Background/Aims: Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA). Methods: Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC). Results: The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively). Conclusions We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.

Objective: To analyze the incidence of statutory and keymonitored infectious diseases among school students in Beijing from 2016 to 2020, so as to provide a reference for developing the prevention and control of infectious diseases in schools. Methods: A descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on student cases aged 6-22 years in Beijing from 2016 to 2020 selected from the China Disease Surveillance Information Reporting Management System. Rate comparisons were performed using the 2 test and trend 2 test. Results: From 2016 to 2020, the overall incidence of statutory and keymonitored infectious diseases among students in Beijing showed an upward trend (χ2trend=582.42), the incidence rates of Category B and other infectious diseases exhibited a downward trend (χ2trend=82.71, 18.34), while Category C infectious diseases demonstrated a significant upward trend (χ2trend=911.75) (P<0.01). Among Category B infectious diseases, scarlet fever, bacillary dysentery, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS were predominant, with annual average incidence rates of 61.33/100 000, 35.38/100 000, 13.88/100 000, and 3.78/100 000, respectively. Except for HIV/AIDS, the reported incidence rates of other infectious diseases showed a declining trend. Among Category C infectious diseases, influenza, other infectious diarrhea, hand-foot-mouth disease, and mumps were predominant, with annual average incidence rates of 956.13/100 000, 114.39/100 000, 111.37/100 000, and 28.24/100 000, respectively. Influenza showed a significant upward trend (χ2trend=1 508.30), while the other infectious diarrhea, hand-foot-mouth disease, and mumps exhibited a downward trend (χ2trend=13.84, 25.78, 6.13) (P<0.05). Among other infectious diseases, varicella was predominant (χ2trend=17.47, P<0.05). Scarlet fever, influenza, hand-foot-mouth disease, and mumps had higher incidence rates among primary and middle school students; other infectious diarrhea and varicella were more prevalent among high school students; tuberculosis and bacillary dysentery were more common among high school and college students; and HIV/AIDS had higher incidence rates among college and high school students. Conclusion From 2016 to 2020, the incidence of Category B infectious diseases among students in Beijing showed a declining trend, while influenza, a Category C infectious disease, exhibited a significant upward trend.

Background/Aims: Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA). Methods: Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC). Results: The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively). Conclusions We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.

Background/Aims: Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA). Methods: Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC). Results: The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively). Conclusions We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2018.08.009.].

Purpose/Significance To study and develop an intervention plan for the utilization barriers of health information services for empty nest elderly,in order to provide a basis for improving their knowledge,attitude,and action abilities in health information serv-ices.Method/Process Selecting residents of Yan'an community in Bengbu as research subjects,who are randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group.The intervention group use a pre-constructed intervention plan.After the intervention study,the con-trol group is provided with the same health education content as the intervention group.Result/Conclusion The intervention programs can improve the knowledge level and behavioral ability of empty nest elderly in utilizing information services.

Purpose/Significance To understand the influencing factors of health information literacy of elderly discharged patients receiving continuous nursing services,and to provide theoretical basis for related health education and health promotion.Method/Process The selective quota sampling method is used to conduct a questionnaire survey on elderly discharged patients aged 60 and above receiving continuous nursing services in Bengbu city,and a structural equation model is constructed to analyze the effect pathway of influencing fac-tors.Result/Conclusion The level of health information literacy of the discharged elderly patients receiving continuous nursing services is average.Healthy lifestyle has direct influence on health information literacy of them,and social support and psychological status have in-direct influence on them through self-efficacy and healthy lifestyle.It is suggested that family members and medical staffs should pay positive attention to patients,help patients maintain a good psychological state,promote the recovery of diseases,and improve the level of health information literacy.

Objective To observe the effect of preoperative enteral nutritional support combined with modified Ivor-Lewis surgery for esophageal cancer on lung function and mRNA expression of GATA-binding protein 3(GATA3)and forkhead protein P3(Foxp3)in peripheral blood.Methods Sixty esophageal cancer patients who underwent modified Ivor-Lewis surgery in our hospital from January 2022 to October 2023 were selected and divided into two groups by simple random method.The control group was given conventional diet before operation,and the observation group was given enteral nutrition support before operation.The two groups were compared in terms of nutritional support.Results Both groups showed significantly decreases in one-second exertion expiratory volume/exertion lung volume(FEV1/FVC)(P<0.05),FVC(P<0.05),FEV1(P<0.05)and the levels of peripheral blood GATA3(P<0.05),Foxp3 mRNA(P<0.05)expression compared with those at admission(P<0.05),but no significant differences in pulmonary function(P>0.05),peripheral blood GATA3(P>0.05),and Foxp3 mRNA(P>0.05)expression between them at 1 week postoperatively.Both groups exhibited significantly lower levels of albumin,prealbumin,haemoglobin,transferrin,PNI and body mass and body mass index at admis-sion as compared to those at one week after surgery(P<0.05).The observation group showed significantly higher levels of albumin,prealbumin,haemoglobin,transferrin,and PNI at 1 week postoperatively(P<0.05),but no significant differences in ventilation time,defecation time,drain retention time,hospitalisation time,and compli-cation rate as compared to the control group(P>0.05).Conclusion Preoperative enteral nutritional support combined with modified Ivor-Lewis surgery for esophageal cancer improves postoperative nutritional status,and ren-ders less effect on postoperative lung function and peripheral blood GATA3 and Foxp3 mRNA expression.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is one of the most common head and neck tumors. At present, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the main radical treatment. In recent years, adaptive radiation therapy (ART) becomes the focus in the research field of precision radiotherapy. ART can reduce the target conformal and dose changes and increase the dose of exposed organs caused by factors such as weight loss, positioning error, systematic error, and anatomical changes of lesions and organs at risk, thus improving the effectiveness and safety of intensity modulated radiotherapy. This article focuses on and summarizes the recent progress in the application of ART in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and puts forward the possible research direction in the future.

Objective: To investigate the knowledge and practice levels on infectious disease among primary and middle school students, so as to provide a basis for targeted infectious disease in health education and infectious disease prevention and control in schools. Methods: The stratified cluster random sampling was used to select 25 670 primary and middle school students from 6 urban area and 10 suburban area in Beijing from October to November in 2020. A questionnaire survey on knowledge and practice of students related to infectious disease prevention and control was conducted using the questionnaire compiled by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Chisquare test was used for group comparison. Results: During the past two weeks, 8.64% students reported sickness absence. The awareness rates of knowledge on infectious disease were 37.64%-93.56%, and the formation rates of practice on infectious disease were between 62.22%-98.74%. The overall awareness rate of knowledge on infectious diseases was 58.58%, and the overall formation tate of practice on infectious disease prevention was 78.19%, with boys (54.14%,73.67%) lower than girls (63.25%,82.94%),urban areas (62.88%,79.12%) higher than suburbans areas (55.30%,77.48%), vocational high school studengs (43.51%,68.13%) lower than nonvocational high school students (elementary school: 56.05%, 85.19%; middle school: 61.66%, 78.63%; high school: 66.72%, 72.77% ), residential students (55.21%,71.59%) lower than nonresidential students (59.32%,79.64%), students living with parents (59.22%,79.30%) higher than those not with parents (54.60%,71.34%), and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=219.08, 148.95, 514.34, 26.44, 27.12; 323.26, 9.91, 536.11, 144.32, 114.11, P<0.05). Conclusions The levels of knowledge and practice regarding relative infectious disease among primary and middle school needs to be improved. Health education on the weak links in knowlege and practice of infectious disease prevention and control should be strengthened to reduce the incidence and transmission of infectious diseases.