Hepatitis D virus （HDV）， as a defective virus， relies on the envelope protein of hepatitis B virus （HBV） to complete replication and transmission. Chronic hepatitis B （CHB） patients comorbid with HDV infection may experience significant acceleration of liver disease progression and a significantly higher risk of serious complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） compared with the patients with CHB alone， which poses a serious threat to the life and health of patients. At present， the coverage rate of HDV screening needs to be improved， and some patients with HBV/HDV co-infection have not been found in time. Therefore， strengthening the understanding of HDV among clinicians， expanding the scope of HDV screening， identifying patients with infection in a timely manner， and performing standardized antiviral therapy and long-term follow-up management are of great significance for improving the prognosis of patients， reducing disease burden， improving the quality of life of patients， and achieving the global goal of “eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030”.

The rapid emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants that evade immunity elicited by vaccination has posed a global challenge to the control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, developing countermeasures that broadly protect against SARS-CoV-2 and related sarbecoviruses is essential. Herein, we have developed a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA (mRNA-LNP) encoding the full-length Spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 (termed RG001), which confers complete protection in a non-human primate model. Intramuscular immunization of two doses of RG001 in Rhesus monkey elicited robust neutralizing antibodies and cellular response against SARS-CoV-2 variants, resulting in significantly protected SARS-CoV-2-infected animals from acute lung lesions and complete inhibition of viral replication in all animals immunized with low or high doses of RG001. More importantly, the third dose of RG001 vaccination elicited effective neutralizing antibodies against current epidemic XBB and JN.1 strains and similar cellular response against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants (BA.1, XBB.1.16, and JN.1) were observed in immunized mice. All these results together strongly support the great potential of RG001 in preventing the infection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs).

Objective To understand the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacterial strains isolated from blood cultures at Yunyang County People's Hospital from 2019 to 2023.Methods The data of bacterial isolates from blood samples and the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing were analyzed retrospectively from 2019 to 2023 at Yunyang County People's Hospital.Results A total of 3 789 bacterial strains were isolated from blood culture,including 1 931(51.0％)strains of Gram negative bacteria and 1 858(49.0％)strains of Gram positive bacteria.Coagulase negative Staphylococcus(33.3％),Escherichia coli(25.4％),Klebsiella pneumoniae(13.7％),Staphylococcus aureus(9.9％),and Enterobacter cloacae(1.8％)were the top five bacterial pathogens.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that the prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains was 27.1％in S.aureus,34.5％in S.epidermidis,and 49.9％in other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus.Methicillin resistant strains(MRSA,MRSE,and other MRCNS)showed significantly higher resistance rates to most antibiotics than corresponding methicillin-susceptible strains(MSSA,MSSE,and other MSCNS).No staphylococcal isolates were resistant to vancomycin,teicoplanin,linezolid,or tigecycline.Enterococcus faecium showed significantly higher resistance rate to antibiotics than Enterococcus faecalis.No enterococcal strains were resistant to vancomycin,teicoplanin,linezolid,or tigecycline.No streptococcal isolates were found resistant to vancomycin or linezolid.Serratia marcescens strains had a resistance rate of 25.0％to carbapenems.All other Enterobacterales species showed a resistance rate of less than 10.0％to carbapenems.No Enterobacterales isolates were found resistant to tigecycline.The resistance rates of P.aeruginosa to imipenem and meropenem were 5.7％and 3.8％,respectively.No P.aeruginosa isolates were found resistant to colistin.The resistance rates of Acinetobacter baumannii to imipenem and meropenem were 41.4％and 38.0％,respectively.Conclusions The proportion of Gram negative bacteria is slightly higher than that of Gram positive bacteria in the bacterial isolates from blood samples at Yunyang County People's Hospital.The prevalence of MRSA and MRCNS is relatively high,while A.baumannii and S.marcescens showed high resistance rates to carbapenems.Antimicrobial resistance surveillance should be strengthened for the bacterial isolates from blood samples in order to learn the changing resistance profiles,use antibiotics reasonably,and prevent the spread of drug-resistant bacteria.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence status and the clinical characteristics of hepatitis D virus (HDV) among patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the Xinjiang region.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Serum samples from 1 830 patients with chronic HBV infection who visited the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from December 2022 to October 2023 were collected. All sera were tested for anti-HDV IgG and IgM. Sera positive for anti-HDV IgG or IgM were selected for HDV RNA detection. HDV RNA-positive sera were sequenced to determine the HDV genotype. Age, gender, HBV course, and anti-HBV treatment status were used as scoring items based on the propensity score matching (PSM) method. Chronic HBV patients with negative anti-HDV were matched in a ratio of 1∶1. The clinical characteristics of anti-HDV -positive-patients were analyzed. The t-test was used for comparison between groups of normally distributed continuous data. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison between groups of skewness distribution. The χ2 test was used for comparison between groups of enumeration data. Results:The positive detection rates of anti-HDV IgG, anti-HDV IgM, and HDV RNA in 1 830 cases with chronic HBV infection were 2.24% (41/1 830), 1.09% (20/1 830), and 1.69% (31/1 830), respectively. All HDV RNA-positive patients had HDV genotype 1. Two anti-HDV-positive patients had negative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Gender, age, HBV course, and anti-HBV treatment status had no significant difference. The quantification of HBsAg, liver biochemical indexes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bile acids), the proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis, and alpha-fetoprotein were significantly higher in the anti-HDV-positive group than in those in the anti-HDV-negative group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of HDV in chronic HBV-infected patients at a single center in the Xinjiang region was 2.24%, with the primary genotype being 1. Furthermore, overlap infection should be paid attention to because it might aggravate liver damage.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of chronic hepatitis C(CHC)patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3(HCV GT3)infection and the risk factors for disease progression.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1 002 CHC patients from 11 clinical centers in Northwest China from December 2017 to November 2023,and according to their genotype,they were divided into GT1,GT2,GT3,and GT6 groups.Clinical features were compared between the patients with different genotypes.The one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the Scheffe test was used for further comparison between two groups.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of data with skewed distribution between groups;the chi-square test or Fisher test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for the progression of CHC to liver cirrhosis.Results In terms of the genotype,there were 427 patients with GT1 infection,242 with GT2 infection,299 with GT3 infection(210 patients with GT3a infection,87 with GT3b infection,and 2 with unclassified genotype),and 34 with GT6 infection.The patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.2±0.6 years,P<0.05)or GT2 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.7±0.8 years,P<0.05),and for the patients with liver cirrhosis,the patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 59.4±0.9 years,P<0.001)or GT2 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 58.1±1.1 years,P<0.001).Among the patients with GT3 infection,male patients accounted for 77.9%and the patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 46.2%,which were significantly higher than those among the patients with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection(all P<0.001).At baseline,the patients with GT3 infection had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)than those with GT1 or GT2 infection,significantly higher aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI)and fibrosis-4(FIB4)than those with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly lower platelet count(PLT)than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly higher level of alpha-fetoprotein than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,and a significantly lower level of albumin(Alb)than those with GT6 infection(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the patients with GT3a infection and those with GT3b infection in age,sex,the proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis,comorbidities,HCV RNA quantification,PLT,ALT,AST,alkaline phosphatase,Alb,APRI,and FIB-4(all P>0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PLT≤150×109/L(odds ratio[OR]=10.72,95%confidence interval[CI]:5.76-35.86,P<0.001)and Alb≤35 g/L(OR=3.74,95%CI:1.22-11.45,P=0.021)were risk factors for liver cirrhosis.Conclusion Most CHC patients with GT3 infection are male in Northwest China,and compared with the patients with other genotypes,such patients tend to have a younger age of onset and higher degrees of liver inflammation activity and fibrosis.Low PLT and a low level of Alb are risk factors for progression to liver cirrhosis in CHC patients with GT3 infection.

Objective:Based on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021), this study aims to analyze the epidemiological trends of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in China from 1990 to 2021 and to assess the projected disease burden.Methods:Data on incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for IBD in China from 1990 to 2021 were extracted from the GBD 2021 database. Annual percent change (EAPC) and Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) analyses were employed to evaluate these trends. Additionally, predictions for the disease burden over the next 25 years were made.Results:The age-standardized incidence rate of IBD in China rose from 0.74 per 100 000 in 1990 to 1.40 per 100 000 in 2021, an 89.19% increase. The age-standardized prevalence rate increased from 5.59 per 100 000 in 1990 to 9.16 per 100 000 in 2021, marking a 63.86% rise. Conversely, the age-standardized case fatality rate decreased from 0.75 per 100 000 in 1990 to 0.33 per 100 000 in 2021, a reduction of 56.00%. The total DALYs decreased from 162 186 in 1990 to 136 932 in 2021, a decline of 15.57%, while the age-standardized DALY rate fell from 18.38 per 100 000 in 1990 to 7.68 per 100 000 in 2021, a decrease of 58.22%. Analysis by age group revealed that the age-standardized incidence rate for the 35-39 years cohort increased most significantly, with an EAPC of 3.23%. The age-standardized prevalence rate for the 50-54 years cohort increased most significantly, with an EAPC of 2.85%. Gender analysis indicated that from 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized prevalence rate was higher among females than males, but the age-standardized case fatality rate rate was higher among males. From 2004 to 2021, the age-standardized DALY rate declined for both sexes, though it remained higher in males. By 2046, the number of new cases is projected to be slightly higher in males, while case fatality rate and DALYs are expected to remain low for both genders.Conclusions:Over the past three decades, the disease burden of IBD in China has increased significantly, particularly in terms of incidence and prevalence. Despite a general decrease in case fatality rates, the burden of IBD may increase in the elderly population due to aging demographics. Therefore, effective preventive measures, early screening, and aggressive treatment are crucial, especially for the elderly.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the relationship between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio(NHR)and incidence of cardiovascular disease(CVD)among individuals with metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).Methods:We conducted a prospective cohort study utilizing health check-up data from 2006 to 2007 at Kailuan General Hospital and its 10 affiliated hospitals.The study population consisted of employees and retirees diagnosed with MAFLD,excluding those with incomplete neutrophil and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol data or a history of heart failure,myocardial infarction,cerebral hemorrhage,or cerebral infarction.CVD was defined as the presence of heart failure,myocardial infarction,cerebral hemorrhage,or cerebral infarction.Annual follow-ups were conducted from 2006,new-onset CVD cases identified through discharge records from the 11 Kailuan Group hospitals and records from municipal social insurance agencies,the final follow up date was December 31,2022.NHR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and the MAFLD cohort(n=28 952)was stratified into four groups by NHR quartiles:Q1 group(NHR<1.97,n=7 241),Q2 group(1.97≤NHR<2.57,n=7 235),Q3 group(2.57≤NHR<3.36,n=7 240),and Q4 group(NHR≥3.36,n=7 236).The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to plot survival curves for new-onset CVD,and the cumulative incidences of CVD across different NHR quartiles groups were determined.Intergroup comparisons were made using the log-rank test,and a multifactorial Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the association between NHR quartiles and the risk of new-onset CVD in the MAFLD population.Results:The average follow-up duration was(14.03±3.99)years,during which 4 666 new CVD cases were recorded among the study population.The number of CVD cases across Q1 group to Q4 group were 1 061,1 167,1 186 and 1 252,respectively,with an overall incidence density of 11.5 cases per 1 000 person-years.The incidence densities for Q1 group to Q4 group were 10.4,11.4,11.7 and 12.5 cases per 1 000 person-years,respectively.The multifactorial Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that higher NHR quartiles were associated with an increased relative risk of new-onset CVD(Q2 group:HR=1.13,95%CI:1.04-1.23;Q3 group:HR=1.15,95%CI:1.05-1.25;Q4 group:HR=1.22,95%CI:1.12-1.33).Conclusions:The risk of new-onset cardiovascular disease in individuals with MAFLD escalates with increasing NHR.