Objective:To analyze pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality data in China and worldwide and to provide data for pancreatic cancer prevention and control efforts.Methods:Data of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates, along with historical and predictive data, were obtained from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database. Epidemiological characteristics of pancreatic cancer was analyzed by region, sex, age and Human Development Index (HDI). Spearman's correlation coefficient test was used to assess the relationship between HDI and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR).Results:In 2022, the global number of new cases and deaths of pancreatic cancer will be 511 thousand and 467 thousand, respectively, with an ASIR and ASMR of 4.7/10 5 and 4.2/10 5, respectively. North America and Europe had the highest pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates of 8.5/10 5 and 7.3/10 5, respectively. Global ASIR and ASMR in men were both 1.4 times higher than those in women. HDI levels were positively correlated with ASIR ( r=0.79, P＜0.001) and ASMR ( r=0.78, P＜0.001) of pancreatic cancer in all regions. The number of pancreatic cancer cases and deaths in China were 119 thousand and 106 thousand, respectively, while the ASIR and ASMR of pancreatic cancer were 4.4/10 5 and 3.9/10 5, respectively. Both ASIR and ASMR in men were both 1.5 times higher than those in women in China. The number of pancreatic cancer incidence and death cases in China in 2050 is predicted to be 216 thousand and 204 thousand cases, with an increase of 81.5% and 92.5% compared with 2022, respectively. Conclusions:The disease burden of pancreatic cancer varies significantly among different regions, genders and ages. Pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality are positively correlated with HDI. The incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer in China are close to the global average, but the number of new cases and deaths is high. Prevention and control should be strengthened to improve the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological dynamics and spatiotemporal diffusion trend of brucellosis in China from 2010 to 2024.Methods:Data on reported human brucellosis cases in mainland China from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2024, were collected via the"China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention", including detailed information on the date of onset, gender, age, occupation, and residential address of the cases. The Joinpoint regression and spatial interpolation techniques were used to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics and population distribution characteristics of human brucellosis in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas and other regions, as well as urban and rural areas, and explore the epidemic trends of the disease.Results:From 2010 to 2024, pastoral/semi-pastoral regions reported 252 094 brucellosis cases, with a mean annual incidence rate of 36.57±7.28 per 100 000. In contrast, other regions cumulatively recorded 519 748 cases during the same period, demonstrating a significantly lower mean annual incidence rate of 2.54±0.74 per 100 000. The incidence rate of human brucellosis in pastoral/semi-pastoral regions exhibited a declining-rebounding-declining trend. Specifically, the incidence rate decreased significantly from 2010 to 2017 (APC=-7.20; P<0.001) and increased notably from 2017 to 2021 (APC=18.00; P=0.015) with a decline again from 2021 to 2024 (APC=-7.53; P=0.027). In other regions, the incidence rate showed a fluctuating upward trend. Specifically, the incidence rate increased significantly from 2010 to 2015 (APC=20.37; P<0.001) and decreased notably from 2015 to 2018 (APC=-21.78; P<0.001), followed by an increase again from 2018 to 2024, a significant upward trend in incidence rate from 2018 to 2021 (APC=26.73; P<0.001) and a non-significant decline from 2021 to 2024 (APC=-0.99; P=0.735), resulting in the maintenance of a relatively high incidence level. Rural areas demonstrated significantly higher brucellosis incidence rates than urban settings (all P<0.001). Brucellosis exhibited a diffusion trend from the northern epidemic areas of China to neighboring regions, along with sporadic diffusion in southern regions between 2010 and 2024. The age structure of patients in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas differed significantly from that in other regions. Specifically, in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas, the incidence rate was higher among the 35-49 age groups, while in other regions, the incidence rate was higher among those aged 55-64. Conclusion:There are notable disparities in the incidence of human brucellosis between pastoral/semi-pastoral areas and other regions in China. Human brucellosis exhibits a diffusion trend from the northern epidemic areas of China to neighboring regions, along with sporadic diffusion in southern regions.

Objective:To identify candidate strains of Nontoxigenic Clostridioides difficile (NTCD) with potential for intervention in Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and analyze their phenotypic characteristics. Methods:A total of 713 Clostridioides difficile strains from various sources were systematically collected nationwide between 2015 and 2023. This included 649 strains isolated from human fecal samples and 64 strains isolated from the fecal samples of farmed animals. NTCD strains were preliminarily screened through toxin gene detection and antibiotic sensitivity test, and then NTCD candidate strains with potential for intervention in CDI were screened by a series of in vitro experiments, including MLST, sporulation, germination, adhesion, motility, and biofilm formation ability. Ultimately, the virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance genes of the candidate strains were comprehensively analyzed to rigorously assess their safety profiles. Results:Among 713 strains of C. difficile from different sources, 10 strains were initially screened out, which were non-toxin-producing and sensitive to antibiotics. MLST showed that seven strains were from the Clade1 branch and three strains were of a novel type. The results of sporulation and germination showed that SD59, SD178, SJZ17, and WZ142 had stronger sporulation and germination abilities. The adhesion of 10 strains was high, and the adhesion rate was between 72.93% and 99.32%. The motility of all strains was different, and the motility of SD178, SD59 and SJZ17 was stronger. The biofilm-forming ability of all strains was weak. SD59, SD178 and SJZ17 carried a limited number of virulence and resistance genes, thereby posing a relatively low safety risk. Conclusion:Three NTCD strains are successfully selected as potential effective NTCD strains to interfere with CDI.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological dynamics and spatiotemporal diffusion trend of brucellosis in China from 2010 to 2024.Methods:Data on reported human brucellosis cases in mainland China from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2024, were collected via the"China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention", including detailed information on the date of onset, gender, age, occupation, and residential address of the cases. The Joinpoint regression and spatial interpolation techniques were used to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics and population distribution characteristics of human brucellosis in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas and other regions, as well as urban and rural areas, and explore the epidemic trends of the disease.Results:From 2010 to 2024, pastoral/semi-pastoral regions reported 252 094 brucellosis cases, with a mean annual incidence rate of 36.57±7.28 per 100 000. In contrast, other regions cumulatively recorded 519 748 cases during the same period, demonstrating a significantly lower mean annual incidence rate of 2.54±0.74 per 100 000. The incidence rate of human brucellosis in pastoral/semi-pastoral regions exhibited a declining-rebounding-declining trend. Specifically, the incidence rate decreased significantly from 2010 to 2017 (APC=-7.20; P<0.001) and increased notably from 2017 to 2021 (APC=18.00; P=0.015) with a decline again from 2021 to 2024 (APC=-7.53; P=0.027). In other regions, the incidence rate showed a fluctuating upward trend. Specifically, the incidence rate increased significantly from 2010 to 2015 (APC=20.37; P<0.001) and decreased notably from 2015 to 2018 (APC=-21.78; P<0.001), followed by an increase again from 2018 to 2024, a significant upward trend in incidence rate from 2018 to 2021 (APC=26.73; P<0.001) and a non-significant decline from 2021 to 2024 (APC=-0.99; P=0.735), resulting in the maintenance of a relatively high incidence level. Rural areas demonstrated significantly higher brucellosis incidence rates than urban settings (all P<0.001). Brucellosis exhibited a diffusion trend from the northern epidemic areas of China to neighboring regions, along with sporadic diffusion in southern regions between 2010 and 2024. The age structure of patients in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas differed significantly from that in other regions. Specifically, in pastoral/semi-pastoral areas, the incidence rate was higher among the 35-49 age groups, while in other regions, the incidence rate was higher among those aged 55-64. Conclusion:There are notable disparities in the incidence of human brucellosis between pastoral/semi-pastoral areas and other regions in China. Human brucellosis exhibits a diffusion trend from the northern epidemic areas of China to neighboring regions, along with sporadic diffusion in southern regions.

Objective:To identify candidate strains of Nontoxigenic Clostridioides difficile (NTCD) with potential for intervention in Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and analyze their phenotypic characteristics. Methods:A total of 713 Clostridioides difficile strains from various sources were systematically collected nationwide between 2015 and 2023. This included 649 strains isolated from human fecal samples and 64 strains isolated from the fecal samples of farmed animals. NTCD strains were preliminarily screened through toxin gene detection and antibiotic sensitivity test, and then NTCD candidate strains with potential for intervention in CDI were screened by a series of in vitro experiments, including MLST, sporulation, germination, adhesion, motility, and biofilm formation ability. Ultimately, the virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance genes of the candidate strains were comprehensively analyzed to rigorously assess their safety profiles. Results:Among 713 strains of C. difficile from different sources, 10 strains were initially screened out, which were non-toxin-producing and sensitive to antibiotics. MLST showed that seven strains were from the Clade1 branch and three strains were of a novel type. The results of sporulation and germination showed that SD59, SD178, SJZ17, and WZ142 had stronger sporulation and germination abilities. The adhesion of 10 strains was high, and the adhesion rate was between 72.93% and 99.32%. The motility of all strains was different, and the motility of SD178, SD59 and SJZ17 was stronger. The biofilm-forming ability of all strains was weak. SD59, SD178 and SJZ17 carried a limited number of virulence and resistance genes, thereby posing a relatively low safety risk. Conclusion:Three NTCD strains are successfully selected as potential effective NTCD strains to interfere with CDI.

Objective:To analyze pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality data in China and worldwide and to provide data for pancreatic cancer prevention and control efforts.Methods:Data of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates, along with historical and predictive data, were obtained from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database. Epidemiological characteristics of pancreatic cancer was analyzed by region, sex, age and Human Development Index (HDI). Spearman's correlation coefficient test was used to assess the relationship between HDI and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR).Results:In 2022, the global number of new cases and deaths of pancreatic cancer will be 511 thousand and 467 thousand, respectively, with an ASIR and ASMR of 4.7/10 5 and 4.2/10 5, respectively. North America and Europe had the highest pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates of 8.5/10 5 and 7.3/10 5, respectively. Global ASIR and ASMR in men were both 1.4 times higher than those in women. HDI levels were positively correlated with ASIR ( r=0.79, P＜0.001) and ASMR ( r=0.78, P＜0.001) of pancreatic cancer in all regions. The number of pancreatic cancer cases and deaths in China were 119 thousand and 106 thousand, respectively, while the ASIR and ASMR of pancreatic cancer were 4.4/10 5 and 3.9/10 5, respectively. Both ASIR and ASMR in men were both 1.5 times higher than those in women in China. The number of pancreatic cancer incidence and death cases in China in 2050 is predicted to be 216 thousand and 204 thousand cases, with an increase of 81.5% and 92.5% compared with 2022, respectively. Conclusions:The disease burden of pancreatic cancer varies significantly among different regions, genders and ages. Pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality are positively correlated with HDI. The incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer in China are close to the global average, but the number of new cases and deaths is high. Prevention and control should be strengthened to improve the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to update the latest data on the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in the elderly Chinese population and to assess relationships between new anthropometric indices and HTN. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Basic Public Health Service (BPHS) survey for Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 944,760 people aged 65 years and older were included in this study. Blood pressure was measured by trained investigators. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), conicity index (COI), body roundness index (BRI), and a body shape index (ABSI) were included in the analysis as anthropometric indices. Logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the association of anthropometric indices with HTN. RESULTS: The prevalence of HTN among elderly residents of Jiangsu Province was 64.7% (95% confidence interval, 64.6 to 64.8). After adjusting for multiple covariates, all anthropometric indices except ABSI showed significant non-linear positive dose-response associations with HTN across sex (pnonlinear<0.001). Among participants with BMI <28 kg/m2, abnormal weight, WC, WtHR, BRI, COI, and ABSI were positively associated with HTN. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of HTN in the elderly in Jiangsu Province is gradually increasing. It is necessary to consider the combination of ABSI and COI with BMI for screening elderly individuals for HTN in follow-up prospective studies.

The role of glial scar after intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)remains unclear.This study aimed to inves-tigate whether microglia-astrocyte interaction affects glial scar formation and explore the specific function of glial scar.We used a pharmacologic approach to induce microglial depletion during different ICH stages and examine how ablating microglia affects astrocytic scar formation.Spatial transcriptomics(ST)analysis was performed to explore the potential ligand-receptor pair in the modulation of microglia-astrocyte interaction and to verify the functional changes of astrocytic scars at different periods.During the early stage,sustained microglial depletion induced disorganized astrocytic scar,enhanced neutrophil infiltration,and impaired tissue repair.ST analysis indicated that microglia-derived insulin like growth factor 1(IGF1)modulated astrocytic scar formation via mechanistic target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling activation.Moreover,repopulating microglia(RM)more strongly activated mTOR signaling,facilitating a more protective scar formation.The combination of IGF1 and osteopontin(OPN)was necessary and sufficient for RM function,rather than IGF1 or OPN alone.At the chronic stage of ICH,the overall net effect of astrocytic scar changed from protective to destructive and delayed microglial depletion could partly reverse this.The vital insight gleaned from our data is that sustained microglial depletion may not be a reasonable treatment strategy for early-stage ICH.Inversely,early-stage IGF1/OPN treatment combined with late-stage PLX3397 treatment is a promising therapeutic strategy.This prompts us to consider the complex temporal dynamics and overall net effect of microglia and astrocytes,and develop elaborate treatment strategies at precise time points after ICH.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between saliva glucose and blood glucose level by measuring the concentration of saliva with high-precision ion chromatograph, and further to provide the clinical data for saliva glucose as an auxiliary index of blood glucose monitoring.Methods:A total of 268 subjects with normal glucose metabolism (NGT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) were enrolled and fasting venous blood and saliva samples were collected at the same time. The levels of saliva glucose, blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured by ion chromatograph, automatic biochemical analyzer and glycosylated hemoglobin analyzer, respectively. Methods of Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between groups, and the Spearman correlation was used for correlation analysis. Results:The mean values of blood glucose, saliva glucose and HbA1c in the DM group are all higher than those in the NGT group, and the differences are all statistically significant ( P<0.05). Saliva glucose cut-off points are set at 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg/L, respectively. When the saliva glucose concentration is greater than or equal to the above cut-off points, the saliva glucose level are positively correlated with the blood glucose level ( r=0.321, 0.379, 0.509 and 0.428, respectively, P<0.05) . Conclusion:The level of saliva glucose in DM is significantly higher than that in NGT. When the concentration of saliva glucose is greater than 20 mg/ L, there is a significant positive correlation between saliva glucose and blood glucose, and the max correlation coefficient r is 0.509.

Objective:To describe the incidence, diagnosis rate, treatment rate and treatment pattern of hyperkalemia, and serum potassium retesting rate among hyperkalemia patients in the emergency department.Methods:Data were derived from Military Data Center for Rational Use of Drugs. Patients who accessed emergency medical services (≥18 years old) with record(s) of serum potassium between 2015 and 2017 were included. The data of laboratory test, diagnosis, and treatment were analyzed. The main outcomes included the incidence of hyperkalemia, the diagnosis rate, the treatment rate, treatment pattern and the 7-day retesting rate.Results:A total of 1 039 245 patients who met the above criteria were included, of whom, 36 615 (3.52%) had at least one hyperkalemia event. Among the emergency patients with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, the proportions of patients who experienced hyperkalemia were 47.69%, 29.13%, 21.69% and 10.16%, respectively. The diagnosis rate of emergency hyperkalemia patients was 9.23%. The overall hyperkalemia treatment rate was 42.1%. Insulin + glucose injection was the most commonly used therapy for emergency hyperkalemia patients. The overall serum potassium retesting rate within 7 days was 28.8%.Conclusions:Hyperkaliemia is more common and more severe in patients with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes and hypertension. The diagnosis rate and retesting rate of hyperkalemia are low, suggesting that the identification and management of hyperkaliemia in emergency patients should be strengthened.