BackgroundAnxiety disorder is a common mental disorder， with its prevalence showing a continuous upward trend， significantly affecting the quality of life and social function of patients. Due to the lack of objective and reliable biomarkers in clinical practice， the early identification and treatment of anxiety disorder have been somewhat limited. Plasma proteins have the potential to serve as biomarkers for mental diseases， however， the causal relationship between them and anxiety disorder remains unclear. ObjectiveTo identify the plasma proteins that have a causal relationship with anxiety disorders， and to elucidate the associated biological pathways， in order to provide references for the search for biomarkers of anxiety disorders and the exploration of potential therapeutic targets. MethodsBased on the protein quantitative trait locus （pQTL） data of 4 907 plasma proteins covering 35 559 Icelandic individuals from the deCODE database， and the genome-wide association studies （GWAS） data of 50 486 patients with anxiety disorders and 330 460 healthy controls， the inverse-variance weighted （IVW） method was used as the main analysis method， supplemented by MR-Egger method， weighted median method， simple model method， and weighted model method for bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis. Enrichment analysis of gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathways was conducted for the related proteins. Sensitivity analysis was performed using Cochran's Q test， MR-Egger intercept test， MR-PRESSO test， and leave-one-out analysis to evaluate the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 10 plasma proteins were identified as significantly associated with anxiety disorders. Among these， SPATA9 （OR=0.856， 95% CI： 0.784–0.934， P<0.01） and PDE5A （OR=0.911， 95% CI： 0.864–0.961， P<0.01） were identified as protective factors， while CRYGD （OR=1.209， 95% CI： 1.095–1.334， P<0.01）， BTN3A3 （OR=1.045， 95% CI： 1.018–1.073， P<0.01）， SERPINB13 （OR=1.102， 95% CI： 1.040–1.168， P<0.01）， ERBB4 （OR=1.283， 95% CI： 1.109–1.484， P<0.01）， LSAMP （OR=1.096， 95% CI： 1.037–1.158， P<0.01）， ICOSLG （OR=1.283， 95% CI： 1.104–1.490， P<0.01）， DNAJB11 （OR=1.172， 95% CI： 1.076–1.277， P<0.01）， and TREML1 （OR=1.115， 95% CI： 1.054–1.179， P<0.01） were identified as risk factors. The sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust， with no heterogeneity （Cochran's Q test P>0.05） or pleiotropy （MR-Egger intercept test P>0.05）. Enrichment analysis indicated that these plasma proteins were enriched in biological processes such as T-cell signal transduction， lymphocyte proliferation， cell membrane structure and synaptic function， as well as the intestinal immune network that produces IgA and the ErbB signaling pathway. ConclusionThis study identified 10 plasma proteins associated with anxiety disorders. The functions of these plasma proteins involve multiple biological processes such as neural development and immune regulation.

AIM: To assess the stability of the tear film and the characteristics of corneal nerves in patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 72 PD patients and 50 healthy controls. Disease severity was determined using the Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y)scale, dividing patients into mild and moderate PD groups. Dry eye symptoms were evaluated via the ocular surface disease index(OSDI)questionnaire, while tear secretion was quantified using the Schirmer I test. Ocular surface damage was assessed through staining scores, and comprehensive ocular examinations were performed utilizing the LipiView ocular surface interferometer and an ocular surface analyzer. Corneal nerve parameters were examined using corneal confocal microscopy in conjunction with automated analysis software ACCMetrics, with correlations drawn between these parameters, PD course, and severity.RESULTS: PD patients exhibited significantly elevated OSDI scores, indicative of more pronounced dry eye symptoms compared to the control group(F=70.290, P<0.01). Tear film stability was markedly compromised, with significantly shorter tear film breakup time and increased corneal fluorescein staining, both showing statistically significant differences relative to controls(all P<0.01). Tear secretion indices, including Schirmer I test results and tear meniscus height, were significantly reduced in PD patients(all P<0.01), whereas lipid secretion indices, such as lipid layer thickness and meibomian gland dropout score, did not show significant variation. Corneal nerve analysis revealed significant reductions in corneal nerve fiber density, nerve branch density, fiber length, and total branch density in PD patients compared to controls(all P<0.01). Furthermore, blink frequency was markedly prolonged(F=62.353, P<0.01). Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between alterations in tear film stability and both disease duration and H-Y scores.CONCLUSION: PD patients have obvious dry eye manifestations in the early stage of the disease, including the reduction of tear film stability and corneal nerve fiber density, and gradually aggravate with the progress of the disease. Neurodegenerative disease-related dry eye needs to be diagnosed early and actively treated.

BACKGROUND:Cervical disc herniation can cause pain in the neck and shoulder area,as well as radiating pain in the upper limbs.The incidence rate is increasing year by year and tends to affect younger individuals.Fully understanding the biomechanical characteristics of the cervical spine in adolescents is of great significance for preventing and delaying the onset of cervical disc herniation in this age group. OBJECTIVE:To reconstruct cervical spine models for both healthy adolescents and adolescent patients with cervical disc herniation utilizing finite element analysis techniques,to analyze the motion range of the C1-T1 cervical vertebrae as well as the biomechanical characteristics of the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,endplates,and the cartilage of the small joints. METHODS:A normal adolescent's cervical spine and an adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation were selected in this study.The continuous scan cervical spine CT raw image data were imported into Mimics 21.0 in DICOM format.The C1-T1 vertebrae were reconstructed separately.Subsequently,the established models were imported into the 3-Matic software for disc reconstruction.The perfected models were then imported into Hypermesh software for meshing of the vertebrae,nucleus pulposus,annulus fibrosus,and ligaments,creating valid geometric models.After assigning material properties,the final models were imported into ABAQUS software to observe the joint motion range of the C1-C7 cervical vertebrae segments under different conditions,and to analyze the biomechanical characteristics of the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,endplates,and small joint cartilage of each cervical spine segment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In six different conditions,the joint motion range of the C1 vertebra in the cervical spine models of both normal adolescent and adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation was higher than that of the other vertebrae.Additionally,the joint motion range of each cervical spine segment in normal adolescent was greater than that in adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation.(2)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress values in the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus were found on the left side during C2-3 flexion conditions(0.43 MPa and 0.17 MPa,respectively).In the cervical spine model of adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the maximum stress values were found on the left side during C7-T1 flexion conditions(0.54 MPa and 0.18 MPa,respectively).(3)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress value on the endplate was found on the left side of the upper endplate of C3 during flexion conditions(1.46 MPa).In the model of adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the maximum stress value on the endplate was found on the left side of the lower endplate of C7 during flexion conditions(1.32 MPa).(4)In the cervical spine model of normal adolescent,the maximum stress value in the small joint cartilage was found in the C2-3 left rotation conditions(0.98 MPa).In adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation,the stress in the small joint cartilage significantly increased under different conditions,especially in C1-2,with the maximum stress found during left flexion(3.50 MPa).(5)It is concluded that compared to normal adolescent,adolescent patient with cervical disc herniation exhibits altered cervical curvature and a decrease in overall joint motion range in the cervical spine.In adolescent with cervical disc herniation,there is a significant increase in stress on the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,and endplates in the C7-T1 segment.The stress on the left articular cartilage of the C1-2 is notable.Abnormal cervical curvature may be the primary factor causing these stress changes.

[Purpose]To analyze the epidemiology and disease burden of gastric cancer in China,Japan and Republic of Korea from 1990 to 2021 and to predict changing trends from 2022 to 2031.[Methods]Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease(GBD)database.Age-stan-dardized incidence rate(ASIR),age-standardized mortality rate(ASMR),crude incidence rate(CIR),crude mortality rate(CMR),and disability-adjusted life years(DALY)rate for China,Japan and Republic of Korea from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed.Joinpoint regression software was used to analyze trends and calculate annual percentage changes.The autoregressive integrated moving average(ARIMA)model was applied to predict incidence and mortality from 2022 to 2031.[Results]In 2021,China had 611 799 new gastric cancer cases and 445 013 deaths,with an ASIR of 29.05/105 and an ASMR of 21.51/105,both significantly higher than those in Japan and Republic of Korea.Among men in China,both the ASIR(44.48/105)and ASMR(32.61/105)were the highest among the three countries,exceeding those in Japan(38.77/105,20.26/105)and Re-public of Korea(38.98/105,20.50/105).Among women,China had the highest number of new cases,but its ASIR(15.23/105)was slightly lower than Republic of Korea's(15.57/105)and higher than Japan's(14.66/105).However,China's ASMR among women(12.02/105)remained significantly higher than Japan's(7.64/105)and Republic of Korea's(8.08/105).From 1990 to 2021,ASIR,ASMR and DALY rates for gastric cancer declined in all three countries,but the reduction in China was significantly smaller than that in Japan and Republic of Korea,with Republic of Korea showing the steepest declines across all indicators.ARIMA model predictions indicated significant differences in disease burden among the three countries from 2022 to 2031.ASIR is projected to continue declining in China and Republic of Korea,reaching 22.87/105 and 12.45/105,respectively by 2031,while in Japan it is predicted to rise to 26.55/105.ASMR is projected to decline in all three countries,reaching 13.71/105(China),10.44/105(Japan),and 9.08/105(Republic of Korea)in 2031.[Conclusion]Among China,Japan and Republic of Korea,China had the highest ASIR and ASMR of gastric cancer in 2021.Moreover,from 1990 to 2021,the reductions in ASIR,ASMR and DALY rates for gastric cancer were the smallest in China compared to Japan and Republic of Korea.These findings suggest that the disease burden of gastric cancer remains substantial in China,high-lighting the need for increased efforts in gastric cancer screening and early diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological, etiological and genetic characteristics of influenza virus in Shandong Province during 2023-2024.Methods:The surveillance data of influenza-like illness (ILI) in sentinel hospitals in Shandong from 2023 to 2024 were collected and analyzed. The isolated influenza strains with hemagglutination titers ≥8 were selected for antigenicity analysis, drug susceptibility test, gene sequencing and evolutionary analysis.Results:From 2023 to 2024, the positive rate of influenza virus in Shandong was 8.51% (23 663/277 995), the highest positive rate was in the age group of 5-14 years (15.78%, 6 073/38 478), and the highest positive rate was in the 49 th week (35.86%, 2 264/6 313). Both antigenicity analysis and evolutionary analysis showed that the A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype and B(Victoria) strain had good matching effect and close evolutionary distance with the 2023-2024 surveillance year vaccine strain. The A(H3N2) subtype strain did not have a high matching effect with the 2023-2024 vaccine strain and had a long evolutionary distance, but had a close evolutionary distance with the 2024-2025 vaccine strain. Drug susceptibility test showed that oseltamivir sensitivity of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 strain decreased greatly, and the amino acid site mutation of neuraminidase was H275Y. Conclusions:In the 2023-2024 surveillance year, the peak of influenza virus epidemic in Shandong was mainly occurred in winter and spring, and the age group of 5-14 years was the focus of prevention and control. The dominant strain was subtype A(H3N2), which had poor matching effect with the vaccine strain in the 2023-2024 surveillance year. One A(H1N1)pdm09 resistant strain was found in the drug resistance monitoring work. Follow-up prevention and control work should be strengthen the surveillance for the epidemiological characteristics, genetic variation and drug resistance of influenza viruses, timely understand the epidemic trend and mutation of influenza viruses, timely discover drug-resistant strains of influenza viruses, promote influenza vaccination, and improve of influenza prevention and control.

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of elevated cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1) in patients with dermatomyositis associated with positive anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody.Methods:142 consecutive cases with newly onset anti-MDA5(+) (MADEDM)-DM admitted to the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2018 to October 2021 were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, the low serum CYFRA21-1 group (CYFRA21-1≤4 ng/ml) and the high serum CYFRA21-1 group (CYFRA21-1>4 ng/ml). The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests results, imaging examinations treatment and outcome were collected for statistical analysis. Enumeration data were expressed as the number of cases and percentage (%). Normally distributed parameters were tested by t-test. Parameters with skewed distribution were tested by Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon analysis. Categorical variables were compared by the Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Risk factor analysis was performed using Logistic regression. Cumulative survivals were described by Kaplan-Meier curves. Results:The age of onset in the high CYFRA21-1 group [(56±9)years vs. (50±10) years, t=-3.50, P=0.001] was higher than that in the low CYFRA21-1 group. Fever [63.3% (38/60) vs. 40.2% (33/82), χ2=7.39, P=0.007] was more common in the high CYFRA21-1 group, and arthritis [41.7% (25/60) vs. 69.5%(57/82), χ2=11.01, P=0.001] was less common. Myalgia, myasthenia, rashes, Raynaud′s phenomenon and skin ulcers had no significant difference between the two groups. The WBC count [5.2(4.1, 6.9)×10 9/L vs. 4.3(3.2, 6.2)×10 9/L, Z=-2.57, P=0.010], neutrophil count [4.0(2.9, 5.5)×10 9/L vs. 2.9(2.1, 4.5)×10 9/L, Z=-3.25, P=0.001] and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio [5.75(3.50, 9.20) vs. 3.55(2.64, 5.41), Z=-3.77, P<0.001] in high CYFRA21-1 group were significantly higher than those in low CYFRA21-1 group. At the same time, LDH [384(302, 519)U/L vs. 318(260, 405)U/L, Z=-2.98, P=0.003], ferritin [1 204(677, 2 039)ng/ml vs. 570(229, 846)ng/ml, Z=-4.78, P<0.001], KL-6 [995(658, 1 491)U/ml vs. 750(563, 1 197)U/ml, Z=-2.49, P=0.013], ESR [36(22, 61)mm/1 h vs. 28(15, 46)mm/1 h, Z=-2.18, P=0.029] and CRP [9.2(4.7, 31.5)mg/L vs. 3.1(1.1, 11.6)mg/L, Z=-3.53, P<0.001] were significantly increased in the high level of CYFRA21-1 group, while serum albumin[(32±5)g/L vs. (35±5)g/L, t=3.92, P<0.001] was significantly decreased. There was no significant difference in the titers of serum anti-MDA5 antibodies between the two groups. The positive rate of anti-RO52 antibody [44(74.6%) vs. 44(53.7%), χ2=6.40, P=0.011] in high CYFRA21-1 group was higher than that in low CYFRA21-1 group. The ground glass opacity (GGO) score [1.75(1.33, 2.42) vs. 1.09(0.67, 1.67), Z=-4.60, P<0.001] based on high resolution CT (HRCT) was also significantly increased in the CYFRA21-1 high level group. Compared with the low CYFRA21-1 group, the high CYFRA21-1 group had a higher probability of RP-ILD [48.3%(29/60) vs. 23.2%(19/82), χ2=9.80, P=0.002] and a higher 6-month mortality rate[48.3%(29/60) vs.13.4%(11/82), χ2=19.70, P<0.001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥53 years old [ OR(95% CI)=5.197(1.781, 15.165), P=0.003], duration < 2 months [ OR(95% CI)=3.314 (1.058, 10.378), P=0.040], NE/LYMP >5 [ OR(95% CI)=3.443(1.120, 10.586), P=0.031], CRP>5 mg/L[ OR(95% CI)=6.271(1.749, 22.480), P=0.005], CA125>14 U/ml[ OR(95% CI)=7.500 (2.409, 23.345), P=0.001] and CYFRA21-1>4 ng/ml[ OR(95% CI)=3.665(1.258, 10.676), P=0.017] were independent risk factors for death within 6 months in MDA5-DM patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the survival rate of the high CYFRA21-1 group was significantly lower than that of the low CYFRA21-1 group( P<0.001). Conclusion:Elevated CYFRA21-1 is an independent risk factor for early mortality in MDA5-DM patients and can serve as a novel serological marker for risk stratification in these patients.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and clinically insignificant monoclonal garmmopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients simultaneously diagnosed with both SpA and MGUS at the First Affiliated Hospital to Zhengzhou University between January 2020 and December 2024, supplemented by a literature review.Results:Among the 5 patients (2 males, 3 females; age range 33~65 years), 4 presented with peripheral arthritis and 2 with extra-articular manifestations. All patients demonstrated elevated globulin and IgG levels, with 4 being HLA-B27 positive. M-protein typing revealed IgG/κ in 3 cases and IgA/λ in 2. All five patients underwent both X-ray and MRI examinations, with sacroiliitis being detected in 4 cases. Three patients with long disease duration showed poor response to conventional therapy (NSAIDs/DMARDs). Targeted therapies yielded variable outcomes: one patient achieved normalized globulin/IgG levels with etanercept (3-year follow-up without MGUS progression); another showed marked clinical improvement and significant globulin/IgG reduction with JAK inhibitor (tofacitinib, treated for 7 years); while a third demonstrated no symptom relief then switching from TNF-α inhibitor to IL-17 inhibitor.Conclusion:Persistent hyperglobulinemia in SpA patients warrants MGUS screening. Those with SpA-MGUS may require targeted therapies, where JAK inhibitors and monoclonal TNF-α inhibitors appear to be the preferred options, though long-term monitoring for MGUS progression remains essential.

Cyclic neutropenia (CN) is relatively rare in clinical practice, and cases complicate with intestinal fistula have not been reported yet. This article reports a 45 year old female patient with CN and intestinal fistula, hoping to improve clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases.

BACKGROUND:The cervical facet joint,as an important anatomical structure of the posterior column of the cervical spine,plays an important role in neck activity,stress transmission,and maintaining cervical stability. In recent years,anatomical and biomechanical studies have shown that asymmetry of cervical facet joints can cause degeneration of facet joints,which may be the main cause of cervical spine degeneration in young people. Existing research is mostly focused on adults,and there are also reports on preschool and school-age children in China,while there are few reports on the morphological parameters of cervical facet joints in adolescents.OBJECTIVE:Through three-dimensional reconstruction of the cervical facet joints in adolescents,measuring their relevant morphological parameters,and comparing them with those in children and adults,we explored the age-related changes in the morphological development of cervical facet joints,providing a theoretical basis for the diagnosis,treatment,and prevention of cervical spondylosis arising from cervical facet joints.METHODS:A total of 62 adolescents aged 13-18 years were selected to undergo spiral CT scan of cervical vertebrae and 3D reconstruction,requiring no bone destruction,tumor,deformity,or fracture,no changes in vertebrae morphology and structure,no previous spinal operations. The guardian's informed consent to the experimental protocol was obtained. By age group,group A was 13-14 years old;group B was 15-16 years old;group C was 17-18 years old. Thecorrelation morphometry and statistical analysis of C2-C7 facet joints were performed in adolescents of each group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) In three groups of subjects,the facet joint surface heights and widths displayed decreasing and increasing trends in relation to the change of vertebra order. The facet joint surfaces on the inferior surface showed larger height and width compared to the corresponding indicators on the superior surface. (2) The intra-articular height of the articular process was lowest in C5 among the three groups of ages,and it showed a positive correlation with age. (3) Among the three groups,the gaps between the articular surfaces of the joints in C4-5 of group A,C3-4 of group B,and C4-5 of group C weresignificantly larger than the rest of the gaps in each group. Except for C4-5,there were no significant differences between the two groups. Except for C2-3,the remaining gaps between the vertebrae in group C were significantly larger than those in the two groups. (4) It is indicated that the morphology of the cervical facet joint surface gradually transitions from circular to elliptical as the vertebral order increases. In inter-group comparison,facet joint surface height is significantly affected by age compared to facet joint surface width. The area of the lower facet joint surface of each segment is greater than that of the upper facet joint surface,with only significant differences in the shape and area of C4-5 and C5-6. In addition,the minimum height of the facet joint is located at C5,and the significantly widened gap between the facet joint surfaces is mainly located at C3-4 and C4-5. Therefore,cervical instability often occurs at the mid-level.

According the Good Clinical Practice(GCP)and programmatic requirements,we analyze the management characteristics and the costs of drugs for clinical trials in different specialties from the drug management;The characteristics of the management of drugs for different specialties was summarize and the differential factors that may affect the management cost was explored,so as to provide theoretical support for the research institutions to utilize the resources in a rational and efficient way.This article provides a guarantee for the drug management with the aim of enhancing the quality and efficiency of clinical trials.