA values in several white matter tracts, including the left thalamic radiation, right corticospinal tract, forceps major of the corpus callosum, left uncinate fasciculus, and right arcuate fasciculus. These findings suggest altered microstructural organization or increased directional coherence within these pathways. In addition, smokers demonstrated significantly elevated ALFF values in the forceps major, right uncinate fasciculus, and left arcuate fasciculus, indicating enhanced spontaneous neural activity in these white matter regions. Correlation analyses revealed that FA values in the left thalamic radiation and right corticospinal tract were negatively correlated with FTND scores, suggesting that higher levels of nicotine dependence were associated with reduced microstructural integrity or altered fiber organization in these regions. In contrast, ALFF values in the forceps major and right uncinate fasciculus were positively correlated with FTND scores, indicating that greater nicotine dependence was associated with increased spontaneous neural activity in specific white matter pathways. ConclusionThe present study provides evidence that male college smokers exhibit distinct alterations in both white matter microstructure and functional activity. These abnormalities are not uniformly distributed but rather localized to specific fiber tracts implicated in sensorimotor processing, interhemispheric communication, and higher-order cognitive and emotional regulation. Importantly, the observed associations between imaging metrics and nicotine dependence severity suggest that these structural and functional alterations may reflect neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction. The combination of AFQ-based tract profiling and multimodal MRI offers a sensitive approach for detecting subtle changes along white matter pathways, highlighting its potential utility in identifying neuroimaging biomarkers of nicotine dependence. Overall, these findings indicate that smoking during early adulthood may disrupt ongoing white matter maturation, potentially leading to long-term consequences for brain function. This study provides novel insights into the neural basis of nicotine dependence and underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies targeting young smokers.

ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of gingerol， an active component of ginger， on Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus） infection， and to preliminarily explore its mechanism related to extracellular vesicles （EVs）. MethodsS.aureus infection models were established in human umbilical vein endothelial cell （HUVECs）， Vero E6 cells， and C57BL/6 mice. Experimental groups included control， infection， and gingerol-treated groups. Bacterial load and VE-cadherin protein expression were detected using immunofluorescence and Western blot. EVs were isolated by size exclusion chromatography and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. miRNA sequencing was performed on EVs. ResultsGingerol treatment significantly reduced the bacterial load in both in vitro and in vivo infection models and upregulated VE-cadherin expression. miRNA sequencing of EVs revealed that S. aureus infection upregulated the expression of hsa-miR-320c， while gingerol treatment reversed this abnormal expression. Bioinformatic analysis further predicted that the target genes of hsa-miR-320c were significantly enriched in cell junction-related pathways. ConclusionGingerol exhibits clear antibacterial and host-protective effects， by regulating hsa-miR-320c in EVs to maintain endothelial barrier integrity.

Objective To understand the distribution, species composition, seasonal fluctuations, and presence of Dabie bandavirus in ticks in Tai'an City, providing a basis for assessing tick-borne disease risks and formulating prevention strategies. Methods Free-living ticks were monitored using the flagging method, whereas parasitic ticks were monitored through host surface examination. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the presence of Bandavirus dabieense in tick specimens. Results The density of free-living ticks in Tai'an City showed a continuous decreasing trend over the 3 years from 2021 to 2023, with an average tick density of 0.43 ticks/(flag·100 m). The dominant habitats were scenic areas and forests, and the seasonal fluctuations exhibited a bimodal pattern, peaking in March and August. The only free-living tick species captured was Haemaphysalis longicornis. Over the 3 years, the average tick index for parasitic ticks was 1.85, with sheep as the primary host. Seasonal fluctuations also followed a bimodal pattern, peaking in March and August. The primary parasitic tick species captured were H. longicornis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. No Dabie bandavirus was detected in the tick specimens. Conclusions Tick density in Tai'an City remains relatively high, necessitating continued efforts to enhance tick surveillance and implement targeted prevention measures in rural environments to further reduce the health risks posed by tick-borne diseases.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a family-school collaborative intervention on sleep health among fifth-grade primary school students, so as to provide scientific evidence for promoting sleep health among primary school students. Methods: From April to June 2024, a baseline survey was conducted on 342 fifth-grade students and their parents from one primary school in a district of Beijing, using the convenient sampling method. A semester of sleep health education was implemented from September to December 2024, covering cognitive, behavioral and environmental factors that affected timely bedtime; and the program took various forms, including student courses, popular-science articles for parents, and personalized feedback reports. Another primary school in the same area was conveniently selected as the control group, where 313 fifth-grade students and their parents received routine health education. The subjects were assessed for their baseline and end-point (March to June 2025) sleep conditions using sleep diaries (222 participants in the intervention group and 225 in the control group) and accelerometers (120 participants in the intervention group and 88 in the control group), respectively. The independent samples t-test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to compare characteristics between groups，and linear mixed models were employed to evaluate the intervention effects. Results: In the sleep diary evaluation, the intervention group had an earlier weekend wake up time and a smaller social jetlag than the control group at baseline ( t/Z =3.42, 7.21); in the accelerometer evaluation, the intervention group exhibited a smaller social jetlag than the control group at baseline ( Z =3.90) (all P <0.05). In the sleep diary evaluation, compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a reduced pre-to-post change in school-day bedtime ( β = -6.70), whereas the pre-to-post changes in school-day sleep duration, weekend wake-up time, weekend sleep duration, and average sleep duration were all increased at baseline and at the end ( β =8.41, 22.58, 27.03,13.74) (all P <0.05). In the accelerometer evaluation, compared with the control group, the intervention group showed reduced pre-to-post changes in school-day sleep onset time and school-day wake time ( β =-14.75, -6.24), whereas the pre-to-post change in school-day sleep duration increased at baseline and at the end ( β =8.01) (all P <0.05). Conclusion A family-school collaborative sleep health intervention may be an effective strategy for improving sleep among fifth-grade primary school students.

[Objective]To investigate the protective effect of overexpressed miRNA-200a&c on Angiostrongylus cantonensis-induced demyelinating optic neuritis in Balb/c mice.[Methods]SPF-grade Balb/c mice(2-3 weeks old)were divided into four groups:a normal group,and three A.cantonensis-infected groups at 7,14,and 21 days post-infection(dpi).Body weight,survival status,neurobehavioral scores,and visual function scores were recorded.Visual evoked potential(VEP)was used to detect visual damage,and transmission electron microscope(TEM)was applied to observe ocular structural changes.On day 7 post-infection,mice were stereotactically injected with exogenous miRNA-200a&c mimics into the lateral ventricle,and then divided into four groups:normal control,A.cantonensis-infected(AC-21 dpi),A.cantonensis-infected+negative control(AC+NC),and A.cantonensis-infected+overexpressed miRNA-200a&c(AC+miRNA-200a&c)mimics.VEP and TEM were repeated to assess visual damage and ocular structural changes.Immunofluorescence was performed to quantify retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)and oligodendrocytes(OLs)in the optic nerve.[Results]At 21 dpi,some mice exhibited complete eyelid closure(32.52±4.67)%or ocular atrophy(15.79±3.23)%,weight loss(P＜0.05)and altered consciousness.Neurobehavioral scores significantly decreased(P＜0.01),with a 68%decline in rotarod performance;some mice even displayed hemiplegia,slowed movement,ataxia,and directional deficits.Additionally,a subset of mice showed diminished sensory responses,unilateral vision loss(83%reduction in optokinetic threshold),and impaired visual function(P＜0.05).VEP results revealed a mild prolongation of latency in infected mice at 21 dpi(P＜0.05),predominantly affecting one eye.Following overexpression of miRNA-200a&c,compared with the 21 dpi group,VEP showed significantly shortened P1 latency(P＜0.05);TEM showed alleviated cytoplasmic swelling of RGCs,and improved compactness and uniformity of myelin sheath(P＜0.05);immunofluorescence showed increased numbers of RGCs and OLs with improved cell alignment(P＜0.05).[Conclusions]A.cantonensis infection induces demyelinating optic neuritis in Balb/c mice.Overexpression of miRNA-200a&c alleviates the resulting damage and ameliorates ocular injury.

Zirconium dioxide(ZrO2)is a suitable solid phase microextraction(SPME)fiber coating due to its high thermal and chemical stability and excellent adsorption.Similarly,polydopamine(PDA)can also be utilized as SPME fiber coating because of its strong oxidation resistance and stability,desired adsorption as well as environmental friendliness.In this work,a novel zirconium dioxide-doped polydopamine(ZrO2@PDA)SPME fiber coating was quickly fabricated on the stainless steel(SS)by cyclic voltammetry(CV)using the etched SS wire as working electrode,a Pt rod as counter electrode and a saturated calomel electrode as reference electrode.Coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection(HPLC-UV),the extraction performance of the fabricated SS@ZrO2@PDA fiber was evaluated using typical aromatic compounds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs),ultraviolet filters(UvFs),phthalate acid esters(PAEs)and chlorophenols(CPs).The SS@ZrO2@PDA fiber showed excellent extraction capability for PAHs and PAEs,however,poor extraction capability for UvFs and no extraction capability for CPs.Therefore,PAHs were selected as target analytes and the key experimental factors on extraction efficiency were optimized.Under the optimized conditions,good linearity was obtained for the developed SPME-HPLC-UV method with the SS@ZrO2@PDA fiber.The limits of detection(LODs,S/N=3)were 0.018-0.082 μg/L.The developed method was successfully applied to determination of trace PAHs in different actual water samples with recoveries of 86.7%-102.4%and RSDs less than 8.2%.In addition,the fabricated novel fiber was simple to prepare and exhibited high stability,good reproducibility and long service life.

The single photon counting imaging detector based on microchannel plate(MCP)has the characteristics of high sensitivity and low dark count rate,and has been applied to the optical remote sensing detection of weak ultraviolet spectral signals in space.In this work,by using planar array single photon counting imaging detector as the detector,flat-field concave grating as the splitter,and electrodeless discharge lamp(EDL)as the excitation light source,a dispersion detection system suitable for hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry(HG-AFS)was developed.The wavelength calibration of the system was carried out,and the negative high pressure and EDL stability time of the planar array single photon counting imaging detector were analyzed and optimized.The characteristic emission spectral lines of As and Bi elements excited in the wavelength range of 180-320 nm were analyzed,and the scattering interference in the wavelength range of 257.3-306.7 nm was discussed.The results showed that the AFS dispersion detection system based on the planar array single photon counting imaging detector could detect and analyze the HG-AFS fluorescence signal initially,and the influence of scattering interference on the detection results was effectively avoided.The system had the advantages including simple structure,no refrigeration and temperature control,no moving parts and simultaneous measurement of multi-band.

In this work,a fluorescent probe PIN was synthesized using indole-3-carbohydrazide and pyrenecarboxaldehyde as raw materials.PIN showed weak fluorescence emission in aqueous solution with acetonitrile volume fraction of 70％.However,when Cu2+was added to this aqueous solution of PIN,a new fluorescence emission peak appeared at 495 nm,and the intensity of this peak gradually increased with the increase of concentration of Cu2+,and also caused a significant change in the fluorescence color of the solution.In contrast,the addition of 15 kinds of other common metal ions did not cause such change.The detection limit of PIN for Cu2+was 78.7 nmol/L,which was much lower than the maximum permitting level of Cu2+in drinking water in hygienic standard for drinking water in China.Therefore,PIN was a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence-enhanced probe for Cu2+.Meanwhile,the addition of Cu2+could also cause a new absorption peak at 440 nm in the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of the aqueous solution of PIN,and meanwhile the colorless PIN solution changed into yellow,exhibiting the performance of PIN as a colorimetric probe for Cu2+.By fitting with the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm equation,the binding ratio of PIN to Cu2+was 2:1,and the binding constant was 3.42×1012 L2/mol2.In addition,the binding mode of PIN with Cu2+was explored by using proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR)titration experiments and density functional theory simulations.The results showed that the addition of Cu2+could cause the aggregation of PIN molecules to form excimers,thus showing highly selective recognition.Finally,PIN was made into a simple test strip,which could achieve rapid and convenient fluorescence detection of Cu2+in actual water samples.