Background: Disorders of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) arising from diabetes mellitus are closely related to diabetic encephalopathy. Previous research has suggested that neuron-glia antigen 2 (NG2)-glia plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of the BBB. However, the mechanism by which NG2-glia regulates the diabetic BBB remains unclear. Methods: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) db/db mice and db/m mice were used. Evans-Blue BBB permeability tests and transmission electron microscopy techniques were applied. Tight junction proteins were assessed by immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. NG2-glia number and signaling pathways were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Detection of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in serum was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: In T2DM db/db mice, BBB permeability in the hippocampus significantly increased from 16 weeks of age, and the structure of tight junction proteins changed. The number of NG2-glia in the hippocampus of db/db mice increased around microvessels from 12 weeks of age. Concurrently, the expression of MMP-9 increased in the hippocampus with no change in serum. Sixteen- week-old db/db mice showed activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hippocampal NG2-glia. Treatment with XAV-939 improved structural and functional changes in the hippocampal BBB and reduced MMP-9 secretion by hippocampal NG2-glia in db/db mice. It was also found that the upregulation of β-catenin protein in NG2-glia in the hippocampus of 16-week-old db/db mice was significantly alleviated by treatment with XAV-939. Conclusion The results indicate that NG2-glia can lead to structural and functional disruption of the diabetic BBB by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling, upregulating MMP-9, and degrading tight junction proteins.

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis snails in Yunnan Province fol-lowing interruption of schistosomiasis transmission, so as to provide the evidence for assessing the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and scientifically formulating the schistosomiasis surveillance program. Methods According to the requirements of the National Schistosomiasis Surveillance Scheme (2020 Edition), O. hupensis snail surveillance data were collected from 18 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (cities, districts) in Yunnan Province from 2020 to 2024, including area of snail survey, area of snail habitats, area of re-emerging snail habitats, number of frames surveyed, number of frames with O. hupensis snails, number of O. hupensis snails captured, and number of living snails, and the occurrence of frames with snails and mean density of living snails were calculated. Changes in snail status over the 5-year period from 2020 to 2024 and the differences in snail distributions specified by epidemic intensity, environmental type, and vegetation type were analyzed. Results The areas of snail survey increased from 1 727.96 hm² in 2020 to 3 894.45 hm² in 2024 (peak) across 18 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (cities, districts) in Yunnan Province during the period from 2020 through 2024. The areas of snail habitats increased from 70.36 hm² in 2020 to a peak in 2023 (172.04 hm²), followed by a reduction to 132.36 hm² in 2024, and the areas of re-emerging snail habitats increased from 42.71 hm² in 2020 to a peak in 2022 (78.43 hm²), followed by a reduction to 40.21 hm² in 2024. The occurrence of frames with snails and mean density of living snails increased from 1.24% (3 025/244 404) and (0.033 2 ± 0.038 7) snails/0.1 m² in 2020 to peaks at 2.03% (6 231/307 563) and (0.066 9 ± 0.068 4) snails/0.1 m² in 2023, followed by reductions to 1.04% (5 829/559 941) and (0.032 6 ± 0.057 7) snails/0.1 m² in 2024, respectively. There was a significant difference in the occurrence of frames with snails over the 5-year study period (χ² = 1 962.95, P < 0.05), and the occurrence of frames with snails reduced by 48.71% in 2024 relative to in 2023 (χ² = 1 411.05, P < 0.005); however, there was no significant difference in the mean density of living snails over the 5 years (H = 5.310, P > 0.05). There were significant differences in the occurrence of frames with snails (χ² = 481.27, P < 0.05) and mean density of living snails (H = 6.872, P < 0.05) in schistosomiasis-endemic areas with different epidemic intensities. The occurrence of frames with snails (χ² = 25.32 and 38.70, both P values < 0.017) and mean density of living snails (Z = 28.55 and 49.96, both P values < 0.017) were higher in schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted and eliminated areas with snails than in schistosomiasis-eliminated areas without snails, and the occurrence of frames with snails (χ² = 453.54, P < 0.017) and mean density of living snails (Z = −56.97, P < 0.017) were higher in schistosomiasis-eliminated areas with snails than in schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted areas with snails. O. hupensis snails were mainly distributed in paddy fields, dry farmlands and ditches; however, the occurrence of frames with snails (13.40%, 424/3 164) and mean density of living snails [(0.252 8 ± 0.158 7) snails/0.1 m²] were higher in ponds/weirs than in other types of environments (both P values < 0.05). Rice, dry farmland crops and weeds were main vegetations in which O. hupensis snails were distributed, and the occurrence of frames with snails (2.29%, 7 111/310 140) and mean density of living snails [(0.072 3 ± 0.018 9) snails/0.1 m²] were higher in weeds than in other types of environments (both P values < 0.05). Conclusions O. hupensis snails have been effectively controlled in Yunnan Province following implementation of integrated schistosomiasis control measures; however, there are still risk factors for schistosomiasis transmission, including reduced attention to schistosomiasis control and snail re-emergence. Improved control efforts and surveillance system construction and timely identification of risk factors of snail status and timely management are recommended to ensure the achievement of the target of schistosomiasis elimination as scheduled.

A recombinant adenovirus(rAd)for expression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb)c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase CnpB was constructed,and its induced humoral immune response was detected.The codon-optimized gene of M.tb CnpB was cloned into the adenoviral plasmid pcADV.The recombinant plasmid pcADV-CnpB was transfected into HEK293T cells,and expression was detected with Western blot.The recombinant plasmid pcADV-CnpB and the backbone plasmid were co-transfected into HEK293T cells to obtain the recombinant adenovirus rAd-CnpB.rAd-CnpB was amplified in HEK293T cells,and the target protein expression of rAd-CnpB was detected with Western blot and immunofluorescence.Mice were immunized with rAd-CnpB intranasally,and their sera and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were collected.ELISA was used to detect levels of antigen-specific antibodies.Restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing indicated that the recombinant plasmid pcADV-CnpB was successfully constructed and led to protein expression in eukaryotic cells.rAd-CnpB was packaged and produced in HEK293T cells.After amplification and purification,rAd-CnpB with a titer of 5.53×1010 PFU/mL was obtained.rAd-CnpB led to CnpB expression in HEK293T cells.Intranasal immunization with rAd-CnpB increased levels of IgG and secretory IgA in BALF and led to high levels of IgG in sera.rAd-CnpB,the recombinant adenovirus for expression of c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase CnpB was successfully constructed,and was found to induce antigen-specific humoral and mucosal immune responses through mucosal immunization.Thus,rAd-CnpB may be used in further research on new TB vaccine strategies.

Objective:To investigate the impact of postoperative complications on adverse outcomes following curative-intent resection for gallbladder cancer (GBC).Methods:The multi-center real-world study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 629 patients with GBC, who were admitted to 14 medical centers including The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from the national multicenter database of Biliary Surgery Group of Elite Group of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, from April 2020 to April 2024 were collected. There were 225 males and 404 females, aged (64±10)years. Patients underwent open curative-intent resection for GBC. Observation indicators: (1)surgery, postoperative complica-tions and adverse outcomes; (2) analysis of risk factors affecting postoperative adverse outcomes in patients and population attributable fraction (PAF). Missing data in predictor variables were addressed using multiple imputation with chained equations, while cases with missing outcome variables were addressed using the "multiple imputation then deletion (MID)" strategy. The severity of multicollinearity among independent variables was assessed using the variance inflation factor (VIF) test. Multivariable possion regression models with log link and robust error variance were construc-ted incorporating restricted cubic splines (3 knots) to address nonlinear relationships in continuous variables, calculating adjusted relative risk ( RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval ( CI). Adjusted PAF was calculated for each imputed dataset using the AF package of R software, with subsequent pooling performed according to Rubin's rules. Results:(1) Surgery, postoperative complications and adverse outcomes. All 629 patients underwent curative-intent resection for GBC, of which 143 cases had postoperative complications, including 68 cases of intra-abdominal ascites, 39 cases of pulmonary infection, 21 cases of bile leakage, 12 cases of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, 11 cases of liver failure, 10 cases of pan-creatic fistula, 10 cases of wound infection, 10 cases of gastroparesis, 7 cases of cholangitis, 7 cases of sepsis. The same patient could have more than one kind of complication. Of 629 patients, there were 19 cases of postoperative 90-day death and 11 cases of missing data, 42 cases with post-operative 90-day reoperation and 7 cases with missing data, 44 cases with postoperative 90-day readmission and 3 cases with missing data, 155 cases with prolonged postoperative hospital stay and 3 cases with missing data. (2) Analysis of risk factors affecting the postoperative adverse outcomes in patients and PAF. Results of multivariate analysis showed that pulmonary infection and liver failure were independent risk factors for postoperative 90-day mortality ( RR=3.74, 12.15, 95% CI as 1.18-11.83, 1.98-74.48, P<0.05). Pulmonary infection demons-trated the highest PAF as 4.61% (95% CI as 3.94%-5.28%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, and intra-abdominal hemorrhage were independent risk factors for post-operative 90-day reoperation ( RR=4.80, 3.62, 3.46, 4.99, 95% CI as 2.49-9.26, 1.42-9.21, 1.34-8.92, 1.55-16.06, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 8.65% (95% CI as 8.22%-9.08%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, bile leakage, and liver failure were independent risk factors for postoperative 90-day readmission ( RR=6.20, 3.33, 14.33, 95% CI as 3.21-11.95, 1.33-8.35, 3.72-55.28, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 9.11% (95% CI as 8.85%-9.37%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, liver failure, and wound infection were independent risk factors for prolonged postoperative hospital stay ( RR=2.29, 2.21, 2.26, 2.14, 3.35, 95% CI as 1.63-3.23, 1.41-3.46, 1.32-3.86, 1.11-4.13, 1.70-6.60, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 6.03% (95% CI as 5.71%-6.35%, P<0.05). Conclusion:Pulmonary infection is the most significant risk factor for postoperative 90-day mortality after curative-intent resection for GBC, while intra-abdominal ascites is the most significant risk factor for postoperative 90-day reoperation, postoperative 90-day readmission, and prolonged postoperative hospital stay.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) on clinical functional outcomes of patients with intensive care unit-acquired swallowing disorders (ICU-ASD).Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed clinical data of patients diagnosed with post-extubation dysphagia (PED) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) of the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from February 2020 to February 2025. Patients were categorized into a FEES group of 60 cases [34 males, 26 females, aged 37-80 years (median age 62 years)] and a control group without FEES of 58 cases [32 males, 26 females, aged 39-77 years (median age 61 years)].The patients in two groups received swallowing function and feeding training based on the results of the FEES assessment and the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test-Clinical Version (VVST-CV), respectively. Clinical functional outcome measures included pneumonia incidence, clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), pneumonia severity index (PSI), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and dietary method at discharge. χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, were employed for statistical analysis of the outcome measures. Results:Compared with the control group, the FEES group had significantly lower aspiration pneumonia incidence at discharge [3.3% (2/60) vs 15.5% (9/58), χ2=5.179, P=0.023]. Regarding dietary methods,a significantly higher proportion of patients in the FEES group achieved complete oral feeding compared with the control group [75.0% (45/60) vs 67.3% (39/58), χ2=8.065, P<0.05]. After training, the FEES group had higher median FOIS scores than the control group (7.00 vs 6.00, Z=-2.370, P=0.018), and lower CPIS scores (2.50 vs 5.00, Z=-2.216, P=0.027) and PSI scores (59.00 vs 73.00, Z=-2.251, P=0.024). Within-group comparisons revealed that FOIS scores significantly improved post-training in both groups (both P<0.001). Conclusion:Early FEES examination for ICU patients with acquired swallowing disorders is associated with a lower incidence of pneumonia, improved swallowing function, and superior clinical functional outcomes.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze and explore the indications, methods and prognosis of optic nerve decompression (OND) in endoscopic surgery for benign fibro-osseous lesions (FOLs) of the nasal and skull base.Methods:Among 217 cases of craniofacial fibro-osseous lesions from July 2008 to January 2025 who were treated in the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department of Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 14 patients (6.45%, 14/217) who underwent endoscopic resection of the lesion and OND under image navigation were included in this study, including 8 males and 6 females, aged from 4 to 28 years old. Among the 14 patients, 8 had fibrous dysplasia, 5 had ossifying fibroma, and 1 had osteoma. Clinical data, imaging data, surgical data and follow-up results were collected. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and other indicators before and after treatment were recorded for analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 software.Results:Among 14 patients, preoperative visual decline involved 17 eyes (all 8 fibrous dysplasia cases, 2/5 ossifying fibroma cases, and 1 osteoma case). Surgical approaches included: partial resection for fibrous dysplasia (8 cases; bilateral decompression in 5, unilateral in 3); total resection for ossifying fibroma (3 cases; bilateral decompression in 2, unilateral in 1) or partial resection with bilateral decompression (2 cases, including 1 aneurysmal bone cyst); and total resection with unilateral decompression for osteoma (1 case). After the operation, the vision of 10 eyes (58.82%, 10/17) had been improved. Among the 5 eyes with severe visual impairment before the operation (no light perception/light perception/exponential vision), 2 eyes improved (1 eye from no light perception to light perception, and 1 eye from visual perception to exponential vision). Eight cases (10 eyes) of patients with proptosis improved after the operation. The proptosis before and after the operation were (16.60±1.71) mm and (13.60±1.35) mm ( P<0.05). Conclusions:For patients with benign FOLs involving the optic canal at the nasal and skull base who have visual impairment, OND via endoscopic endonasal approach can achieve visual salvage effects. Those with better preoperative residual vision have significant improvement in BCVA, so the operation should be performed as early as possible.

In this study,the similarities and differences of plasma collection and quality control in China and abroad were analyzed by comparing the related regulations,standards,guidelines and literatures.Rational and constructive suggestions were proposed,aiming to optimize domestic plasma management and promote the improvement of plasma-related standards.There was little difference on facilities and safety control process of plasma between China and the developed countries(United States,EU and Japan),However,significant differences existed on plasma station setting,donor screening standards,collection interval,volume limits,plasma testing modes and tests,plasma quarantine standard and utilization of recovered plasma.The United States sets the industry benchmark and is worthy of reference for our country both in plasma collection and quality control.

A mounting body of research suggests that circRNAs significantly contribute to the develop-ment of myocardial fibrosis.The microarray results of human circular RNA expression profile indicated that circHERC4_041 expression increased in the myocardium of patients with heart failure,RT-qPCR a-nalysis confirmed that the myocardial expression level of circHERC4_041 in individuals with heart failure were considerably elevated compared to that in healthy organ donors.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)confirmed that circHERC4_041 was abundant in the cytoplasm of human cardiomyocyte AC16.Overexpression of circHERC4_041 in mouse myocardial fibroblasts(mCFs)mediated by adenovirus in-hibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in mCFs.Experiments involving cell proliferation,wound healing,and Transwell assays demonstrated that overexpression of circHERC4_041 suppressed the growth and mobility of mCFs(P＜0.001).Sequence analysis results suggested that circHERC4_041 con-tains potential ribosome entry sequence(IRES)and open reading frame(ORF).Western blot confirmed that circHERC4_041 could translate the 516 amino acid HERC4-516aa protein,which was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the cell.Cell functional experiments confirmed that circHERC4_041 inhibited the fi-brotic phenotype of mCFs by specifically translating HERC4-516aa(P＜0.05).The specific interaction between HERC4-516aa and transglutaminase 2(TGM2)was confirmed by IP-MS screening and Co-IP i-dentification.Further results found that the degradation of TGM2 was promoted through proteasome path-way.The overexpression of TGM2 in mCFs facilitated by adenoviral vectors could counteract the suppres-sive effects of HERC4-516aa on the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs.Therefore,this study confirmed that the HERC4-516aa protein translated by circHERC4_041 can specifically bind to TGM2 to inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of myocardial fibroblasts.

Objective:To investigate the factors influencing the persistence of prostate specific antigen(PSA) following radical prostatectomy, and to develop and validate a predictive model for PSA persistence.Methods:Clinical data from 1 828 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at Shanghai Changhai Hospital between January 2015 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 1 295 patients from January 2015 to April 2021 comprised the modeling group, while 533 patients from May 2021 to December 2023 formed the validation group. Additionally, 109 patients who underwent radical surgery at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University between March and December 2023 were included as an external validation group. Patients with incomplete clinical information, serum PSA levels exceeding 100 ng/ml, or those who received preoperative neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. Ultimately, 1 003, 369, and 86 patients were included in the modeling, validation, and external validation groups, respectively. The modeling group had serum PSA of 19.29 (8.43, 23.73) ng/ml; the clinical stages were distributed as T 1, T 2, T 3, and T 4 in 191, 673, 123, and 16 patients, respectively; the primary Gleason scores of biopsy were 3, 4, and 5 in 460, 466, and 77 patients, respectively; and the secondary Gleason scores were 3, 4, and 5 in 363, 486, and 154 patients, respectively. The validation group had serum PSA of 12.80 (6.82, 14.40) ng/ml; the clinical stages were distributed as T 1, T 2, T 3, and T 4 in 40, 289, 37, and 3 patients, respectively; the primary Gleason scores of biopsy were 3, 4, and 5 in 218, 145, and 6 patients, respectively; and the secondary Gleason scores were 3, 4, and 5 in 140, 184, and 45 patients, respectively. The external validation group had serum PSA of 12.84 (7.11, 12.97) ng/ml; the clinical stages were distributed as T 1, T 2 and T 3 in 9, 68, and 9 patients, respectively; the primary Gleason scores of biopsy were 3, 4, and 5 in 58, 27, and 1 patient, respectively; and the secondary Gleason scores were 3, 4, and 5 in 28, 50, and 8 patients, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for PSA persistence after radical prostatectomy in the modeling group and a prediction model was constructed. The predictive performance of the model was analyzed using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, the calibration curve, and the clinical decision curve. The predictive performance of the model was verified by the ROC curve in the validation group and the external validation group. Results:The incidence of persistent PSA after surgery in the modeling group, validation group, and external validation group was 8.97% (90/1 003), 7.32% (27/369), and 17.4% (15/86), respectively. In the modeling group, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum PSA, percentage of positive needle cores, primary Gleason score on biopsy, and secondary Gleason score on biopsy were independent risk factors for PSA persistence ( P<0.05), and a prediction model was constructed based on these factors. The AUC value of this model was 0.790 (95% CI 0.745-0.835). Calibration curve and clinical decision curve analyses showed that the model's predicted probabilities aligned well with actual risks within the 0-40% prediction interval, providing clinical benefit. The AUC values of the ROC curves in the validation group and external validation group were 0.808 (95% CI 0.719-0.897) and 0.822 (95% CI 0.714-0.929), respectively, indicating that the model had good predictive performance. Conclusions:The predictive model for PSA persistence, constructed based on serum PSA, percentage of positive needle cores, primary and secondary Gleason score on biopsy, demonstrated good clinical predictive performance, exhibiting high accuracy in both internal and cross-center validation.

Objective To analyze the correlation between lesion volume,lesion mass,and maximum lesion diameter in the assessment of advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis,and to evaluate the application value of total volume response and total mass response of lung metastatic lesions in efficacy assessment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the CT imaging data of 20 patients clinically confirmed with hepatocarcinoma and lung metastases,followed by subsequent follow-up to monitor their survival outcomes.Volume measurement software was used to measure the volume of lesions before and after treatment.We recored lesion diameter,volume measurements and CT values,calculated the mass of the lesions.The correlation between lesion volume,mass and diameter was analyzed,as well as the correlation between the change rates of volume,mass and lesion diameter.Additionally,the total volume and total mass of all lesions were calculated.The correlation between the change rates of total volume/total mass and the change rate of pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria,as well as the correlation with changes in patients'tumor markers,were analyzed.Furthermore,the overall volume response and overall mass response of lesions were evaluated based on changes in total volume and total mass,and their consistencies with the RECIST 1.1 criteria for efficacy evaluation were analyzed.Finally,univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to explore the association between these variables and patient survival outcomes.Results There was strong correlation between lesion volume,mass and tumor diameter(r=0.771,0.775),between the rate of change in mass and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.846),and between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and the rate of change in pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria(r=0.800,0.896).The correlation between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and patients'tumor markers was not statistically significant.There was moderate correlation between the rate of change in volume and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.692).The evaluation results of total volume response and total mass response for pulmonary lesions in advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis were generally consistent with the RECIST 1.1 criteria(Kappa=0.486,0.426).Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that total lesion volume(P=0.047)and total lesion mass(P=0.049)were independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.Conclusion Lesion volume,mass,and diameter,as well as their respective change rates,were found to be interrelated.Furthermore,total lesion volume and total lesion mass were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.The total volume response and total mass response are promising evaluation methods in evaluating the efficacy of lung metastasis of hepatocarcinoma,which are different from the RECIST 1.1 evaluation criteria.