Objective: To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among drug users in Baoshan District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide insights into strengthening HCV intervention among drug users. Methods: Drug users under community management in Baoshan District from 2017 to 2023 were recruited. Demographic information, drug use behaviors, sexual behaviors and receipt of intervention service were collected through questionnaire surveys. Blood samples were collected for HCV antibody testing, and the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was analyzed. Factors affecting the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among drug users were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 2 801 drug users were surveyed, including 2 233 males (79.72%) and 568 females (20.28%). The majority of drug users were aged 40 to <60 years (1 663 drug users, 59.37%). The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was 28.35%, showing an overall upward trend from 2017 to 2023 (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that females (OR=1.468, 95%CI: 1.169-1.844), 40 years and over (40 to <50 years, OR=2.441, 95%CI: 1.838-3.242; 50 to <60 years, OR=2.377, 95%CI: 1.787-3.161; 60 to 97 years, OR=1.637, 95%CI: 1.163-2.304), using traditional drugs (OR=2.488, 95%CI: 1.967-3.147) or mixed drugs (OR=2.950, 95%CI: 1.974-4.409), having injected drugs (not share needles, OR=3.649, 95%CI: 2.849-4.673; share needles, OR=3.532, 95%CI: 1.851-6.738) and never using condoms during sexual contacts with spouses/cohabitants in the past year (OR=1.975, 95%CI: 1.354-2.879) were associated with a higher prevalence of anti-HCV antibody; the educational level of high school/technical secondary school (OR=0.483, 95%CI: 0.280-0.835) or college and above (OR=0.280, 95%CI: 0.129-0.608) was associated with a lower prevalence of anti-HCV antibody. Conclusions The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among drug users in Baoshan District showed an upward trend from 2017 to 2023. Gender, age, educational level, type of drugs, history of drug injection and never using condoms during sexual contacts with spouses/cohabitants were influencing factors for prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among drug users.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG), and to construct a decision tree model for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 107 patients(107 eyes)with POAG who were admitted to the hospital from May 2021 to October 2023. According to the mean defect(MD)value, the degree of optic nerve injury was judged and divided into three groups: mild, moderate and severe. The general data, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor of patients with different severity of optic nerve injury were compared, and the correlation between the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to test the influencing factors of the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients, and the decision tree model was constructed based on influencing factors.RESULTS: The proportion of patients with hypertension, intraocular pressure and binocular intraocular pressure difference in the severe group was higher than that in the mild and moderate groups, and the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in the aqueous humor were significantly lower than those in the mild and moderate groups(all P<0.05). The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor of POAG patients were negatively correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury(r=-0.361, -0.358, all P<0.001). Hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor were independent factors affecting the degree of optic nerve injury in POAG patients(all P<0.05). Based on the above factors, a decision tree model was constructed, and three explanatory variables of IL-6, IL-2 levels in aqueous humor and hypertension were screened out. Among them, IL-2 level in aqueous humor was the most important root node variable and the most important predictor. The AUC of the decision tree model was 0.710(95% CI: 0.599-0.820, P=0.001), the sensitivity was 0.581, the specificity was 0.737, and the Youden index was 0.318, with a high predictive value.CONCLUSION: The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor were significantly correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients. The decision tree model based on hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor has a high evaluation value for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG), and to construct a decision tree model for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 107 patients(107 eyes)with POAG who were admitted to the hospital from May 2021 to October 2023. According to the mean defect(MD)value, the degree of optic nerve injury was judged and divided into three groups: mild, moderate and severe. The general data, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor of patients with different severity of optic nerve injury were compared, and the correlation between the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor and the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients was analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to test the influencing factors of the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients, and the decision tree model was constructed based on influencing factors.RESULTS: The proportion of patients with hypertension, intraocular pressure and binocular intraocular pressure difference in the severe group was higher than that in the mild and moderate groups, and the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in the aqueous humor were significantly lower than those in the mild and moderate groups(all P<0.05). The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor of POAG patients were negatively correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury(r=-0.361, -0.358, all P<0.001). Hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor were independent factors affecting the degree of optic nerve injury in POAG patients(all P<0.05). Based on the above factors, a decision tree model was constructed, and three explanatory variables of IL-6, IL-2 levels in aqueous humor and hypertension were screened out. Among them, IL-2 level in aqueous humor was the most important root node variable and the most important predictor. The AUC of the decision tree model was 0.710(95% CI: 0.599-0.820, P=0.001), the sensitivity was 0.581, the specificity was 0.737, and the Youden index was 0.318, with a high predictive value.CONCLUSION: The levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in aqueous humor were significantly correlated with the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients. The decision tree model based on hypertension, intraocular pressure, binocular intraocular pressure difference, IL-6 and IL-2 levels in aqueous humor has a high evaluation value for the severity of optic nerve injury in POAG patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influenza virus infection status of influenza-like illness (ILI) at a sentinel hospital in Baoshan District of Shanghai, to explore the seasonal patterns of influenza, so as to provide a scientific basis for influenza prevention and control in Baoshan District of Shanghai. MethodsSurveillance data and pathogenic testing results of ILI from the monitoring year of 2015 to 2023 were collected from the sentinel hospital to describe the seasonal epidemic characteristics of influenza in this district. ResultsThe proportion of ILI visits to sentinel hospital in Baoshan District of Shanghai showed an upward trend from 2015 to 2023 (Z=2.598, P=0.09). The positive rate of influenza virus in ILI was 20.43% (1 761/8 621), of which 14.17% were positive for influenza A virus, including 8.43% for influenza A/H3N2 and 5.74% for influenza A/H1N1. The positive rate of influenza B virus was 6.25%, of which the positive detection rate of influenza B/Victoria virus was 5.35%, while that of influenza B/Yamagata virus was 0.90%. Influenza B/Yamagata virus was not detected in 2019‒2023. The highest positivity rate was observed in the 5‒<15 years age group (25.57%). The positive rate of ILI was lower in males (19.90%) than that in females (20.90%). There were three patterns of influenza epidemic in the district: with year-round circulation in 2016‒2017 and 2021‒2022; with bimodal peaks in 2015‒2016, 2017‒2018 and 2022‒2023; and with one peak in 2018‒2019 and 2019‒2020. The positive rate of influenza virus exhibited seasonal variations, with influenza A virus predominated in summer and autumn. However, influenza B virus showed an increase in spring and winter. ConclusionThe influenza epidemic in Baoshan District, Shanghai exhibits diverse patterns with heterogeneous epidemiological characteristics across different age groups and seasons. Notably, children and adolescents aged 5‒<15 years constitute the key target population for influenza prevention and control. Enhanced surveillance and targeted control measures against influenza A/H3N2 lineage viruses are particularly warranted during summer and autumn seasons.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Huoxue Rongluo prescription （HXRLP） in repairing the blood-brain barrier （BBB） after ischemic stroke （IS）. MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation （Sham） group， cerebral infarction model （MCAO） group， environmental circadian disruption with cerebral infarction model （ECD-MCAO） group， low-， medium-， and high-dose HXRLP （HXRLP-L， M， and H） groups （8.5， 17， 34 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively）， and positive drug butylphthalide （NBP） group （0.23 mL·d^-1）. In the Sham group， only the exposed blood vessels were isolated without suture insertion. In the other groups， the middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） model of mice was prepared. In the ECD-MCAO group， HXRLP groups， and NBP group， the environmental circadian disruption （ECD） model was prepared. The mice in the Sham group， MCAO group， and ECD-MCAO group were given the same volume of soybean oil by gavage， while those in the other groups were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. Samples were collected after 7 consecutive days of administration. The mNSS score was used to evaluate the repair effect of HXRLP on neurological deficits after IS. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to assess the impact of HXRLP on the pathological damage of brain tissue after IS. 2，3，5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining and cerebral blood perfusion status were used to evaluate the repair effect of HXRLP on brain tissue damage after IS. Evans blue staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the improvement effect of HXRLP on the permeability injury of BBB after IS. Immunofluorescence （IF） staining was used to observe the expression of von Willebrand Factor （vWF）， brain and muscle Arnt-like 1 （Bmal1）， and Occludin in brain tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Bmal1， Occludin， tight junction protein （Claudin-5）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， and angiopoietins（Ang）， and related analysis was conducted. ResultsCompared with the Sham group， the MCAO group exhibited significantly aggravated neurological deficits， cerebral infarction volume， brain pathological damage， and BBB leakage （P0.01） and significantly reduced cerebral blood perfusion （P0.01）. The expression of Bmal1， vWF， vascular endothelial growth factor A （VEGFA）， and Ang in brain tissue was significantly enhanced （P0.01）， while the expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 was significantly weakened （P0.01）. Compared with the MCAO group， the ECD-MCAO group showed significantly aggravated neurological deficits， cerebral infarction volume， and BBB leakage （P0.01）， obviously worsened brain pathological damage （P0.05）， significantly reduced cerebral blood perfusion （P0.01）， and significantly decreased expression of Bmal1， vWF， VEGFA， Ang， Occludin， and Claudin-5 in brain tissue （P0.01）. Compared with the ECD-MCAO group， the HXRLP groups of all doses presented significantly improved neurological deficits， cerebral infarction volume， brain pathological damage， and BBB leakage （P0.01）， significantly increased cerebral blood perfusion （P0.01）， and enhanced expression levels of Bmal1， vWF， VEGFA， Ang， Occludin， and Claudin-5 in brain tissue （P0.01）. ConclusionHXRLP can regulate the clock protein Bmal1 and promote the expression of VEGFA， Ang， Occludin， and Claudin-5， thereby improving BBB damage after IS.

Isolated vertigo due to vascular mechanisms manifests as vertigo, dizziness or imbalance only. Due to the lack of focal neurological symptoms or signs, it is often misdiagnosed as peripheral vestibular disease, resulting in serious adverse consequences. This article reviews the lesion location, cerebrovascular basis, clinical evaluation, and imaging examination of isolated vertigo caused by vascular mechanisms.

A 28-year-old woman presented with a 4-year history of fatigue and sleepiness and was found to have central hypothyroidism and mood disorder. The patient had normal thyroid volume and did not show any other pituitary axis involvement. Over the course of the disease, her symptom improvement matched with the free thyroxine (FT 4) rebound and the adjustment of antipsychotic medication. The patient′s grandmother had central hypothyroidism, and her mother and uncle had lowered or inappropriately normal thyroid stimulating hormone. Hence, genetic involvement was highly suspected, but whole exon sequencing did not reveal a pathogenic variant. Levothyroxine tablets were prescribed to maintain a normal median level of FT 4, and mood disorder medications were adjusted by specialists. Isolated central hypothyroidism is extremely rare, and we report this case aiming to raise awareness of this condition.

Objective To investigate the expression of microRNA(miR)-15b and miR-503 in peripheral blood in patients with depression and their relationship with cognitive function.Methods A total of 103 patients with depression admitted and diagnosed in Shaoxing Seventh People's Hospital from January 2023 to June 2024 were set as study group,and 94 healthy participants were selected as control group.The cognitive function of patients with depression was evaluated by Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA),and the patients in study group were divided into normal cognitive function group(n=68)and cognitive dysfunction group(n=35).Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between the expression level of miR-15b,miR-503 and cognitive function;The diagnostic value of miR-15b and miR-503 for cognitive dysfunction in patients with depression was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results miR-15b and miR-503 in the peripheral blood of study group were lower than those of control group(P＜0.05),miR-15b and miR-503 in the peripheral blood of cognitive dysfunction group were lower than those of normal cognitive function group(P＜0.05),the scores of MoCA and mini-mental state examination in normal cognitive function group were higher than those in cognitive dysfunction group(P＜0.05);The results of Pearson analysis showed that the levels of miR-15b and miR-503 in peripheral blood of patients with depression were significantly positively correlated with MoCA scores(r=0.635,0.668,P＜0.05);The area under the curve(AUC)of miR-15b level alone in diagnosing cognitive dysfunction in patients with depression was 0.836(95％CI:0.750-0.902),the sensitivity and specificity were 77.14％and 89.71％respectively;The AUC of miR-503 level alone in diagnosing cognitive dysfunction in patients with depression was 0.892(95％CI:0.816-0.945),the sensitivity and specificity were 80.00％and 88.24％respectively;The AUC for the combined diagnosis of miR-15b and miR-503 was significantly greater than the AUC for miR-15b and miR-503 alone.Conclusion The expression of miR-15b and miR-503 is decreased in patients with depression,and they are of high diagnostic value for cognitive dysfunction in patients with depression.

Objective To investigate the effects of Aikeqing(AKQ),a compound of Chinese medicine,on drug-metabolizing activity and on the pharmacokinetic parameters of HIV-1 protease inhibitors lopinavir(LPV)and ritonavir(RTV)in Kaletra tablets.Methods Human liver microsomes were co-incubated with mixed probes and AKQ.HPLC-MS was employed to measure the content of probe.Half-inhibitory concentration(IC50)of AKQ on different subtypes of cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in drug metabolism of liver microsomes was calculated.The P450 subtype,whose activity was significantly inhibited by AKQ was then identified.HPLC-MS analytical method for simultaneous determination of LPV and RTV in rat plasma was established.SD rats were orally given AKQ or vehicle once a day for 7 consecutive days.After half an hour of the last gavage of AKQ,the rats were given Kaletra by intragastric administration.Then,the blood concentration of LPV and RTV were measured and the effect of AKQ on pharmacokinetic parameters of LPV and RTV were analyzed.Results The methanol extract of AKQ at the concentrations of 0～500 μg·mL-1 showed inhibitory effects on the metabolic activity of CYP2D6,CYP2C8、CYP2E1,CYP2C19,CYP1A2,CYP2B6,CYP2C9 and CYP3A4,with IC50 values of 7.7,75.3,144.0,99.5,43.5,104.5,49.3 and 204.9 μg·mL-1,respectively.An HPLC-MS/MS method was established for simultaneous quantification of LPV and RTV in blood samples.LPV and RTV showed linear relationships in the ranges of 30～10 000 ng·mL-1 and 3～1 000 ng·mL-1,respectively.The lowest limits of quantification were 30 ng·mL-1 and 3 ng·mL-1.Intra-day and inter-day precision were all less than 5%,and the accuracy of LPV and RTV was in the range of 96.3%～109%.The extraction recovery rates were not less than 88.7%,the matrix effects were 93.8%～105.0%,and the plasma samples were stable.Compared with Kaletra group,there was no significant changes in non-compartmental model parameters including AUC0-t,AUC0-∞,MRT0-t,t1/2z,tmax,Vz/F,Clz/F and Cmax of LPV in AKQ+Kaletra group(P＞0.05).But MRT0-∞ was found to be obviously affected by AKQ(P＜0.05).All pharmacokinetic parameters of RTV showed no significant change in AKQ+Kaletra group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Aikeqing exhibited varying degrees of inhibitory effects on 8 human drug-metabolizing cytochromes P450,especially CYP2D6.A human-equivalent dose of Aikeqing does not affect the pharmacokinetic parameters of lopinavir and ritonavir in rats.

Objective　To analyze the causes of death of one case of imported falciparum malaria in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in January 2023, to provide a reference for the prevention of fatal malaria cases. Methods Interviews were conducted with the doctors who received and consulted the patient, as well as the family members of the patient. Clinical data from the patient's diagnosis and treatment process were collected, and the patient's clinical records and epidemiological investigation data were analyzed. Results The patient, Mr. He, a 53-year-old male from Pingnan County, Guigang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, returned from working in Côte d'Ivoire, Africa, and entered Guangxi on December 26, 2022. He returned home after his centralized quarantine was lifted on January 3, 2023. On January 4th, 2023, the patient developed dizziness and vomiting, considering himself to a possible COVID-19 infection, he did not seek treatment. On the morning of January 6, the patient developed a fever (peak body temperature of 40 ℃), accompanied by fatigue and sore throat, and the preemptive symptoms were aggravated. The patient was admitted to the Guancheng Town Health Center with "Pneumonia" and treated with ribavirin, dexamethasone, ceftriaxone sodium, etc. On January 7, the patient again experienced a high fever (40 ℃) and was discharged to the Emergency Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. Upon admission, the patient's blood pressure was measured at 78/53mmHg, further comprehensive examination showed a decrease in platelets and abnormalities in liver and renal function, procalcitonin levels at 49.9 ng/mL. Chest CT showed pneumonia, and fluid supplements and antibiotics were given. On January 8, malaria parasites were found in the patient's blood smear, and the patient was diagnosed with malaria (not classified, confirmed as falciparum malaria on January 9th). The patient was recommended to transfer to the provincial malaria-designated hospital, but his family refused. On January 8 at 13:27, the patient excreted approximately 700 g of dark red bloody stools accompanied by blurred consciousness and received hemostasis treatment. After coordinating with multiple parties, four doses of "artemisinin injection " (60 mg/dose) were taken for treatment. At 18:59 on January 8, intravenous administration of 60 mg injectable Artesunate was given, accompanied by symptomatic treatment for fever reduction and rehydration. At 19:40, the patient developed severe hypoglycemia, and severe metabolic acidosis, and blood pressure continued to decrease despite the use of vasopressors. After comprehensive treatment at 3:00 am on January 9, the patient's condition continued to deteriorate, the patient's shock could not be corrected, he lapsed into a coma, and the family requested to be discharged from the hospital. The patient returned home at 7:00 am and died of multiple organ failure at 7:30 am. Conclusions For imported malaria, early and precise diagnosis based on epidemiological history, clinical symptoms, laboratory test results, early antimalarial treatment, and management of organ dysfunction are the keys to avoiding fatal outcomes.