Medical parasitology, as a course bridging basic medical sciences and clinical medicine, has an important disciplinary value in the medical education system. This study investigated the composition of parasitology teachers from multiple medical colleges and universities across China. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the proportion of teachers with clinical medicine background knowledge, and there was common dilemma that there were insufficient clinical medicine knowledge reserves among teachers in some medical colleges and universities, who encountered severe teaching challenges. Based on this issue, this study constructed a basic-clinical medicine collaborative problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model. This model integrated theoretical teaching, case analyses, and experimental operations, and combined transdisciplinary team building and multidimensional teacher training, which significantly improved the clinical teaching capability among parasitology teachers, and effectively compensated the impact of insufficient clinical medicine knowledge reserves on teaching. Following teaching reform, students' scores significantly improved, and their case analysis capability enhanced. This study provides a practical path to address the shortage of clinical medicine background knowledge among parasitology teachers, which facilitates the progress of educational reform of medical parasitology and improvement of teaching quality.

Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.

Machado-Joseph disease, or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), represents the most common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia worldwide. Despite its progressive and debilitating nature, disease-modifying therapies remain elusive. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive intervention; however, its clinical application has been hindered by inconsistent protocols and a lack of mechanistic understanding. A recent landmark study published in Brain Stimulation by Chen et al. addressed these challenges by combining a high-dose intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) protocol with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). This commentary provides an in-depth analysis of their findings, highlighting the restoration of cerebello-cortical inhibition (CBI) as a key therapeutic mechanism. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of this work, proposing that future translational research should integrate accelerated iTBS (aiTBS) paradigms, cortical response measurements (CRM), and individualized neuro-navigation to establish a new era of precision neuromodulation for ataxia.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of epidemic encephalitis B in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2007 to 2023, so as to provide the evidence for formulating prevention and control measures for epidemic encephalitis B. Methods: Epidemic encephalitis B case data in Huzhou City from 2007 to 2023 were collected through the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System of the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The temporal, regional and population distribution characteristics of laboratory-confirmed epidemic encephalitis B cases were analyzed using the descriptively epidemiological method. Results: A total of 49 laboratory-confirmed epidemic encephalitis B cases were reported in Huzhou City from 2007 to 2023, and the average annual incidence was 0.10/105, showing a significant downward trend (P<0.05). The epidemic encephalitis B cases were concentrated from July to August, and July was the peak month, with 40 cases accounting for 81.63%. There was a statistically significant difference in the average annual incidences of epidemic encephalitis B among counties (districts) (P<0.05). Nanxun District had the highest reported incidence, with an average annual incidence of 0.23/105. There were 30 male cases and 19 female cases, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.58∶1. The youngest case was 5 months old, and the oldest was 49 years old. The children under 15 years were in the majority, with 42 cases accounting for 85.71%. Most of the cases were scattered children, with 25 cases accounting for 51.02%. There were 22 cases with no vaccination history and 21 cases with an unknown vaccination history, accounting for 44.90% and 42.86% respectively. All cases presented with fever. Other main clinical symptoms included listlessness, drowsiness, vomiting and headache, with 47, 40, 33 and 29 cases respectively, accounting for 95.92%, 81.63%, 67.35% and 59.18%, respectively. Conclusions The incidence of epidemic encephalitis B in Huzhou City remained at a relatively low level from 2007 to 2023, with Nanxun District being the high-risk area and July being the peak month for disease incidence. Fever and listlessness were the predominant clinical manifestations. Strengthening vaccination for children under 15 years should be prioritized.

Silent mutations within the RAS  gene have garnered increasing attention for their potential roles in tumorigenesis and therapeutic strategies. Kirsten-RAS ( KRAS ) mutations, predominantly oncogenic, are pivotal drivers in various cancers. While extensive research has elucidated the molecular mechanisms and biological consequences of active KRAS  mutations, the functional significance of silent mutations remains relatively understudied. This review synthesizes current knowledge on KRAS  silent mutations, highlighting their impact on cancer development. Silent mutations, which do not alter protein sequences but can affect RNA stability and translational efficiency, pose intriguing questions regarding their contribution to tumor biology. Understanding these mutations is crucial for comprehensively unraveling KRAS -driven oncogenesis and exploring novel therapeutic avenues. Moreover, investigations into the clinical implications of silent mutations in KRAS -mutant tumors suggest potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Despite being in early stages, research on KRAS  silent mutations holds promise for uncovering novel insights that could inform personalized cancer treatments. In conclusion, this review underscores the evolving landscape of KRAS  silent mutations, advocating for further exploration to bridge fundamental biology with clinical applications in oncology.
Humans ; Mutation/genetics* ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics* ; Animals

Objective To explore the expression characteristics of BAIAP2L1 in cervical cancer (CC) and its regulatory role in tumor cell metastasis. Methods The correlation between BAIAP2L1 expression and clinical prognosis was analyzed by using a public database. GO pathway enrichment and clinicopathological correlation analyses were conducted by employing R language. The effect of BAIAP2L1 knockdown on CC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were further investigated through gene silencing approaches. Results BAIAP2L1 expression was significantly upregulated in CC tissues (P_adj <0.001) and it was identified as an independent risk factor for patient mortality (HR=2.808, P=0.03). Elevated BAIAP2L1 levels showed significant correlations with poor overall survival, advanced T/N stage, recurrence, and metastasis (all P<0.05). Functional enrichment analysis revealed its involvement in tumor metastasis-related pathways. The knockdown of BAIAP2L1 significantly attenuated CC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration and suppressed key EMT processes (all P<0.05). Conclusion BAIAP2L1 is overexpressed in CC tissues and associated with patient prognosis and metastasis. The targeted inhibition of BAIAP2L1 can effectively curb tumor progression.