1.Analysis of knowledge awareness and associated factors of chikungunya fever among medical college students in Baise City
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):347-350
Objective:
To understand the awareness of chikungunya fever knowledge and its related factors among medical college students in Baise City, so as to provide a scientific basis to offer relevant courses and special education.
Methods:
From July to August 2025, 7 286 enrolled medical students were selected by a sampling method from a medical college in Baise City to participate in the questionnaire survey. The questionnaire covered epidemiological characteristics, clinical symptoms, and prevention/control knowledge of chikungunya fever. Statistical analyses including the Chi quare test and multivariate Logistic regression models were performed.
Results:
The overall awareness rate of chikungunya fever knowledge among the medical students was 18.89%. Among the knowledge items, the awareness rate of "the high incidence season" was the highest (84.05%), while that of "the infectious period" was the lowest (17.80%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that medical students with female (a OR= 1.37 , 95%CI =1.20- 1.57 ), the age for over 25 years old (a OR=1.76, 95%CI =1.05-2.93), whose father had a middle school educational level (a OR=1.18, 95%CI =1.05-1.31), and majored in preventive medicine (a OR=1.54, 95%CI =1.10-1.67) had relatively higher awareness rates of chikungunya fever knowledge (all P <0.05). In contrast, students of Zhuang ethnicity (a OR= 0.87 , 95%CI =0.76-0.98) and majoring in nursing (a OR=0.74, 95%CI =0.61-0.91) or pharmacy (a OR=0.70, 95%CI =0.52-0.95) had relatively lower awareness rates (all P <0.05).
Conclusions
The awareness rate of chikungunya fever related knowledge among medical college students in Baise City is relatively low. Schools should take targeted publicity measures to improve medical students awareness.
2.Interventional effect and mechanism of Bifidobacterium in chronic liver disease
Liyi PAN ; Yueqiao CHEN ; Yu CHEN ; Yuyun HUANG ; Hao PEI ; Fenglan WU ; Lyuping YE ; Na WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):464-471
Compared with traditional therapies for chronic liver disease (CLD), Bifidobacterium has the characteristics of multi-target intervention, high biosafety, and good host compatibility and provides new strategies for intervention of CLD progression in terms of microecological regulation. Various studies have shown that Bifidobacterium regulates liver homeostasis and exerts a therapeutic effect on CLD by regulating intestinal flora, maintaining antioxidation, promoting energy consumption, alleviating inflammation, improving glycolipid metabolism, and exerting an antitumor effect. This article systematically reviews the studies on Bifidobacterium in the treatment of CLD in China and globally, explores their different mechanisms, and elaborates on the interaction between related signaling pathways (such as the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway and the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway) and the liver, in order to provide a basis for probiotic intervention in liver pathology, as well as new ideas for the comprehensive treatment of CLD.
3.Effectiveness of primary tumor resection for survival after first-line cetuximab or bevacizumab in KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer treated with subsequent trifluridine/tipiracil or regorafenib
Yu-Hsun CHEN ; Chih-Chien WU ; Chien-Chou SU ; Pei-Ting LEE ; Yi-Chia SU
Annals of Coloproctology 2026;42(1):127-140
Purpose:
The optimal sequencing of targeted therapies and the role of primary tumor resection (PTR) in KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remain unclear. This study compared survival outcomes in patients treated with first-line cetuximab plus FOLFIRI (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan) versus bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI, followed by second-line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy and later-line trifluridine/tipiracil or regorafenib.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study used Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database and the Taiwan Cancer Registry. Patients diagnosed with mCRC between 2013 and 2019 were included if they received first-line cetuximab or bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI, followed by later-line trifluridine/tipiracil or regorafenib. Patients were stratified by PTR status. Primary endpoints were overall survival and survival during trifluridine/tipiracil or regorafenib treatment. Secondary endpoints included time to treatment discontinuation (TTD) and TTD during trifluridine/tipiracil or regorafenib therapy. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting was used for adjustment.
Results:
Among 559 patients, 278 were assigned to the non-PTR group and 281 to the PTR group. In the non-PTR group, the cetuximab cohort demonstrated significantly longer survival during trifluridine/tipiracil or regorafenib therapy (6.2 months vs. 4.9 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.72) and longer TTD1 (the interval between initiation of first-line therapy and the start of second-line chemotherapy; 11.8 months vs. 9.5 months; HR, 0.67) than the bevacizumab cohort. Survival differences between regimens were less pronounced among patients who underwent PTR.
Conclusion
First-line cetuximab plus FOLFIRI may confer a survival advantage over bevacizumab in patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC without PTR, including during later-line therapy with trifluridine/tipiracil or regorafenib, whereas bevacizumab appears to provide more consistent benefits in those with PTR.
4.Development and Validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Detecting Adrenocortical Hormones and Establishment of Age-Stratified Reference Intervals in Reproductive-Aged Women from Guangxi, China
Yixuan LIU ; Tingwei JIN ; Yushuang WEI ; Xuelian QIN ; Siyu DENG ; Jie ZHENG ; Boteng YAN ; Yuanyuan NONG ; Yu YE ; Shengzhu HUANG ; Yu LONG ; Jianmin LI ; Ganqin WANG ; Pei HUANG ; Jinghang JIANG ; Fan WU ; Zengnan MO ; Yonghua JIANG
Annals of Laboratory Medicine 2026;46(2):146-154
Background:
Adrenocortical hormones, particularly 11-oxygenated androgens, are pivotal in female reproductive health and fertility. Standardized detection kits and population-specific reference intervals are lacking in China, hindering related clinical applications.
Methods:
A HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) pipeline was developed, rigorously validated, and applied to simultaneously quantify corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol, 18-OH cortisol, androstenedione (A4), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OH A4), dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum samples from 455 reproductive-aged women (18–45 yrs) in Guangxi, China. Age-dependent concentration trends were analyzed, and reference intervals stratified by age (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles) were established. Correlations with body-composition metrics, ethnicity, and the menstrual cycle were investigated.
Results:
The HPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated high precision (intra- and inter-assay CVs < 15%), accuracy, and sensitivity. All eight hormones exhibited significant age-related declines (P < 0.001 for seven hormones; P = 0.001 for 11-OH A4). Notably, 11-OH A4 levels were significantly lower in the 35–45-yr (3.05 nmol/L) and 25–34-yr (3.09 nmol/L) age groups than in the 18–24-yr (3.57 nmol/L) age group, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 35–45-yr and 25–34-yr age groups. Weak negative correlations were observed between the body mass index and corticosterone and cortisone levels, whereas ethnicity and the menstrual cycle showed no significant associations with hormone levels.
Conclusions
We developed an HPLC-MS/MS-based method for simultaneously quantifying eight adrenocortical hormones, including 11-OH A4, and defined age-specific reference intervals for reproductive-aged Chinese women. These findings advance the clinical utility of adrenocortical hormones in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders.
5.Harnessing Machine Learning for Personalized Care of Patients With Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Yen-Ting GUO ; Ching-Ting TAN ; Chen-Chi WU ; Chun-Ying WANG ; Chein-Yu HUANG ; Tzu-Hsiang YANG ; Ting-Yi LEE ; Ting-Hua YANG ; Tien-Chen LIU ; Pey-Yu CHEN ; Pei-Hsuan LIN
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(2):194-204
Objectives:
. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a significant cause of hearing loss. Intratympanic steroid injection (ITSI) is commonly used as an initial or salvage treatment; however, the lack of a standardized treatment protocol has resulted in variability in clinical practice. In addition, no efficient prediction model currently exists to support personalized management. Therefore, this study aimed to develop tailored management strategies for ISSNHL using a machine-learning model.
Methods:
. This retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2020, with data analysis performed between January 2021 and March 2024. Patients were selected based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision criteria for ISSNHL, along with relevant medication and procedure codes. Patients with pure-tone audiogram results not meeting ISSNHL criteria, better initial hearing in the affected ear, an identifiable etiology, no post-treatment audiogram, or delayed treatment (>6 weeks) were excluded. We included 770 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL who received ITSI. The primary outcome was the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for prediction performance. Recovery status was determined using the last pure-tone audiogram. Modeling was conducted on the Quanta for Medical Care AI platform using five machine-learning algorithms and a nested cross-validation framework, in which feature selection and hyperparameter tuning were performed in the inner folds and model performance was evaluated in the outer folds.
Results:
. A random forest classifier outperformed the other models in predicting hearing outcomes, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.788. Time to ITSI was the most influential treatment-related factor, with ITSI administered within 10 days of hearing loss being associated with better outcomes. This model can be used to provide personalized prognostic estimates under different treatment protocols.
Conclusion
. The machine-learning-based prediction model facilitates personalized treatment strategies and timely treatment adjustments for ISSNHL, thereby optimizing the likelihood of complete recovery.
6.Two Cases of Psychiatric Symptoms Associated with Zonisamide Antiepileptic Treatment
Cun-Bo WU ; Pei-Sen YAO ; Li-Chao SU ; Zhang-Ya LIN
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2026;24(1):202-206
To report two cases of psychiatric symptoms associated with zonisamide, an antiepileptic drug, and raise clinical awareness of this potential adverse effect. Two male patients with epilepsy treated with zonisamide were retrospectively analyzed. Case 1 (25 years old) developed acute emotional and behavioral abnormalities (e.g., insomnia, aggression, incoherent speech) after switching from sodium valproate to zonisamide (200 mg/day). Case 2 (48 years old) had long-term zonisamide use (≥5 years) with persistent treatment-resistant psychotic symptoms (e.g., delusions, command hallucinations). Clinical courses, medication adjustments, and symptom responses were documented. In Case 1, psychiatric symptoms resolved after discontinuing zonisamide and switching to sodium valproate, with improved mood stability and reduced impulsivity. In Case 2, despite escalating antipsychotic medications (risperidone, clozapine), psychotic symptoms persisted, likely due to ongoing zonisamide use. Both cases highlighted zonisamide’s potential to exacerbate or induce psychiatric manifestations, possibly via mechanisms involving sodium/calcium channel inhibition and neurotransmitter dysregulation (e.g., dopamine, serotonin). Zonisamide can cause or worsen psychiatric symptoms, particularly in vulnerable individuals. Clinicians should monitor for mental health changes during zonisamide treatment and consider drug discontinuation or substitution with alternative antiepileptics (e.g., sodium valproate) if psychiatric adverse effects emerge. Awareness of this association is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and optimize epilepsy management.
7.Risk factors and altered functional connectivity of brain networks in end-stage renal disease complicated with frailty
Zhaohua SUN ; Dashan LI ; Nan FENG ; Zilian CHEN ; Pei ZHANG ; Yonggui WU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):894-900
ObjectiveTo explore the risk factors and alterations in functional connectivity of brain networks in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients complicated by frailty. MethodsA total of 84 patients with ESRD were enrolled and divided into the frailty group (31 cases) and non-frailty group (53 cases) according to the Chinese version of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI). Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, neuropsychological test results and clinical data were collected for all subjects. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors for frailty in ESRD patients, and image preprocessing and independent component analysis were performed to compare differences in brain network functional connectivity between the two groups. ResultsLogistic regression analysis showed that high blood urea nitrogen level, depression, malnutrition, and sleep disturbance were risk factors for frailty in patients with ESRD (P<0.05), while a higher level of education served as a protective factor (P<0.05). Compared with the non-frailty group, the frailty group exhibited significantly weakened functional connectivity between the sensorimotor network and the visual network (P<0.05). ConclusionHigh levels of blood urea nitrogen, depression, malnutrition, and sleep disorders can increase the risk of frailty in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), while a higher educational level may reduce this risk. Patients with ESRD complicated by frailty exhibit a significant decrease in functional connectivity between the sensorimotor network (SMN) and visual network (VN), which provides novel imaging evidence for exploring the central neural mechanisms underlying the development of frailty in ESRD patients.
8.GPX3 attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury in kidney transplantation by inhibiting ROS-mediated NET formation
Jun PEI ; Hongyu TANG ; Moudong WU ; Jinpu PENG ; Nini AN ; Xingyu PAN
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(4):602-609
Objective To investigate the role and potential mechanism of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) during kidney transplantation. Methods C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups according to different interventions: sham operation group (Sham group), kidney transplantation group (KT group), kidney transplantation + GPX3 overexpression group (KT+GPX3 group) and kidney transplantation + GPX3 overexpression + reactive oxygen species (ROS) agonist group (KT+GPX3+CADD522 group). Twenty-four hours after model establishment, inferior vena cava blood was collected to detect blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr). Left renal tissues were harvested for immunofluorescence staining to detect ROS and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α and interleukin (IL)-1β. Western blotting was used to detect myeloperoxidase (MPO) and citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3). Results Compared with the Sham group, the expression level of GPX3 was decreased in the KT group; compared with the KT group, GPX3 expression was increased in the KT+GPX3 group; compared with the KT+GPX3 group, GPX3 expression was reduced in the KT+GPX3+CADD522 group (all P<0.05). Compared with the Sham group, the levels of Scr, BUN, NGAL and KIM-1 were elevated in the KT group; compared with the KT group, the above indicators were decreased in the KT+GPX3 group; compared with the KT+GPX3 group, the levels of Scr, BUN, NGAL and KIM-1 were increased in the KT+GPX3+CADD522 group (all P<0.05). Compared with the Sham group, the expression levels of NOX2 and ROS were increased in the KT group; compared with the KT group, NOX2 and ROS levels were decreased in the KT+GPX3 group; compared with the KT+GPX3 group, NOX2 and ROS levels were upregulated in the KT+GPX3+CADD522 group (all P<0.05). Compared with the Sham group, the expression levels of MPO and CitH3 were increased in the KT group; compared with the KT group, MPO and CitH3 levels were decreased in the KT+GPX3 group; compared with the KT+GPX3 group, MPO and CitH3 levels were increased in the KT+GPX3+CADD522 group (all P<0.05). Compared with the Sham group, the expression levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were increased in the KT group; compared with the KT group, TNF-α and IL-1β levels were decreased in the KT+GPX3 group; compared with the KT+GPX3 group, TNF-α and IL-1β levels were increased in the KT+GPX3+CADD522 group (all P<0.05). Conclusions GPX3 may alleviate renal tissue inflammation by inhibiting ROS-mediated neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, thereby attenuating IRI in renal transplantation.
9.Clinical study on the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome by Piwei Peiyuan Pill combined with moxibustion
Kairui WU ; Yu YE ; Bei PEI ; Biao SONG ; Yi ZHANG ; Tingting LI ; Qi YANG ; Yun LIU ; Xuejun LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(2):280-290
Objective:
To determine the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Piwei Peiyuan Pill (PPP) combined with moxibustion for treating patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome.
Methods:
Ninety-six CAG patients with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled at the Department of Spleen and Stomach Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from June 2022 to December 2023. The patients were randomly divided into a control, a Chinese medicine, and a combined group using a random number table method, with 32 cases in each group (two cases per group were excluded). The control group was treated with rabeprazole combined with folic acid tablets (both thrice daily), the Chinese medicine group was treated with PPP (8 g, thrice daily), and the combined group was treated with moxa stick moxibustion (once daily) on the basis of the Chinese medicine group for 12 consecutive weeks. Gastric mucosa atrophy in the three groups was observed before and after treatment. The gastric mucosal pathological score was evaluated. The Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) scale was used to evaluate the patients′ physical and mental health status and quality of life.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-37, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β levels in each group. Real-time fluorescence PCR was used to detect the relative expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) mRNA in each group. Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression levels of proteins related to the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway, and the adverse drug reactions and events were recorded and compared.
Results:
There was no statistical difference in age, gender, disease duration, family history of gastrointestinal tumors, alcohol consumption history, and body mass index among the three groups of patients.The total therapeutic efficacy rates of the control, Chinese medicine, and combined groups in treating gastric mucosal atrophy were 66.67% (20/30), 86.67% (26/30), and 90.00% (27/30), respectively (P<0.05). Compared to before treatment, the pathological and PRO scale scores of gastric mucosa in each group decreased after treatment, and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-37, and TGF-β levels decreased. The relative STAT3 and mTOR mRNA expression levels, as well as the relative STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels decreased (P<0.05), whereas the IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased (P<0.05). After treatment, compared to the control group, the pathological score of gastric mucosa, PRO scale score, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-37, TGF-β content, relative STAT3 and mTOR mRNA expression levels, and relative STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels in the Chinese medicine and combined groups after treatment were reduced (P<0.05), whereas the IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased (P<0.05). After treatment, compared to the Chinese medicine group, the combined group showed a decrease in relative STAT3, mTOR mRNA expression levels, and STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels (P<0.05).
Conclusion
The combination of PPP and moxibustion may regulate the inflammatory mechanism of the body by inhibiting the abnormal activation of the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway, upregulating related anti-inflammatory factor levels, downregulating pro-inflammatory factor expression, and increasing related repair factor expression, thereby promoting the recovery of atrophic gastric mucosa, reducing discomfort symptoms, and improving the physical and mental state of CAG patients with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome.
10.Outcomes of identifying enlarged vestibular aqueduct (Mondini malformation) related gene mutation in Mongolian people
Jargalkhuu E ; Tserendulam B ; Maralgoo J ; Zaya M ; Enkhtuya B ; Ulzii B ; Ynjinlhkam E ; Chuluun-Erdene Ts ; Chen-Chi Wu ; Cheng-Yu Tsai ; Yin-Hung Lin ; Yi-Hsin Lin ; Yen-Hui Chan ; Chuan-Jen Hsu ; Wei-Chung Hsu ; Pei-Lung Chen
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;87(3):8-15
Background:
Hearing loss (HL) is one of the most common sensory disorders,
affecting over 5-8% of the world's population. Approximately half of HL cases are
attributed to genetic factors. In hereditary deafness, about 75-80% is inherited
through autosomal recessive inheritance, and common pathogenic genes include
GJB2 and SLC26A4. Pathogenic variants in the SLC26A4gene are the leading
cause of hereditary hearing loss in humans, second only to the GJB2 gene. Variants in the SLC26A4gene cause hearing loss, which can be non-syndromic autosomal recessive deafness (DFNB4, OMIM #600791) associated with enlarged
vestibular aqueduct (EVA) or Pendred syndrome (Pendred, OMIM #605646).
DFNB4 is characterized by sensorineural hearing loss combined with EVA or less
common cochlear malformation defect. Pendred syndrome is characterized by bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with EVA and an iodine defect that can lead to
thyroid goiter. Currently, it is known that EVA is associated with variants in the
SLC26A4 gene and is a penetrant feature of SLC26A4-related HL. Predominant
mutations in these genes differ significantly across populations. For instance, predominant SLC26A4 mutations differ among populations, including p.T416P and
c.1001G>A in Caucasians, p.H723R in Japanese and Koreans, and c.919-2A>G
in Han Taiwanese and Han Chinese. On the other hand, there has been no study
of hearing loss related to SLC26A4 gene variants among Mongolians, which is the
basis of our research.
Aim:
We aimed to identify the characteristics of the SLC26A4 gene variants in
Mongolian people with Enlarged vestibular aqueduct and Mondini malformation.
Materials and Methods:
In 2022-2024, We included 13 people with hearing loss
and enlarged vestibular aqueduct, incomplete cochlea (1.5 turns of the cochlea
with cystic apex- incomplete partition type II- Mondini malformation) were examined by CT scan of the temporal bone in our study. WES (Whole exome sequencing) analysis was performed in the Genetics genetic-laboratory of the National
Taiwan University Hospital.
Results:
Genetic analysis revealed 26 confirmed pathogenic variants of bi-allelic
SLC26A4 gene of 8 different types in 13 cases, and c.919-2A>G variant was dominant with 46% (12/26) in allele frequency, and c.2027T>A (p.L676Q) variant 19%
(5/26), c.1318A>T(p.K440X) variant 11% (3/26), c.1229C>T (p.T410M) variant 8%
(2/26) ) , c.716T>A (p.V239D), c.281C>T (p.T94I), c.1546dupC, and c.1975G>C
(p.V659L) variants were each 4% (1/26)- revealed. Two male children, 11 years
old (SLC26A4: c.919-2A>G) and 7 years old (SLC26A4: c.919-2A>G:, SLC26A4:
c.2027T>A (p.L676Q))had history of born normal hearing and progressive hearing
loss.
Conclusions
1. 26 variants of bi-allelic SLC26A4 gene mutation were detected
in Mongolian people with EVA and Mondini malformation, and c.919-2A>G was
the most dominant allele variant, and rare variants such as c.1546dupC, c.716T>A
(p.V239D) were detected.
2. Our study shows that whole-exome sequencing (WES) can identify gene
mutations that are not detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or NGS analysis.


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