Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of different pathogen detection methods in active tuberculosis (ATB) of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and analyze their diagnostic value in different types of clinical specimens. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted, including adult KTRs with suspected ATB from the Eighth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2020 to January 2025. Baseline data of the recipients were collected and analyzed, and the diagnostic criteria were based on a composite reference standard (including clinical diagnosis and bacteriological confirmation). The single-detection efficacy of acid-fast staining smear, mycobacterium tuberculosis culture, Xpert test for the detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis nucleic acid and resistance to rifampicin (Xpert MTB/RIF), as well as tuberculosis or non-tuberculosis mycobacterial DNA detection was compared. The differences in sensitivity among different methods were analyzed. Results A total of 95 KTRs with suspected ATB and 136 specimens were included. And 52 cases were diagnosed as ATB, among which 48 cases were confirmed by bacteriological means (92%). The sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF and DNA detection (0.55 and 0.52, respectively) was significantly higher than that of acid-fast staining smear (0.30) and mycobacterium tuberculosis culture (0.35) (P < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in the bacteriological diagnosis rate among different specimen types (P = 0.035). The detection sensitivity of each method was the highest in pus, puncture tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, followed by sputum and pleural and abdominal effusions, and the lowest in cerebrospinal fluid. Conclusions The sensitivity of nucleic acid amplification technology for immunosuppressed KTRs is slightly reduced, but it should still be recommended as the preferred initial screening tool. The comprehensive strategy of "multi-site sampling (prior to obtaining high bacterial load specimens) combined with multiple method detection" may improve the diagnostic efficacy.

Objective: To analyze the trajectories of body mass index for age z-score (BAZ) and its influencing factors among children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) based on latent class growth modeling (LCGM), so as to provide the evidence for improving treatment measures and optimizing growth management among children with CH. Methods Children with CH aged 0 to 3 years from the Newborn Disease Screening Center of Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital) between 2017 and 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Basic information, height and weight data from 3 to 36 months of age, age at treatment initiation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at diagnosis, and family information were retrospectively collected. BAZ for children with CH at each month of age was calculated based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. The trajectories of BAZ were analyzed using LCGM, and factors affecting the trajectories of BAZ among children with CH were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Methods: Children with CH aged 0 to 3 years from the Newborn Disease Screening Center of Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital) between 2017 and 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Basic information, height and weight data from 3 to 36 months of age, age at treatment initiation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at diagnosis, and family information were retrospectively collected. BAZ for children with CH at each month of age was calculated based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. The trajectories of BAZ were analyzed using LCGM, and factors affecting the trajectories of BAZ among children with CH were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Results: A total of 299 children with CH were included. There were 140 boys (46.82%) and 159 girls (53.18%). The median of BAZ was 0.50 (interquartile range, 1.68). The LCGM analysis categorized the subjects into three groups: the persistent high-growth pattern group with 24 cases (8.03%), the slow-growth pattern group with 39 cases (13.04%), and the appropriate-growth pattern group with 236 cases (78.93%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that compared to the children with CH in the appropriate-growth pattern group, those who started treatment at the age of 30 to 60 days (OR=0.109, 95%CI: 0.016-0.732; OR=0.166, 95%CI: 0.032-0.852) had a lower risk of persistent high-growth and slow-growth patterns; CH children with TSH levels of 50 to 150 mIU/L at diagnosis (OR=3.554, 95%CI: 1.201-10.514) and those whose paternal had a senior high school/technical secondary school education (OR=2.975, 95%CI: 1.003-8.823) exhibited a higher risk of the persistent high-growth pattern. Conversely, CH children whose paternal reproductive age was 30 to 35 years (OR=0.166, 95%CI: 0.034-0.806) had a lower risk of the persistent high-growth pattern. Conclusions The BAZ trajectory of children with CH aged 0 to 3 years exhibited three patterns: persistent high-growth, slow-growth, and appropriate-growth. The persistent high-growth and slow-growth patterns were associated with treatment timing, TSH levels at diagnosis, paternal reproductive age, and paternal education level. It is recommended to strengthen early treatment interventions and provide family follow-up guidance.

Nitrofurazone(NFZ)is an antibiotic that is used as a veterinary drug in aquaculture.NFZ abuse can lead to a series of environmental and health issues,making it crucial to establish a rapid and highly sensitive method for NFZ detection.In this study,platinum nanoparticle(PtNPs)-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework(ZIF-8)was used as a precursor,and PtNPs functionalized nitrogen doped porous carbon(NC)was obtained through pyrolysis.Pt@NC was combined with multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs)and cast onto a glassy carbon electrode(GCE)surface to construct an electroch-emical sensor.Electrochemical tests revealed that Pt@NC/WCNT/GCE exhibited an electrochemical active area of 0.066 cm2 and a heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant(k0)of 2.03×10-3 cm/s,which were higher than other materials.Compared with the electrodes modified by other materials,the NFZ generated the highest peak current of irreversible reduction peak on the Pt@NC/WCNT/GCE electrode.In comparison with Pt@ZIF-8/WCNT/GCE,after pyrolysis and carbonization treatment,the reduction current of NFZ increased by 2.19 times,and the reduction peak potential shifted positively by 19 mV simultaneously.When compared with NC/WCNT/GCE,the PtNPs in the composite material enhanced the NFZ current by 4.25 times.Additionally,the experimental conditions for detecting NFZ using the sensor were optimized,including the carbonization temperature of Pt@ZIF-8,ratio of Pt@NC to CNT,loading amount of the modified material,and electrolyte pH.Under the optimized conditions,the sensor demonstrated a linear detection range for NFZ of 0.20-240 μmol/L,a sensitivity of 9.995 μA/((μmol/L)?cm2)and a limit of detection(LOD)of 0.06 μmol/L.The sensor exhibited excellent anti-interference capability,good reproducibility,and stability,with spiked recoveries for NFZ in water samples ranging from 94.6%to 105.6%.This study provided a novel electrochemical sensing approach for NFZ detection.

Aim To explore the potential mechanism of metformin on ATP-binding cassette transport A1(ABCA1)expression.Methods J774A.1 macrophages were treated with metformin and cycloheximide,and ABCA1 expression was determined by Western blot.His-tagged ABCA1 and HA-tagged Ub plasmids were co-transferred into HEK293 cells and stimulated with metformin.Co-immunoprecipitation(Co-IP)was used to test the binding ability of ABCA1 and ubiquitin.Candidate E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases(CE3)of ABCA1 were identified through Co-IP-based pro-teomics.The MIB1 plasmid was constructed and transferred into HEK293 cells,and Western blot was used to determine the effect of metformin and MIB1 on ABCA1 expression.Results Metformin increased the expression of ABCA1 in J774A.1 cells(P<0.01),and inhibited ABCA1 degradation(P<0.05).Metformin disrupted the binding of ABCA1 to ubiquitin(P<0.05).The proteins regulated by metformin in ABCA1 expression were primarily enriched in pathways re-lated to cell development,inflammation and immune defense.Metformin may upregulate ABCA1 protein expression via MIB1(P<0.05).Conclusion Metformin inhibits the degradation of ABCA1 by blocking the ubiquitin-proteasome system(UPS),and MIB1 might act as a candidate E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase(CE3)for ABCA1.

Objective:To describe the prevalence and distributions of mood disorder in Inner Mongolia Au-tonomous Region,and analyze the related risk factors.Methods:The multistage stratified sampling method with un-equal probability was used to select permanent residents aged 18 years and over in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Re-gion.The Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0 was used as a diagnostic tool.Mood disorders were di-agnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ).Single and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the related factors of mood disorders.Results:Totally,12 315 community residents were interviewed in the survey.The weighted 12-month prevalence and lifetime prevalence of mood disorder were 5.4％and 8.7％,respectively.Weighted 12-month prevalence of depressive disorder was 4.9％,and that of bipolar disorder was 0.3％.Among all subtypes of mood disorder,the 12-month prevalence rate of major depressive disorder(3.1％)was the highest.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female,unmarried,separated or divorced,unemployment,family history,other mental disorders,sleep disorders and chronic diseases(OR=1.56,2.80,2.07,1.42,13.46,7.97,3.23,2.13)were risk factors of mood disorder,while aged 65 years and over(OR=0.44)was protective factor of mood disorders.The lifetime consultation rate in patients with mood disorders was 15.5％,the rate of psychiatric consultation was 3.7％,the rate of medication was 1.8％.Con-clusion:It indicates that female residents and people who are unmarried,separated and divorced,unemployed,with family history,suffering from other mental disorders,suffering from sleep disorders,and suffering from chronic dis-eases may be high risk groups of mood disorders,and the utilization rate of health services is rather low in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

This consensus was developed by the Orthodontic Society of the Chinese Stomatological Association to provide a systematic, scientific, and practical guideline for informed consent in orthodontic care. Orthodontic treatment is typically lengthy, highly individualized, and involves multiple factors such as growth and development, occlusal function, and facial esthetics. Rapid technological advances and diverse risk profiles make the traditional reliance on orthodontist experience or institutional templates insufficient to ensure patients′ full understanding and autonomous decision-making. To address this, the expert panel conducted extensive reviews of domestic and international guidelines, analyzed representative dispute cases, and performed multicenter patient-clinician surveys. Using a multi-round Delphi method, the group established a standardized informed consent framework covering the initial consultation, treatment, and retention phases. The consensus emphasizes that informed consent is not only a fundamental legal and ethical requirement but also a key step in building trust, improving patient compliance, and enhancing treatment satisfaction. Orthodontists should clearly and comprehensively explain treatment plans, potential risks, uncertainties, and associated costs, while respecting the autonomy of patients or guardians, and maintain continuous communication and dynamic evaluation throughout the treatment process. The release of this consensus provides unified and authoritative guidance for clinical orthodontics, helping to standardize informed consent, enhance its transparency, safeguard patient rights, reduce medical risks, and promote high-quality, sustainable development of orthodontic practice.

Objective:To investigate the incidence, clinical management and influencing factors of late-onset neutropenia (LON) in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) after Rituximab (RTX) treatment.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted.The clinical data of PNS children who received RTX treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from March 2020 to August 2024 and were followed up for at least 6 months were collected.The RTX regimen was a single dose of 375 mg/m 2 with a maximum dose of 500 mg, and an additional dose was administered when the reexamination showed that peripheral blood CD19 + B cells were ≥ 1% or nephrotic syndrome relapsed.The patients were divided into an LON group and a non-LON group according to the presence or absence of LON, and then a comparison was made between the groups.The cumulative incidence of LON was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression methods were used to identify the influencing factors of LON.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to assess the value of each influencing factor for predicting LON. Results:A total of 65 PNS patients were included.The incidence of LON was 19.3%(27/140) after 140 RTX treatment courses, and the first LON appeared 95.0 (64.0, 115.0) days after RTX treatment.Forty-nine patients received repeated RTX treatment.The incidence rates of LON after the first course, the second course, and the third course of RTX were 27.7%(18/65), 10.2%(5/49), and 18.8%(3/16), respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( χ2=5.764, P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in the incidence of LON between patients taking and not taking combined immunosuppressive agents after RTX treatment [35.3%(6/17) vs.37.8%(17/45), χ2=0.033, P>0.05]. Compared with the non-LON group, the LON group had a higher incidence of infections [48.1%(13/27) vs.15.0%(17/113), χ2=14.17, P<0.01], but no serious outcomes were observed in both groups.Multivariate Logistic analysis suggested that the age at treatment with RTX was an independent risk factor for LON after RTX treatment ( OR=0.763, 95% CI: 0.592-0.982). The area under the ROC curve of the age at treatment with RTX for predicting LON was 0.767 (95% CI: 0.628-0.906), with an optimal cutoff of 6.6 years, a sensitivity of 70.6%, and a specificity of 80.0%. Conclusions:The incidence of LON in PNS children after RTX treatment may be underestimated.Children who develop LON are at a higher risk of infections, but the prognosis is favorable.The age at treatment with RTX≤6.6 years is an independent risk factor for LON in PNS children.Close monitoring of neutrophil counts should be emphasized in younger PNS patients receiving RTX therapy.

This study was aimed at determining the molecular characteristics of Yersinia pestis in the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake through single nucleotide polymorphism technology,to lay a foundation for molecular epidemiological and source-tracing analysis of Y.pestis in this area.Using the whole genome sequencing technology,we obtained the whole genome sequences of 84 representative Y.pestis strains.Using the sequences of Y.pestis and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis IP32953 from the NCBI database as references,we compared and analyzed the 2 298 SNP loci of these strains.From 1957 to 2020,84 representative strains of Y.pestis from the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake were divided into two clades:1.IN2 and 3.ANT1.The 1.IN2 clade was the characteristic population of Y.pestis throughout all epidemic years in this area.Additionally,analysis of the SNP distribution and hosts in the region indicated that the 1.IN2 clade was located in five counties except Wulan,whereas the 3.ANT1 clade was isolated from Himalayan marmot and dog in two counties.In conclusion,the population structure of SNP of Y.pestis in the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake is relatively simple,and SNP analysis of Y.pestis provided a scientific basis for tracing plague epidemic sources and formulating plague prevention and control measures in this area.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression levels of EZH2 and KMT2D in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and their relationship with pathological features. METHODS: 84 patients with DLBCL treated in our hospital from January 2021 to June 2022 were selected as the study subjects, and clinical characteristics such as sex, age and pathological classification of the patients were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to detecet the expression of KMT2D and EZH2 proteins in tumor tissue cells of the DLBCL patients. The differential expression of KMT2D and EZH2 in subgroups of different sexes, ages, primary sites, clinical stages, Hans subtypes, etc. were compared. The correlation between the expression of KMT2D and EZH2 protein and BCL-6, CD79A was analyzed and validated through the interaction of protein molecular structures. We followed up and recorded the survival status of the patients for 12 months, and analyzed the factors that affect the mortality of DLBCL patients. RESULTS: The positive rate of KMT2D and EZH2 was high (over 95%) in DLBCL patients. There was no significant difference in the expression of EZH2 and KMT2D among subgroups of different sexes, ages and stages (P >0.05). However, patients with different levels of BCL-6 and CD79A expression showed differences in EZH2 and KMT2D expression (P < 0.05). EZH2 and KMT2D were positively correlated with BCL-6 (r =0.391, r =0.332) and CD79A (r =0.309, r =0.258), respectively, and there were interactions in the protein molecular structures. The risk factors for mortality in DLBCL patients include male sex (OR =1.106, 95%CI : 1.082-1.130, P < 0.001), stage II (OR =1.778, 95%CI : 1.567-2.016, P < 0.001), stage IV (OR =2.233, 95%CI : 2.021-2.467, P < 0.001), EZH2 positive (OR =2.762, 95%CI : 1.304-5.850, P =0.008), BCL-6 positive (OR =7.309, 95%CI : 1.340-39.859, P =0.022), age≥74 years (OR =3.080, 95%CI : 1.658-5.723, P < 0.001), and 63-73 years old (OR =2.400, 95%CI : 1.564-3.682, P < 0.001), while KMT2D positive (OR =0.180, 95%CI : 0.054-0.608, P =0.006) and 41-51 years old (OR =0.406, 95%CI : 0.274-0.603, P < 0.001) were factors which could reduce the risk of mortality. CONCLUSION EZH2 and KMT2D are highly expressed in patients with DLBCL, and they are positively correlated with BCL-6 and CD79A, and affect the prognosis of DLBCL patients.
Humans ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/metabolism* ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/metabolism* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism* ; Aged ; Immunohistochemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6/metabolism* ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets