BACKGROUND:The prevalence of osteoporosis is high in postmenopausal women,but muscle mass,grip strength,and how these factors affect osteoporosis are understudied,and the exact link between them has not been clarified.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between muscle mass,grip strength,appendicular skeletal muscle index and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and to assess the potential values of these indices in predicting and diagnosing postmenopausal osteoporosis.METHODS:Eighty-three postmenopausal women were collected from the outpatient clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024.General data were collected.Bone mineral density was detected.T-value,muscle mass of each part,grip strength were recorded.The body mass index and appendicular skeletal muscle index were calculated.The patients were categorized into non-osteoporosis group(n=17)and postmenopausal osteoporosis group(n=66)according to T value and fracture history,and were statistically analyzed accordingly.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The body mass,body mass index,bone mineral density of the overall lumbar spine,muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle index were higher in the non-osteoporosis group than the osteoporosis group(P＜0.05).(2)Muscle mass was positively correlated with bone mineral density of the overall lumbar spine and individual vertebrae(P＜0.05).(3)Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that body mass and grip strength were linearly and positively correlated with muscle mass;body height and muscle mass were linearly and positively correlated with grip strength,and body mass was linearly and negatively correlated with grip strength.Body mass index was linearly and positively correlated with bone mineral density,and age was linearly and negatively correlated with bone mineral density.(4)Analysis by receiver operating characteristic curve showed that:muscle mass(the area under the curve,sensitivity,specificity and critical value of muscle mass were 0.744,76.50％,74.20％and 36.50 kg,respectively,with P=0.002)and appendicular skeletal muscle index(the area under the curve,sensitivity,specificity and critical value of appendicular skeletal muscle index were 0.739,82.40％,62.10％and 5.81 kg/m2,respectively,and P=0.002)had good predictive value for postmenopausal osteoporosis.To conclude,a reduction in muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle index can help to predict the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis,and the possibility of osteoporosis should be taken into account in postmenopausal women when muscle mass is＜36.50 kg or appendicular skeletal muscle index is＜5.81 kg/m2,in order to prevent the occurrence of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND:The inflammatory response of microglia is closely related to neuronal survival,regeneration,and functional recovery after spinal cord injury.Peroxiredoxin 1 is not only involved in the regulation of oxidative stress,but also has an important effect on cell proliferation,apoptosis,and inflammatory response.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role and mechanism of peroxiredoxin 1 in the inflammatory response of microglia following spinal cord injury.METHODS:(1)Twelve female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated(n=6)and spinal cord injury(n=6)groups.The sham-operated group was not modeled and acute spinal cord injury models were constructed in the spinal cord injury group using the modified Allen's method.Spinal cord tissue at the injured site was taken at 7 days after modeling and transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes.The expression of peroxiredoxin 1 in spinal cord tissues was verified using western blot and RT-qPCR.(2)Mouse microglia BV2 were divided into two groups:the control group was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide for 6 hours,and in the knockout group,lipopolysaccharide stimulation was applied for 6 hours at 24 hours after peroxiredoxin 1 was knocked down in the cells.RT-qPCR was performed to detect mRNA expression of peroxiredoxin 1,inflammatory factors(interleukin 1β,interleukin 6,inducible nitric oxide synthase,tumor necrosis factor α,C-C motif chemokine ligand 2,and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2),and western blot was performed to detect the expression of peroxiredoxin 1,inducible nitric oxide synthase,and reactive oxygen/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway proteins.Mouse microglia BV2 were treated in two groups:the control group was stimulated by hydrogen peroxide for 4 hours,and the knockout group was stimulated by hydrogen peroxide for 4 hours at 24 hours after knockdown of peroxiredoxin 1.The level of reactive oxygen species was detected by 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probe.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Results from transcriptome sequencing,western blot and RT-qPCR confirmed that peroxiredoxin 1 expression levels in mouse spinal cord tissues were significantly higher in the spinal cord injury group than the sham-operated group(P＜0.05).(2)Peroxiredoxin 1 knockdown in microglial cells led to decreased expression of peroxiredoxin 1 mRNA and protein(P＜0.05),increased mRNA expression of interleukin 1β,interleukin 6,inducible nitric oxide synthase,tumor necrosis factor α,C-C motif chemokine ligand 2,and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2(P＜0.05),increased protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase,P-P38,P-JNK and P-ERK proteins(P＜0.05),and increased level of reactive oxygen species(P＜0.05).To conclude,peroxiredoxin 1 regulates microglial inflammation by targeting the reactive oxygen species/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

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.

BACKGROUND:The prevalence of osteoporosis is high in postmenopausal women,but muscle mass,grip strength,and how these factors affect osteoporosis are understudied,and the exact link between them has not been clarified.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between muscle mass,grip strength,appendicular skeletal muscle index and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and to assess the potential values of these indices in predicting and diagnosing postmenopausal osteoporosis.METHODS:Eighty-three postmenopausal women were collected from the outpatient clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024.General data were collected.Bone mineral density was detected.T-value,muscle mass of each part,grip strength were recorded.The body mass index and appendicular skeletal muscle index were calculated.The patients were categorized into non-osteoporosis group(n=17)and postmenopausal osteoporosis group(n=66)according to T value and fracture history,and were statistically analyzed accordingly.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The body mass,body mass index,bone mineral density of the overall lumbar spine,muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle index were higher in the non-osteoporosis group than the osteoporosis group(P＜0.05).(2)Muscle mass was positively correlated with bone mineral density of the overall lumbar spine and individual vertebrae(P＜0.05).(3)Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that body mass and grip strength were linearly and positively correlated with muscle mass;body height and muscle mass were linearly and positively correlated with grip strength,and body mass was linearly and negatively correlated with grip strength.Body mass index was linearly and positively correlated with bone mineral density,and age was linearly and negatively correlated with bone mineral density.(4)Analysis by receiver operating characteristic curve showed that:muscle mass(the area under the curve,sensitivity,specificity and critical value of muscle mass were 0.744,76.50％,74.20％and 36.50 kg,respectively,with P=0.002)and appendicular skeletal muscle index(the area under the curve,sensitivity,specificity and critical value of appendicular skeletal muscle index were 0.739,82.40％,62.10％and 5.81 kg/m2,respectively,and P=0.002)had good predictive value for postmenopausal osteoporosis.To conclude,a reduction in muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle index can help to predict the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis,and the possibility of osteoporosis should be taken into account in postmenopausal women when muscle mass is＜36.50 kg or appendicular skeletal muscle index is＜5.81 kg/m2,in order to prevent the occurrence of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND:The inflammatory response of microglia is closely related to neuronal survival,regeneration,and functional recovery after spinal cord injury.Peroxiredoxin 1 is not only involved in the regulation of oxidative stress,but also has an important effect on cell proliferation,apoptosis,and inflammatory response.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role and mechanism of peroxiredoxin 1 in the inflammatory response of microglia following spinal cord injury.METHODS:(1)Twelve female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated(n=6)and spinal cord injury(n=6)groups.The sham-operated group was not modeled and acute spinal cord injury models were constructed in the spinal cord injury group using the modified Allen's method.Spinal cord tissue at the injured site was taken at 7 days after modeling and transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes.The expression of peroxiredoxin 1 in spinal cord tissues was verified using western blot and RT-qPCR.(2)Mouse microglia BV2 were divided into two groups:the control group was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide for 6 hours,and in the knockout group,lipopolysaccharide stimulation was applied for 6 hours at 24 hours after peroxiredoxin 1 was knocked down in the cells.RT-qPCR was performed to detect mRNA expression of peroxiredoxin 1,inflammatory factors(interleukin 1β,interleukin 6,inducible nitric oxide synthase,tumor necrosis factor α,C-C motif chemokine ligand 2,and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2),and western blot was performed to detect the expression of peroxiredoxin 1,inducible nitric oxide synthase,and reactive oxygen/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway proteins.Mouse microglia BV2 were treated in two groups:the control group was stimulated by hydrogen peroxide for 4 hours,and the knockout group was stimulated by hydrogen peroxide for 4 hours at 24 hours after knockdown of peroxiredoxin 1.The level of reactive oxygen species was detected by 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probe.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Results from transcriptome sequencing,western blot and RT-qPCR confirmed that peroxiredoxin 1 expression levels in mouse spinal cord tissues were significantly higher in the spinal cord injury group than the sham-operated group(P＜0.05).(2)Peroxiredoxin 1 knockdown in microglial cells led to decreased expression of peroxiredoxin 1 mRNA and protein(P＜0.05),increased mRNA expression of interleukin 1β,interleukin 6,inducible nitric oxide synthase,tumor necrosis factor α,C-C motif chemokine ligand 2,and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2(P＜0.05),increased protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase,P-P38,P-JNK and P-ERK proteins(P＜0.05),and increased level of reactive oxygen species(P＜0.05).To conclude,peroxiredoxin 1 regulates microglial inflammation by targeting the reactive oxygen species/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

Background/Aims: The pathophysiology of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD), which differs from proton pump inhibitor dependent gastroesophageal reflux disease (DGERD), remains incompletely elucidated. This study aims to compare esophageal motility patterns, transdiaphragmatic pressure gradients (TPG), and reflux profiles between RGERD and DGERD patients, and to delineate dynamic pressure gradient-esophagogastric junction (EGJ) interactions in these patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, 274 patients who underwent 24-hour impedance-pH monitoring and high-resolution manometry, along with an assessment of proton pump inhibitor responsiveness, were classified as RGERD (32.5%), DGERD (54.4%), or non-GERD (13.1%). Clinical characteristics, TPG, esophageal motility, and reflux metrics were compared between RGERD and DGERD patients. Subgroup analysis excluding hiatal hernia (HH) was conducted to investigate the pathophysiology of RGERD. Results: The RGERD group exhibited a significantly higher proportion of chest pain compared to the DGERD group. Regarding reflux profiles, RGERD patients without HH (RGERDHH- group) experienced increased weakly acidic reflux (P < 0.001) and prolonged bolus exposure (P = 0.006) compared to their counterparts (DGERDHH- group). Mechanistically, the RGERDHH- group showed reduced lower esophageal sphincter basal pressure (P = 0.010) and EGJ contractile integral (P = 0.005). Notably, following a wet-swallow, the RGERDHH- group experienced the significant elevation in gastric pressure and TPG. Correlation analyses revealed weakly acidic reflux and bolus exposure were positively correlated with gastric pressure variation, and inversely correlated with lower esophageal sphincter basal pressure. Conclusions Transient gastric pressure elevation and compromised EGJ barrier function drive weakly acidic reflux and esophageal bolus exposure. This pressure gradient-barrier mismatch underpins the refractoriness of RGERD.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic value of droplet digital PCR （ddPCR） for detecting Candida infections in critically ill patients.MethodsA ddPCR assay for Candida detection was established and optimized， including design of primers and probes， optimization of PCR reaction， and validation of analytical specificity and cutoff threshold. Clinical specimens were analyzed by ddPCR and fungal culture in parallel to assess clinical performance and reliability.ResultsThe ddPCR assay demonstrated high analytical specificity for Candida detection. The sensitivity and specificity of ddPCR for detecting Candida in clinical samples were 0.583 （95%CI： 0.433， 0.721） and 0.962 （95%CI： 0.924， 0. 982）. The ddPCR detection results were consistent with the fungal culture results （Kappa=0.604， P<0.05）. The total assay time for ddPCR was approximately 7 hours， substantially shorter than conventional fungal culture.ConclusionThe ddPCR assay provides reliable and rapid detection of Candida in critically ill patients with markedly reduced turnaround time compared with conventional culture. Given its high specificity and operational efficiency， the ddPCR-based method holds significant potential for clinical implementation as a complementary diagnostic tool.

Objective:To analyze the awareness of and factors influencing the adjusted national immunization schedule for the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine among grassroots immunization service personnel in China.Methods:Based on the snowball sampling method from January to February 2025, immunization service personnel from all provinces of China were selected from the "Tingting Experts Talk" WeChat platform, with concurrent dissemination through the "National Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Communication Group" WeChat group. The questionnaire included basic demographic characteristics and knowledge of the DTaP vaccine immunization policy (13 questions in total). Respondents who answered ≥10 questions correctly were defined as being aware of the policy adjustment. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing awareness.Results:A total of 8 030 valid questionnaires were collected from 29 provinces, with a valid response rate of 92.91%. The overall awareness accuracy rates among the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) personnel and the point of vaccination (POV) staff were 74.1% and 62.5%, respectively. The awareness rate of the core points of policy adjustment among the research subjects exceeded 90%. Among the questions regarding the operational details of policy implementation, the correct rate of answering questions related to the catch-up vaccination principles was relatively low (37.1%-74.0%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, compared with those with primary titles, CDC personnel with senior titles had higher mastery of the policy adjustment, with an OR (95% CI) value of 2.238 (1.343-3.730). Compared with those engaged in disease surveillance and immunization strategy research, CDC personnel with other work types had lower awareness of the policy adjustment, with an OR (95% CI) value of 0.404 (0.195-0.833). Compared with those in western regions, with primary titles, and without relevant training, POV staff in central regions, eastern regions, with intermediate titles, with senior titles, with one relevant training session, and with ≥2 relevant training sessions had better awareness of the program adjustment, with OR (95% CI) values of 1.214 (1.085-1.358), 1.412 (1.246-1.600), 1.606 (1.446-1.784), 1.737 (1.443-2.091), 2.254 (1.509-3.366), and 2.674 (1.769-3.981), respectively. Compared with those engaged in information registration/recipient notification, POV staff with vaccination services and other work types had lower awareness of the program adjustment, with OR (95% CI) values of 0.713 (0.633-0.803) and 0.508 (0.427-0.604), respectively. Conclusion:Although grassroots immunization service personnel show an insufficient mastery of certain catch-up vaccination knowledge, they demonstrate a good understanding of overall principles and routine immunization schedules shortly after the policy adjustment, which can effectively ensure an orderly transition between old and new immunization strategies.

The medical mask,which is used as an important tool of preventing the spread of respiratory diseases,can effectively block the transmission of biological aerosols.The detection for the filtration efficiency of bacteria in medical mask is particular importance.The Andersen sampler,is one kind of device that samples microbial aerosols,is widely used in the inspection for the filtration efficiency for bacteria in medical masks.It mainly consists of six impactors with different pore sizes.It simulates the deposition process of the most of particles at different positions in respiratory system through the bacterial particles in biological aerosols impact respectively the surface of petri dishes with agar under different pore sizes.This paper explored the development background,structure and sampling principle,operation and counting procedures of the Andersen sampler,as well as its application and importance in the inspection for the filtration efficiency for bacteria in medical mask.

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine on postop-erative sleep quality in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery following Oblique Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block(OSTAPB).Methods A total of 140 patients who underwent gastric surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between September 2024 and November 2024 were enrolled.According to the random number table method,they were randomly allocated into two groups:the simple subcostal transversus abdominis plane block group(Group A)and the dexmedetomidine combined with subcostal transversus abdominis plane block group(Group B),with 70 patients in each group.The study compared the Asymptomatic Sleep Distur-bance Scale(AIS)scores and Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)scores on the night before surgery,AIS scores on the night after surgery and the following day,the amount of remifentanil used during surgery,and the cumulative num-ber of patient-controlled analgesia(PCA)button presses within 3 days postoperatively.Additionally,the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS)pain scores at 2 h,6 h,12 h,24 h,and 48 h post-surgery,as well as the Quality of Recovery-15(QoR-15)scores on the night of surgery and the second day post-surgery,were evaluated.Results There were no significant differences in anxiety levels or subjective sleep quality scores between the two groups prior to the opera-tion(P>0.05).Additionally,there was no significant difference in the usage of remifentanil between Group A and Group B(P>0.05).The NRS scores for pain differed significantly between the two groups within the first 48 hours post-operation(P<0.05);however,no significant difference was observed in NRS scores between the two groups after 24 hours during rest.Furthermore,the number of patient-controlled analgesia(PCA)activations in Group B was significantly lower than that in Group A at 12 hours post-operation(P<0.05).Lastly,both the QoR-15 and sleep quality were significantly higher in Group B compared to Group A(P<0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for subcostal transversus abdominis plane block not only provides superior postoperative analgesia compared to ropivacaine alone but also enhances patients' sleep quality and recovery quality on the night following surgery,thereby contributing to improved overall postoperative recovery.