Objective: To explore the relationship between serum homocysteine (Hcy), interleukin-5 (IL-5), folate and core symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders, so as to provide potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention of diseases. Methods: A total of 106 children with autism spectrum disorders and 106 healthy children with matched sex and age in Lu an People s Hospital were enrolled as autism group and healthy group between May 2020 to December 2023. On the day of admission, levels of serum Hcy, IL-5 and folate were detected. The core symptoms in autism group were evaluated by Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-fourth edition(WPPSI-IV), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). The levels of serum Hcy, IL-5 and folate in the two groups were compared by t- test. The relationship between serum Hcy, IL-5, folate and core symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders was determined by Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The levels of serum Hcy and IL-5 in autism group were (7.48±0.32) μmol/L and (345.77±32.51) pg/mL, higher than those in healthy group [(6.11±0.54) μmol/L, (274.04±25.17) pg/mL], while folate level was lower than that in healthy group [(15.24±3.47) ng/mL, (22.51±4.69) ng/mL], the differences were statistically significant ( t =22.47, 17.96, 12.83, all P < 0.05 ). In autism group, levels of serum Hcy and IL-5 were positively correlated with scores of ABC, CARS and SRS ( r =0.29, 0.53 , 0.54; 0.45, 0.41, 0.50), while negatively correlated with WPPSI-IV score ( r =-0.28, -0.26)(all P <0.05). The folate level was negatively correlated with scores of ABC, CARS and SRS ( r =-0.55, -0.40, -0.25), while positively correlated with WPPSI-IV score ( r =0.41) (all P <0.05). Conclusion Children with ASD show elevated serum Hcy and IL-5 alongside decreased folate,and three markers correlate with core symptoms and intellectual level.

Homo- or heterodimeric compounds that affect dimeric protein function through interaction between monomeric moieties and protein subunits can serve as valuable sources of potent and selective drug candidates. Here, we screened an in-house dimeric natural product collection, and panepocyclinol A (PecA) emerged as a selective and potent STAT3 inhibitor with profound anti-tumor efficacy. Through cross-linking C712/C718 residues in separate STAT3 monomers with two distinct Michael receptors, PecA inhibits STAT3 DNA binding affinity and transcription activity. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals the key conformation changes of STAT3 dimers upon the di-covalent binding with PecA that abolishes its DNA interactions. Furthermore, PecA exhibits high efficacy against anaplastic large T cell lymphoma in vitro and in vivo, especially those with constitutively activated STAT3 or STAT3^Y640F. In summary, our study describes a distinct and effective di-covalent modification for the dimeric compound PecA to disrupt STAT3 function.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence of hospital-associated infections among the neurosurgery de-partment patients undergoing brain tumor resection and analyze the economic cost so as to provide scientific bases for formulating prevention strategies.METHODS Totally 1027 patients who underwent brain tumor resection in neurosurgery department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from Jan.1,2020 to Dec.31,2024 were recruited as the research subjects.The 36 patients who had postoperative hos-pital-associated infections were assigned as the infection group,and 991 patients who did not have hospital-associ-ated infection were assigned as the no infection group.The patients of the infection group and the non-infection group were matched in a 1∶1 ratio by using propensity score matching method(caliper value 0.005).The length of hospital stay and costs of medical items were compared between the infection group and the non-infection group,and the economic burden due to the hospital-associated infections was estimated.RESULTS The incidence of hospital-associated infections was 3.51％among the patients undergoing brain tumor resection,and totally 36 pairs were matched successfully with the propensity score.The hospitalization cost of the infection group was 109,103.81(73,370.21,163,628.37)yuan after the matching,which was increased by 50,087.69 yuan as com-pared with the non-infection group(Z=-5.237,P＜0.001);the length of hospital stay was 23.00(17.25,36.00)days,which was prolonged by 8.50 days(Z=-3.764,P＜0.001).Among the costs of medical items,the medial costs of western medicine,treatment materials and clinical laboratory tests increased most.CONCLUSIONS The control of the costs of western medicine,treatment materials and clinical laboratory tests is the key to reduce the costs of brain tumor resection patients with hospital-associated infections.It is necessary to carry out the real-time monitoring of the hospital-associated infections and early warning of suspected cases and reduce the incidence of hospital-associated infections so as to reduce the economic costs.

AIM:To observe the effects of Huangqi-Danggui mixture(HQDG)on the pyroptosis of brain tis-sues in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R),and to explore the mechanism of neuroprotec-tion provided by HQDG.METHODS:Sixty-four SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham group,model group,HQDG group,and Xuesaitong(XST)group.The infarct volume of brain tissues was observed by 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride staining,while hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of brain tis-sues.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like recep-tor protein 3(NLRP3),cleaved caspase-1 and gasdermin D(GSDMD)in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues.The se-rum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were measured using ELISA.Western blot was used to detect NLRP3,cleaved caspase-1,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),IL-1β and IL-18 in brain tissues.RESULTS:Compared with sham group,the neurological deficit scores of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.01),while those in HQDG and XST groups were significantly reduced compared with model group(P<0.01).The cerebral infarct volume ratio was significantly reduced in HQDG and XST groups compared with model group(P<0.01).The pathological damage of brain tissue in HQDG and XST groups was significantly reduced compared with model group.The positive rates of NLRP3,cleaved caspase-1 and GSDMD in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues were significantly decreased in HQDG group compared with model group(P<0.01).The expression of pyrop-tosis-related proteins,NLRP3,cleaved caspase-1 and ASC,in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues was significantly el-evated in model group compared with sham group(P<0.01),and significantly decreased in HQDG group compared with model group(P<0.01).The serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased in model group compared with sham group(P<0.01),and significantly reduced in HQDG group compared with model group(P<0.01).CONCLU-SION:The HQDG effectively attenuates brain tissue injury in rats with MCAO/R,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of neural cell pyroptosis.

Objective To investigate and analyze the epidemiological characteristics and the causes of a suspected outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)infection,and provide basis for healthcare-asso-ciated infection(HAI)prevention and control.Methods Information of 3 patients with CRAB positive culture from the respiratory intensive care unit(RICU)of a hospital in May 2024 was collected.Microbiological sampling was performed in patients' ward environment,and the specimens were cultured and strains were identified.CRAB strains detected from the environment and patients were performed whole genome sequencing(WGS).Multiple de-partments jointly formulated and implemented comprehensive infection control measures,and the effectiveness were evaluated.Results CRAB was cultured from specimens of sputum and bedside office mice of 3 patients.WGS de-tection showed that ST2158 and ST1791 resistance genes were detected from both sputum and bedside office mice of 2 patients.After comprehensive assessment,2 patients were confirmed with HAI and 1 patient was confirmed with colonization,ruling out an outbreak of HAI.A total of 24 environmental specimens were taken for environmental hygiene monitoring,with a CRAB detection rate of 58.33％.CRAB detected from bedside mice and patients' spu-tum specimen had consistent CRAB drug susceptibility testing results.After implementing measures such as in-creasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfection of ward environment,strengthening the implementation of hand hygiene,and enhancing the supervision of department personnel as well as HAI prevention and control training,HAI was effectively controlled.Conclusion The possible transmission route of this suspected CRAB outbreak in RICU is the contamination of office mice,which caused healthcare workers carrying CRAB in their hands,leading to cross infection due to poor hand hygiene implementation of healthcare workers.Strengthening the cleaning and dis-infection of environmental surface and the management of hand hygiene of healthcare workers are key measures to prevent CRAB HAI.

Objective:To explore the training method for personalized eyebrow shape design before eyebrow transplantation surgery and to evaluate its effectiveness.Methods:Thirty physicians with similar foundational knowledge in facial aesthetic design and equivalent educational backgrounds were prospectively selected from the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University and Beijing Biliansheng Medical Beauty Clinic from January to December 2023. All the physicians were right-handed. Based on prior experience in eyebrow transplantation surgery, they were divided into two groups: an observation group [ n=20; 10 males, 10 females; aged (27.8±3.9) years] without experience in personalized eyebrow transplantation surgery, and a control group [ n=10; 5 males, 5 females; aged (29.6±4.0) years] with at least 2 years of experience in personalized eyebrow transplantation surgery. All the physicians received 2 hours of theoretical instruction on personalized eyebrow shape design and 8 hours of simulated operation training. Differences in personalized eyebrow design scores between the two groups were compared before and after training. After the assessment, physicians in the observation group performed eyebrow shape design on 20 eyebrow transplantation patients with randomly assigned face shapes, and patient satisfaction was evaluated. Results:Before training, personalized eyebrow design scores were 1.16±0.29 for the observation group and 3.75±0.22 for the control group, showing a statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). After operation training, the scores were 4.51±0.11 for the observation group and 4.89±0.08 for the control group, with no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). The difference between pre- and post-training scores within the observation group was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Physicians in the observation group designed eyebrow shapes for male and female patients with various face shapes. Immediately after surgery, 80% (16/20) of patients were very satisfied, and 20% (4/20) were satisfied. Conclusion:After training of combined theoretical lectures, simulated practice, and hands-on patient design, physicians in the observation group demonstrate improved ability in personalized eyebrow shape design and achieve high patient satisfaction.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of anatomical resection (AR) in the early stages of treating solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combined with liver cirrhosis with a diameter of ≤5 cm in comparison to different surgical methods of preferential hepatic parenchymal preservation (non-anatomical liver resection, NAR).Methods:The clinical data of 1 390 cases with solitary HCC combined with liver cirrhosis at an early stage who underwent liver resection at Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University and six other medical centers from September 2013 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the AR group (486 cases) and the NAR group (904 cases) and the wide surgical margin (WSM) group (745 cases) and the narrow surgical margin (NSM) group (645 cases) according to whether they received AR and the width of the surgical margin (1 cm). The basic information of the patients, preoperative evaluation index data, and postoperative follow-up (follow-up every 3 months) were collected. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curve.The log-rank test was used to compare the difference in survival between the two groups. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to reduce intergroup bias.Results:The overall survival (OS) rates for all patients at 1, 3, and 5 years were 95.5%, 79.9%, and 63.5%, respectively. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 81.5%, 59.0%, and 43.7%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in RFS rate between the AR group and the NAR group prior to PSM, but no statistically significant difference in OS rate (RFS rate: 47.0% vs. 41.9%, P<0.05; OS rate: 64.4% vs. 62.9%, P>0.05). The postoperative RFS rate and OS rate were significantly superior in the WSM group than those of the NSM group (RFS rate: 47.8% vs. 37.2%, P<0.001; OS rate: 69.0% vs. 57.3%, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in OS rate and RFS rate between the AR group and the NAR group following PSM (RFS: 46.3% vs. 45.1%, P>0.05; OS rate: 64.0% vs. 64.3%, P>0.05).The 5-year OS and RFS rates in the WSM group were 66.8% and 60.2%, respectively. The 5-year OS and RFS rates for the NSM group were 48.7% and 41.4%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis indicated that serum albumin, tumor diameter, microvascular invasion, and surgical margin were independent prognostic factors affecting OS and RFS. The Child-Pugh grade and satellite lesions were independent prognostic factors affecting OS. Conclusion:Anatomical liver resection is not an independent risk factor for prognosis, but the state of the resection margin determines the prognosis of patients with solitary HCC combined with cirrhosis. Therefore, hepatic resection margins should be prioritized in such patients.

Cerebral ischemic stroke(CIS)is a serious health hazard with a high disability rate.Its pathogenesis is complex and not yet fully understood,and new effective treatments need to be explored.The newly discovered pyroptosis,which is regarded as a programmed cell death mode of inflammatory response,is involved in the pathogenesis of CIS.Inhibiting cellular scorch death during CIS and reducing the inflammatory response can effectively alleviate CIS brain injury.According to traditional Chinese medicine,defi-ciency of Qi and stasis of blood are the fundamental pathogenesis of CIS.The method of benefiting Qi and activating blood is the main principle for treating CIS.Therefore,in this paper,we link cell pyroptosis with Qi deficiency and blood stasis,review the progress of research on reducing brain tissue damage in CIS by inhibiting pyroptosis through the method of benefiting Qi and invigorating blood.

Objective To investigate and analyze the epidemiological characteristics and the causes of a suspected outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)infection,and provide basis for healthcare-asso-ciated infection(HAI)prevention and control.Methods Information of 3 patients with CRAB positive culture from the respiratory intensive care unit(RICU)of a hospital in May 2024 was collected.Microbiological sampling was performed in patients' ward environment,and the specimens were cultured and strains were identified.CRAB strains detected from the environment and patients were performed whole genome sequencing(WGS).Multiple de-partments jointly formulated and implemented comprehensive infection control measures,and the effectiveness were evaluated.Results CRAB was cultured from specimens of sputum and bedside office mice of 3 patients.WGS de-tection showed that ST2158 and ST1791 resistance genes were detected from both sputum and bedside office mice of 2 patients.After comprehensive assessment,2 patients were confirmed with HAI and 1 patient was confirmed with colonization,ruling out an outbreak of HAI.A total of 24 environmental specimens were taken for environmental hygiene monitoring,with a CRAB detection rate of 58.33％.CRAB detected from bedside mice and patients' spu-tum specimen had consistent CRAB drug susceptibility testing results.After implementing measures such as in-creasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfection of ward environment,strengthening the implementation of hand hygiene,and enhancing the supervision of department personnel as well as HAI prevention and control training,HAI was effectively controlled.Conclusion The possible transmission route of this suspected CRAB outbreak in RICU is the contamination of office mice,which caused healthcare workers carrying CRAB in their hands,leading to cross infection due to poor hand hygiene implementation of healthcare workers.Strengthening the cleaning and dis-infection of environmental surface and the management of hand hygiene of healthcare workers are key measures to prevent CRAB HAI.

AIM:To observe the effects of Huangqi-Danggui mixture(HQDG)on the pyroptosis of brain tis-sues in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R),and to explore the mechanism of neuroprotec-tion provided by HQDG.METHODS:Sixty-four SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham group,model group,HQDG group,and Xuesaitong(XST)group.The infarct volume of brain tissues was observed by 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride staining,while hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of brain tis-sues.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like recep-tor protein 3(NLRP3),cleaved caspase-1 and gasdermin D(GSDMD)in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues.The se-rum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were measured using ELISA.Western blot was used to detect NLRP3,cleaved caspase-1,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),IL-1β and IL-18 in brain tissues.RESULTS:Compared with sham group,the neurological deficit scores of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.01),while those in HQDG and XST groups were significantly reduced compared with model group(P<0.01).The cerebral infarct volume ratio was significantly reduced in HQDG and XST groups compared with model group(P<0.01).The pathological damage of brain tissue in HQDG and XST groups was significantly reduced compared with model group.The positive rates of NLRP3,cleaved caspase-1 and GSDMD in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues were significantly decreased in HQDG group compared with model group(P<0.01).The expression of pyrop-tosis-related proteins,NLRP3,cleaved caspase-1 and ASC,in the ischemic penumbra of brain tissues was significantly el-evated in model group compared with sham group(P<0.01),and significantly decreased in HQDG group compared with model group(P<0.01).The serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased in model group compared with sham group(P<0.01),and significantly reduced in HQDG group compared with model group(P<0.01).CONCLU-SION:The HQDG effectively attenuates brain tissue injury in rats with MCAO/R,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of neural cell pyroptosis.