Objective: To investigate the status of condom use and its influencing factors among men who have sex with men (MSM), so as to provide a basis for improving condom utilization rates and AIDS prevention and control in this population. Methods: From May to October 2024, a snowball sampling method was employed to recruit MSM in Songjiang District, Shanghai Municipality. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on demographic characteristics, AIDS-related knowledge, sexual behaviors, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and condom use in the past six months. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for consistent condom use. Results: A total of 921 MSM were surveyed, with a median age of 29.00 (interquartile range, 9.00) years. Among them, 697 (75.68%) were aware of AIDS-related knowledge, 826 (89.69%) expressed willingness to use PrEP, and 835 (90.66%) were willing to use PEP. Additionally, 787 (85.45%) MSM reported their age at first homosexual intercourse as ≥18 years, while 519 (56.35%) reported consistent condom use in the past six months. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that MSM who were aware of AIDS-related knowledge (OR=0.582, 95% CI: 0.423-0.801), willing to use PrEP (OR =0.611, 95% CI: 0.385-0.969), and whose age at first homosexual intercourse was <18 years (OR=0.480, 95% CI: 0.330-0.700) were less likely to consistent use condoms. Conclusion The proportion of consistent condom use among the MSM remains relatively low, which is primarily associated with AIDS-related knowledge, willingness to use PrEP, and the age at first homosexual intercourse.

Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. Methods: Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. Conclusion MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

Objective To investigate the application value of peripheral blood soluble human leukocyte antigen-G(sHLA-G)combined with immune cytokines in the differential diagnosis of renal transplant rejection.Methods This case-control study retrospectively analyzed 81 renal transplant patients hospitalized in the Department of Organ Transplantation,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from April 2020 to December 2023,due to elevated serum creatinine.Among them,32 patients were diagnosed with acute rejection(acute rejection group),29 with chronic rejection(chronic rejection group),and 20 with elevated creatinine due to non-rejection causes(non-rejection group).Fifty renal transplant inpatients and outpatients with normal and stable serum creatinine were selected as control group during the same period.Clinical data such as gender,age,serum creatinine,estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),and urine protein positive rate,etc.were collected.Peripheral blood of patients was sampled to measure the levels of plasma sHLA-G and immune cytokines[interferon-γ(IFN-γ),tumor necrosis factor-β(TNF-β),interleukin(IL)-2,IL-4,IL-10,IL-5,IL-6,IL-17]using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Stratify and compare the differences in sHLA-G levels among different groups and all renal transplant inpatients by gender.Results Compared with control group,serum creatinine levels and urine protein positive rate were significantly higher in acute rejection group,chronic rejection group,and non-rejection group,while eGFR was significantly lower,serum creatinine levels in chronic rejection group and non-rejection group were higher than those in acute rejection group,while eGFR was lower than that in acute rejection group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).No statistically significant differences were observed in gender,age,blood type,body mass index,transplantation duration,and immunosuppressive agent use among acute rejection,chronic rejection,non-rejection,and control groups(P>0.05).Plasma sHLA-G levels in acute rejection and chronic rejection groups were significantly lower than those in control group[(19.665±11.233)U/ml vs.(24.785±21.668)U/ml vs.(44.918±39.898)U/ml,P<0.05].The sHLA-G/IL-2 ratio in chronic rejection group was significantly higher than that in acute rejection group(5.844±6.248 vs.1.825±1.574,P<0.05),and the sHLA-G/IFN-γ ratio in non-rejection group was significantly higher than that in chronic rejection group(3.452±3.283 vs.1.543±2.030,P<0.05).Among 131 renal transplant inpatients,female sHLA-G levels were significantly higher than male(P<0.05).Within each group,female sHLA-G levels in chronic rejection group were significantly higher than male(P<0.05).Although female sHLA-G levels in acute rejection,non-rejection,and control groups were higher than those of male,the gender difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusions Peripheral blood sHLA-G levels are correlated with renal transplantation rejection.The application of sHLA-G/IL-2 and sHLA-G/IFN-γ ratios has potential value in the diagnosis and differentiation of elevated creatinine caused by acute/chronic rejection,chronic rejection and non-rejection causes,respectively.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of bone acupuncture in improving pain and function in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) and compare it with Jiaji acupuncture. METHODS: From January to December 2023, 80 DLSS patients were treated with acupuncture and divided into bone acupuncture and Jiaji acupuncture groups. Among them, 40 patients in the bone acupuncture group included 15 males and 25 females, with a mean age of (60.60±6.98) years old;anthor 40 patients in the Jiaji acupuncture group included 16 males and 24 females, with a mean age of (61.48±9.55) years old. The Roland Morris disability questionnaire(RMDQ), walking distance, visual analogue scale(VAS), and the MOS item short from health survey(SF-36) of two groups at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-treatment were compared. RESULTS: Eighty patients were followed up for 3 to 5 months with an average of (3.62±0.59) months. There was no significant differences in general data and the scores before treatment between two groups(P>0.05). The RMDQ scores in both groups decreased significantly at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment compared with before treatment(P<0.05), at each time point after treatment, the decrease was more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05). The VAS of waist and leg in both groups was significantly lower at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment that before treatment(P<0.05). At all time points after treatment, the waist VAS in the bone acupuncture group was reduced more significant than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05);there was no significant difference in leg VAS at 2 and 12 weeks after treatment between two groups(P>0.05), the improvement was more significant in the bone acupuncture group in the 4 weeks after treatment than in the Jiaji acupuncture group. The SF-36 scores in both groups were significantly higher at 2, 4, and 12 weeks after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05);the SF-36 score raised more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupunture group(P<0.05). No significant difference in the walking distance between two groups at 2 weeks after treatment(P>0.05);the walking distance in the bone acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the Jiaji acupuncture group at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Bone-penetrating acupuncture moderately improves functional impairment, pain, and quality of life in patients with DLSS, showing better efficacy than Jiaji acupuncture.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Spinal Stenosis/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Pain Management

Objective To summarize the short-term results of valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) in the treatment of bioprosthetic valve failure after aortic valve replacement. Methods We reviewed the clinical data of patients who underwent ViV-TAVI from 2021 to 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The valve function was evaluated by echocardiography before operation, immediately after operation and 3 months after operation. The all-cause death and main complications during hospitalization were analyzed. Results A total of 13 patients were enrolled, including 8 males and 5 females with a mean age of (65.9±8.5) years, and the interval time between aortic valve replacement and ViV-TAVI was (8.5±3.4) years. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality risk score was 10.3%±3.2%. None of the 13 patients had abnormal valve function after operation. The mean transvalvular pressure gradient of aortic valve was decreased (P<0.001), the peak flow velocity of aortic valve was decreased (P<0.001), and the left ventricular ejection fraction was not changed significantly (P=0.480). There were slight perivalvular leakage in 2 patients and slight valve regurgitation in 3 patients. Three months after operation, the mean transvalvular pressure difference and peak flow velocity of aortic valve in 12 patients were significantly decreased compared with those before operation (P≤0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrates that ViV-TAVI for the treatment of bioprosthetic valve failure after aortic valve replacement is associated with favorable clinical and functional cardiovascular benefits, the short-term results are satisfactory.

Tumor microenvironment(TME)is the cellular environment for tumor development,growth,and metastasis.Adenosine(ADO)is an immunosuppressive metabolic product that is continuously upregulated in TME,with various types and wide distribution of receptors.The complex and dynamic interactions between ADO and tumor cells constantly influence tumor progression.ADO can di-rectly or indirectly promote tumor development and progression by promoting tumor generation and metastasis,mediating the immune escape of tumor,and modulating tumor-infiltrating immune cells.Based on the characteristics of ADOs in TME,this article reviews the latest advances in the dynamic alterations of ADO in TME,in order to provide insights into tumor treatment targeting the ADO pathway.

Cholesterol,as an important component of cell membranes,plays a multifaceted role in mediating tumor immunomodulation and drug intervention.In case of cholesterol metabolic imbalance,the accumulation of cholesterol metabolic intermediates,the changes in concentrations,and the regulation of related signaling pathways can affect tumor immunity by promoting inflammation and inhibiting immune cell function.Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that controlling cholesterol metabolism can inhibit tumor growth,re-shape body immune regulation,and enhance antitumor immunity.A deep understanding of the association between immune cells and cholesterol metabolic pathways in the tumor microenvironment can help to develop novel drugs targeting cholesterol metabolism.This article reviews the multifaceted role of cholesterol and its derived metabolites in the tumor microenvironment by regulating various types of immune cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells,tumor-associated macrophages,dendritic cells,and T-lymphocytes,as well as the characteristics of tumor immunomodulation mediated by cholesterol metabolism and the advances in pharmaceutical re-search on improving the immune function of the body by intervening against cholesterol,in order to further provide new ideas and a thera-peutic basis for cholesterol modulation and intervention in tumor im-munotherapy.

Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. Methods: Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. Conclusion MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

Objective:To establish 30-day of age transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) reference curves for healthy neonates, and to investigate regional variations in bilirubin dynamics.Methods:A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 220 950 healthy neonates born at a gestational age of 35-<42 weeks, with a birth weight ≥2 000 g, who did not receive phototherapy within 60 h after birth were recruited. All of them underwent remote TcB monitoring using the Bilibaby remote jaundice monitoring system between August 1 st, 2020 and December 31 st, 2024 in 426 hospitals. TcB data were collected within the period from birth to 30-day of age. The P40, P75, and P95 of TcB values were calculated, and dynamic TcB curves for 30-day of age were constructed. Patterns of bilirubin change, rates of change, and transition outcomes were described. Regional comparisons between South and North were conducted using linear mixed-effects models for TcB trajectories and Pearson′s chi-square test for outcome differences. Results:A total of 220 950 neonates were included, of whom 101 711 (46.03%) were female. Gestational age at birth was (38.75±1.12) weeks, and birth weight was (3 272±417) g. TcB levels increased rapidly within 3-day of age, peaked at 4-6-day of age, with peak values at P40, P75, and P95 of 200.6, 239.7 and 275.4 μmol/L (11.8, 14.1 and 16.2 mg/dl), respectively. TcB levels gradually declined thereafter and stabilized after 13-day of age, with values at P40, P75, and P95 fluctuating between 147.9-159.8, 190.4-200.6, and 231.2-239.7 μmol/L (8.7-9.4, 11.2-11.8, 13.6-14.1 mg/dl), respectively. Notably, among neonates categorized as low-or low-intermediate-risk within 3-day of age, 6 700 (12.76%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk between 4 and 30 days of age. Before 13-day of age, TcB levels in the southern regions were consistently higher than those in the northern regions ( P=0.039); from 14 to 30 days of age, the overall TcB levels had no statistically difference, but the temporal changes in TcB still showed regional differences (degrees of freedom=3, all interaction P<0.05). Among neonates classified as low-or low-intermediate risk within 3-day of age, 25 326 were from southern regions, of whom 4 254 (16.80%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk between 4 and 30 days of age. In northern regions, 27 193 neonates were classified as low-or low-intermediate risk within 3-day of age, among whom 2 446 (8.99%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk. The risk progression between the 2 regions had statistically difference ( χ2=716.49, P<0.001). Conclusions:A TcB percentile curve for neonates within 30-day of age was established, revealing that both the overall TcB level and its temporal trend were higher in southern than in northern newborns. These findings provide baseline data to support continuous management of neonatal jaundice.

Background: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. Methods: Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. Conclusion MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.