ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis (hereinafter referred to as brucellosis) in Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, and to provide scientific evidence for adjusting prevention and control strategies. MethodsBased on the surveillance data of reported brucellosis cases in Baoshan City from 2020 to 2023 and the information collected through individual epidemiological questionnaire surveys, the epidemic status and clinical characteristics of brucellosis in Baoshan City were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. ResultsA total of 85 brucellosis cases were reported in Baoshan City from 2020 to 2023, and detailed individual information was obtained for 83 of them. Brucellosis in Baoshan City showed a clear seasonal pattern, with peak incidence from May to September. The average annual incidence rate was 0.80/100 000, with a male-to-female ratio of 7.5∶1. And 82.35% of the cases aged 30 to 60 years, with farmers being the predominant affected group. The main clinical manifestations of the cases were myalgia and arthralgia. Regarding transmission routes, 87.95% of the cases had a contact history with cattle, with livestock rearing and grazing being the main exposure modes. Most infections occurred at home. ConclusionFrom 2020 to 2023, the incidence of brucellosis in Baoshan City exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, with a peak period from May to September. Males and farmers were identified as the primary affected populations. It is recommended to strengthen livestock surveillance and control, and to enhance both awareness and self-protection capacity among high-risk groups.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism through which Gantou Fumu decoction （GDFMT）-containing serum inhibits the activation of hepatic stellate cells. MethodsSerum pharmacology techniques were employed to prepare GDFMT-containing serum samples. Rat hepatic stellate cells （HSCT6） were randomly allocated into three groups： Control， penicillamine （90 mg·kg^-1）， and GDFMT （6.8 g·kg^-1）. Cell viability was assessed by the cell counting kti-8 （CCK-8） assay， intracellular ROS levels were determined by flow cytometry using the DCFH‑DA fluorescent probe and while extracellular collagen Ⅰ （ColⅠ） levels were quantified via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Intracellular α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） expression was visualized through immunofluorescence staining. Real-time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） and Western blot were performed to evaluate alterations in the expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， glutamate cysteine ligase， catalytic （GCLC）， glutamate-cysteine ligase， modifier subunit （GCLM）， Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）， NAD（P）H：Quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）， and heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）. Genetic knockdown of Nrf2 was achieved through small interfering （siRNA） transfection to validate pathway specificity. ResultsCCK-8 data indicated that under the selected experimental conditions， culturing HSCT6 cells with 10% （volume fraction） GDFMT-containing serum for 48 h demonstrated equivalent effect in inhibiting HSCT6 cell proliferation compared with culturing HSCT6 cells with 10% （volume fraction） penicillamine-containing serum for 36 h， with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. After treatment of HSCT6 cells with siRNA-mediated Nrf2 gene transfection technique， the inhibitory effect of GDFMT on the activation process of HSCT6 cells was significantly weakened. After HSCT6 cells were cultured with GDFMT-containing serum for 48 h， the flow cytometry with a fluorescence probe showed that the content of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in the cells was significantly reduced. After the expression level of the Nrf2 gene in HSCT6 cells was knocked down by siRNA transfection， the content of ROS increased （P<0.01）， indicating that GDFMT significantly reduced the ROS level in activated HSCT6 cells， and this effect strictly depended on the integrity of the Nrf2 pathway. Quantitative analysis by ELISA showed that the synthesis of ColⅠ in the HSCT6 cell culture system treated with GDFMT-containing serum for 48 h was lower than that in the control group （P<0.01）. After the Nrf2 gene level of HSCT6 cells was knocked down by siRNA transfection， the ColⅠ concentration in the culture supernatant increased （P<0.01）. The results of α-SMA detection by IF method showed that compared with the normal group， GDFMT-containing serum reduced the expression of α-SMA （P<0.01） and the protein level of α-SMA in HSCT6 cells was increased （P<0.01） after siRNA-mediated Nrf2 silencing， suggesting that Nrf2 signaling pathway may be involved in regulating the phenotypic transformation process of the cells. Real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that GDFMT-containing serum reduced the protein level of α-SMA （P<0.01） and enhanced the gene and protein levels of Nrf2 in the nucleus and GCLC， HO-1， Keap1， GCLM， and NQO1 in the cytoplasm of HSCT6 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After the Nrf2 gene level of HSCT6 cells was knocked down by siRNA transfection， the protein level of α-SMA was increased （P<0.01）， and the levels of GCLC， GCLM， Keap1， NQO1， and HO-1 were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. These results indicated that GDFMT-containing serum successfully triggered the Nrf2 signaling pathway of HSCT6 cells. ConclusionThe anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of 10%GDFMT was equivalent to that of penicillamine. In addition， GDFMT can inhibit HSC activation and reduce oxidative stress damage by activating the Nrf2/antioxidant response element （ARE） pathway， as manifested by the up-regulated expression of Nrf2 and downstream antioxidant genes （GCLC， GCLM， HO-1， Keap1， and NQO1） and reduced secretion of ROS， α-SMA， and ColⅠ.

At present, the incidence and mortality rate of severe acute pancreatitis is 15%-20% and about 20%, respectively, which can lead to local and systemic complications of patients and huge medical costs. The occurrence of acute pancreatitis is closely related to inflammatory response. This article reviews the progress of anti-inflammation therapy and immunotherapy of acute pancreatitis, aiming to provide reference for treatment in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Objective: To explore the relationship of family function with sleep and externalizing problem behaviors of preschool children, so as to provide a guidance for externalizing problem prevention and intervention among preschool children. Methods: From October 2023 to January 2024, a convenience sampling method was used to select 5 138 preschool children from kindergartens in 8 districts of Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Parents completed the survey for Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, children s sleep habits and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation of family function with scores of sleep quality and externalizing problem behaviors among preschool children. A mediation model analysis and bootstrap test were conducted to further investigate the mediating role of sleep quality between family function and externalizing problem behaviors. Mplus 8.7 software was used for latent profile analysis of family function. Results: The reported rates of poor sleep quality and externalizing problem behaviors among preschool children were 11.8% ( n =607), 20.0% ( n =1 026). The relevant analysis results showed that family function was negatively correlated with sleep quality and externalizing problem behaviors ( r = -0.20, -0.23), and sleep quality was positively correlated with externalizing problem behaviors ( r =0.27) ( P <0.01). The mediation effect test showed that family function negatively predicted externalizing problem behaviors ( β =-0.079) and sleep quality ( β = -0.075), while sleep quality positively predicted externalizing problem behaviors ( β =0.215) ( P <0.01). The latent profile analysis results showed that family function could be classified into 4 categories: high family function group (23.01%), upper middle family function group (44.65%), moderate family function group (26.24%) and low family function group (6.11%). Compared to high family function, the other three categories significantly positively predicted externalizing problem behaviors, and the mediating effects of sleep quality on different categories of family function were statistically significant [upper middle family function: mediation effect value was 0.022 (95% CI =0.004-0.041) and direct effect value was 0.329 (95% CI =0.263-0.396); middle family function: mediation effect value was 0.087 (95% CI =0.063-0.115) and direct effect value was 0.491 (95% CI =0.416-0.565); low family function: mediation effect value was 0.144 (95% CI =0.107-0.185) and direct effect 0.621 (95% CI =0.503-0.740)] ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Family function negatively predicts the externalizing problem behaviors of preschool children, and sleep quality plays a partial mediating role.

Ferroptosis is a unique regulated form of cell death that is distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, and other well-characterized regulated cell death types, and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of chronic metabolic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Recently, increasing evidence has supported traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a new hot spot for the treatment of chronic metabolic diseases by mediating ferroptosis. Unfortunately, few systematic reviews have described the importance of TCM in treating chronic metabolic diseases through the ferroptosis pathway. In the current review, the mechanism of ferroptosis and the roles of ferroptosis in chronic metabolic diseases are summarized. Additionally, this review illustrates that the regulation of ferroptosis by TCM could be an effective approach for treating chronic metabolic diseases based on experimental evidence and clinical application. In summary, this work will improve the understanding of ferroptosis and the ability of TCM to regulate ferroptosis in chronic metabolic diseases, thereby promoting the development and application of natural TCM.

Objective To analyze the difference of CT features between hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP) and acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP). Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on 66 HLAP patients and 96 ABP patients admitted to East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University from January 2018 to December 2019. The clinical data and CT features of patients between the two groups were compared. Results There were statistically significant differences in the clinical data and CT grades (A-E) between the HLAP group and the ABP group (P＜0.01). ABP group showed more swelling and effusion in pancreatic body and tail (58.3%), 16.7% of swelling and effusion in whole pancreas, but rare swelling and effusion located in pancreatic head and neck alone (3.1%). The HLAP group showed more swelling and effusion in whole pancreas (48.5%), 39.4% of swelling and effusion in pancreatic head and neck, but rare swelling and effusion located in pancreatic body and tail alone (12.1%). Conclusions CT features of HLAP are significantly different from the ABP, which may be useful for early precise diagnosis and treatment for HLAP.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Ruanjian Sanjie Pills in the treatment of patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis in compensatory stage differentiated as blood stasis blocking collaterals syndrome.Methods A total of 80 cases of patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis in compensatory stage admitted to Bao'an Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to April 2024 were randomly divided into the trial group and the control group,40 cases in each group.The control group was treated with oral administration of Entecavir for hepatitis B virus(HBV),and the trial group was treated with Ruanjian Sanjie Pills on the basis of treatment for the control group,the course of treatment covering one year.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of routine blood test indicators of white blood cell count(WBC)and platelet count(PLT),liver function indicators[albumin(ALB),total bilirubin(TBIL),alanine transaminase(ALT)and aspartate transaminase(AST)],prothrombin time(PT),liver stiffness measurement(LSM),and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated.Results(1)There were three cases in the control group and four cases in the trial group fell off,and eventually 37 cases in the control group and 36 cases in the trial group were enrolled in the efficacy statistics.(2)After one year of treatment,the total effective rate of the trial group was 91.67%(33/36)and that of the control group was 67.57%(25/37),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the routine blood test indicators of WBC and PLT in the trial group were increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),while the WBC and PLT in the control group did not change significantly(P>0.05).The post-treatment WBC and PLT in the trial group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the ALB of patients in the two groups was increased compared with that before treatment(P<0.05),and the PT value of patients in the two groups and the ALT of the trial group were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),but TBIL and AST of the two groups and ALT of the control group did not differ from those before treatment(P>0.05).The comparison between the two groups showed that the decrease of PT value in the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P>0.05),but no statistically significant differences of ALT,AST,TBIL and ALB were shown between the two groups(P>0.05).(5)After treatment,the LSM of patients in the two groups was decreased compared with that before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(6)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of the two groups of patients were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(7)There were no significant adverse reactions or adverse events occurring in the two groups during the treatment.Conclusion Ruanjian Sanjie Pills can improve the clinical symptoms of patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis in the compensatory stage,improve the coagulation function,reduce the hardness of the liver,and slow down the process of cirrhosis,with satisfactory efficacy and good safety.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of CGG repeat numbers in the FMR1 gene among reproductive-age women in China, providing data reference for carrier screening and genetic counseling of Fragile X syndrome. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 16 610 reproductive-age women from 12 medical institutions between July 2022 and October 2023. Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene was determined using the triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (TP-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis technology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of CGG repeat expansions. Results:Among 16 610 women of childbearing age, 5 684 (34.220%) women had the same number of CGG repeats in the two alleles of FMR1 gene, and 10 926 (65.780%) women had different numbers of repeats in the two alleles. Among the 33 220 FMR1 alleles in 16 610 women of reproductive age, the most common CGG repeat numbers were 29 [48.645% (16 160/33 220)] and 30 [26.276% (8 729/33 220)], while the most frequent CGG genotype was CGG 29/29 [24.726% (4 107/16 610)]. The CGG repeat numbers of FMR1 gene were normal in 16 498 women (99.326%). Among the 112 women (0.674%) with CGG repeat abnormities, 96 (0.578%) women were classified as intermediate carriers, 15 (0.090%) as premutation carriers, and 1 (0.006%) as a full mutation carrier, whose CGG genotype was (36, >200). Conclusion:In the general reproductive-age female population in China, the normal CGG repeat numbers of the FMR1 gene account for 99.326%, while the intermediate carrier rate is 0.578%, and the combined carrier rate of the premutation and full mutation types is 0.096%.

The purpose of this study was to prepare high affinity monoclonal antibodies(mAbs)a-gainst bovine viral diarrhea virus(BVDV)and establish a double antibody sandwich ELISA detec-tion method.BVDV was purified by differential ultracentrifugation and used to immunize BALB/c mice.Hybridoma cells were prepared by fusing spleen cells from the immunized mice with SP2/0 cells.Positive cells were screened by indirect ELISA.A double-antibody sandwich ELISA method for detecting BVDV was developed using monoclonal antibody 4D11 as the capture antibody and HRP-labeled monoclonal antibody 3F3 as the detection antibody.The results of the ELISA and the determination of the variable region gene sequence of monoclonal antibodies indicated that the two monoclonal antibodies recognize different antigenic epitopes.Specificity tests showed that two monoclonal antibodies specifically recognize BVDV and did not cross-react with other bovine viru-ses associated with diarrhea.Indirect immunofluorescence assay and Western blot assay demonstra-ted that both mAbs exhibited strong reactivity with BVDV.The double antibody sandwich ELISA detection method established in this study had good specificity.The sensitivity test revealed that the method could detect a minimum virus amount of 3.1 × 104 TCID50.The reproducibility test showed that the inter-batch coefficient of variation(Cv)was between 2.47％and 7.44％,and the intra-batch Cv was between 1.71％and 9.89％,indicating good reproducibility.The establishment of this method provides an effective technical tool for the rapid diagnosis and prevention and con-trol of BVDV.

Objective:To analyze the morphology and molecular biology of Rhodococcus erythropolis isolated from blood culture, and clarify its microbiological characteristics, clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:Strain F1069 was isolated and cultured. Then, it was analyzed by morphology, physiological tests, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS), 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing analysis.Results:The colonies of Rhodococcus erythropolis were light yellow, moist, round, and raised, and had neatly-edged margins after being cultured for 48 h. They could turn orange-red after a prolonged cultivation time. The strain was gram-positive bacillus without spores and was negative in acid-fast staining. The strain was identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis by MALDI-TOF MS, and the result was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The F1069 strain contained the RbpA resistance gene and multiple virulence genes. Conclusions:Cases of Rhodococcus erythropolis infection are rare. The diagnosis of such cases depends on the pathogen detection results, especially molecular biology methods. A definitive diagnosis enables rapid guidance for clinical anti-infection treatment.