Objective The study aimed to elucidate the population composition and seasonal distribution characteristics of mosquitoes in Laoshan District, Qingdao City, providing a scientific basis for the prevention and control of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Methods Mosquito surveillance was conducted in Laoshan District in Qingdao City using light traps from April to November 2020-2022. Dominant mosquito species were identified using the Berger-Parker dominance index(I)and mosquito density was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The seasonal distribution characteristics of adult mosquitoes were analyzed using concentration and circular distribution method. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between mosquito populations and meteorological factors with mean monthly temperature, mean monthly relative humidity, and mean monthly rainfall. Results The mean mosquito density for the trapping period was 9.771 females/(trap·night)in 2020,9.771 in 2021, and 9.427 in 2022. There was no statistically significant difference in mosquito density between different years(H = 0.095, P = 0.954). In total, 2 781 adult female mosquitoes comprising five species from four genera were captured over three years. Culex pipiens(I = 0.654), Aedes albopictus(I = 0.202), and Aedes aegypti(I = 0.118)were identified as dominant species. Seasonal fluctuations in the adult mosquitoes were unimodal, and primarily concentrated from June to September. The peak period of adult mosquito varied between years with statistical significance. (F = 3.838, P ＜ 0.05). Mosquito density was highly correlated with mean monthly temperature, mean monthly relative humidity and mean monthly precipitation(P＜ 0.05). Conclusions Cx. pipiens pallens, Ae. albopictus, and Ar. inamoratus are the dominant mosquito species in the Laoshan District of Qingdao City. The activity of adult mosquitoes is seasonal, and primarily concentrated in summer and autumn, during which the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever is increased.

In this study, RAW264.7 cells were employed to investigate the effects of honey-processed Astragalus on their energy metabolism and polarization, and explore the scientific connotation of the enhanced efficacy of honey-processed Astragalus on invigorating spleen-stomach and replenishing Qi. The medicated sera were prepared by intragastric administration of rats with water extracts of crude and honey-processed Astragalus, and the composition changes of medicated sera of crude and honey-processed Astragalus were analyzed by using LC-MS technology. The cell survival rates were detected and the concentrations of medicated sera were screened through CCK-8 assay. The differences of cell phagocytic rates, ATP energy metabolism, and NO secretion between crude and honey-processed Astragalus were evaluated by using neutral red phagocytosis assay, ATP detection kit, and NO detection kit. The effects of crude and honey-processed Astragalus on TNF-α secretion of RAW264.7 cells were detected by employing ELISA kit. The effects of crude and honey-processed Astragalus on polarization of RAW264.7 cells were evaluated by utilizing flow cytometry. The differential metabolites related to glycolysis in cell lysates and culture media were screened by using LC-MS technology. The experiment was approved by the experimental animal ethics committee from Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine (No. AWE202407352). The results showed that the contents of betaine, amino acids, and ononin in the prepared medicated sera of rats treated by intragastric administration with water extracts of honey-processed Astragalus increased compared to those in crude one. The results of CCK-8 experiment showed that there were no cytotoxic effects on RAW264.7 cells in the medicated sera of crude and honey-processd Astragalus at different concentration. The phagocytic index and ATP yield both increased to varying degrees after administration of the medicated sera to cells. The secretion of NO in normal and inflammatory cells increased and decreased respectively, and the effect of honey-processed Astragalus was better than that of crude one. The results of ELISA kit showed that the medicated sera of both crude and honey-processed Astragalus could promote the secretion of TNF-α in a concentration-dependent manner, and the promoting effect of honey-processed Astragalus was stronger than that of crude one. The results of flow cytometry showed that the medicated sera of both crude and honey-processed Astragalus could promote M1-type polarization and inhibit M2-type polarization of RAW264.7 cells, and the effect of honey-processed Astragalus was better than that of crude one. Compared to crude Astragalus, the metabolites related to glycolysis in the cell lysates and culture media of the medicated sera of honey-processed Astragalus were generally on the rise, indicating that the effect on promoting glycolysis of honey-processed Astragalus was better than that of crude one. In summary, honey-processed Astragalus can promote the polarization and energy metabolism of RAW264.7 cells, and participate in positive immune regulation, which is correlated with its enhanced effect of invigorating spleen-stomach and replenishing Qi.

A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in SLCO2A1, c.1658T > A and c.96+4A > C.Through multidisciplinary consultation, we confirmed the diagnosis of pachydermoperiostosis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

ObjectiveBased on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we investigated the brain activity characteristics of gross motor tasks in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and motor dysfunctions (MDs) to provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of MDs in children with ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 48 children with ASD accompanied by MDs were recruited into the ASD group and 40 children with typically developing (TD) into the TD group. The fNIRS device was used to collect the information of blood oxygen changes in the cortical motor-related brain regions during single-handed bag throwing and tiptoe walking, and the differences in brain activation and functional connectivity between the two groups of children were analyzed from the perspective of brain activation and functional connectivity. ResultsCompared to the TD group, in the object manipulative motor task (one-handed bag throwing), the ASD group showed significantly reduced activation in both left sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and right secondary visual cortex (V2) (P<0.05), whereas the right pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex (PMC&SMA) had significantly higher activation (P<0.01) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, there was a significant decrease in the strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and V2. In the body stability motor task (tiptoe walking), the ASD group had significantly higher activation in motor-related brain regions such as the DLPFC, SMC, and PMC&SMA (P<0.05) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, the ASD group had lower strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with PMC&SMA and V2. ConclusionChildren with ASD exhibit abnormal brain functional activity characteristics specific to different gross motor tasks in object manipulative and body stability, reflecting insufficient or excessive compensatory activation of local brain regions and impaired cross-regions integration, which may be a potential reason for the poorer gross motor performance of children with ASD, and meanwhile provides data support for further unraveling the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of MDs in the context of ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Objective:To characterize the epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, and molecular mechanisms of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) carrying multiple carbapenemase genes in China, and to provide evidence for infection control and antibiotic stewardship.Methods:From 2016 to 2023, 115 CRE isolates harboring at least two carbapenemase genes were collected from 41 hospitals in 18 provinces across China. Species identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and whole-genome sequencing were performed. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and capsular typing were conducted using Kleborate, plasmid replicon types were identified with PlasmidFinder, and a core genome phylogenetic tree was constructed.Results:The majority of isolates belonged to Klebsiella spp. (80.0%, 92/115), followed by E. cloacae (8.7%, 10/115) and E. coli (6.1%, 7/115). The isolates were mainly from Hebei, Beijing, Shandong, and Hunan (60.9%, 70/115), and sputum was the predominant specimen (43.5%, 50/115). The most common genotype was bla KPC+bla NDM (73.0%, 84/115), primarily in Klebsiella spp. (79.8%, 67/84), followed by bla NDM+bla IMP (15.7%, 18/115). The prevalent plasmid replicon types were IncFII (77.5%, 86/111), IncFIB (68.5%, 76/111), IncR (51.4%, 57/111), and IncX3 (20.7%, 23/111). Notably, 88.6% (31/35) of ST11-KL64 K. pneumoniae strains co-harbored IncFII, IncFIB, and IncR plasmids simultaneously. Between 2016 and 2022, the dominant subtype among Klebsiella spp. isolates was bla KPC-2+bla NDM-1 (56.2%, 36/64). In 2023, the bla KPC-2+bla NDM-13 subtype (29.5%, 19/64) emerged and exhibited clonal transmission (single nucleotide polymorphism 2?74 bp) in Hebei, Beijing, and Jilin. Susceptibility testing showed widespread resistance to β-lactams (90.2%-100%). Aztreonam-avibactam, tigecycline, and colistin retained high activity, with susceptibility rates of 90.16%-98.36%. Conclusions:In China, the majority of clinical Enterobacteriaceae strains that harbor multiple carbapenemases are Klebsiella spp. co-producing KPC and NDM enzymes. Dissemination is driven by both clonal expansion of ST11-KL64 and horizontal transfer of IncFII, IncFIB, and IncR plasmids. The recent emergence and regional clonal spread of the bla KPC-2+bla NDM-13 genotype underscore the urgent need for strengthened surveillance and containment measures.

Aim To investigate the role of triggering receptor expressed on myeloidcells 2(TREM2)in syn-aptic plasticity induced by cocaine addiction.Methods C57BL/6J mice and Trem2 knockout mice were uti-lized in this study to evaluate the alterations in postsyn-aptic density protein 95(PSD-95)and synapsin 1(SYN1)within the cortex and hippocampus of co-caine-addicted mice by using immunological tech-niques.Results HE staining and Nissl staining showed increased neuronal damage in the hippocampus and cortex of mice after cocaine addiction.The results of immunohistochemistry and fluorescence of PSD-95 and SYN1 were consistent with the expression trend of Western blot.In the wild type mouse model,the ex-pression level of PSD-95 in the hippocampus and cortex was lower than that in the saline group,and the ex-pression of SYN1 was higher than that in the saline group.In the knockout mouse model,the expression levels of PSD-95 and SYN1 in the hippocampus and cortex were significantly higher than those in the saline group after cocaine addiction.The expression levels of PSD-95 and SYN1 in the hippocampus and cortex of cocaine knockout mice were higher than those of co-caine wild type mice.Conclusion Cocaine addiction can change the synaptic plasticity,and TREM2 plays a regulatory role in the synaptic plasticity of hippocampus and cortex in mice with cocaine injury.TREM2 is ex-pected to be a new target for studying the mechanism of cocaine addiction.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of serum levels of Ninjurin 1(NINJ1),cystatin C(CysC),and D-dimer(D-D)for unfavorable outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods:A total of 118 AMI patients hospitalized in the Chinese PLA Joint Logistic Support Force 901st Hospital between Feb-ruary 2020 and March 2023 were enrolled.According to prognosis within 6 months after treatment,patients were divided into favorable outcome group and unfavorable outcome group.Serum levels of CysC,D-D and NINJ1 were measured upon admission.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors influencing unfavorable outcome in AMI patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to analyze the pre-dictive value of serum NINJ1,CysC and D-D for the prognosis of AMI patients.A nomogram model for predicting unfavorable outcome in AMI patients was constructed and verified.Results:Compared to patients with favorable outcomes,those with unfavorable outcomes had significantly higher proportions of hypertension,diabetes,number of diseased coronary arteries ≥2,and serum levels of NINJ1,CysC and D-D,as well as a significantly lower pro-portion of Killip class Ⅰ-Ⅱ(P＜0.01 all).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that number of diseased coronary arteries ≥2(OR=3.817,95％CI 1.140～12.779,P=0.030),Killip class Ⅲ-Ⅳ(OR=5.639,95％CI 1.706～18.637,P=0.005),hypertension(OR=4.188,95％CI 1.392～12.600,P=0.011),diabetes(OR=3.480,95％CI 1.148～10.552,P=0.028),and serum levels of NINJ1(OR=1.055,95％CI 1.009～1.103,P=0.018),CysC(OR=75.232,95％CI 5.537～545.908,P=0.003),and D-D(OR=56.163,95％CI 1.610～958.586,P=0.026)were significantly associated with unfavorable outcomes at 6 months in AMI patients.ROC a-nalysis showed that the AUC of serum NINJ1,CysC and D-D combined predicting unfavorable outcomes was 0.801(95％CI 0.718～0.869),which was significantly higher than those of serum NINJ1(0.675,95％CI 0.582～0.758)and D-D(0.676,95％CI 0.583～0.759)alone(Z=2.344,P=0.019;Z=2.173,P=0.030,),but the difference was not significant comparing to CysC alone(Z=1.856,P=0.064).The C-index of the nomogram model predic-ting unfavorable outcomes was 0.973(95％CI 0.967～0.986),and the predicted values of calibration curve were consistent with the actual values,indicating good prediction accuracy.Conclusion:Elevated serum levels of NINJ1,CysC and D-D in AMI patients were significantly associated with unfavorable outcomes.Combined detection of these indicators may accurately predict unfavorable outcomes compared to single detection,and the constructed no-mogram model exhibits good prediction efficacy.