ObjectiveTo analyze the infection status of main respiratory pathogens in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in Anji County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and to provide a reference for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory infections. MethodsThroat swab samples were collected from 520 ILI cases in an influenza sentinel surveillance hospital in Anji County of Zhejiang Province from December 2023 to November 2024. Multiplex real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) was used to detect 18 pathogens and their subtypes, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A virus (Flu A), influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus, influenza B virus (Flu B), influenza B virus Victoria lineage (BV), influenza B virus Yamagata lineage (BY), coronavirus (CoV), human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), adenovirus (ADV), human bocavirus (HBoV), enterovirus (EV), rhinovirus (RV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP). ResultsThe overall positivity rate of pathogens in 520 samples was 33.65%, among which the detection rates of Flu (9.14%), ADV (7.50%), SARS-CoV-2 (6.15%), and EV (3.65%) were relatively high. There were statistically significant differences in the overall positivity rate of pathogens by age and season (all P<0.05). The highest overall positivity rate was observed in the 5‒14 years old group (42.77%), and the overall positivity rate in winter (53.08%) was significantly higher than that in other seasons. ConclusionFrom 2023 to 2024, the main respiratory pathogens detected in ILI cases in Anji County were Flu, ADV, SARS-CoV-2, and EV. The epidemic characteristics showed age and seasonal specificity, so it is necessary to strengthen prevention and control for high-risk populations and epidemic seasons in a targeted manner.

Objective:To explore the changes of brain excitation/inhibition balance and gray matter volume (GMV) and their correlations with clinical features in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS).Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed; 83 BECTS children enrolled from Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from January 2015 to January 2024 were selected as BECTS group. During the same period, 101 age- and gender-matched healthy children were recruited as healthy control group through advertisements in local primary schools. Data of conventional MRI and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) of the two groups were collected. Whole brain GMV was analyzed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and Hurst index was calculated based on time series data of blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal of rs-fMRI. Correlations of GMV and Hurst index with disease duration and onset age in children with BECTS were explored by Pearson correlation analysis.Results:Compared with the healthy control group, the BECTS group had significantly increased GMV and decreased Hurst index in the bilateral Rolandic region ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that in the BECTS group, GMV in bilateral Rolandic region was negatively correlated with onset age ( r=-0.267, P=0.015) and positively correlated with disease course ( r=0.267, P=0.015); Hurst index in bilateral Rolandic region was positively correlated with onset age ( r=0.323, P=0.003) and negatively correlated with disease course ( r=-0.240, P=0.029); Hurst index was negatively correlated with GMV in bilateral Rolandic region ( r=-0.328, P=0.003). Conclusion:BECTS children have excitation/inhibition imbalance in epilepsy-related regions and cortical structural delay, and both of them are related to onset age and disease course.

AIM:To evaluate the application effec-tiveness of a Bayesian mixture model based on the principal stratum strategy for estimating the com-plier average causal effect(CACE)in clinical trials with non-compliance.METHODS:Using a non-infe-riority randomized controlled trial investigating a novel drug for primary type 2 diabetes mellitus(non-inferiority margin:-0.4)as a case study,the primary analysis applied a Bayesian mixture model under the monotonicity assumption to estimate CACE of between-group differences in glycated he-moglobin(HbA1c)changes within the compliant stratum,followed by non-inferiority testing.Sensi-tivity analyses included a Bayesian mixture model relaxing the monotonicity assumption and compar-ing results with per-protocol set(PPS)analysis.RE-SULTS:In the primary analysis,the posterior mean of CACE for HbA1c change in the compliant stratum was 0.081％,with a one-sided 97.5％credible inter-val lower bound of-0.124,exceeding the non-infe-riority margin(-0.4％),supporting the non-inferiori-ty efficacy of the novel drug in the compliant stra-tum(P(H1|Data)=1).Consistent findings were ob-served in PPS analyses(estimated effect:0.136％;one-sided 97.5％credible interval lower bound:-0.069％),further validating methodological robust-ness.CONCLUSION:In clinical trials with noncom-pliance as an intercurrent event,the Bayesian mix-ture model under the principal stratum strategy ef-fectively adjusts for compliance-related bias and yields conservative,robust estimates of causal ef-fects,supporting its value in efficacy evaluation un-der complex compliance scenarios.

Objective:To explore the changes of brain excitation/inhibition balance and gray matter volume (GMV) and their correlations with clinical features in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS).Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed; 83 BECTS children enrolled from Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from January 2015 to January 2024 were selected as BECTS group. During the same period, 101 age- and gender-matched healthy children were recruited as healthy control group through advertisements in local primary schools. Data of conventional MRI and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) of the two groups were collected. Whole brain GMV was analyzed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and Hurst index was calculated based on time series data of blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal of rs-fMRI. Correlations of GMV and Hurst index with disease duration and onset age in children with BECTS were explored by Pearson correlation analysis.Results:Compared with the healthy control group, the BECTS group had significantly increased GMV and decreased Hurst index in the bilateral Rolandic region ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that in the BECTS group, GMV in bilateral Rolandic region was negatively correlated with onset age ( r=-0.267, P=0.015) and positively correlated with disease course ( r=0.267, P=0.015); Hurst index in bilateral Rolandic region was positively correlated with onset age ( r=0.323, P=0.003) and negatively correlated with disease course ( r=-0.240, P=0.029); Hurst index was negatively correlated with GMV in bilateral Rolandic region ( r=-0.328, P=0.003). Conclusion:BECTS children have excitation/inhibition imbalance in epilepsy-related regions and cortical structural delay, and both of them are related to onset age and disease course.

Objective:To investigate the differences of the glymphatic system (GS) function between patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE-HS) and healthy controls and between different seizure types by using diffusion tensor imaging along perivascular space (DTI-ALPS), and to analyze the correlation between GS function and the course of disease, as well as the efficacy of predicting the surgical outcome.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 171 patients with mTLE-HS (mTLE-HS group) and 75 healthy volunteers (HC group) were retrospectively enrolled from July 2009 to July 2021 at Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University. The general information of all subjects, such as seizure type (partial seizure, secondary generalized seizure), surgical outcome, etc., was analyzed. The 3D magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo T 1WI and DTI sequence images were collected. The VBM analysis method was used to segment cerebrospinal fluid and calculate the volume. The ALPS index of the bilateral brain was calculated using the Atlas-based DTI-ALPS method. Independent sample t-test or paired t test were used to compare the ALPS index between the mTLE-HS group and HC group, and between patients with different seizure types. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between bilateral ALPS index and disease duration in mTLE-HS group. The predictive value of the ALPS index for surgical outcomes was evaluated by receiver operating characteristics curve and area under the curve. Results:Among the 171 mTLE-HS patients, 98 patients were mTLE with left-side HS (mTLE-LHS) and 73 patients were mTLE with right-side HS (mTLE-RHS); 37 patients underwent surgical treatment, including 27 with good prognosis and 10 with poor prognosis. Compared with the HC group, the left-side ALPS index of mTLE-LHS and mTLE-RHS were both decreased ( P<0.05). The right-side ALPS index in mTLE-RHS was lower than that in the HC group ( P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the right-side ALPS index between mTLE-LHS and HC group ( P=0.080). The ALPS index on the affected side of patients with secondary generalized seizures was significantly lower than that of patients with only partial seizures (all P<0.05), but the difference in ALPS index on the healthy side was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The left-side and right-side ALPS index in mTLE-LHS were negatively correlated with disease duration ( r=-0.272, P=0.007; r=-0.307, P=0.002), but no significant correlation was found between the left-side or right-side ALPS index in mTLE-RHS (all P>0.05). The DTI-ALPS index on the affected side in mTLE-HS patients exhibited good diagnostic accuracy for surgical outcome classification, with an area under the curve of 0.778. Conclusions:The patients with mTLE-HS exhibit dysfunction of the GS, and the degree of impairment is related to the type of seizure and the course of epilepsy. The ALPS index, which characterizes the function of GS, demonstrates good diagnostic accuracy for classifying surgical outcomes.

Objective:To assess the physical activity levels(PA)and patterns among older adults in rural areas, as well as to evaluate the association between PA levels and the conditions of sarcopenia and frailty.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 690 rural individuals aged 60 and above.Data on socio-demographic characteristics were collected, while Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index(ASMI)and grip strength were measured.The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly(PASE)was employed to evaluate PA levels.Based on their PASE scores, participants were categorized into three groups: low PA level, medium PA level, and high PA level.Sarcopenia was defined according to the 2019 criteria established by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia(AWGS), and frailty status was assessed using the Frail Scale.Results:Among the study sample, 38.0% exhibited a low level of physical activity, 46.2% had a medium level, and 15.8% engaged in high levels of activity.As age increased, the level of physical activity among older adults significantly declined.Most of the physical activity reported by participants was attributed to household chores and farming-related activities.Participation in structured exercise among older adults was notably low, with only 1.3% engaging in muscle-strengthening exercises on a weekly basis.The majority(53.9%)reported walking as their preferred form of weekly exercise.After adjusting for confounding factors, the prevalence of sarcopenia was found to be 0.40(95% CI: 0.26-0.62)times lower in the medium physical activity group, and 0.56(95% CI: 0.31-1.01)times lower in the high physical activity group, compared to those with a low physical activity level.Similarly, regarding frailty as a negative outcome, the prevalence was 0.66(95% CI: 0.51-0.84)times lower in the medium physical activity group and 0.46(95% CI: 0.30-0.73)times lower in the high physical activity group, relative to the low physical activity group.When using PASE scores as a continuous variable, the results remained consistent. Conclusions:The physical activity levels of rural older adults are inadequate, and participation in multicomponent exercise programs is notably low.A lower level of physical activity is significantly associated with a higher prevalence of sarcopenia and frailty.Our findings indicate that it is essential to implement physical activity education and interventions to enhance exercise health literacy and to prevent sarcopenia and frailty among rural older adults.

Guided by the cancer toxin theory of TCM master Professor Zhou Zhongying,and absorbing the thoughts of academician Tong Xiaolin's theory of state-target,the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma is summarized as deficiency of healthy qi,bone erosion and marrow damage,cancer toxin accumulation,phlegm and stasis mingling,the combat between healthy qi and evil qi,and dynamic evo-lution;a full-cycle anti-cancer and detoxification prevention and treatment strategy for multiple myeloma is proposed that incorporates the ideas of nourishing deficiency and strengthening healthy qi,preventing cancer and detoxification,resolving phlegm and removing stasis throughout the entire treatment process.The scientific connotation of the pathogenesis theory of"healthy qi deficiency and cancer toxin"in multiple myeloma is explained from multiple aspects such as protein overload and tumor microenvironment,and a prescrip-tion-drug medicine system with Xuanbi Xiaoliu Formula as the core is constructed,which provides new ideas and scientific basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment plan and full-cycle prevention and control model of multiple myeloma combining Chinese and West-ern medicine.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of serum cartilage intermediate layer protein 1(Cilp1)and myocardial fibrosis(MF)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 106 patients with T2DM(T2DM group)who were admitted to The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao were selected for this study,and 110 healthy individuals were entered into the control group.The serum Cilp1 and MF indexes[procollagen type Ⅲ-N-terminal peptide(P Ⅲ NP),galactose lectin-3(Gal-3),hyaluronic acid(HA),type Ⅲ procollagen(PCⅢ)]were detected and compared between the two groups.According to the degree of MF,there were 31,25,23,and 27 patients with stage 0,1,2,and 3 disease,respectively.The levels of serum Cilp1 and serum Cal-3,P Ⅲ NP,PC Ⅲ,HA were compared between patients of different stages.The Spearman method was applied to analyze the correlation between serum Cilp1 and MF staging,while the Pearson method was applied to analyze the correlation between serum Cilp1 and Gal-3,P Ⅲ NP,PC Ⅲ,HA.We also performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis of the influencing factors of MF 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM,and a receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was applied to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of serum Cilp1 level for MF 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM.Results The serum Cilp1 level in the T2DM group was higher than that in the control group(t=21.758,P＜0.05).Furthermore,the serum levels of Gal-3,P Ⅲ NP,PC Ⅲ,and HA in the T2DM group were higher than those in the control group(t=16.536-27.385,all P＜0.05),and the serum Cilp1 level in patients with T2DM positively correlated with MF staging,Gal-3,PⅢ NP,PC Ⅲ,and HA(r=0.724,0.555,0.501,0.588,0.655,all P＜0.05).The expression level of serum Cilp1 was found to be an influencing factor of MF 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of serum Cilp1 for diagnosing MF stage 2 to 3 in patients with T2DM was 0.914.Conclusion Serum Cilp1 levels are elevated in patients with T2DM,and Cilp1 level closely relates to the formation of MF.This information can assist in clinical judgment of the degree of MF in patients with T2DM.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of perilla alcohol on pulmonary vascular remod-eling in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension(HPH)rats and to assess its regulatory effects on the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)-angiotensin(1-7)[Ang(1-7)]-mas proto-oncogene receptor(Mas)and ACE-angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ)-angiotensin type 1 receptor(AT1R)axes.METHODS An HPH rat model was established by keeping them in a hypobaric chamber that simulated an altitude of 5 000 m for 28 d.Male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group,hypoxia group,hypoxia+sildenafil group(ig administration of 30 mg·kg-1),and hypoxia+perillyl alcohol groups(ig administration of 25,50 and 100 mg·kg-1 respectively).After 28 d,the levels of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT),glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT),and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)in rat serum were measured to evaluate the toxic effects of perillyl alcohol on rat organs.Mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP)was measured via right ventricular catheterization.HE staining was used to observe the patho morphological changes of pulmonary vessels in HPH rats and measure the percentages of the vascularwall area[WA(%)],wall thickness[WT(%)],lumen area[LA(%)].The right ventricular hypertrophy level and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)expression level were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of α-SMA,ACE,AT1R,AngⅡ,ACE2 and Mas in lung tissues of rats.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to mea-sure the content of Ang(1-7)in lung tissues.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the serum levels of GOT,GPT and BUN in the hypoxia group rats were significantly increased,but were signifi-cantly decreased by perillyl alcohol and sildenafil intervention.Compared with the control group,mPAP,WA(%),WT(%),right ventricular inner diameter(RVID),right ventricular free wall thickness(RVFWT)and fibrosis levels were significantly increased in the hypoxia group,while LA(%)was signifi-cantly decreased.Besides,the protein expression levels of α-SMA,ACE,AT1R and AngⅡ in lung tissues were significantly elevated while those of ACE2 and Mas,as well as Ang(1-7)content were signifi-cantly decreased in hypoxia group compared to the control group.Following intervention with perillyl alcohol and sildenafil,the protein expression levels of ACE and AngⅡin lung tissues of HPH rats were significantly decreased compared to the model group while those of ACE2 and Mas receptor,along with the content of Ang(1-7),were significantly increased.Perillyl alcohol significantly reduced the protein expression level of AT1R while sildenafil had no significant effect.CONCLUSION Perillyl alcohol can lower mPAP levels by improving pulmonary vascular remodeling and reducing pulmonary vascular fibrosis in HPH rats.The mechanism may be related to the regulatory effects on the ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R and ACE2-Ang(1-7)-Mas axes.

AIM:To evaluate the application effec-tiveness of a Bayesian mixture model based on the principal stratum strategy for estimating the com-plier average causal effect(CACE)in clinical trials with non-compliance.METHODS:Using a non-infe-riority randomized controlled trial investigating a novel drug for primary type 2 diabetes mellitus(non-inferiority margin:-0.4)as a case study,the primary analysis applied a Bayesian mixture model under the monotonicity assumption to estimate CACE of between-group differences in glycated he-moglobin(HbA1c)changes within the compliant stratum,followed by non-inferiority testing.Sensi-tivity analyses included a Bayesian mixture model relaxing the monotonicity assumption and compar-ing results with per-protocol set(PPS)analysis.RE-SULTS:In the primary analysis,the posterior mean of CACE for HbA1c change in the compliant stratum was 0.081％,with a one-sided 97.5％credible inter-val lower bound of-0.124,exceeding the non-infe-riority margin(-0.4％),supporting the non-inferiori-ty efficacy of the novel drug in the compliant stra-tum(P(H1|Data)=1).Consistent findings were ob-served in PPS analyses(estimated effect:0.136％;one-sided 97.5％credible interval lower bound:-0.069％),further validating methodological robust-ness.CONCLUSION:In clinical trials with noncom-pliance as an intercurrent event,the Bayesian mix-ture model under the principal stratum strategy ef-fectively adjusts for compliance-related bias and yields conservative,robust estimates of causal ef-fects,supporting its value in efficacy evaluation un-der complex compliance scenarios.