ObjectivesTo investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 infection among men who had sex with men (MSM) in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, and to provide a scientific reference for acquired immune deficiency syndrome prevention and control efforts. MethodsThe research subjects were all newly reported MSM population in Taizhou City from 2020 to 2023. Blood samples without antiviral therapy were collected. The HIV-1 pol gene was amplified and sequenced, and the sequences were submitted to the Stanford University drug resistance database to identify the mutation sites and drug resistance. MEGA 11.0 software was used to analyze the nucleic acid sequences, construct phylogenetic tree, and calculate genetic distance of gene sequences. The molecular transmission network diagram of HIV-1 was constructed using Cytoscape_v3.10.1, and the influencing factors of network entry were analyzed by logistic regression. ResultsA total of 363 newly reported HIV-infected MSM patients were included, with a median age [M (P₂₅, P₇₅)] of 34 (26,47) years old. The majority had an educational level of junior high school or below (55.65%). A total of eight subtypes were found, mainly CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE. The primary drug resistance rate was 10.47% (38/363). The optimal molecular network gene distance was 0.019, with a network access rate of 42.70% (155/363), and a total of 47 molecular clusters were formed. Multivariate logistic analyses showed that compared with the CRF01_AE subtype, the clustering risk of CRF07_BC subtype was higher (OR=1.916, 95%CI: 1.191‒3.109), cases with drug resistance had a higher risk of cluster formation than those without drug resistance (OR=2.011, 95%CI: 1.006‒4.080), and recent infected patients had a lower risk of entering the largest molecular cluster than long-term infected patients (OR=0.376, 95%CI: 0.137‒0.928). ConclusionThe newly diagnosed infections among the MSM population are active in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, with a high level of primary drug resistance. Individuals carrying drug-resistant strains are more likely to cluster. Drug resistance monitoring should be strengthened to prevent further spread of drug-resistant strains in the network.

Objective : To explore the expression of prohibitin2(PHB2) in breast cancer and its effect on the biological behaviors of tumor cells. Methods : Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of PHB2 protein in breast cancer tissues and its relationship with clinicopathologic features. Breast cancer stable transient cell lines were constructed with knockdown and overexpression ofPHB2, respectively. The effects of PHB2 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability were detected by clone formation assay, scratch assay and Transwell assay. Western blot(WB) was used to detect the effects of PHB2 on the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related markers, including E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail family transcriptional repressor 1(Snail) protein, Vimentin, and Claudin-1. The effect of PHB2 on tumorigenicityin vivowas detected by subcutaneous tumor formation assay in nude mice. Results: The result of immunohistochemical showed that PHB2 was highly expressed in breast cancer and the expression of PHB2 was significantly positive correlated with tumor size, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER-2) status and proliferation index Ki-67 levels(P<0.05). Clone formation assay, scratch assay and Transwell assay revealed that knockdown ofPBH2significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of breast cancer cells(P<0.01), while the overexpression ofPHB2significantly promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion(P<0.01). The result of subcutaneous tumor formation experiment in nude mice revealed a significant decrease in tumor volume and weight in knockdownPHB2mice(P<0.000 1), whilePHB2overexpression tumors significantly increased in volume and weight(P<0.001).WB assay showed that the protein expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin increased, while the expressions of mesenchymal markers N-cadherin, Snail and Vimentin decreased significantly afterPHB2knockdown with them in control cells(P<0.01). The expression of Claudin-1 decreased, while the expressions of N-cadherin, Snail and Vimentin increased significantly inPHB2overexpression cells(P<0.05). Conclusion PHB2 is highly expressed in breast cancer and promotes multiple malignant biological behaviors in tumor cells, suggesting PHB2 may be a potential target for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

AIM:The aim of this study was to explore the effects of Yiqi-Yangyin-Quyu prescription(YP)on skeletal muscle injury and related metabolic disorders in mice with Sj?gren syndrome(SS),and to clarify the role of hy-droxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase trifunctional multienzyme complex subunit beta(Hadhb)in mediating the effect of YP on skeletal muscle in SS.METHODS:The SS mice underwent YP treatment for 8 weeks.The morphological changes of the submandibular gland and muscle tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin staining.The mitochondrial status in mus-cle tissue was assessed through transmission electron microscopy.Additionally,combined transcriptome and proteome se-quencing was conducted on skeletal muscle samples.The omics sequencing results were validated by RT-qPCR.Immuno-fluorescence was used to confirm the levels of key proteins involved in the P53/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARG)signaling pathway.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to determine the levels of Hadhb key targets.RESULTS:Combined transcriptome and proteome analysis identified 1 523 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and 182 differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)between the muscle tissue of SS mice(model group)and that of control animals(ICR group),12 of which showed co-differential expression at both transcriptomic and proteomic levels.Compared with model group,1 232 genes and 432 proteins were found to be differentially expressed in the muscle tissue of the mice in YP group.Among these,23 exhibited co-differential expression at both mRNA and protein levels.Gene Ontology(GO)analysis showed that the DEGs and DEPs between ICR and model groups were mainly involved in ener-gy metabolism and fatty acid oxidation,while the DEGs and DEPs between YP and model groups were primarily associated with sarcomere tissue and actin structure.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis indi-cated that the DEGs and DEPs between ICR and model groups and between model and YP groups were enriched in the com-plement and coagulation cascade and lipid and pyruvate metabolism.The RT-qPCR validation results were consistent with those of the transcriptome analysis.Furthermore,the protein expression of the tumor suppressor P53 was significantly de-creased in YP group compared with model group,whereas that of PPARG was significantly increased.Western blot analy-sis showed that compared with ICR group,Hadhb protein expression was significantly decreased in model group,whereas the opposite trend was detected in YP group.CONCLUSION:The SS-related skeletal muscle damage is closely related to amino acid metabolism disorder and fatty acid degradation.Treatment with YP modulates innate immune defenses,lipid metabolism and energy metabolism in SS,and Hadhb is the key target of YP in SS-related skeletal muscle.

Objective:To investigate the association between different types of lung nodules and the risk of lung cancer in a population at high risk of lung cancer and to provide an epidemiologic basis for the comprehensive management of lung nodules.Methods:Using the free lung cancer screening program of low-dose CT (LDCT) in Wenling, Zhejiang Province, we collected baseline and imaging information of high-risk groups for lung cancer who underwent LDCT screening from April 2019 to October 2021 and patients with previous history of lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumoconiosis, and silicosis were excluded. A total of 28 539 study subjects were included in the analysis, and the follow-up ended on 31 December 2023. Based on the characteristics of the detected pulmonary nodules, the study subjects were classified with no nodules, with solid nodules, with pure ground glass nodules, and with part solid nodules groups. The association between different characteristics of lung nodules and the risk of lung cancer development was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model with a new diagnosis of lung cancer during the follow-up period as the outcome.Results:The overall detection rate of lung nodules with a mean diameter of ≥3 mm was 76.5%, of which 53.7%, 18.2%, and 4.6% were detected in the solid nodule, pure ground glass nodule, and partially solid nodule groups, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the different nodule groups in terms of age, gender, BMI, history of toxic exposure education level, smoking status, history of lung disease, and family history of lung cancer (all P<0.05). The median follow-up time of the study population was 3.4 years, and 485 new lung cancer cases were diagnosed during the follow-up period. After adjusting for covariates, the results of multifactorial Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the risk of lung cancer was higher in pure ground glass nodules and part solid nodules compared with solid nodules, with HR values (95% CI) of 1.89 (1.52-2.35) and 6.49 (5.18-8.14), respectively. The results of subgroup analysis showed that patients in the group of part solid nodules had the highest risk of lung cancer in all strata of the population, followed by patients with pure ground glass nodules. Patients in the solid nodule group who were older or had previous lung disease had a higher risk of lung cancer, and the risk of lung cancer in the part solid nodule group differed between genders. Conclusions:The proportion of lung nodules detected is high in the high-risk group of lung cancer, and among them, patients with pure ground glass and part solid nodules have a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Attention should be paid to the annual follow-up management for patients with solid nodules who are older or who have had lung diseases, as well as for female patients with part solid nodules.

Objective:To investigate the association between different types of lung nodules and the risk of lung cancer in a population at high risk of lung cancer and to provide an epidemiologic basis for the comprehensive management of lung nodules.Methods:Using the free lung cancer screening program of low-dose CT (LDCT) in Wenling, Zhejiang Province, we collected baseline and imaging information of high-risk groups for lung cancer who underwent LDCT screening from April 2019 to October 2021 and patients with previous history of lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumoconiosis, and silicosis were excluded. A total of 28 539 study subjects were included in the analysis, and the follow-up ended on 31 December 2023. Based on the characteristics of the detected pulmonary nodules, the study subjects were classified with no nodules, with solid nodules, with pure ground glass nodules, and with part solid nodules groups. The association between different characteristics of lung nodules and the risk of lung cancer development was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model with a new diagnosis of lung cancer during the follow-up period as the outcome.Results:The overall detection rate of lung nodules with a mean diameter of ≥3 mm was 76.5%, of which 53.7%, 18.2%, and 4.6% were detected in the solid nodule, pure ground glass nodule, and partially solid nodule groups, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the different nodule groups in terms of age, gender, BMI, history of toxic exposure education level, smoking status, history of lung disease, and family history of lung cancer (all P<0.05). The median follow-up time of the study population was 3.4 years, and 485 new lung cancer cases were diagnosed during the follow-up period. After adjusting for covariates, the results of multifactorial Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the risk of lung cancer was higher in pure ground glass nodules and part solid nodules compared with solid nodules, with HR values (95% CI) of 1.89 (1.52-2.35) and 6.49 (5.18-8.14), respectively. The results of subgroup analysis showed that patients in the group of part solid nodules had the highest risk of lung cancer in all strata of the population, followed by patients with pure ground glass nodules. Patients in the solid nodule group who were older or had previous lung disease had a higher risk of lung cancer, and the risk of lung cancer in the part solid nodule group differed between genders. Conclusions:The proportion of lung nodules detected is high in the high-risk group of lung cancer, and among them, patients with pure ground glass and part solid nodules have a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Attention should be paid to the annual follow-up management for patients with solid nodules who are older or who have had lung diseases, as well as for female patients with part solid nodules.

AIM:The aim of this study was to explore the effects of Yiqi-Yangyin-Quyu prescription(YP)on skeletal muscle injury and related metabolic disorders in mice with Sj?gren syndrome(SS),and to clarify the role of hy-droxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase trifunctional multienzyme complex subunit beta(Hadhb)in mediating the effect of YP on skeletal muscle in SS.METHODS:The SS mice underwent YP treatment for 8 weeks.The morphological changes of the submandibular gland and muscle tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin staining.The mitochondrial status in mus-cle tissue was assessed through transmission electron microscopy.Additionally,combined transcriptome and proteome se-quencing was conducted on skeletal muscle samples.The omics sequencing results were validated by RT-qPCR.Immuno-fluorescence was used to confirm the levels of key proteins involved in the P53/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARG)signaling pathway.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to determine the levels of Hadhb key targets.RESULTS:Combined transcriptome and proteome analysis identified 1 523 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and 182 differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)between the muscle tissue of SS mice(model group)and that of control animals(ICR group),12 of which showed co-differential expression at both transcriptomic and proteomic levels.Compared with model group,1 232 genes and 432 proteins were found to be differentially expressed in the muscle tissue of the mice in YP group.Among these,23 exhibited co-differential expression at both mRNA and protein levels.Gene Ontology(GO)analysis showed that the DEGs and DEPs between ICR and model groups were mainly involved in ener-gy metabolism and fatty acid oxidation,while the DEGs and DEPs between YP and model groups were primarily associated with sarcomere tissue and actin structure.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis indi-cated that the DEGs and DEPs between ICR and model groups and between model and YP groups were enriched in the com-plement and coagulation cascade and lipid and pyruvate metabolism.The RT-qPCR validation results were consistent with those of the transcriptome analysis.Furthermore,the protein expression of the tumor suppressor P53 was significantly de-creased in YP group compared with model group,whereas that of PPARG was significantly increased.Western blot analy-sis showed that compared with ICR group,Hadhb protein expression was significantly decreased in model group,whereas the opposite trend was detected in YP group.CONCLUSION:The SS-related skeletal muscle damage is closely related to amino acid metabolism disorder and fatty acid degradation.Treatment with YP modulates innate immune defenses,lipid metabolism and energy metabolism in SS,and Hadhb is the key target of YP in SS-related skeletal muscle.

A high-altitude environment is characterized by low oxygen levels,low pressure,and low temperatures.Exposure to the plateau environment often causes damage to the body,leading to the occurrence of acute mountain sickness/chronic mountain sickness(AMS/CMS).Research indicates that acute or chronic exposure to the special environment can result in overall organ dysfunctions,such as those in the heart and gastrointestinal tract.The damage to the body caused by exposure to the plateau environment is closely related to acute and chronic hypoxia.Physiological maladjustment or disease is usually accompanied by changes in the structure of the gut microbiota.There have been reports on the correlations between the gut microbiota and bodily harm caused by high-altitude exposure.However,the specific types of bacteria involved and the mechanisms of action are still under investigation.This article reviews the intestinal tissue damage caused by low oxygen levels,immune activation,changes in microbial community structure,and differential metabolic products.The association and underlying mechanisms between bodily harm due to high-altitude exposure and the intestinal microbiota are also explored in hopes of stimulating new lines of thought related to the prevention and treatment of bodily harm caused by exposure to the plateau environment.

ObjectivesTo determine the syphilis infection and risk factors among the male outpatients in sexually transmitted disease （STD） clinics in Taizhou， and to provide a scientific evidence for the development of comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies for syphilis. MethodsA questionnaire survey and serological testing were conducted among the male STD outpatients in the hospitals designated for STD treatment in Jiaojiang， Linhai， Luqiao and Sanmen in Taizhou. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors associated with syphilis infection. ResultsA total of 16 400 male STD outpatients were investigated， with a syphilis infection rate of 2.10%. Multivariate analysis showed that aged over 60， non-local household registration， engaging in sexual activity with commercial sex workers in the past three months， having two or more sexual partners in the past three months， engaging in anal sex with heterosexual partners， co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus （HIV）， and co-infection with hepatitis C virus （HCV） were significantly associated with a higher syphilis infection rate （all P<0.05）. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS， a history of chlamydia infection in the past year， and a history of genital wart infection were significantly associated with a lower syphilis infection rate （all P<0.05）. ConclusionSyphilis infection among the male STD outpatients in Taizhou remained lower， compared with the national average level. Targeted comprehensive prevention and control strategies should be implemented based on relevant risk factors. Screening and prevention interventions should be prioritized for the individuals with non-local household registration， at-risk sexual behavior， and co-infection with HCV and HIV. Strengthening the collaborative efforts is also recommended for joint prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and syphilis.

The healing process of skin wounds caused by severe mechanical trauma and chronic diseases(e.g.,diabetic foot ulcers)is often accompanied by tissue injury,microbial infection,intense inflammatory reactions,hypertrophic scars,and other complications.Microneedles have been widely used to facilitate wound healing in recent years.According to their different modes of action,microneedle formulation can be categorized into five types:solid microneedles,hollow microneedles,coated microneedles,soluble microneedles,and hydrogel microneedles.This paper reviews the preparation methods and characteristics of microneedles,and summarizes their roles in hemostasis,bacteriostasis,anti-inflammation,enhancement of collagen deposition,and angiogenesis,in the hope of providing some reference for future research and development.

ObjectiveTo analyze the failure of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and drug resistance characteristics among the newly reported HIV-infected patients in Taizhou City from 2020 to 2022. MethodsBlood samples, sociodemographic characteristics and ART information of the newly reported HIV-infected patients who received ART for ≥6 months in Taizhou City from 2020 to 2022 were collected for the detection of recent infections and HIV-1 genotypic drug resistance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of treatment failure. The gene sequences of cases with failed ART were submitted to the HIV drug resistance database of Stanford University to determine the drug resistance mutation sites and drug resistance characteristics. ResultsAmong the 1 023 newly reported HIV-infected patients receiving ART, the median age （P₂₅，P₇₅） was 47 (33, 58) years, 81.4% were male, 66.4% (679/1 023) were infected through heterosexual transmission, 74.7% had a WHO clinical stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ, 62.2% had a baseline CD4 count of >200 cell·μL^-1, 94.4% (966/1 023) received an immediate ART, and 78.7% were long-term infected. Among the 66 patients with treatment failure (6.5%), the likelihood of treatment failure was lower in those with homosexual transmission (OR=0.39, 95%CI: 0.17‒0.84) and without history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.24‒0.92), but higher in those with a baseline CD4 count of ≤200 cell·μL^-1, delayed ART (OR=3.19, 95%CI: 1.24‒7.52), and primary drug resistance (OR=4.69, 95%CI: 1.68‒11.89). Among the 36 HIV-infected patients with virological failure, 27 sequences were successfully amplified, with a successful amplification rate of 75.0% (27/36). The total drug resistance rate was 55.6% (15/27), of which the drug resistance rates of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs) were 37.0% (10/27), 51.9% (14/27) and 3.7% (1/27), respectively. Among the NNRTIs, the degree of resistance to efavirenz and nevirapine was consistent, with a majority (51.9%) of highly drug-resistant. K103N and M184V were the most common mutation sites, but PIs mutations occured less frequently. A total of 8 genotypes of HIV-1 were detected, in which subtype CRF01_AE accounted for 37.0% (10/27), followed by CRF07_BC [14.8% (4/27)], CRF08_BC [14.8% (4/27)] and subtype C [14.8% (4/27)]. ConclusionDuring the period from 2020 to 2022, the newly reported HIV-infected individuals in Taizhou City were predominated by long-term infections. Immediate initiation of ART can reduce the risk of treatment failure in HIV-infected individuals. Virological treatment failures are primarily associated with resistance to NRTIs and NNRTIs. It is recommended to strengthen active detection and promptly initiate ART to minimize the occurrence of ART failure. Simultaneously, there is a need to intensify drug resistance detection targeted for those with treatment failure, so as to provide a scientific guidance for drug replacement.