Objective To examine the impact of climate, land use and their interaction effect on the population density of Oncomelania hupensis. Methods O. hupensis snail surveillance data in Yunnan Province from 2013 to 2022 were obtained from the National Information System for Parasitic Diseases Prevention and Control of Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, and the density of living snails was calculated in each county-level administrative district. Climate data were obtained from the China Meteorological Forcing Dataset version 2.0, and land use data were captured from the China Land Cover Dataset. The raster climate data and land use data were clipped to the administrative border of Yunnan Province in the R package version 4.5, and the climate data were resampled to a spatial resolution of 30 m × 30 m consistent with the land use data using bilinear interpolation. Annual meteorological indicators were extracted from each county-level schistosomiasis surveillance administrative area in Yunnan Province from 2013 to 2022, including average temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, temperature difference, average precipitation rate, maximum precipitation rate, minimum precipitation rate, downward shortwave radiation flux, downward longwave radiation flux, air pressure, wind speed, specific humidity and relative humidity. Annual land use structure and landscape pattern index in each county-level schistosomiasis surveillance administrative area in Yunnan Province from 2013 to 2022 were extracted and calculated, including the proportion of areas occupied by each type of land use, patch density, largest patch index, landscape separation index, landscape fragmentation index, landscape segmentation index, contagion index, patch cohesion index, edge density, and shape index. Land use entropy index was introduced to represent the degree of habitat fragmentation and ecological niche breadth. The density of living snails and environmental factors were subjected to rank correlation analysis, and variables with no statistically significant correlation (P>0.1) were excluded. Then, a correlation coefficient matrix was constructed, and |r_s| of 0.85 and greater was defined as the threshold of high collinearity. For highly correlated variables in each group, indicators with a more biological explanatory power or a better statistical efficiency were retained. A generalized additive model (GAM) was constructed with O. hupensis snail density as a response variable and screened environmental variables as independent variables, and the model performance was evaluated using the variance explained. Results The area occupied by O. hupensis snail habitats was 1 056 to 1 680 hm² in Yunnan Province from 2013 to 2022, appearing an overall tendency towards a decline; however, the density of living snails appeared a tendency towards a slight rise. Based on the correlation coefficient matrix, 14 core explanatory variables were retained, including farmland, water bodies, bare land, impervious surface, landscape separation index, landscape fragmentation index, edge density, shape index, land use entropy index, downward longwave radiation flux, downward shortwave radiation flux, maximum temperature, minimum precipitation rate and specific humidity. Two types of GAM were constructed, including the main-effects model without interaction terms and the interaction model with interaction terms. The corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) of the optimal main-effects model was −285.223, and the core variables included bare land, impervious surface, landscape separation index, edge density, shape index, land use entropy index and downward shortwave radiation flux. Following introduction of second-order interaction terms, the AICc value of the optimal interaction model was −345.526, and the significant interaction combinations included: farmland × impervious surface, farmland × landscape separation index, farmland × shape index, farmland × land use entropy index, impervious surface × landscape separation index, impervious surface × edge density, and shape index × downward shortwave radiation flux. The proportion of the main-effects model explaining the variation of O. hupensis snail density was 39.8%, and the explanatory power of GAM increased to 79.0% following introduction of interaction terms. Conclusion Landscape separation index, edge density, shape index and other landscape pattern indicators pose significant impacts on the intensity and direction of changes in O. hupensis snail density in Yunnan Province.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that metformin has anti-inflammatory,anti-tumor,anti-aging and vasoprotective effects,and can inhibit the progression of osteoarthritis,but its specific mechanism of action remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanism of metformin on cartilage protection in a rat model of osteoarthritis. METHODS:Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=10 per group):blank,control,sham-operated,and metformin groups.The blank group did not undergo any surgery.In the sham-operated group,the joint cavity was exposed.In the model group and the metformin group,the modified Hulth method was used to establish the osteoarthritis model.At 1 day after modeling,the rats in the metformin group were given 200 mg/kg/d metformin by gavage,and the model,blank,and sham-operated groups were given normal saline by gavage.Administration in each group was given for 4 weeks consecutively.Hematoxylin-eosin staining,toluidine blue staining,and safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphological structure of rat knee joints.Immunohistochemical staining and western blot were used to detect the protein expression of SOX9,type Ⅱ collagen,a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5(ADAMTS5),Beclin1,P62,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),p-PI3K,protein kinase B(AKT),p-AKT,mammalian target of rapamycin(Mtor),and p-Mtor in rat cartilage tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results of hematoxylin-eosin,toluidine blue and safranin O-fast green staining showed smooth cartilage surface of the knee joints and normal histomorphology in the blank group and the sham-operated group,while in the model group,there was irregular cartilage surface of the knee joint and cartilage damage,with a decrease in the number of chondrocytes and the content of proteoglycans in the cartilage matrix.In the metformin group,there was a significant improvement in the damage to the structure of the cartilage in the knee joints of the rats,and the cartilage surface tended to be smooth,with an increase in the number of chondrocytes and the content of proteoglycans in the cartilage matrix.Immunohistochemistry staining and western blot results showed that compared with the control and sham-operated groups,the expression of SOX9,type Ⅱ collagen,and Beclin1 proteins in the cartilage tissue of rats in the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conversely,the expression of ADAMTS5,P62,as well as p-PI3K,p-AKT,and p-Mtor proteins was significantly increased(P<0.05).Furthermore,compared with the model group,the expression of SOX9,type Ⅱ collagen,and Beclin1 proteins in the cartilage tissue of rats in the metformin group was significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression of ADAMTS5,P62,as well as p-PI3K,p-AKT,and p-Mtor proteins was significantly decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,Metformin can improve the autophagy activity of chondrocytes and reduce the degradation of cartilage matrix in osteoarthritis rats by inhibiting the activation of PI3K/AKT/Mtor signaling pathway,thus exerting a protective effect on articular cartilage.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(CJD)is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by prions,with certain infectivity and iatrogenic transmission risks.With the rapid progress and application of new dia-gnostic biomarkers and detection methods,as well as the construction and improvement of surveillance and reporting systems,the detection of CJD in patients domestically and internationally has shown an increasing trend year by year.Due to its long incubation period and heterogeneity of early symptoms,early identification and diagnosis of the disease is difficult,increasing the risk of transmission within medical institutions.Currently,there is a lack of con-sensus on the infection prevention and control of CJD.In order to timely identify and diagnose CJD as well as effec-tively block its transmission in medical institutions,this consensus summarizes 15 clinical concerns and formulates 24 specific recommendations based on the latest domestic and international research findings and clinical evidence,as well as combines with clinical practice,aiming to standardize healthcare-associated infection prevention and control measures for CJD and reduce its transmission risk in medical institutions.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Endometriosis is a common estrogen-dependent disease in women of childbearing age,often leading to chronic pelvic pain,infertility,ovarian cancer,and other serious complications,and jeopardizing the health of women.The pathogenesis of endometriosis is complex and involves the alteration of multiple signaling pathways mediated by hormones,immunity,genetics,and the environment,and their interactions.Wnt/β-catenin signaling is involved in the regulation of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis,and it has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of endometriosis via multiple pathways.This review considers the biological characteristics of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and summarizes the main mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis,as well as the curr-ent research status of the regulation of this signaling pathway by traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of endometriosis.We aim to clarify how the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway affects the development of endometriosis,and suggest that future studies should focus on exploring its potential role as an indicator for the clinical prediction and early diagnosis of endometriosis,thus providing theoretical support for the early diagnosis of this condition and the development of targeted drugs.

Aim To investigate the effect and mechanism of angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)on ferroptosis in white adi-pocytes.Methods The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into white adipocytes by inducer stimulation.The experiment was divided into control group,Ang Ⅱ group,Ang Ⅱ+Fer-1(ferroptosis inhibitor)group and Ang Ⅱ+PFT-α(p53 inhibitor)group.Ang Ⅱ was used to treat cells.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of ferroptosis factors and adipokines.JC-1 kit was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)level.Iron ion kit was used to detect intracellular iron content.Glutathione(GSH)kit was used to detect GSH content.Fer-1 and Ang Ⅱ were added to treat cells to detect the the changes of ferroptosis level.The expression of p53 and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1(SAT1)protein was detected.Subsequently,PFT-α and Ang Ⅱ were added to co-treat cells to detect the changes of p53 and SAT1 protein expression,and to observe the effect of inhibiting p53 expression on the expression levels of ferroptosis factors and adipokines.Results 3T3-L1 cells were successfully differentiated into white adipocytes by stimulator-induced differentiation.Ang Ⅱ induced ferroptosis in white adipocytes.RT-qPCR results showed that compared with control group,the mRNA expression of anti-ferroptosis factor glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and iron regulatory protein 1(IRP-1)was down-regulated in Ang Ⅱ group,and the mRNA expression of pro-ferroptosis factor acyl-CoA synthetase of long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)was up-regulated.Western blot results showed that compared with control group,the protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was down-regulated in Ang Ⅱ group,and the protein expression of ACSL4 was up-regulated.Ang Ⅱ treatment increased the content of intracellular iron ions and decreased the levels of GSH and MMP.Compared with Ang Ⅱ group,the mRNA expression of IRP-1 and SLC7A11 was up-regulated in Ang Ⅱ+Fer-1 group.Ang Ⅱ induced changes in the expression profile of adipokines in white adipocytes.Western blot results showed that compared with control group,the protein ex-pression of pro-inflammatory adipokine leptin(LEP),resistin(RETN),interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)was up-regulated in Ang Ⅱ group,and the protein expression of anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin(AD-PN)and omentin 1(ITLN1)was down-regulated.In addition,Ang Ⅱ increased the protein expression of p53 and SAT1.Inhibition of p53 expression can improve the level of ferroptosis and adipokine expression in white adipocytes trea-ted with Ang Ⅱ.Western blot results showed that compared with Ang Ⅱ group,the protein expression of p53 and SAT1 was down-regulated in Ang Ⅱ+PFT-α group,the protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was up-regulated,and the protein expression of ACSL4 was down-regulated.The protein expression of ADPN was up-regulated in Ang Ⅱ+PFT-αgroup,and the protein expression of TNF-α,LEP and RETN was down-regulated.Conclusion Ang Ⅱ induces fer-roptosis in white adipocytes through activating the p53/SAT1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Metformin is currently considered the first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Metformin may delay the progression of osteoarthritis,but its specific mechanism of action remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the therapeutic effects and the related action mechanisms of metformin on osteoarthritis in rats.METHODS:(1)Network pharmacology:Potential common targets for metformin,osteoarthritis,and ferroptosis were screened using the CTD,SwissTargetPrediction,GeneCards,and OMIM databases.After importing the targets into the STRING database,protein-protein interaction analysis was conducted to identify the key targets for metformin,osteoarthritis,and ferroptosis.(2)Molecular docking:P53 and its downstream factor SLC7A11 protein structures in PDB format were downloaded from the PDB database.The 2D structure of metformin was converted to a 3D structure,and molecular docking of metformin with the proteins was performed using Discovery Studio 2019 Client.(3)In vivo experiments:Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups(n=10).The blank group did not receive surgery.The osteoarthritis model was established using the modified Hulth method for the model and metformin groups.One day after the surgery,rats in the metformin group were gavaged with metformin 200 mg/kg per day,while the blank and model groups were gavaged with physiological saline.Treatment continued for 4 weeks.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the pathological morphology and structure of the knee cartilage,and Mankin scoring was performed.ELISA was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the serum.The microplate method was used to measure serum ferroptosis-related indicators,including glutathione,malondialdehyde,and Fe2+.Immunofluorescence staining,western blot assay,and real-time qPCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of P53,SLC7A11,glutathione peroxidase 4,proteoglycans,and matrix metalloproteinase 13 in the cartilage tissue of the rats.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 96 intersecting targets among metformin,osteoarthritis,and ferroptosis were identified.After protein-protein interaction analysis,77 potential targets were found.Further screening identified the core targets as TP53,AKT1,JUN,interleukin-6,MYC,interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-α,among others.(2)Docking analysis results showed that metformin bound strongly and stably with P53 and its downstream factor SLC7A11.(3)In the model group,the knee cartilage surface was irregular,with cartilage tissue defects and reduced chondrocyte numbers.Compared to the model group,the knee cartilage structure damage in the metformin group was significantly improved,with a smoother cartilage surface and increased chondrocyte numbers.The Mankin score in the model group was significantly higher than that in the blank group,while the Mankin score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the model group.(4)Compared with the model group,the metformin group had significantly lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,malondialdehyde,and Fe2+,and significantly higher glutathione levels.(5)Compared to the model group,the metformin group had significantly increased protein and mRNA expression of SLC7A11,glutathione peroxidase 4,and proteoglycans,and significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression of P53 and matrix metalloproteinase 13 in their cartilage tissue.(6)The results indicate that metformin can effectively improve cartilage damage in osteoarthritis rats and alleviate chondrocyte ferroptosis by inhibiting the aberrantly activated P53/SLC7A11/glutathione peroxidase 4 signaling pathway.This improvement in chondrocyte iron metabolism and lipid peroxidation response further reduces cartilage matrix degradation and prevents further cartilage damage and inflammatory response.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel intravascular lithotripsy(IVL)balloon—Vesscrack shockwave balloon—for vascular preparation before stent implantation in patients with severe coronary artery calcification(CAC).Methods This was a prospective,single-arm,multicenter study conducted in China from June 2022 to October 2022.Patients with severe CAC were treated with the Vesscrack shockwave balloon for lesion preparation,followed by drug-eluting stent(DES)implantation.Of these,33 patients underwent optical coherence tomography(OCT).The primary endpoint was procedural success,defined as successful stent implantation with residual stenosis≤30％and the absence of in-hospital major adverse events,including cardiac death,target vessel-related myocardial infarction,or target lesion revascularization.Results A total of 170 patients[mean age:(65.9±7.9)years,116 males]were enrolled.After treatment with IVL and DES,the minimum lumen diameter increased significantly compared to baseline[(2.34±0.40)mm vs.(0.95±0.33)mm,P＜0.001],the degree of stenosis was significantly reduced[(13.24±6.60)％vs.(65.18±10.59)％,P＜0.001].Procedural success was achieved in 100％of cases,and device success was 98.8％.The 30-day patient-related cardiovascular clinical composite endpoint(POCE)rate was 0.0,with no target lesion failure,no confirmed or potential thrombotic events were observed.The shockwave energy generator demonstrated excellent stability and ease of use.Among the 33 patients assessed with OCT,after IVL intervention,the maximum calcified area of the lumen[(3.51±1.51)mm2 vs.(2.85±1.80)mm2,P＜0.001],and the minimum lumen area within the target lesion[(3.08±1.04)mm2 vs.(2.02±0.75)mm2,P＜0.001],and after DES intervention,the luminal area of the largest calcified site[(6.59±1.64)mm2 vs.(2.85±1.80)mm2,P＜0.001]and the minimum luminal area within the target lesion[(6.19±1.45)mm2 vs.(2.02±0.75)mm2,P＜0.001]were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant.Conclusions The Vesscrack shockwave balloon is effective and safe for vascular preparation in patients with severe CAC prior to stent implantation.It achieves significant calcified plaque modification,high procedural success rates,and minimal complications.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of valve-in-valve transcatheter mitral valve replacement(ViV-TMVR)in patients with bioprosthetic valve degeneration who are at high surgical risk.Methods This study is a multi-center,retrospective cohort analysis of 20 consecutive patients who underwent transseptal ViV-TMVR using the Edwards SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve(THV).The primary endpoints include technical success and procedural success,both defined according to the Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium(MVARC)criteria,as well as mortality and functional change assessed based on New York Heart Association(NYHA)classification at 30-days and six months post-procedure.Clinical follow-up assessments are conducted at 30-days and six months.Results From February 2021 to October 2022,a total of 20 patients with symptoms of bioprosthetic valve degeneration were enrolled across nine sites in China.The patients had a mean age of(73.5±5.5)years,with 85.0％being females and 70.0％classified as NYHA class Ⅲ/Ⅳ.The study achieved a 100.0％technical success rate and a 90.0％procedural success rate finally.All patients remained alive during the 30-day follow-up period.However,six months post-intervention,two patients(10.0％)were re-hospitalized due to heart failure,and sadly,one of them(5.0％)died.None of the patients reported any adverse events related to ViV-TMVR during the follow-up period.Notably,there was a significant improvement in NYHA class compared to baseline(P=0.0004)at six-month follow-ups.Conclusions The transseptal ViV-TMVR technique proved to be highly successful and was associated with significant improvement in NYHA class function.These findings strongly suggest that it serves as a safe and efficient treatment alternative for high-risk patients suffering from bioprosthetic valve degeneration.

Objective:To report the blood group antigen and antibody specificity identification methods for a patient with high-frequency antibodies, and the process of finding and providing compatible blood for the patient.Methods:A patient sent from the Blood Transfusion Department of Shanxi Provincial People′s Hospital to Taiyuan Blood Center in November 2022 was selected for the study. Classical serological methods were used to determine the patient′s blood type, screen for unexpected antibodies, identify antibodies, and perform crossmatching. High-frequency antibody identification was carried out using red blood cells treated with various enzymes. Blood group genotyping was conducted using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and Sanger sequencing. Multiple strategies were employed to address the patient′s blood source problem. The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Taiyuan Blood Center [Ethics No. 2024 Ethics Review No.(2)].Results:①The patient′s blood type was B, RhD positive. Initial screening of the patient′s serum with multiple screening cells and antibody identification cells in saline medium was negative, but positive in antiglobulin medium. The patient′s serum showed varying reaction intensities with red blood cells treated with different enzymes. ②MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and Sanger sequencing revealed a homozygous nonsense variant c. 376C>T (p.Gln126Ter) in the ABCG2 gene, resulting in the Jr(a-) phenotype. During family donor selection, the patient′s son was found to have a heterozygous variant c. 376C>T (p.Gln126Ter), and another heterozygous variant c. 421C>A (p.Gln141Lys), which predicted a Jr(a+ w) phenotype. ③Crossmatch tests confirmed the compatibility of blood from the patient′s son, which was used to address the urgent blood requirement. Later, rare blood from a Jr(a-) donor from the Guangzhou Blood Center was used for the patient′s ongoing treatment, saving the patient′s life. Conclusion:Combining classic serological testing with blood group gene typing techniques successfully identified the rare Jr(a-) blood type and high-frequency anti-Jra antibodies. Enzyme-treated red blood cell identification methods confirmed the presence of anti-Jra antibodies. By searching within the family and seeking help from other blood centers, compatible blood was found. This approach may provide insights for resolving similar complex blood matching problems in the future.