Objective:To explore the expressions and significance of nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.Methods:One hundred and three patients with hemorrhagic stroke who visited the Department of Neurosurgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2022 to January 2024 were selected as the hemorrhage group.Another 90 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations were selected as the control group.The differences in the levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β in peripheral blood between the two groups were compared. The National Institutes of Health neurological deficiency score (NHISS) was used to evaluate the degree of neurological deficits of patients in the hemorrhage group. All patients were followed up for 3 months. The prognosis of patients was evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS). The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software. The relationship between peripheral blood indexes and blood loss, severity of neurological impairment was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. The predictive value of peripheral blood indexes for prognosis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results:The expression levels of NLRP3 mRNA (2.67±0.42, 1.04±0.28), Caspase-1 mRNA (1.24±0.26, 0.75±0.14) and IL-1β protein ((24.92±4.97) pg/mL, (13.39±2.35) pg/mL) in the hemorrhage group were higher than those in the control group ( t=31.243, 15.967, 20.126, all P<0.05). When comparing the levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β in the peripheral blood of patients with different amounts of bleeding, those with massive bleeding were higher than those with moderate bleeding, and those with moderate bleeding were higher than those with mild bleeding (all P<0.05).The Spearman correlation analysis showed that the levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β in peripheral blood were positively correlated with the amount of bleeding in patients with hemorrhagic stroke ( r=0.646, 0.585, 0.604, all P<0.05). The levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β in patients with severe neurological deficits were higher than those in patients with moderate and mild neurological deficits, and those in patients with moderate neurological deficits were higher than those in patients with mild neurological deficits (all P<0.05). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β in peripheral blood were positively correlated with the degree of neurological deficits in patients with hemorrhagic stroke ( r=0.607, 0.522, 0.546, all P<0.05). The expression levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β in peripheral blood in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group (all P<0.05). The prediction results indicated that bleeding into the cerebral ventricles, large amount of bleeding, and high expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β in peripheral blood were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with hemorrhagic stroke (all P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve for the combined assessment of poor prognosis in hemorrhagic stroke by the levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β was 0.856, which was larger than the areas under the curves of the three indicators detected separately (0.720, 0.703, 0.715, P<0.05). Conclusion:The expressions of peripheral blood NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β are up-regulated in patients with hemorrhagic stroke, and their high expressions are related to blood loss and the severity of neurological deficit, which also indicate poor prognosis of patients.

Objective:To explore the expressions and significance of nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.Methods:One hundred and three patients with hemorrhagic stroke who visited the Department of Neurosurgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2022 to January 2024 were selected as the hemorrhage group.Another 90 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations were selected as the control group.The differences in the levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β in peripheral blood between the two groups were compared. The National Institutes of Health neurological deficiency score (NHISS) was used to evaluate the degree of neurological deficits of patients in the hemorrhage group. All patients were followed up for 3 months. The prognosis of patients was evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS). The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software. The relationship between peripheral blood indexes and blood loss, severity of neurological impairment was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. The predictive value of peripheral blood indexes for prognosis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results:The expression levels of NLRP3 mRNA (2.67±0.42, 1.04±0.28), Caspase-1 mRNA (1.24±0.26, 0.75±0.14) and IL-1β protein ((24.92±4.97) pg/mL, (13.39±2.35) pg/mL) in the hemorrhage group were higher than those in the control group ( t=31.243, 15.967, 20.126, all P<0.05). When comparing the levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β in the peripheral blood of patients with different amounts of bleeding, those with massive bleeding were higher than those with moderate bleeding, and those with moderate bleeding were higher than those with mild bleeding (all P<0.05).The Spearman correlation analysis showed that the levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β in peripheral blood were positively correlated with the amount of bleeding in patients with hemorrhagic stroke ( r=0.646, 0.585, 0.604, all P<0.05). The levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β in patients with severe neurological deficits were higher than those in patients with moderate and mild neurological deficits, and those in patients with moderate neurological deficits were higher than those in patients with mild neurological deficits (all P<0.05). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β in peripheral blood were positively correlated with the degree of neurological deficits in patients with hemorrhagic stroke ( r=0.607, 0.522, 0.546, all P<0.05). The expression levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β in peripheral blood in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group (all P<0.05). The prediction results indicated that bleeding into the cerebral ventricles, large amount of bleeding, and high expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β in peripheral blood were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with hemorrhagic stroke (all P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve for the combined assessment of poor prognosis in hemorrhagic stroke by the levels of NLRP3 mRNA, Caspase-1 mRNA and IL-1β was 0.856, which was larger than the areas under the curves of the three indicators detected separately (0.720, 0.703, 0.715, P<0.05). Conclusion:The expressions of peripheral blood NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β are up-regulated in patients with hemorrhagic stroke, and their high expressions are related to blood loss and the severity of neurological deficit, which also indicate poor prognosis of patients.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical equivalence between a domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment and the originator product in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, active- and placebo-controlled study was conducted, and 449 patients aged 18 - 65 years with stable plaque psoriasis were enrolled from 25 hospitals (such as the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University). Eligible patients had a baseline physician's global assessment (PGA) score of ≥ 3 points, baseline body surface area (BSA) involvement of 5% - 30%, and a target lesion psoriasis area and severity index (TL-PASI) for plaque elevation of ≥ 3 points. Participants were randomly assigned in a 2:2:1 ratio to the test group ( n = 179), reference group ( n = 180), and placebo group ( n = 90), and applied the domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment, originator product, and ointment base respectively, once daily in the evening for 4 weeks. Efficacy and safety were assessed at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The primary efficacy endpoints were the treatment success rates and clinical success rates in each group at week 4. The per-protocol set (PPS) was used for the primary efficacy analysis, and the intention-to-treat (ITT) set for supplementary efficacy analysis. Equivalence between the test and reference preparations was tested using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method adjusted for randomization strata. Superiority of the test and reference preparations over the placebo was also tested. Measurement data were compared among the 3 groups using analysis of variance or non-parametric tests, while treatment success rates, clinical success rates, and incidence rates of adverse reactions were compared using the chi-square test. Results:The ITT, PPS, and safety sets included 447, 420, and 448 patients, respectively. In the ITT set, patients were aged 43.6 ± 12.8 years, including 320 (71.6%) males and 127 (28.4%) females, and the disease duration was 11.21 ± 9.05 years; 316 (70.7%) had a PGA score of 3 points and 131 (29.3%) had a PGA score of 4 - 5 points. No significant differences in the baseline characteristics (including age, sex, disease duration and disease severity) were observed among the 3 groups (all P > 0.05). Based on the PPS analysis, the treatment success rates were 57.9% (99/171) in the test group, 50.3% (86/171) in the reference group, and 7.7% (6/78) in the placebo group, and the clinical success rates were 57.9% (99/171), 50.3% (86/171), and 10.3% (8/78), respectively; both the test and reference groups were superior to the placebo group in both treatment and clinical success rates (all P < 0.001) ; the rate differences for treatment success (90% confidence interval [ CI]: -1.3% - 16.4%) and clinical success (90% CI: -1.3% - 16.3%) between the test and reference groups were entirely within the pre-defined equivalence margin (-20% - 20%). Subgroup analyses by baseline PGA scores: for patients with a baseline PGA score of 3 points, the treatment success rates in the test, reference, and placebo groups were 60.8% (73/120), 52.1% (62/119), and 11.1% (6/54), respectively, and the corresponding clinical success rates were 61.7% (74/120), 53.8% (64/119), and 13% (7/54), respectively; the test and reference groups did not differ significantly in treatment or clinical success rates (both P > 0.05), but both showed higher success rates than the placebo group (all P < 0.001) ; the results of statistical comparisons among the 3 groups in patients with a baseline PGA score of 4 - 5 points were consistent with those observed in patients with a baseline PGA score of 3 points. The percentage reductions in PGA and TL-PASI scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 showed significant differences among the 3 groups, which were significantly higher in the test and reference groups than in the placebo group (all P < 0.001), but did not differ between the test and reference groups (all P > 0.05). The primary adverse reactions were local skin reactions, such as pruritus, pain, and erythema. The incidence rates of adverse reactions were 8.9% (16/179) in the test group, 7.3% (13/179) in the reference group, and 7.8% (7/90) in the placebo group, with no significant difference among the 3 groups ( P > 0.05) . Conclusions:The domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment demonstrated clinical equivalence to the originator product in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis, and the two agents exhibited comparable efficacy for patients with varying degrees of disease severity, and were comparable in the speed and degree of clinical improvement, with similar favorable safety profiles.

Objective:To report the nationwide surveillance results of pathogenic profiles and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Gram-positive bloodstream infections in China in 2023.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-posttive bacteria from blood cultures were collected in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）during January to December 2023. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the dilution method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. Statistical analyses were conducted using WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software.Results:A total of 4 385 Gram-positive bacterial isolates were obtained from 60 participating center. The top five pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus（ n=1 544，35.2%），coagulase-negative Staphylococci（ n=1 441，32.9%）， Enterococcus faecium（ n=574，13.1%）， Enterococcus faecalis（ n=385，8.8%），and α-hemolytic Streptococci（ n=187，4.3%）. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci（MRCNS）was 26.2%（405/1 544）and 69.8%（1 006/1 441），respectively. Notably，all Staphylococci remained susceptible to glycopeptide or daptomycin. Staphylococcus aureus demonstrated excellent susceptibility（>97.0%）to cephalobiol，rifampicin，trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole，linezolid，minocycline，tigecycline，and eravacycline. No Enterococcus exhibiting resistance to linezolid were detected. Glycopeptide resistance was uncommon but more frequent in Enterococcus faecium（resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin：both 1.7%）compared to Enterococcus faecalis（both 0.3%）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS exhibited significant regional variations across the country（ χ2=17.674 and 148.650，respectively，both P<0.001）. No vancomycin-resistant Enterococci were detected in central China. Institutional comparison demonstrated higher prevalence of MRSA（ χ2=14.111， P<0.001）and MRCNS（ χ2=4.828， P=0.028）in provincial hospitals than that in municipal hospitals. Socioeconomic analysis identified elevated detection rates of both MRSA（ χ2=18.986， P<0.001）and MRCNS（ χ2=4.477， P=0.034）in less developed regions（per capita GDP

Objective:To report the results of bacterial resistant investigation collaborative system（BRICS）on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2023，and provide reference for clinical tretment of bloodstream infections and prevention and control of bacterial resistance.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of BRICS were collected during January 2023 to December 2023. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 were used to analyze the data.Results:During the study period，11 492 strains of Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 60 hospitals，of which 10 098（87.9%）were Enterobacterales and 1 394（12.1%）were non-fermentative bacteria. The top 5 bacterial species were Escherichia coli（50.0%）， Klebsiella pneumoniae（26.1%）， Pseudomonas aeruginosa（5.1%）， Acinetobacter baumannii complex（5.0%）and Enterobacter cloacae complex（4.1%）. The ESBL-producing rates in Escherichia coli， Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirablilis were 46.8%（2 685/5 741），18.3%（549/2 999）and 44.0%（77/175），respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli（CREC）and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae（CRKP）were 1.3%（76/5 741）and 15.0%（450/2 999）；32.9%（25/76）and 78.0%（351/450）of CREC and CRKP were sensitive to ceftazidime/avibactam combination，respectively. 94.7%（72/76）and 90.2%（406/450）of CREC and CRKP were sensitive to aztreonam/avibactam combination. Furthermore，57.9%（44/76）and 79.1%（356/450）were sensitive to imipenem/relebactam combination. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii（CRAB）complex was 64.6%（370/573），while more than 80.0% of CRAB complex was sensitive to tigecycline，eravacycline and polymyxin B. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa（CRPA）was 17.0%（99/581）. There were differences in the composition ratio of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections and the prevalence of important Gram-negative bacteria resistance among different regions in China，with statistically significant differences in the prevalence of CREC，CRKP，CRPA and CRAB complex（ χ2=10.6，28.6，10.8 and 19.3， P<0.05）. The prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli， CREC，CRAB complex and CRKP were higher in provincial hospitals than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=12.5，9.8，12.7 and 57.8，all P<0.01）. Conclusions:Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China，and Escherichia coli is ranked in the top，while the trend of Klebsiella pneumoniae increases continuously with time. CRKP infection shows a slow upward trend，CREC infecton maintains a low prevalence level，and CRAB complex infection continues to exhibit a high prevalence rate. The composition and resistance patterns of pathogens causing bloodstream infections vary to some extent across different regions and levels of hospitals in China.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and burden of headache disorders in China and its provinces from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021, the number of prevalent cases, prevalence rate, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-standardized DALY rates were analyzed by sex, age group, and province for headache disorders and their subtypes (migraine and tension-type headache [TTH]) between 1990 and 2021. Percentage changes during this period were also estimated. RESULTS: In 2021, approximately 426 million individuals in China were affected by headache disorders, with an age-standardized prevalence rate of 27,582.61/100,000. The age-standardized DALY rate for all headache disorders was 487.15/100,000. Between 1990 and 2021, the number of prevalent cases increased by 37.78%, while the prevalence of all headache disorders, migraine, and TTH increased by 6.92%, 7.57%, and 7.86%, respectively. The highest prevalence was observed in the 30-34 age group (39,520.60/100,000). Migraine accounted for a larger proportion of DALYs attributable to headache disorders, whereas TTH has a greater impact on its prevalence. In 2021, the highest age-standardized DALY rates for headache disorders were observed in Heilongjiang (617.85/100,000) and Shanghai (542.86/100,000). CONCLUSION The prevalence of headache disorders is increasing in China. Effective health education, improve diagnosis and treatment are essential, particularly for middle-aged working populations and women of childbearing age.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Aged ; Child ; Headache Disorders/epidemiology* ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Child, Preschool ; Cost of Illness ; Infant ; Aged, 80 and over

Objective:To evaluate the clinical equivalence between a domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment and the originator product in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, active- and placebo-controlled study was conducted, and 449 patients aged 18 - 65 years with stable plaque psoriasis were enrolled from 25 hospitals (such as the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University). Eligible patients had a baseline physician's global assessment (PGA) score of ≥ 3 points, baseline body surface area (BSA) involvement of 5% - 30%, and a target lesion psoriasis area and severity index (TL-PASI) for plaque elevation of ≥ 3 points. Participants were randomly assigned in a 2:2:1 ratio to the test group ( n = 179), reference group ( n = 180), and placebo group ( n = 90), and applied the domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment, originator product, and ointment base respectively, once daily in the evening for 4 weeks. Efficacy and safety were assessed at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The primary efficacy endpoints were the treatment success rates and clinical success rates in each group at week 4. The per-protocol set (PPS) was used for the primary efficacy analysis, and the intention-to-treat (ITT) set for supplementary efficacy analysis. Equivalence between the test and reference preparations was tested using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method adjusted for randomization strata. Superiority of the test and reference preparations over the placebo was also tested. Measurement data were compared among the 3 groups using analysis of variance or non-parametric tests, while treatment success rates, clinical success rates, and incidence rates of adverse reactions were compared using the chi-square test. Results:The ITT, PPS, and safety sets included 447, 420, and 448 patients, respectively. In the ITT set, patients were aged 43.6 ± 12.8 years, including 320 (71.6%) males and 127 (28.4%) females, and the disease duration was 11.21 ± 9.05 years; 316 (70.7%) had a PGA score of 3 points and 131 (29.3%) had a PGA score of 4 - 5 points. No significant differences in the baseline characteristics (including age, sex, disease duration and disease severity) were observed among the 3 groups (all P > 0.05). Based on the PPS analysis, the treatment success rates were 57.9% (99/171) in the test group, 50.3% (86/171) in the reference group, and 7.7% (6/78) in the placebo group, and the clinical success rates were 57.9% (99/171), 50.3% (86/171), and 10.3% (8/78), respectively; both the test and reference groups were superior to the placebo group in both treatment and clinical success rates (all P < 0.001) ; the rate differences for treatment success (90% confidence interval [ CI]: -1.3% - 16.4%) and clinical success (90% CI: -1.3% - 16.3%) between the test and reference groups were entirely within the pre-defined equivalence margin (-20% - 20%). Subgroup analyses by baseline PGA scores: for patients with a baseline PGA score of 3 points, the treatment success rates in the test, reference, and placebo groups were 60.8% (73/120), 52.1% (62/119), and 11.1% (6/54), respectively, and the corresponding clinical success rates were 61.7% (74/120), 53.8% (64/119), and 13% (7/54), respectively; the test and reference groups did not differ significantly in treatment or clinical success rates (both P > 0.05), but both showed higher success rates than the placebo group (all P < 0.001) ; the results of statistical comparisons among the 3 groups in patients with a baseline PGA score of 4 - 5 points were consistent with those observed in patients with a baseline PGA score of 3 points. The percentage reductions in PGA and TL-PASI scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 showed significant differences among the 3 groups, which were significantly higher in the test and reference groups than in the placebo group (all P < 0.001), but did not differ between the test and reference groups (all P > 0.05). The primary adverse reactions were local skin reactions, such as pruritus, pain, and erythema. The incidence rates of adverse reactions were 8.9% (16/179) in the test group, 7.3% (13/179) in the reference group, and 7.8% (7/90) in the placebo group, with no significant difference among the 3 groups ( P > 0.05) . Conclusions:The domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment demonstrated clinical equivalence to the originator product in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis, and the two agents exhibited comparable efficacy for patients with varying degrees of disease severity, and were comparable in the speed and degree of clinical improvement, with similar favorable safety profiles.

Objective: To analyze the frequency and investigate the causes of unexpected antibodies in D-negative blood donors. Methods: From January 2022 to December 2024, 3 768 D-negative blood donors sent to our laboratory were selected as research subjects. D-negative confirmation test and RhCE phenotype detection were applied by saline tube method and microcolumn gel indirect antiglobulin test (IAT), respectively. Antibody screening and identification were performed using the polybrene method and IAT column agglutination methods. Anti-D, anti-C and anti-G specificities were identified by a two-step adsorption-elution method, and the genotypes of D-negative samples were determined by RHD gene amplification, Sanger sequencing, and PacBio Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing. Results: Among D-negative donors, ccee and Ccee phenotypes accounted for the highest proportion, 55.68% (2 098/3 768) and 29.56% (1 114/3 768), respectively, while CcEE and CCEe phenotypes were the least, with one case detected in each, accounting for 0.03% (1/3 768). A total of 165 cases with D variant phenotype were detected, and the proportion of D variant was 4.38% (165/3 768) in the donors detected by D-negative confirmation test. Antibody screening positive blood donors were identified in 93 cases with a proportion of 2.47% (93/3 768). Antibody specificity was determined in 84 blood donors, and 9 samples showed no clear specificity. Anti-D was detected most frequently (n=68), in which 6 of them were detected having multiple antibodies, anti-D + anti-C (n=2), anti-D + anti-G(n=1), and anti-D + anti-E(n=3). The other antibodies detected were anti-E (n=1), anti-M(n=9), anti-P1 (n=3), anti-Le (n=1), and anti-HI(n=2). Fourteen cases were detected with anti-D in serological D-negative donors with C+ or E+ phenotype, in which three of them were DVI type 3 individuals and 11 cases were D negative individuals. Conclusion: The incidence of unexpected antibodies was higher in D-negative blood donors than in the total donors, with anti-D being the most common. The data provide insights for prevention and monitoring hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) caused by anti-D. To ensure the safety of blood transfusion, routine unexpected antibody screening for RhD-negative blood donors is recommended to prevent the use of unexpected antibodies positive plasma in the clinic.

Image 1.