Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

Objective:To study the correlation between smoking and clinicopathology in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma(UTUC), and to evaluate the effect of smoking on the prognosis of patients with UTUC treated with adjuvant chemotherapy for Gemcitabine plus Cisplatin (GC).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to select 91 patients who underwent resection of the kidney and ureter, and sleeve cystectomy in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2013 to December 2021, all patient received GC adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery. Patients were divided into smoking group ( n=33) and non-smoking group ( n=58) according to their smoking history. The median follow-up time was 38 months (3-83 months). The age, gender, presence or absence of hydronephrosis, tumor stage, multifocality, lymphatic vascular invasion, lymphatic metastasis, tumor grade, overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were statistically analyzed. The measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and the t-test was used for comparison between groups; the count data were expressed as the number of cases and percentage, and the Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Kaplan-Meier curve was used for survival analysis and comparison, and Long-rank test was used for comparison between groups. Cox proportional risk regression model was introduced to explore the independent influencing factors of OS and CSS by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results:Among 91 patients, 41 were males and 50 were females, with a median age of 65 years, and 19 patients (20.9%) died, of which 17 patients (18.7%) died of UTUC. The comparison of clinical indicators between the two groups showed that smoking was associated with male, tumor stage, multifocality, lymphatic vascular invasion, lymphaitc metastasis, and tumor grade and hydronephrosis ( P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that smoking, male, higher tumor stage, and lymphatic vascular invasion were independent risk factors for OS and CSS. For the subgroup of patients who smoked, smoking duration significantly affected CSS, with each additional year of smoking duration increasing the risk of death by 0.065. Conclusion:Smoking is associated with adverse pathology in patients with UTUC, and smoking is an independent factor affecting the prognosis of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with GC in UTUC.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the risk factors for perioperative malnutrition in aged fracture patients.Methods:A comprehensive search of databases including CNKI, WanFang, VIP, SinoMed, Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and CINAHL was conducted to identify relevant studies on risk factors for perioperative malnutrition in aged fracture patients from inception to May 10, 2023. Additional grey literature was identified by snowball sampling and manual searches. Two postgraduate students trained in evidence-based nursing independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of the studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.Results:Fourteen original studies were included, covering 46 risk factors for malnutrition. Meta-analysis of factors reported in at least two studies indicated that age≥ 70 years, low body mass index, low hemoglobin, preoperative hypoalbuminemia, female, physical inactivity, non-home residence, low self-care ability, intertrochanteric fracture, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic gastritis, dementia/cognitive decline, cancer, stroke, chronic heart failure, multiple chronic diseases, high Charlson Comorbidity Index, weight loss, depression, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification≥Ⅲ, taking multiple medications≥ 4 types, and longer hospital stays all increased the incidence of perioperative malnutrition in aged fracture patients ( P< 0.05) . Conclusions:The incidence of perioperative malnutrition in the aged fracture population is high and influenced by multiple factors. This highlights the need for healthcare providers to conduct dynamic and precise nutritional screenings for high-risk patients and to implement personalized perioperative nutritional management to prevent malnutrition and promote rapid recovery in aged fracture patients.

Objective Network pharmacology and animal experiments were performed to study and verify the therapeutic effect of Rhizoma Chuanxiong volatile oil on angina pectoris.Methods Volatile oil components were screened using steam distillation,gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,and oral bioavailability.Targets of these components were identified using Pubchem,SwissTarget,DisGeNET,and DrugBank databases as well as R language.Angina pectoris-related targets and intersection targets were obtained.Protein-protein interactions were analyzed using the STRING database.The ClusterProfiler package in R was used to analyze the gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment of the intersecting targets,and Cytoscape was used to construct herbal-component-target-pathway networks.Molecular docking analysis was conducted using AutoDock Vina 1.2.3,Pymol 3.0,and Discovery Studio 2016 software to evaluate the affinity between key targets and the main volatile oil components.Finally,the therapeutic effect of Rhizoma Chuanxiong volatile oil on angina pectoris was verified by animal experiments.Results In total,10 volatile oil components and 22 key targets were identified.They were closely related to neurotransmitters,receptors on synaptic membranes,material metabolism,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,retinol metabolism,and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450 pathways.The molecular docking result showed that 3-butylidenephthalide,alpha-selinene,trans-ligustilide,and other volatile oil components combined with several key targets play therapeutic roles.Animal experiments showed that the volatile oil of Rhizoma Chuanxiong can regulate the ejection fraction,fractional shortening,stroke volume,and left ventricular internal diameter in systole and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase,creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase;promote the expression of ADRA1A and CHRM5 proteins in damaged cardiomyocytes;improve the state of myocardial fibers;reduce intercellular space;and reduce inflammatory cell infiltration.Conclusions The volatile oil of Ligusticum wallichii can effectively protect damaged myocardial tissue and thus has a role in treating angina pectoris.

Obesity, characterized by the excess accumulation of fat in adipose tissue, poses a significant health risk. Presently, there is growing interest in promoting the browning of white adipose tissue as a strategy to address obesity and metabolic diseases. This article delves into various methods on white adipose tissue browning, encompassing pharmaceuticals, local thermotherapy, exercise, and acupuncture. It provides an overview of the potential mechanisms and effects of these interventions, aiming to offer fresh perspectives on leveraging white adipose tissue browning to mitigate obesity and improve metabolism.

Objective:To compare clinical characteristics of patients with atopic prurigo nodularis (APN) versus non-APN (NAPN), and to analyze differences in the therapeutic response to dupilumab.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted. Clinical data were collected from patients with atopic dermatitis and those with prurigo nodularis, who visited the Department of Dermatology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University from January 2017 to December 2022. These patients were divided into the APN group and NAPN group according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria (types of skin lesions and the presence or absence of history of atopic diseases). Clinical characteristics, laboratory examination results, and comorbidities were compared between the 2 groups, so were the eczema area and severity index (EASI) scores, investigator′s global assessment (IGA) scores and itch numeric rating scale (NRS) scores at 0, 4, 12 weeks after the treatment with dupilumab.Results:A total of 233 patients with NAPN and 177 with APN were enrolled, and their ages were 57 (48, 68) and 43 (20, 57) years, respectively. Before the treatment, the serum IgE levels and eosinophil counts were significantly higher in the APN patients than in the NAPN patients ( Z = -4.40, -3.92, respectively, both P < 0.001) ; compared with the NAPN patients, the APN patients more frequently presented with skin lesions on the trunk (71.64% [117/177] vs. 54.08% [126/233], P < 0.05), limbs (71.75% [127/177] vs. 61.37% [143/233], P < 0.05) and the whole body (28.36% [53/177] vs. 20.17% [47/233], P < 0.05) ; the incidence rates of xeroderma, erythema, papules and crusting were significantly higher in the APN patients than in the NAPN patients (all P < 0.05), and the APN patients more frequently presented with symmetrically distributed lesions; however, there were no significant differences in the incidence rates of secondary lesions such as scratches (38.98% [67/177] vs. 33.91% [79/233]) and ulcers (18.64% [33/177] vs. 18.03% [42/233]) between the two groups (both P > 0.05). The proportions of patients with chronic kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases and diabetes were significantly higher in the NAPN group than in the APN group (all P < 0.05). There were 13 patients with APN and 5 with NAPN who received a 12-week dupilumab treatment and had complete follow-up results. No significant differences were observed in the EASI, IGA or NRS scores before the treatment between the 2 groups (all P < 0.05) ; after the 12-week treatment, the improvement of EASI score was significantly higher in the APN group than in the NAPN group ( P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in the improvement of NRS and IGA scores between the 2 groups (both P > 0.05) . Conclusion:The clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results, and comorbidities differed between the NAPN and APN patients, however, they both showed good therapeutic response to dupilumab.

Objective To explore the feasibility of minimally invasive autopsy by natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.Methods Autopsy was performed on a deceased patient with COVID-19 via transesophageal,transtrachea,and transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.The white light endoscopic manifestations of the corresponding organs were observed,and organ tissue specimens were obtained for routine pathological examination.Results All four pathways reached the corresponding organs successfully.Diffuse congestion and submucous bleeding were seen in the trachea,bronchus and bronchus of the pulmonary lobes.The bronchus of the left lower lobe was filled with dark red sputum;the surface of the left lung was congested obviously.Four thrombi and plaque rupture were seen on the aortic wall.The gastric mucosa was congested,eroded,and had active ulcers.The surface of heart and liver was smooth.Small lamellar panniculitis was seen in the omentum.Routine pathology showed chronic inflammation with acute inflammation of the bronchial mucosa and inflammatory exudation,and partial squamous metaplasia of the epithelium.In lung tissue,some alveolar epithelial hyperplasia,a little fibrin-like exudation,widened alveolar septa,and infiltration of acute and chronic inflammatory cells were seen.The columnar epithelial mucosa of the gastric mucosa showed chronic inflammation with acute inflammation and exudates and fungal masses.Conclusion Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery is feasible for autopsy,and covid-19 virus can cause multi-system and multi-organ damage.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

Objective To screen differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum during the chronic pathogenic stage and identify their functions, so as to provide insights into unravelling the role of lncRNAs in S. japonicum infection-induced liver disorders. Methods Twenty 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups, of 10 animals each group. Each mouse in the experimental group was infected with (15 ± 2) S. japonicum cercariae via the abdomen for modeling chronic S. japonicum infection in mice, and distilled water served as controls. All mice were sacrificed 70 days post-infection, and mouse liver specimens were sampled for RNA extraction and library construction. All libraries were sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. Data cleaning was performed using the fastp software, and reference genome alignment and gene expression (FPKM) calculation were performed using the HISAT2 software. Potential lncRNA sequences were predicted using the software CNIC, CPC, Pfam, and PLEK, and potential lncRNAs were screened. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were screened with the DESeq2 software and subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses to identify biological processes and metabolic pathways involved in target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs. Results A total of 333 potential lncRNAs were screened, and 67 were identified as differentially expressed lncRNAs, including 49 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated lncRNAs. A total of 53 target genes were predicted for differentially expressed lncRNAs. GO enrichment analysis showed that these target genes were mainly enriched in biological process and molecular function, among which Sema7a, Arrb1, and Ccl21b genes may be hub target genes for positive regulation of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 cascades and may participate in the regulation of collagen expression. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs were mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors, chemokine signaling pathway, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Conclusions This study identifies differentially expressed lncRNAs and functional enrichment of their target genes in the liver of mice during the chronic pathogenic stage of S. japonicum infection. Up-regulated lncRNAs may affect biological processes of ERK1/2 cascades and chemokine signaling pathways via target genes Sema7a, Arrb1, and Ccl21b, thereby affecting collagen expression and inflammatory signal pathways, ultimately affecting the development of liver disorders.

5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)type 3 receptor(5-HT3R)is the only type of ligand-gated ion channel in the 5-HT receptor family.Through the high permeability of Na+,K+,and Ca2+ and activation of subsequent voltage-gated calcium channels(VGCCs),5-HT3R induces a rapid increase of neuronal excitability or the release of neurotransmitters from axon terminals in the central nervous system(CNS).5-HT3Rs are widely expressed in the medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC),amygdala(AMYG),hippocampus(HIP),periaqueductal gray(PAG),and other brain regions closely associated with anxiety reactions.They have a bidirectional regulatory effect on anxiety reactions by acting on different types of cells in different brain regions.5-HT3Rs mediate the activation of the cholecystokinin(CCK)system in the AMYG,and the γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)"disinhibition"mechanism in the prelimbic area of the mPFC promotes anxiety by the activation of GABAergic intermediate inhibitory neurons(IINs).In contrast,a 5-HT3R-induced GABA"disinhibition"mechanism in the infralimbic area of the mPFC and the ventral HIP produces anxiolytic effects.5-HT2R-mediated regulation of anxiety reactions are also activated by 5-HT3R-activated 5-HT release in the HIP and PAG.This provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of anxiety disorders or the production of anxiolytic drugs by targeting 5-HT3Rs.However,given the circuit specific modulation of 5-HT3Rs on emotion,systemic use of 5-HT3R agonism or antagonism alone seems unlikely to remedy anxiety,which deeply hinders the current clinical application of 5-HT3R drugs.Therefore,the exploitation of circuit targeting methods or a combined drug strategy might be a useful developmental approach in the future.