Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of plasma exchange (PE) in thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (MG), thereby to provide theoretical support for its application in the treatment of thymoma-associated MG. Methods: A total of 133 patients with thymoma-associated MG admitted from January 2018 to September 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were matched using propensity score to reduce selection bias, yielding 22 matched pairs for both PE group (n=22) and non-PE group (n=22). Patient characteristics including gender, age of disease onset, course of disease, history of thymoma resection, clinical absolute scores [clinical absolute scores (CAS) and clinical relative scores (CRS)], and synchronized immunotherapy regimen of the two groups were analyzed. The CAS scores before and after treatment were compared between the two groups, and the CRS was used to assess the treatment efficiency. Safety of the two treatment regimens were also compared. Continuous variables were compared using the t-test or ANOVA, while categorical data were compared by the chi-square test. Results: A total of 133 patients were included and divided into two groups according to whether they underwent plasma exchange treatment: the PE group (n=22) and the non-PE group (n=111). To exclude bias caused by large difference in the number of cases between the two groups, we performed propensity score matching. After matching, the number of cases in both groups was 22. There was no significant difference in baseline clinical characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05), including gender, age of onset, duration of disease course, history of thymectomy and baseline CAS score before treatment. Compared to the non-PE group, patients in the PE group showed more significant improvement in CAS score (5.09±1.95 vs 3.59±1.50, P<0.05) and a higher CRS score (75.00% vs 50.00%, P<0.001). Compared to the non-PE group, PE group had significantly longer ICU stay, longer hospital stay and higher hospitalization cost (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse events between the two groups during treatment (P>0.05). During long-term follow-up, both the PE and non-PE groups showed relatively low 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence rate, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that plasma exchange has clear value in the treatment of patients with thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis. It can not only significantly improve patients' muscle strength to alleviate motor dysfunction and enhance quality of life, but also does not significantly increase the incidence of adverse reactions. Therefore, it can be regarded as one of the preferred treatment options that achieve a "balance between efficacy and safety" for such patients, and provides an important basis for optimizing treatment strategies, improving prognosis, and promoting the application of subsequent treatment regimens.

Objective Using different concentrations of Coxsackievirus B3(CVB3)to infect young SD rats.To investigate the distribution of coxsackievirus B3(CVB3)in rat tissues and the immune response and inflammatory factors,to clarify the immunopathological mechanism of viral infection and provide an experimental basis for drug screening and efficacy evaluation.Methods Young SD rats(7 days old)were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of CVB3(TCID50=10-3.34/100 μL)and the proportions of lymphocyte subsets(CD4+,CD8+)in whole blood at days 4 and 8 were detected by flow cytometry.The CVB3 loads in the heart,liver,spleen,brain,kidney,and gastrointestinal tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,TNF-α and IFN-γ levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and histomorphologic changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Results Different doses of CVB3 caused different degrees of diarrhea and decreased body mass in young rats.CVB3 was mainly distributed in the stomach,small intestine,large intestine,and stools,with the highest load in the large intestine and stools.The stock solution group(TCID50=10-3.34/100 μL)increased the proportion of CD8+T cells in the whole blood in young rats and decreased the CD4+/CD8+ratio(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the nomal group high TNF-α and low IFN-γ expression were observed in the large intestine of young rats in the concentrate group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and submucosal edema and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the large intestine(cecum and rectum).There were no significant differences in the proportion of lymphocyte subsets,TNF-α and IFN-γ levels,and morphological changes in whole blood of young rats in the group 10-1,10-2,and 10-3(P＞0.05).Conclusions Different doses of CVB3 can induce infections in young SD rats.CVB3(TCID50=10-3.34/100 μL)causes pathological changes in the large intestine(cecum and rectum)in young rats,and high virus replication can increase levels of inflammatory factors and cause an imbalance of immune cells.CVB3 may have a unique pathogenic mechanism in young rats,providing a theoretical basis for developing evaluation strategies for drugs against CVB3 virus infections.

AIM:To investigate the antiviral effica-cy and mechanism of Qingre Xiaoyanning(QRXYN)in vivo,and provide experimental basis for their prevention and treatment of influenza A virus.METHODS:We constructed a mouse model infect-ed with influenza A H3N2 virus.To evaluate the therapeutic effect of QRXYN on influenza A virus,we measured the body weight changes,pathologi-cal changes in lung tissue,hemagglutination titer,and viral load in mouse.To evaluate the possible mechanism of QRXYN's anti influenza A virus infec-tion,we used the ELISA to measure the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-4,IFN-γ,and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1)in mouse bronchoalveolar Ia-vage fluid;used flow cytometry to assess the pro-portions of macrophages(F4/80),helper T lympho-cytes(CD4+T lymphocytes),and natural killer(NK)cells in lung tissue;and used Western blotting to detect the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MYD88),inhibitor of kappa B kinase-β(IKK-β),NF-kappa-B inhibitor al-pha(IκBα),and phospho-IKB alpha(p-IκBα)in lung tissue.RESULTS:Compared to the model group,both Oseltamivir and QRXYN can alleviate the se-verity of lung tissue lesions in mice,decrease the blood coagulation titer and viral load of mouse lung tissue(P＜0.01),lower the levels of TNF-α,IL-4,and VCAM-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),reduce the proportion of macro-phages(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and increase the propor-tion of CD4+T lymphocytes and NK cells(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Additionally,oseltamivir can reduce the ex-pression of MYD88 protein in mouse lungs(P＜0.05),while QRXYN can decrease the expression of IKK-β and P-IκBα proteins in mouse lungs(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:QRXYN have good in vivo antiviral ef-fects against the influenza A virus,and their mecha-nism may be related to the regulation of the immu-nologic function and NF-κB signal pathway.

AIM:To investigate the antiviral effica-cy and mechanism of Qingre Xiaoyanning(QRXYN)in vivo,and provide experimental basis for their prevention and treatment of influenza A virus.METHODS:We constructed a mouse model infect-ed with influenza A H3N2 virus.To evaluate the therapeutic effect of QRXYN on influenza A virus,we measured the body weight changes,pathologi-cal changes in lung tissue,hemagglutination titer,and viral load in mouse.To evaluate the possible mechanism of QRXYN's anti influenza A virus infec-tion,we used the ELISA to measure the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-4,IFN-γ,and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1)in mouse bronchoalveolar Ia-vage fluid;used flow cytometry to assess the pro-portions of macrophages(F4/80),helper T lympho-cytes(CD4+T lymphocytes),and natural killer(NK)cells in lung tissue;and used Western blotting to detect the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MYD88),inhibitor of kappa B kinase-β(IKK-β),NF-kappa-B inhibitor al-pha(IκBα),and phospho-IKB alpha(p-IκBα)in lung tissue.RESULTS:Compared to the model group,both Oseltamivir and QRXYN can alleviate the se-verity of lung tissue lesions in mice,decrease the blood coagulation titer and viral load of mouse lung tissue(P＜0.01),lower the levels of TNF-α,IL-4,and VCAM-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),reduce the proportion of macro-phages(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and increase the propor-tion of CD4+T lymphocytes and NK cells(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Additionally,oseltamivir can reduce the ex-pression of MYD88 protein in mouse lungs(P＜0.05),while QRXYN can decrease the expression of IKK-β and P-IκBα proteins in mouse lungs(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:QRXYN have good in vivo antiviral ef-fects against the influenza A virus,and their mecha-nism may be related to the regulation of the immu-nologic function and NF-κB signal pathway.

Objective Using different concentrations of Coxsackievirus B3(CVB3)to infect young SD rats.To investigate the distribution of coxsackievirus B3(CVB3)in rat tissues and the immune response and inflammatory factors,to clarify the immunopathological mechanism of viral infection and provide an experimental basis for drug screening and efficacy evaluation.Methods Young SD rats(7 days old)were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of CVB3(TCID50=10-3.34/100 μL)and the proportions of lymphocyte subsets(CD4+,CD8+)in whole blood at days 4 and 8 were detected by flow cytometry.The CVB3 loads in the heart,liver,spleen,brain,kidney,and gastrointestinal tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,TNF-α and IFN-γ levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and histomorphologic changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Results Different doses of CVB3 caused different degrees of diarrhea and decreased body mass in young rats.CVB3 was mainly distributed in the stomach,small intestine,large intestine,and stools,with the highest load in the large intestine and stools.The stock solution group(TCID50=10-3.34/100 μL)increased the proportion of CD8+T cells in the whole blood in young rats and decreased the CD4+/CD8+ratio(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the nomal group high TNF-α and low IFN-γ expression were observed in the large intestine of young rats in the concentrate group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and submucosal edema and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the large intestine(cecum and rectum).There were no significant differences in the proportion of lymphocyte subsets,TNF-α and IFN-γ levels,and morphological changes in whole blood of young rats in the group 10-1,10-2,and 10-3(P＞0.05).Conclusions Different doses of CVB3 can induce infections in young SD rats.CVB3(TCID50=10-3.34/100 μL)causes pathological changes in the large intestine(cecum and rectum)in young rats,and high virus replication can increase levels of inflammatory factors and cause an imbalance of immune cells.CVB3 may have a unique pathogenic mechanism in young rats,providing a theoretical basis for developing evaluation strategies for drugs against CVB3 virus infections.

Objective:To understand the incidence of diabetes and influencing factors, the trend of FPG change and risk for mortality in HIV-infected individuals after antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (Dehong).Methods:The HIV/AIDS treatment database was collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in HIV-infected individuals with access to ART in Dehong during 2004-2020.The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the incidence density of diabetes, the influencing factors and risk for mortality in HIV-infected individuals with access to ART, mixed linear effects model was used to analyze the trend of FPG change and predict FPG in those with different glucose metabolic status at baseline survey. Statistical analysis was performed using software SAS 9.4.Results:A total of 8 763 HIV-infected individuals were included, in whom 8 432 (96.2%) had no diabetes, 331 had diabetes. The incidence density of diabetes was 2.31/1 000 person years. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that 30- 59 years old, BMI ≥24.0 kg/m 2, Efavirenz (EFV) based initial treatment regimen and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) at baseline survey were significantly and positively associated with incidence of diabetes. Mixed effect model revealed that FPG was positively correlated with the duration of ART, age and baseline FPG. Suffering from diabetes was a risk factor for mortality in HIV-infected individuals both at baseline survey and during follow-up. Conclusions:The risk for diabetes increased in HIV-infected individuals who were 30-59 years old, baseline BMI ≥24.0 kg/m 2, received EFV based initial treatment, and IFG in HIV-infected individuals after antiretroviral therapy in Dehong, 2004-2020. It is important to pay close attention to their blood glucose, and patients with high blood glucose should receive treatment as early as possible.

Objective To explore the genetic polymorphism and mutation rate of 36 Y-STR loci in Sichuan Han population and provide basic data for their forensic applications.Methods Blood samples were collected from 307 unrelated male individuals and 367 father-son pairs in Sichuan Han population using FTA blood sampling cards.The Y41SE-v1.2 kit was used to type 36 Y-STR loci,and the population genetic parameters and mutation rates of each locus were calculated.The genetic relationship between Sichuan Han population and other ethnic populations was analyzed in combination with 19 other populations in China.Results A total of 79 mutations were observed in 36 Y-STR loci in 367 father-son pairs of Sichuan Han population,with an average mutation rate of 6.00×10-3.There were 74(93.67%)one-step mutations and 5(6.33%)multi-step mutations.A total of 383 alleles were found at 36 Y-STR loci in 307 Sichuan Han males.The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 5(0.016 29)to 56(0.182 41),GD ranged from 0.100 02(DYS645)to 0.959 99(DYS385),and 306 haplotypes were found.The HD,DC and HMP values were 0.999 973,99.67%and 0.003 284,respectively.The results of genetic distance(Fst)analysis showed that the Sichuan Han population had the closest genetic distance with the Chongqing Han population(0.000 9)and the furthest genetic distance with the Xinjiang Mongolian group(0.032 0).The MDS based on genetic distance was basically consistent with the results of cluster analysis.Conclusion The 36 Y-STR loci have high genetic polymorphism in the Sichuan Han population.The study data can provide data support for the construction of the Y-STR database in this region,and also provide basic genetic information for forensic investigation and population genetics research.

Objective To study the distribution and drug resistance characteristics of pathogenic bacteria in the elderly population of China by collecting and analyzing the standardized case data on the pathogens of infections in elderly patients,and to facilitate the establishment of a standardized layered surveillance system for pathogenic bacteria in China.Methods We collected the case data of elderly patients(≥65 years old)from 62 sentinel hospitals across the country in 2021.Then,we statistically analyzed the data by patient age,their geographical region,the distribution of pathogenic bacteria,and the drug resistance characteristics of main pathogens.Results A total of 3468 cases from across the country were included in the study.The top three sources of patients were the intensive care unit(13.2%),the department of respiratory medicine(11.2%),and the department of general surgery(8.4%).The top three types of specimens were urine(25.5%),sputum(20.6%),and blood(18.7%).A total of 3468 strains of pathogens were isolated,among which,78.9%were gram-negative bacteria and 21.1%were gram-positive bacteria.The top five types of bacteria were Escherichia coli(20.9%),Klebsiella pneumoniae(18.3%),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(11.2%),Staphylococcus aureus(9.0%),and Acinetobacter baumannii(7.0%).The isolation rates of common important drug-resistant bacteria were 38.0%for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA),68.7%for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB),and 38.2%for carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa(CRPA),20.1%for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP),5.2%for carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli(CRECO),and 2.1%for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus(VRE).There were differences in the isolation rates of CRAB and CRKP in clinical care in the elderly population in seven geographical regions of China(P＜0.05).Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most important pathogen in the elderly population≥85 years old,and the isolation rates of CRKP showed significant differences in different age groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion There are significant differences in the drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria in the elderly populations of different regions and age groups in China.Therefore,monitoring the distribution and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria in the elderly population and formulating targeted treatment plans according to the characteristics of the specific regions and age groups are of great significance to the improvement in the treatment outcomes and prognosis of the elderly population.

Objective To demonstrate the feasibility of oblique lumbar interbody fusion(OLIF)com-bined with 4-screw fixation for treating two-level lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods An intact finite element model of L3-S1(MO)was constructed and validated.Then,we constructed the M1 model by simulating OLIF surgery at L3/4 and L4/5 segments on the MO model.By attachment of posterior 4-screw or 6-screw fixation to the M1 model,three 4-screw fixation models(M2-M4)and one 6-screw fixation model(M5)were established.The segmental and overall range of motion(ROM)and the peak von Mises stresses of superior endplate,cage,and posterior screw-rod were investigated under each implanted condition.Results Under the motion modes of forward flexion,backward extension,bilateral(left and right)flexion,and left and right rotation,the L3/4 ROM of M2 model and L4/5 ROM of M3 model increased,while the L3/4 and L4/5 ROM of M4 and M5 models significantly decreased compared with those of M1 model.Under all motion modes,the L4 superior endplate in M2 model and the L5 superior endplate in M3 model showed the maximum peak von Mises stress,and the peak von Mises stresses of L4 and L5 superior endplates in M4 and M5 models were close.The L3/4 cage in M2 model and the L4/5 cage in M3 model showcased the largest peak von Mises stress,and the peak von Mises stresses of cages in M4 and M5 models were close.The peak stresses of internal fixation in M2-M5 models were close.Conclusion Four-screw fixa-tion can replace 6-screw fixation in the OLIF surgery for treating two-level degenerative lumbar diseases.

Objective This study established a model of invasive Aspergillus niger lung disease in immunosuppressed rats to provide theoretical support for the pharmacodynamic evaluation of anti-invasive pulmonary aspergillosis drugs and mechanism studies.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group;cyclophosphamide control group,and cyclophosphamide+fungal infection low,medium,and high dose groups,with 12 animals in each group.General clinical observations were performed daily,and the serum levels of immunoglobulin(Ig)G and IgM and galactomannan(GM)were detected by ELISA on the 3rd and 7th days of modeling.Simultaneously,the ratio of CD4+and CD8+cells,content of white blood cells(WBCs)and neutrophils(Neu)in peripheral blood,the Aspergillus niger load in alveolar lavage,and morphological changes to rat lung tissue were observed.Results Rats in the cyclophosphamide control and cyclophosphamide+fungal infection groups showed reduced voluntary activity and erect hair after modeling,and rats in the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection group also had shortness of breath and audible wet rhonchi in the lungs.Compared with the normal control group,rats in the cyclophosphamide control group showed significant reductions in the levels of CD4+,WBC,Neu,IgG,and IgM in the blood,and their proportion of CD8+cells was significantly higher(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the cyclophosphamide control group,rats in the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection medium-and high-dose groups had significantly reduced blood levels of IgG,IgM,and CD4+cells(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);while the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection low-,medium-,and high-dose groups had significantly reduced blood levels of WBC and Neu(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Additionally,rats in the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection medium-and high-dose groups had significantly increased blood CD8+cells(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),Blood GM levels and the alveolar lavage Aspergillus niger load were significantly increased in rats in the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection low-,medium-,and high-dose groups compared with the cyclophosphamide control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The lung tissues of the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection low-,medium-,and high-dose groups showed mycelial distribution and destruction of alveolar epithelium,increase of bronchial epithelial cup cells in the alveoli,and infiltration of inflammatory cells,and the degree of lesions was positively correlated with the modeling dose.Conclusions In this study,we used Aspergillus niger combined with cyclophosphamide immunosuppressant to construct a model of invasive Aspergillus niger lung disease.The duration of the disease was positively correlated with the concentration of bacterial fluid and modeling time,confirming that cellular immunity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.At the same time,Ig can also affect the development of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis,and it is speculated that the pathogenesis may be related to the level of Ig produced by humoral immunity.