Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis snails in Yunnan Province fol-lowing interruption of schistosomiasis transmission, so as to provide the evidence for assessing the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and scientifically formulating the schistosomiasis surveillance program. Methods According to the requirements of the National Schistosomiasis Surveillance Scheme (2020 Edition), O. hupensis snail surveillance data were collected from 18 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (cities, districts) in Yunnan Province from 2020 to 2024, including area of snail survey, area of snail habitats, area of re-emerging snail habitats, number of frames surveyed, number of frames with O. hupensis snails, number of O. hupensis snails captured, and number of living snails, and the occurrence of frames with snails and mean density of living snails were calculated. Changes in snail status over the 5-year period from 2020 to 2024 and the differences in snail distributions specified by epidemic intensity, environmental type, and vegetation type were analyzed. Results The areas of snail survey increased from 1 727.96 hm² in 2020 to 3 894.45 hm² in 2024 (peak) across 18 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (cities, districts) in Yunnan Province during the period from 2020 through 2024. The areas of snail habitats increased from 70.36 hm² in 2020 to a peak in 2023 (172.04 hm²), followed by a reduction to 132.36 hm² in 2024, and the areas of re-emerging snail habitats increased from 42.71 hm² in 2020 to a peak in 2022 (78.43 hm²), followed by a reduction to 40.21 hm² in 2024. The occurrence of frames with snails and mean density of living snails increased from 1.24% (3 025/244 404) and (0.033 2 ± 0.038 7) snails/0.1 m² in 2020 to peaks at 2.03% (6 231/307 563) and (0.066 9 ± 0.068 4) snails/0.1 m² in 2023, followed by reductions to 1.04% (5 829/559 941) and (0.032 6 ± 0.057 7) snails/0.1 m² in 2024, respectively. There was a significant difference in the occurrence of frames with snails over the 5-year study period (χ² = 1 962.95, P < 0.05), and the occurrence of frames with snails reduced by 48.71% in 2024 relative to in 2023 (χ² = 1 411.05, P < 0.005); however, there was no significant difference in the mean density of living snails over the 5 years (H = 5.310, P > 0.05). There were significant differences in the occurrence of frames with snails (χ² = 481.27, P < 0.05) and mean density of living snails (H = 6.872, P < 0.05) in schistosomiasis-endemic areas with different epidemic intensities. The occurrence of frames with snails (χ² = 25.32 and 38.70, both P values < 0.017) and mean density of living snails (Z = 28.55 and 49.96, both P values < 0.017) were higher in schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted and eliminated areas with snails than in schistosomiasis-eliminated areas without snails, and the occurrence of frames with snails (χ² = 453.54, P < 0.017) and mean density of living snails (Z = −56.97, P < 0.017) were higher in schistosomiasis-eliminated areas with snails than in schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted areas with snails. O. hupensis snails were mainly distributed in paddy fields, dry farmlands and ditches; however, the occurrence of frames with snails (13.40%, 424/3 164) and mean density of living snails [(0.252 8 ± 0.158 7) snails/0.1 m²] were higher in ponds/weirs than in other types of environments (both P values < 0.05). Rice, dry farmland crops and weeds were main vegetations in which O. hupensis snails were distributed, and the occurrence of frames with snails (2.29%, 7 111/310 140) and mean density of living snails [(0.072 3 ± 0.018 9) snails/0.1 m²] were higher in weeds than in other types of environments (both P values < 0.05). Conclusions O. hupensis snails have been effectively controlled in Yunnan Province following implementation of integrated schistosomiasis control measures; however, there are still risk factors for schistosomiasis transmission, including reduced attention to schistosomiasis control and snail re-emergence. Improved control efforts and surveillance system construction and timely identification of risk factors of snail status and timely management are recommended to ensure the achievement of the target of schistosomiasis elimination as scheduled.

Background/Aims: Natural killer (NK) cell function is generally considered dampened in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, the NK cell pool exhibits phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and the antibody--mediated effect of NK cells remains less characterized. This study evaluated the dynamic changes in antibody-mediated NK cell responses and the involvement of distinct NK subsets across disease stages and during antiviral treatment. Methods: A T-cell receptor-like antibody specific for the HBV core 18–27 peptide (cTCRL-Ab) was used to determine the antibody-mediated effect of NK cells, and an array of NK cell surface markers were analyzed in cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts of patients with chronic HBV infection. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to identify the heterogeneity of NK subsets. Results: The cTCRL-Ab enabled the detection of NK cell cytolytic activity and IFNγ production. Notably, cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell responses were compromised in chronically HBV-infected patients, particularly in those receiving pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFNα), which was associated with the downregulation of CD16 expression. Correspondingly, Peg-IFNα inhibited cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell function by reducing CD16 expression in vitro. scRNA-seq revealed that CD16 downregulation occurred mainly within a dysfunctional CD16hi NK subset exhibiting exhaustion properties. In contrast, an activated CD16hiNK subpopulation (CX3CR1⁺KLRC2–CD16hi) with high cytotoxicity was enriched in patients who experienced favorable treatment responses. Furthermore, the intrahepatic CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hi subset tended to exhibit functional restoration in HBsAg-loss individuals. Conclusions Our data contribute to the understanding of antibody-mediated responses of NK cells in chronic HBV infection, and highlight a previously unappreciated functional CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hiNK subset as a potential therapeutic target.

Objective: To explore the current status and influencing factors of eating behaviors in adolescents, so as to provide a theoretical foundation for health promotion education among adolescents. Methods: Based on the database from Survey of Chinese Family Health Index (2021), by a random number table method, 1 065 teenagers were selected from the provincial capitals of 22 provinces and 5 autonomous regions in China, as well as 4 municipalities directly under the central government. A general characteristic questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Short Form of the Family Health Scale (FHS-SF), 10-item Short Version of the Big Five Personality(BFP-10), Content-based Media Exposure Scale (CM-E) and Sakata Eating Behavior Scale Short Form(EBS-SF) were used to collect information. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was employed to identify and analyze related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. Receiver operating characteristic was used to validate the predictive ability of the EBS-SF score for overweight and obesity among adolescents. Results: The average scores of BFI-10,C-ME, FHS-SF, PHQ-9 and EBS-SF were (33.08±4.64)(19.20±4.55)(38.48±6.65)(6.09±5.63)(16.75±4.36), respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that family type (other types), agreeableness, conscientiousness, family health and depression were the main related factors of EBS-SF scores among adolescents( B =2.61,-0.42,0.20,-0.11,0.23, P <0.05).The analysis of receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the EBS-SF scores had a good ability in predicting obesity among male adolescents ( AUC= 0.73, P <0.01). Conclusions Family type, big five personality, family health,depression are the related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. EBS-SF scores are predictive of obesity in adolescents, which would provide a new perspective for promoting healthy eating habits among adolescents.

This study investigated the role of the nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 (NFATc3) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 levels were elevated in human and mouse AAD. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced thoracic AAD (TAAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression in mice, contrary to VSMC-NFATc3 overexpression. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and maintained the VSMC contractile phenotype. Nuclear NFATc3 targeted and transcriptionally upregulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP2, promoting ECM degradation and AAD development. NFATc3 promoted VSMC phenotypic switching by binding to eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and inhibiting its phosphorylation in the VSMC cytoplasm. Restoring eEF2 reversed the beneficial effects in VSMC-specific NFATc3-knockout mice. Cabamiquine-targets eEF2 and inhibits protein synthesis-inhibited AAD development and progression in VSMC-NFATc3-overexpressing mice. VSMC-NFATc3 promoted VSMC switch and ECM degradation while exacerbating AAD development, making it a novel potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating AAD.

Glioma represents the most prevalent malignant tumor of the central nervous system, with chemotherapy serving as an essential adjunctive treatment. However, most chemotherapeutic agents exhibit limited ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This study introduced a novel dual-targeting strategy for glioma therapy by modulating the formation of nanobody-driven protein coronas to enhance the brain and tumor-targeting efficiency of hydrophobic cisplatin prodrug-loaded lipid nanoparticles (C8Pt-Ls). Specifically, nanobodies (Nbs) with fibrinogen-binding capabilities were conjugated to the surface of C8Pt-Ls, resulting in the generation of Nb-C8Pt-Ls. Within the bloodstream, Nb-C8Pt-Ls could bound more fibrinogen, forming the protein corona that specifically interacted with LRP-1, a receptor highly expressed on the BBB. This interaction enabled a "Hitchhiking Effect" mechanism, facilitating efficient trans-BBB transport and promoting effective brain targeting. Additionally, the protein corona interacted with LRP-1, which is also overexpressed in glioma cells, achieving precise tumor targeting. Computational simulations and SPR detection clarified the molecular interaction mechanism of the Nb-fibrinogen-(LRP-1) complex, confirming its binding specificity and stability. Our results demonstrated that this strategy significantly enhanced C8Pt accumulation in brain tissues and tumors, induced apoptosis in glioma cells, and improved therapeutic efficacy. This study provides a novel framework for glioma therapy and underscores the potential of protein corona modulation-based dual-targeting strategies in advancing treatments for brain tumors.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the levels of serum circular RNA protein tyrosine phosphatase 4A2(circ_PTP4A2),circular RNA precocious dissociation of sisters 5 homolog B(circ_PDS5B)and the volume of cerebral infarction and the degree of neurological deficits in patients with acute is-chemic stroke(AIS).Methods Ninety patients with AIS who visited the hospital from January 2021 to De-cember 2023 were selected as the AIS group,and 90 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations during the same period were selected as the control group.The levels of serum circ_PTP4A2 and circ_PDS5B were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,the volume of cerebral infarction was measured by magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging,and the degree of neurological deficit was evaluated by the Na-tional Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score.According to the volume of cerebral infarction,they were divided into large-volume group(volume of cerebral infarction≥ 20 cm3,29 cases),medium-volume group(1 cm3＜volume of cerebral infarction＜20 cm3,34 cases),and small-volume group(volume of cerebral infarction≤ 1 cm3,27 cases),and according to the NIHSS scores,patients with AIS were classified into the se-vere group(NIHSS scores≥21 points,27 cases),the moderate group(NIHSS scores 5-20 points,32 cases)and the mild group(NIHSS score≤ 4 points,31 cases).Factors contributing to the increased volume of cere-bral infarction and the increased degree of neurological deficit in patients with AIS were analyzed by ordered multi-categorical Logistic regression.Results Compared with the control group,serum circ_PTP4A2 and circ_PDS5B levels were elevated in the AIS group(P＜0.05).Serum circ_PTP4A2 and circ_PDS5B levels were sequentially increased in the small-volume group,medium-volume group,and large-volume group(P＜0.05).Serum circ_PTP4A2 and circ_PDS5B levels were sequentially increased in the mild group,moderate group,and severe group(P＜0.05).Ordered multi-categorical Logistic regression showed that high NIHSS score,high circ_PTP4A2,and high circ_PDS5B were independent risk factors for increased cerebral infarction volume in AIS patients(P＜0.05),and high cerebral infarction volume,high circ_PTP4A2,and high circ_PDS5B were independent risk factors(P＜0.05).Conclusion The elevated levels of serum circ_PTP4A2 and circ_PDS5B in AIS patients are related to the increase in cerebral infarction volume and the aggravation of neurological deficits.Early detection of serum circ_PTP4A2 and circ_PDS5B levels is helpful for risk stratification in AIS patients.

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis is a widespread disease with a high prevalence worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the disease burden of urolithiasis and its trends from 1990 to 2021 globally, based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 database. METHODS: The numbers and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality of urolithiasis were extracted from GBD 2021 to represent the disease burden. Joinpoint regression analyses were conducted to assess the temporal trends in the burden of urolithiasis. The male-to-female ASR ratio indices were used to evaluate sex disparities. Additionally, we explored the relationship between the ASR ratio and the sociodemographic index (SDI). RESULTS: The total numbers of incidence, DALY, and mortality of urolithiasis were 105,983,780 cases (95% uncertainty interval [UI] = 88,349,356-128,645,155 cases), 693,444 cases (95% UI = 567,765-850,490 cases), and 17,672 cases (95% UI = 13,932-21,241 cases), respectively, in 2021. There is an increasing trend in the number of these measures globally, whereas the ASRs have decreased over the past 30 years. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) were significantly higher in males than in females in 2021. The sex disparities in the age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) and ASMR of urolithiasis were negatively correlated with the SDI. In 2021, the ASIR of urolithiasis was 964.70 (95% UI = 801.26-1175.09) per 100,000 people in China, which is much lower than the global average (1242.84 [95% UI = 1034.94-1506.99] per 100,000 people). Compared with the global average, a more pronounced decline in ASIR was observed in China from 1793.16 (1446.0-2235.14) in 1990 to 964.70 (801.26-1175.09) per 100,000 people in 2021. CONCLUSIONS Urolithiasis poses a significant healthcare burden worldwide. More robust global and national strategies are warranted to address the prevention and treatment, especially in low SDI countries and regions.
Humans ; Urolithiasis/mortality* ; Male ; Female ; Incidence ; Global Burden of Disease ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological, etiological and genetic characteristics of influenza virus in Shandong Province during 2023-2024.Methods:The surveillance data of influenza-like illness (ILI) in sentinel hospitals in Shandong from 2023 to 2024 were collected and analyzed. The isolated influenza strains with hemagglutination titers ≥8 were selected for antigenicity analysis, drug susceptibility test, gene sequencing and evolutionary analysis.Results:From 2023 to 2024, the positive rate of influenza virus in Shandong was 8.51% (23 663/277 995), the highest positive rate was in the age group of 5-14 years (15.78%, 6 073/38 478), and the highest positive rate was in the 49 th week (35.86%, 2 264/6 313). Both antigenicity analysis and evolutionary analysis showed that the A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype and B(Victoria) strain had good matching effect and close evolutionary distance with the 2023-2024 surveillance year vaccine strain. The A(H3N2) subtype strain did not have a high matching effect with the 2023-2024 vaccine strain and had a long evolutionary distance, but had a close evolutionary distance with the 2024-2025 vaccine strain. Drug susceptibility test showed that oseltamivir sensitivity of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 strain decreased greatly, and the amino acid site mutation of neuraminidase was H275Y. Conclusions:In the 2023-2024 surveillance year, the peak of influenza virus epidemic in Shandong was mainly occurred in winter and spring, and the age group of 5-14 years was the focus of prevention and control. The dominant strain was subtype A(H3N2), which had poor matching effect with the vaccine strain in the 2023-2024 surveillance year. One A(H1N1)pdm09 resistant strain was found in the drug resistance monitoring work. Follow-up prevention and control work should be strengthen the surveillance for the epidemiological characteristics, genetic variation and drug resistance of influenza viruses, timely understand the epidemic trend and mutation of influenza viruses, timely discover drug-resistant strains of influenza viruses, promote influenza vaccination, and improve of influenza prevention and control.