Objective To investigate the relationship between tooth loss and the occurrence of esophageal cancer in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to observe the occurrence of tooth loss and esophageal cancer among the asymptomatic residents of the natural village for 16 years from January 2008 to July 2024. Data were analyzed by chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline. Results Among the total population of 711 cases, 136 cases were lost to follow-up and 575 cases were included in the final statistics, including 45 cases with esophageal cancer. Significant statistical difference was found between esophageal cancer patients with and without tooth loss (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that tooth loss was associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.977, 95%CI: 1.543-10.255). After the adjustment for confounders, tooth loss remained significantly associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.038, 95%CI: 1.035-8.914). A nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed between the number of teeth lost and the incidence of esophageal cancer. When the number of teeth lost was less than 12, the risk of esophageal cancer increased with the number of teeth lost. When more than 12 teeth were lost, the risk of esophageal cancer decreased as the number of teeth lost increased. Conclusion Tooth loss is a risk factor for the occurrence of esophageal cancer in this natural village. When the number of teeth lost is less than 12, the risk of esophageal cancer increases with the number of teeth lost.

Objective To understand the disease spectrum of a natural village in an area with high incidence of esophageal cancer to provide a reference for precise prevention and control. Methods From 2008 to 2024, 711 asymptomatic people over the age of 35 years in a natural village with high incidence of esophageal cancer in China were surveyed, and 171 of them were subjected to gastroscopy, biopsy, and pathological examination. All participants were followed up for a long time, and their disease history was recorded. Results A total of 16 years of follow-up were performed, and 703 people were effectively followed up. In 2008, 171 people underwent gastroscopy, and 160 people had biopsy and pathological results in endoscopic screening. By 2024, 76 people had been diagnosed with malignant tumors of 12 different types, and among these people, 45 had esophageal cancer. Conclusion Esophageal cancer remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality from malignant tumors in this region. Biopsy and pathological examination should be strengthened during gastroscopy, and follow-ups and regular check-ups should be given high importance to reduce the incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer.

A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomer is a bioactive compound extracted from Chinese herbal medicines possessing determined biological activity and pharmacological effects, and has gained much attention for treating neuronal diseases. However, the application of TCM monomers is limited by their low solubility and poor ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) ranging in size from 30 to 150 nm in diameter and can be used as drug delivery carriers that directly target cells or tissues with unique advantages, including low toxicity, low immunogenicity, high stability in blood, and the ability to cross the BBB. This review discusses the biogenesis, components, stability, surface modification, isolation technology, advantages, and disadvantages of exosomes as drug carriers and compares exosomes and other similar drug delivery systems. Furthermore, exosome-encapsulated TCM monomers exert neuroprotective roles, such as anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, anti-mitophagy, and anti-oxidation, in various neuronal diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (CI/R) injury, as well as anti-drug resistance, anti-tumorigenesis, anti-angiogenesis, and promotion of apoptosis in brain tumors, providing more inspiration to promote the development of an exosome-based delivery tool in targeted therapy for neuronal diseases.

Objective:To investigate the influence of serum C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9) and C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) on the development of preeclampsia in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 398 GDM patients admitted to Huangshi Aikang Hospital from January 2021 to August 2024. Based on the occurrence of preeclampsia, patients were divided into the GDM-preeclampsia group (51 cases) and the simple GDM group (347 cases). The baseline data, blood glucose indicators, four lipid items, platelet count (PLT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and 24-hour urinary protein quantification were compared between the two groups. The influencing factors for GDM complicated by preeclampsia were analyzed, and the predictive value of serum CXCL9 and CX3CL1 for the onset of preeclampsia in GDM patients was assessed. Measurement data with a normal distribution were expressed as Mean ± SD, and the t'-test was used for intergroup comparisons when variances were unequal; measurement data with a skewed distribution were expressed as M ( Q1, Q3), and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for intergroup comparisons; counting data were expressed as case (%), and the χ2 test was used for intergroup comparisons. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors for preeclampsia in GDM patients. The predictive value of serum CXCL9 and CX3CL1 levels for preeclampsia in GDM patients was analyzed using the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:Pre-pregnancy body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, and 24-hour urinary protein quantification in the GDM-preeclampsia group [(24.50±3.74) kg/m 2, (5.68±0.52)%, 0.42 (0.17, 0.69) g] were all higher than those in the simple GDM group [(22.70±2.97) kg/m 2, (5.42±0.44)%, 0.30 (0.10, 0.44) g], with statistically significant differences between groups (statistic values: t'=3.90, t'=3.85, U=2.70; P values: <0.001, <0.001, 0.007, respectively). Serum CXCL9 levels in the GDM-preeclampsia group [(111.69±36.65) ng/L] were lower than those in the simple GDM group [(200.16±85.57) ng/L], while CX3CL1 levels [(2.22±0.29) μg/L] were higher than those in the simple GDM group [(1.83±0.35) μg/L], with statistically significant differences ( t' values: 7.28 and 7.58, respectively; both P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased CX3CL1 ( OR=1.562, 95% CI: 1.237-1.972), decreased CXCL9 ( OR=0.979, 95% CI: 0.970-0.989), increased pre-pregnancy body mass index ( OR=1.226, 95% CI: 1.060-1.417), and increased glycated hemoglobin ( OR=3.474, 95% CI: 1.192-10.122) were associated with an increased risk of developing preeclampsia in GDM patients ( P values: <0.001, <0.001, 0.006, 0.023, respectively). The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve for serum CXCL9 (sensitivity: 88.24%, specificity: 70.89%) and CX3CL1 (sensitivity: 78.43%, specificity: 69.16%) in predicting preeclampsia in GDM patients were both >0.50 ( P values: 0.015, 0.034, respectively), indicating that both have high predictive efficacy, with CXCL9 being slightly superior to CX3CL1. Conclusion:Decreased serum CXCL9 and increased CX3CL1 are associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia in GDM patients. Both can serve as auxiliary predictive indicators for preeclampsia in GDM patients.

Objective:To analyze the co-morbidity patterns of chronic diseases among the elderly in China and provide suggestions for health management strategies.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 9 383 respondents aged ≥60 years with complete data of key variables (chronic disease status, age, gender, marital status, etc.) in the 2020 China Health and Aged Care Tracking Survey (CHARLS) dataset were selected as study subjects. Systematic clustering was used to analyze the pattern of multimorbidity among urban and rural elderly, and probit model was used to analyze the relevant factors associated with the risk of multimorbidity in order to provide suggestions for health management strategies.Results:There were similarities in the multimorbidity patterns of chronic diseases among the elderly in both urban and rural areas in China, including emotional and mental problems, Parkinson′s disease and malignant tumors such as cancer as a group of psychosomatic and neurodegenerative disease pattern, and stroke, asthma and liver disease as a group of inflammatory response disease pattern. However, there were differences, with dyslipidemia clustered as a separate group among the urban elderly, and memory-related diseases with diabetes or elevated blood glucose, chronic lung disease and kidney disease clustered as another group; and in rural elderly, gastric or digestive disorders were clustered with memory-related disorders, diabetes or elevated blood glucose, chronic lung disease, and kidney disease. Registered residence in rural areas ( Z=-0.530), and heavy physical activity (Z=-0.024) were negatively with the risk of multimorbidity. Age ( Z=0.037), alcohol consumption ( Z=0.037), smoking ( Z=0.042), depression score ( Z=0.130), and length of sleep ( Z=0.027) were positively correlated with the risk of multimorbidity (all P<0.05), with domicile location being the most strongly associated factor, and depression score being the second one. Conclusion:The pattern of chronic disease co-morbidity among the elderly in China differs between urban and rural areas. It is recommended that targeted chronic disease management strategies should be developed based on the characteristics of chronic disease co-morbidity among the elderly in urban and rural areas in China to improve the effectiveness of chronic disease co-morbidity prevention and management.

Objective:To analyze the infection status and influencing factors of Helicobacter pylori ( Hp) in healthy children. Methods:This is a cross-sectional study. The data of 684 children aged 3 to 14 years who underwent the 13C urea breath test in the Health Management Center of Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from December 2022 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected, and 652 of them who met the criteria were included in the analysis. According to whether they were infected with Hp, the children were divided into the infected group and the non-infected group, and the differences in age, gender, living habits and other aspects between the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing Hp infection. Results:Among the 652 children, there were 134 cases in the infected group and 518 cases in the non-infected group, with an Hp infection rate of 20.6%. The Hp infection rate showed an upward tendency with age. The Hp infection rates in children aged 3 to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, and 12 to 14 years were 12.6%, 22.0%, and 25.2% respectively ( χ 2=9.862, P=0.007). Univariate analysis showed that the proportions of Hp infection were higher in children who never washed their hands, ate in school cafeterias, did not have separate meals, were fed with chewed food, bit their fingers or toys, lived with relatives who had a history of gastrointestinal diseases, had low family income, had parents with low educational level, and were mixed/artificially fed during infancy, which were 26.1%, 24.1%, 25.4%, 25.7%, 26.0%, 25.8%, 25.1%, 23.7%, and 23.6% respectively (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that separate meals, good handwashing habits, and high family income were protective factors against Hp infection ( OR=0.689, 0.779, 0.602, P=0.004, 0.013, 0.019), while feeding with chewed food was a risk factor for Hp infection ( OR=1.998, P=0.001). Conclusion:The Hp infection rate of children undergoing health examination in Zhengzhou is at low level, and the main influencing factors are separate meals, handwashing habits, feeding with chewed food, and family income.

Objective:To investigate the trends in insulin resistance, as represented by the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index), among Chinese adult residents from 2010 to 2018 and to explore influencing factors.Methods:China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance was conducted in 2010, 2013, and 2018, using a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method across all 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China. This study sampled 98 712 adults in 2010, 176 534 adults in 2013, and 184 876 adults in 2018, all aged ≥18 years, totaling 406 933 participants. Individuals with a TyG index > P75 were classified as having insulin resistance. The mean TyG index and the prevalence of insulin resistance were calculated for different years, sexes, age groups, provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), and subgroups for 2018. Linear and logistic regression models were used to test trends in means and rates over time, and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to analyze potential factors associated with insulin resistance. All analyses were adjusted for complex sampling weights based on the study design. Results:From 2010 to 2018, the mean TyG index among Chinese adults increased from 8.44±0.63 to 8.70±0.64, with significant upward trends observed across different age groups, sexes, and urban-rural residencies (all P<0.001). The mean TyG index was higher among males, urban residents, and those aged 45-59. There were significant differences in the mean TyG indices and prevalence of insulin resistance across provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) (all P<0.05). Higher insulin resistance prevalence was independently associated with being male, aged ≥45 years, living in urban areas, excessive alcohol consumption, and insufficient physical activity (all P<0.05). Conclusions:From 2010 to 2018, the level of insulin resistance, as indicated by the TyG index, showed an increasing trend among Chinese adults. Males, individuals aged ≥45 years, urban residents, and individuals with unhealthy lifestyles such as excessive alcohol consumption or insufficient physical activity should be the focus of efforts to prevent and control metabolic diseases related to insulin resistance.

Objective To explore the application of cell block(CB)technology in the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods A total of 86 patients with thyroid nodules who were treated at Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from February 2023 to December 2024 were retrospectively selected.Before the operation,all patients underwent ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy.After the biopsy,the specimens were respectively subjected to cell smear(CS)and CB pathological examinations.Using postoperative pathology as the gold standard,the clinical application value of CS,CB,BRAFV600E gene detection,and combined detection in the preoperative diagnosis of PTC was evaluated.Results A total of 86 patients were included.Among them,42 cases were diagnosed as PTC by postoperative pathology,and 44 cases were benign lesions.The sensitivity(73.81％),specificity(97.73％),positive predictive value(96.88％),negative predictive value(79.63％),and accuracy(86.05％)of CB in the preoperative diagnosis of PTC were significantly higher than those of CS.The Kappa consistency test results showed that the consistency between CB pathological results and postoperative pathological results was better than that of CS.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve(AUC)of CB was significantly higher than that of CS(0.858 vs.0.743,Z=2.391,P=0.017).Furthermore,the combination of CB and BRAFV600E gene detection further improved preoperative diagnostic performance,with a consistency with postoperative pathological results(Kappa=0.837)superior to other examination methods,and an AUC(0.918)significantly higher than other examination methods.Conclusion CB has significant clinical application value in the preoperative diagnosis of PTC,with diagnostic performance significantly superior to CS.Further combination with BRAFV600E gene detection can significantly improve preoperative diagnostic accuracy.

Objective:To investigate the basic information of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine resources and practices in Henan province in 2022, and to assess the equity of their distribution, and to compare them with the 1998 survey result, so as to provide the reference for the allocation of nuclear medicine resources in Henan province.Methods:On-site investigations were conducted on medical institutions in Henan province that carry out diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine practices. By using a combination of Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient and Theil index, the fairness of nuclear medicine resources and practices were assessed based on population distribution in Henan province in 1998 and 2022.Results:In 2022, there were 54 medical institutions in Henan province that carried out diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine practices, with 67 items of nuclear medicine imaging and supporting equipment, and 690 nuclear medicine staff members involved. A total of 200 938 diagnostic clinical nuclear medicine imaging practices were performed throughout the year, with a diagnostic frequency of 2.04 per 1 000 population. Various types of therapeutic nuclear medicine practices were performed on 29 044 individuals, with a frequency of 0.29 per 1 000 population. The Gini coefficients for the distribution of diagnostic nuclear medicine practices, nuclear medicine staff, and practice frequency based on population distribution in Henan province in 1998 were 0.489, 0.505, and 0.526, respectively, and the Theil indices were 0.091 8, 0.172 1, and 0.139 7, respectively. The Gini coefficients for the distribution of nuclear diagnostic medicine equipment, nuclear medicine staff, and practice frequency based on population distribution in Henan province in 2022 were 0.244, 0.246, and 0.363, respectively, and the Theil indices were 0.086 8, 0.145 3, and 0.159 9, respectively.Conclusions:While clinical nuclear medicine in Henan province is rapidly developing, the distribution of various types of nuclear medicine resources and practices is becoming increasingly balanced. However, there still exists a certain degree of imbalance. Additionally, this also demonstrates a correlation between the resource distribution and regional economic development. The rationality of resource allocation needs further optimization.

This study examines the progress and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the prevention and control of infectious diseases within Chinese healthcare institutions. It analyzes the difficulties and challenges encountered during implementation to promote the intelligent transformation and upgrading of infectious disease prevention and control. The results indicate that AI technology has made progress in areas such as infectious disease surveillance and early warning, risk assessment and emergency response, screening and detection, image-based diagnosis and analysis, and health management. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain, including limited application depth and breadth, issues with data quality and privacy protection, insufficient technological maturity and interpretability, potential legal risks, and a shortage of interdisciplinary professionals. To advance the application of AI technology in infectious disease prevention and control and support the modernization of China′s relevant systems, recommendations include strengthening policy support, establishing data standards and robust privacy protection mechanisms, increasing R&D investment, refining laws and regulations, and enhancing the training of interdisciplinary talent.