Objective To examine the impact of different numbers of microsatellite markers on the analysis of population genetic diversity of Schistosoma japonicum, so as to provide insights into studies on the population genetic diversity of S. japonicum. Methods Oncomelania hupensis snails were collected from a wasteland in Gong’an County, Hubei Province, and 37 S. japonicum-infected O. hupensis snails were identified using the cercarial shedding method. A single cercaria released from each S. japonicum-infected O. hupensis snail was collected, and 10 cercariae were randomly collected from DNA extraction. Nine previously validated microsatellite loci and 15 additional microsatellite loci screened from literature review and the GenBank database and confirmed with stable amplification efficiency were selected as molecular markers. Genomic DNA from cercariae was subjected to three multiplex PCR amplifications of microsatellite markers with the Type-it Microsatellite PCR kit, and genotyped using capillary electrophoresis. The population genetic diversity of S. japonicum cercariae DNA was analyzed with observed number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ae), observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), and polymorphism information content (PIC), and tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and linkage disequilibrium (LD). To further investigate the impact of the number of microsatellite loci on the population genetic diversity of S. japonicum, the number of microsatellite markers was sequentially assigned from 1 to 24, and the mean and standard deviation of Na were calculated for S. japonicum populations at different locus numbers. In addition, the coefficient of variation (CV) of allelic number (defined as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean) was determined, and the variation in Na with increasing microsatellite locus numbers was analyzed. Results Genomic DNA from 345 S. japonicum cercariae was selected for genotyping of 24 microsatellite markers, and all 24 microsatellite loci met linkage equilibrium (standardized linkage disequilibrium coefficient D′ < 0.7, r² < 0.3) and deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.001). The mean Na, Ae, Ho and He were 27.46 ± 2.18, 12.46 ± 0.95, 0.46 ± 0.03, and 0.91 ± 0.01 for 24 microsatellite loci in S. japonicum cercarial populations, respectively, and PIC ranged from 0.85 to 0.96, indicating high genome-wide representativeness of 24 microsatellite loci. The mean value of Na-Ae was higher in genotyping with 9 previously validated microsatellite loci (19.88 ± 8.43) than with all 24 loci (14.99 ± 8.09). As the number of microsatellite loci increased, the mean Na showed no significant variation; however, the standard deviation gradually decreased. Notably, if the locus number reached 18 or more, the variation in the standard deviation of Na remarkably reduced. In addition, the standard deviation of Na at 18 loci was less than 5% of the mean Na at 24 loci, with a CV of 4.6%. Conclusions The number of microsatellite loci significantly affects the population genetic diversity analysis of S. japonicum. Eighteen or more microsatellite loci are recommended for analysis of the population genetic diversity of S. japonicum under the current conditions of low-prevalence infection and unbalanced genetic distribution of S. japonicum.

Objective: To investigate the Alzheimer's disease (AD) influencing factors among the elderly, so as to provide a basis for early prevention and intervention. Methods: From March to June 2024, participants aged 60 years and above from a sub-district in Haishu District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data on demographics, lifestyle, and health status were collected through questionnaire surveys. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the short-form Geriatric Depression Scale. The Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used for the initial screening of AD, and individuals who screened positive were further diagnosed by psychiatrists. Factors affecting AD among the elderly were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 3 644 individuals were surveyed, comprising 1 526 males (41.88%) and 2 118 females (58.12%). The mean age was (71.85±7.44) years. AD was detected in 200 cases, with a detection rate of 5.49%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that individuals aged ≥65 years (65-<70 years, OR=3.012, 95%CI: 1.007-9.012; 70-<75 years, OR=3.131, 95%CI: 1.059-9.260; 75-<80 years, OR=5.779, 95%CI: 1.989-16.784; ≥80 years, OR=16.810, 95%CI: 5.926-47.685), those who were unmarried, divorced, or widowed (OR=1.973, 95%CI: 1.383-2.815), those with hearing loss (OR=1.573, 95%CI: 1.128-2.193), those with diabetes mellitus (OR=1.958, 95%CI: 1.362-2.814), and those with depressive symptoms (OR=4.143, 95%CI: 2.997-5.728) had a higher risk of AD. Conversely, individuals with an educational level of primary school or above (primary school, OR=0.579, 95%CI: 0.401-0.835; junior high school or above, OR=0.438, 95%CI: 0.259-0.741), and those who engaged in regular physical exercise (OR=0.414, 95%CI: 0.264-0.649) had a lower risk of AD. Conclusions The detection rate of AD was relatively high among the elderly in Haishu District. AD among the elderly was related to age, educational level, marital status, physical exercise, hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVE To explore the changes of serum mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase(MITOL),β-endorphin(β-EP)and chemokine 10(CXCL10)in the patients with herpes zoster(HZ)virus infection and analyze the predic-tive values.METHODS A total of 137 patients with HZ virus infection who were treated in Jinhua Fifth Hospital from Jan.2022 to Jan.2024 were assigned as the infection group,meanwhile,100 healthy people who received physical examination were chosen as the healthy group.The clinical data were compared between the two groups,the levels of serum MITOL,β-EP and CXCL10 were detected for the two groups of participants.The changes of the above indexes were observed and compared.The values of serum MITOL,β-EP and CXCL10 in prediction of HZ virus infection were analyzed by means of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS There were significant differences in the levels of serum MITOL,β-EP and CXCL10 between the infection group and the healthy group(P＜0.05).As the serum MITOL,β-EP and CXCL10 were used for prediction of HZ virus infec-tion,the area under the curve(AUC)of the CXCL10 was the highest 0.932,with the sensitivity 91.24％,the specificity 81.00％;the AUC of the joint detection of the three indexes was 0.882,with the specificity 99.00％,the sensitivity 77.37％(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS The patients with HZ virus infection show the decline of MI-TOL and β-EP levels and the rise of CXCL10 level.The three indexes have high values in prediction of HZ virus infection,with the CXCL10 showing the best prediction efficiency.The indexes can be used for prediction of illness condition of the patients with HZ virus infection.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the serotypes and antimicrobial resistance rate of clinically isolated Salmonel-la in a children's hospital in Suzhou,and to provide reference for the treatment of salmonellosis.METHOD Totally 177 strains of Salmonella isolated from Children's Hospital of Wujiang District from Jan.2021 to Dec.2023 were collected,and the results of serotypes and drug sensitivity of Salmonella were analyzed.RESULTS The male to fe-male isolation rate of Salmonella was 1.39∶1,with a median age of children infection at 1.3(0.8,2.3)years.The highest number of Salmonella strains were isolated in the month of Jun.,followed by Jul.,Aug.,Sep.,Oct.and May,collectively accounting for 82.49％of all isolates.Acute gastroenteritis was manifested in 142 cases(80.22％),with respiratory tract infections in 38 cases(21.47％)and septicemia in 7 cases(3.95％).The differ-ence in detection rates across the three years was not statistically significant(P=0.806).Salmonella Typhimuri-um was the predominant serotype,representing 54.24％of all isolates.The antimicrobial drug with the highest rate of resistance in Salmonella was ampicillin(71.35％,122/171),followed by sulfamethoxazole/metronidazole(43.60％,75/172),and ampicillin/sulbactam(30.23％,52/172),and no imipenem resistant strains were found.29.07％(50/172)of strains showed multidrug resistance.CONCLUSIONS Boys under three years of age are sus-ceptible to Salmonella infections in summer and fall in this region,with Salmonella Typhimurium being the pre-dominant serotype.Clinical attention should be paid to the characteristics of Salmonella infection and drug resist-ance,as well as the early diagnosis and rational use of antimicrobial drugs.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of WeChat group integrating with BOPPPS instructional model in the standardized training of nurses in an orthopedics department.Methods A total of 56 nurses in orthopedical standardized training from a hospital were selected and divided into a control group(28 nurses from September 2022 to August 2023)and an interven-tion group(28 nurses trained via WeChat groups and the BOPPPS model from September 2023 to August 2024).The two groups were compared in terms of their final assessment scores,critical thinking,and self-directed learning capabilities.Results After training,the intervention group had significantly higher scores in the final assessment,all items of the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory,and all dimensions of the Learning Ability Assessment Scale compared to the control group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion WeChat groups combined with the BOPPPS teaching mode effectively improves the self-directed learning ability,critical thinking skills,and assessment results of orthopedic nurses.

Objective:To describe epidemiological characteristics and their influencing factors of diabetes and pre-diabetes among adult residents in Hainan Province and provide a theoretical basis to develop epidemic prevention and control strategies for diabetes.Methods:This study used a two-stage unequal proportion cluster sampling method, and 32 857 subjects (≥18 years old) were collected from 24 cities/counties/districts in Hainan Province. All the subjects were investigated with questionnaires, physical examination, and laboratory tests from January to June 2023. The χ2 and Mantel-Haenszel trend χ2 tests were used to analyze the data. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing diabetes and pre-diabetes. SPSS 23.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results:The crude prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in adult residents of Hainan Province were 18.1% and 22.8%, while the weighted rates were 13.7% and 20.7%, respectively. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that: aging (30-39 years old: OR=2.65, 95% CI: 2.06-3.41; 40-49 years old: OR=5.64, 95% CI: 4.40-7.24; 50- 59 years old: OR=9.88, 95% CI: 7.71-12.67; 60-69 years old: OR=18.34, 95% CI: 14.28-23.55; 70-79 years old: OR=21.30, 95% CI: 16.41-27.65; 80 years old and above: OR=24.13, 95% CI: 17.94-32.46), nationality (Li minority group: OR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.38-1.63; other ethnic groups: OR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.20-1.94), urban ( OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.04-1.21), central obesity ( OR=2.14, 95% CI: 2.01-2.29), higher frequency of alcohol consumption (5-7 day/week: OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.11-1.38), physical inactivity ( OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17) were risk factors for diabetes, while aging (30-39 years old: OR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.31-1.79; 40-49 years old: OR=2.36, 95% CI: 2.01-2.76; 50-59 years old: OR=3.03, 95% CI: 2.58-3.55; 60-69 years old: OR=4.22, 95% CI: 3.58-4.97; 70-79 years old: OR=5.05, 95% CI: 4.23-6.04; 80 years old and above: OR=6.08, 95% CI: 4.86-7.61), nationality: (Li minority group: OR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.10-1.28; other ethnic groups: OR=1.40, 95% CI: 1.14-1.71), urban ( OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.04-1.19), central obesity ( OR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.62-1.83), higher frequency of alcohol consumption (1-4 day/week: OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.01-1.23; 5-7 day/week: OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.22-1.49) were risk factors for pre-diabetes. Conclusions:The epidemic situation of diabetes and pre-diabetes among adult residents in Hainan Province was not optimistic. In order to control the development of abnormal blood glucose, measures and targeted health education should be carried out to strengthen the screening, treatment, and management of people with abnormal blood glucose among different populations.

Objective:To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS)for the determination of 6 alkaloid components,which is benzoylmesaconine,benzoyl-hypaconine,benzoylaconine,mesaconitine,hypaconitine,and aconitine in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills,and prove the scientificity and feasibility of the method in the quality analysis.Methods:The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)with gradient elution using 0.1 mol·L-1 ammonium acetate(0.5 mL of gla-cial acetic acid per 1 000 mL)(A)-acetonitrile:tetrahydrofuran(25∶15)(B),as the mobile phase(0-50 min,18%B-28%B),the detection wavelength was switched from 235 nm,the column temperature was kept at 40℃and the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1.The relative correction factors(fs/i)were established with the other 5 compo-nents to be measured using benzoylaconine as the internal reference,which were used to calculate the mass fraction of each component.At the same time,the mass fractions of the 6 effective constituents in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills were calculated by the external standard method(ESM).By comparing the content results of ESMand QAMS,the accura-cy of QAMS method were evaluated.Results:The relative correction factors(fs/i)of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylhyp-aconine,mesaconitine,hypaconitine,and aconitine in Mongolian medicine Zhachong Shisanwei Pills were reproduci-ble with good reproducibility,which were 0.680 4,0.450 6,0.850 8,0.676 1 and 0.757 0,the result obtained by QAMS approximated those obtained by external standard method(ESM).Conclusion:The method is simple,stable and reproducible,and can be used for the quality control of 6 alkaloid components in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the serotypes and antimicrobial resistance rate of clinically isolated Salmonel-la in a children's hospital in Suzhou,and to provide reference for the treatment of salmonellosis.METHOD Totally 177 strains of Salmonella isolated from Children's Hospital of Wujiang District from Jan.2021 to Dec.2023 were collected,and the results of serotypes and drug sensitivity of Salmonella were analyzed.RESULTS The male to fe-male isolation rate of Salmonella was 1.39∶1,with a median age of children infection at 1.3(0.8,2.3)years.The highest number of Salmonella strains were isolated in the month of Jun.,followed by Jul.,Aug.,Sep.,Oct.and May,collectively accounting for 82.49％of all isolates.Acute gastroenteritis was manifested in 142 cases(80.22％),with respiratory tract infections in 38 cases(21.47％)and septicemia in 7 cases(3.95％).The differ-ence in detection rates across the three years was not statistically significant(P=0.806).Salmonella Typhimuri-um was the predominant serotype,representing 54.24％of all isolates.The antimicrobial drug with the highest rate of resistance in Salmonella was ampicillin(71.35％,122/171),followed by sulfamethoxazole/metronidazole(43.60％,75/172),and ampicillin/sulbactam(30.23％,52/172),and no imipenem resistant strains were found.29.07％(50/172)of strains showed multidrug resistance.CONCLUSIONS Boys under three years of age are sus-ceptible to Salmonella infections in summer and fall in this region,with Salmonella Typhimurium being the pre-dominant serotype.Clinical attention should be paid to the characteristics of Salmonella infection and drug resist-ance,as well as the early diagnosis and rational use of antimicrobial drugs.

BACKGROUND: The sirtuin family is well recognized for its crucial involvement in various cellular processes. Nevertheless, studies on its role in the human endometrium are limited. This study aimed to explore the expression and localization of the sirtuin family in the human endometrium, focusing on sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and its potential role in the oxidative imbalance of the endometrium in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Endometrial specimens were collected from both patients with PCOS and controls undergoing hysteroscopy at the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, from July to August 2015 and used for cell culture. The protective effects of SIRT3 were investigated, and the mechanism of SIRT3 in improving endometrial receptivity of patients with PCOS was determined using various techniques, including cellular bioenergetic analysis, small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) silencing, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: The sirtuin family was widely expressed in the human endometrium, with SIRT3 showing a significant increase in expression in patients with PCOS compared with controls ( P <0.05), as confirmed by protein and gene assays. Concurrently, endometrial antioxidant levels were elevated, while mitochondrial respiratory capacity was reduced, in patients with PCOS ( P <0.05). An endometrial oxidative stress (OS) model revealed that the downregulation of SIRT3 impaired the growth and proliferation status of endometrial cells and reduced their receptivity to day 4 mouse embryos. The results suggested that SIRT3 might be crucial in maintaining normal cellular state by regulating antioxidants, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, thereby contributing to enhanced endometrial receptivity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings proposed a significant role of SIRT3 in improving endometrial receptivity in patients with PCOS by alleviating OS and regulating the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, SIRT3 could be a promising target for predicting and improving endometrial receptivity in this patient population.
Humans ; Female ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/metabolism* ; Endometrium/metabolism* ; Sirtuin 3/genetics* ; Oxidative Stress/genetics* ; Adult ; Animals ; Mice ; Apoptosis/physiology* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Cell Proliferation/physiology*