Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of patent foramen ovale on the development of post-operative stroke in the patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery using a meta-analysis approach.Methods:A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, China Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and China Journal Full Text Database.The inclusion criteria encompassed studies assessing the correlation between patent foramen ovale and post-operative stroke.The primary outcome measure focused on the incidence of post-operative stroke, and secondary outcome measures comprised mortality, myocardial infarction rate, and readmission rate within 30 days after surgery. The quality of literature meeting the inclusion criteria was evaluated and data were extracted, and then meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software.Results:Eight retrospective cohort studies involving 21 142 237 patients were included.The results of meta-analysis showed that patent foramen ovale was associated with post-operative stroke and readmission within 30 days after surgery.There were no significant differences in all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction rates between patent foramen ovale group and mon-patent foramen ovale group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Patent foramen ovale can increase the risk of post-operative stroke in the patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Pain assessment is the key to preventing and managing neonatal pain, and artificial intelligence plays an important role in neonatal pain assessment. This article reviews the definition of artificial intelligence, its application foundation, current status, and development trends in neonatal pain assessment, and analyzes the feasibility and limitations of the promotion and application of artificial intelligence in neonatal pain assessment, in order to provide reference for the effective application of artificial intelligence technology.

Background and Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, frequently-occurring disease and poses a major health concern. Unfortunately, there is current no effective treatment for COPD, particularly emphysema. Recently, experimental treatment of COPD using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) mainly focused on bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). Human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) have more advantages compared to BM-MSCs. However, studies on the role of hUC-MSCs in management of COPD are limited. This study sought to explore the role of hUC-MSCs and its action mechanisms in a rat model of VEGF receptor blocker SU5416-injured emphysema. Methods: and Results: hUC-MSCs were characterized by immunophenotype and differentiation analysis. Rats were div-ided into four groups: Control, Control＋MSC, SU5416 and SU5416＋MSC. Rats in model group were administered with SU5416 for three weeks. At the end of the second week after SU5416 administration, model group were infused with 3×106 hUC-MSCs through tail vein. After 14 days from hUC-MSCs transplantation, rats were euthanized and data were analyzed. HE staining and mean linear intercepts showed that SU5416-treated rats exhibited typical emphysema while emphysematous changes in model rats after hUC-MSCs transplantation disappeared completely and were restored to normal phenotype. Furthermore, hUC-MSCs inhibited apoptosis as shown by TUNEL and Western blotting.ELISA and Western blotting showed hUC-MSCs rescued VEGF-VEGFR2-AKT pathway in emphysematous lungs. Conclusions The findings show that hUC-MSCs effectively repair the emphysema injury. This study provides the first evidence that hUC-MSCs inhibit apoptosis via rescuing VEGF- VEGFR2-AKT pathway in a rat model of emphysema.

Background Some studies have shown that PM_2.5 exposure is closely related to central nervous system diseases that lead to cognitive dysfunction and change the composition of intestinal flora. However, there are few studies on the role of intestinal flora in PM_2.5-induced depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Objective To observe the effects of PM_2.5 exposure on depression- and anxiety-like behaviors and the composition of intestinal flora in mice, and to explore the role of intestinal flora in regulating 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in mice exposed to PM_2.5. Methods Eight-week-old male SPF C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group (NS group), probiotic group (LGG group), PM_2.5 group (PM group), and combined exposure group (PML group), 6 mice in each group. Mice in the PM group and the PML group were exposed to PM_2.5 in a dynamic exposure cabinet for 6 h per day, 6 d a week for 7 consecutive weeks, and the PM_2.5 concentrations were approximately 8 times higher than the outdoor concentration. The LGG group and the PML group were orally administered with Lactobacillus rhamnosus while the NS group and the PM group were orally administered with the same amount of saline. Elevated plus maze test and open field test were used to detect depression and anxiety in mice. Fecal samples of mice were collected to evaluate intestinal flora abundance, diversity, and structure between groups using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA. ELISA was employed to detect the levels of 5-HT in serum and hippocampus. Spearman correlation was used to analyze the correlations of differential intestinal flora with 5-HT level in hippocampus and depression- and anxiety-like behavior indicators in mice. Results The percentage of open-arm entry [M(P₂₅, P₇₅)] in the PM group was 0.0% (0.0%, 33.3%), lower than those in the NS group [47.7% (25.0%, 50.8%) ] and the PML group [46.9% (40.0%, 50.0%)], and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The total travelled distance and the time spent in central area (\begin{document}$\bar x \pm s $\end{document}) in the PM group were (2.01±0.90) m and (10.31±1.99) s respectively, shorter than those of the NS group [(3.80±0.89) m, (14.47±3.07) s], the total travelled distance in the PML group [(2.73±1.12) m] was shorter than those of the NS group and the LGG group [(4.21±1.08) m], and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared to the NS group, the Simpson index of the PM group significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared to the LGG group, the Simpson index of the PML group significantly decreased (P<0.05). The results of Beta diversity analysis showed that there were differences in the composition of intestinal flora among the four groups of mice. Compared with the NS group and the LGG group, the abundances of Erysipelotrichaceae and Dubosiella in the PM group and the PML group increased, while the abundances of Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In hippocampus, the level of 5-HT in the PM group [(135.02±10.31) μg·g⁻¹] was lower than those in the NS group [(178.77±43.15) μg·g⁻¹] and the LGG group [(224.85±22.98) μg·g⁻¹], and the level of 5-HT in the PML group [(161.27±15.81) μg·g⁻¹] was lower than that in the LGG group (P<0.05). 5-HT level in hippocampus was significantly positively correlated with the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 (r=0.6090, P=0.012). The percentage of open-arm entry was significantly negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Dubosiella (r=−0.4630, P=0.023). Conclusion Atmospheric PM_2.5 exposure may cause depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. The observed behavior dysfunction may be associated with the changes in diversity and relative abundance of intestinal flora as well as the decrease of 5-HT level. Such depression- and anxiety-like behaviors are alleviated after adding probiotics.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of uric acid in different occupation, age and gender groups, and changes of prevalence of hyperuricemia (HUA) and its influencing factors in healthy adults who receiving physical examination in Nanjing.Methods:The study was conducted in 107 478 subjects who received physical examination from 2012 to 2016. The prevalence of HUA in different genders and different years was compared. Subjects were divided into non-HUA and HUA groups according to serum uric acid. The differences in metabolic indicators and ages between two groups were analyzed. Uric acid levels among different occupations were evaluated. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios ( OR) of HUA. Results:The total HUA prevalence was 14.9%, in which the prevalence of HUA in men was significantly higher than that in women [20.5%(15217/74339)vs .2.5%(818/33139), P<0.01]. The prevalence of HUA in men sustained at a high level, while that in women trended to decrease during the five years. The prevalence of HUA increased with age in women (1.0%, 0.7%, 0.9%, 2.7%, 3.8% and 9.6% in subjects within 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and ≥70 age groups, respectively, Pfor trend<0.01). The percentages of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, and body mass index (BMI) in both men and women were significantly higher in HUA group than those in non-HUA group ( P≤0.01). Among all occupations, subjects in health care had the lowest levels of uric acid (298±91 μmol/L) and prevalence of HUA (10.4%), while, those in public security had the highest levels of uric acid [(342±82) μmol/L] and prevalence (16.5%). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that males, high triacylglycerol, high cholesterol, obesity and certain occupation were significantly associated with HUA. Conclusions:The prevalence of HUA in men is significantly higher than that in women. It increased with ages in women. Subjects in health occupations had the lowest levels of uric acid and HUA prevalence, while, those in public security had the highest levels among the six occupations. Obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, occupations and males are positively associated with HUA.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) therapy is progressing rapidly, and its safety has been widely concerned. At the 62nd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, a series of reports on the mechanism, predictive indicators and treatment strategies of major adverse reactions were carried out. These reports have certain guiding significance for comprehensively improving the safety of CAR-T therapy.

Objective To observe the incidence of spontaneous clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients ,and to investigate the related factors of the spontaneous clearance of HBV DNA and to determine the time to start antiviral therapy .Methods Patients who met the inclusion criteria were recruited from the follow-up cohort of chronic HBV infection from January 2008 to August 2017 for observation .The liver function including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels ,HBV DNA load and serum markers of HBV were measured at baseline ,month 1 ,month 3 and month 6 of follow-up . Evaluation index included cumulative HBV DNA negative conversion rate and cumulative HBeAg negative conversion rate .Multivariable analysis was used to analyze the factors associated with the spontaneous clearance of HBV DNA .Results A total of 116 patients were recruited in this study .All the patients showed ALT level elevation at baseline .Without antiviral treatment ,the cumulative HBV DNA negative conversion rate was 12 .9％ after 6-month observation .HBeAg negative conversion rate was 22 .5％ .Multivariable analysis showed that patients without a family history of HBV infection ,baseline ALT level >3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and HBV DNA level <6 lg copies/mL had higher cumulative HBV DNA spontaneous clearance rate .HBV DNA negative conversion rate in patients whomet all the above three conditions was up to 75％ .Conclusions In CHB patients and ALT level elevation for the first time , some patients could achieve spontaneous clearance of HBV DNA without antiviral therapy .Patients without a family history of HBV infection ,baseline ALT level >3 ULN and HBV DNA level <6 lg copies/mL have higher rate of cumulative HBV DNA spontaneous clearance .

AIM: To investigate the effect of sitagliptin on the autopaghy and the expression of extracellular matrix in mesangial cells induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs).METHODS: The cells were divided into 5 groups: control group, AGE group, and sitagliptin (5, 10 and 20 μmol/L) groups.After 48 h, the cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and the content of collagen (Col) Ⅳ in the supernatant of the cell culture was detected by ELISA.The protein levels of beclin-1, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), p-AMPK, p70S6K and p-p70S6K were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the viability and the expression of Col IV induced by AGEs in the cultured mesangial cells were significantly increased (P<0.01).Sitagliptin decreased the viability and the expression of Col IV induced by AGEs in the mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner.AGEs significantly inhibited the protein levels of beclin-1 and p-AMPK, but significantly increased the protein level of p-p70S6K.Compared with AGE group, sitagliptin significantly reversed the above results in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION: Autophagy may mediate the protective effect of sitagliptin on mesangial cells induced by AGEs.

Objective: To investigate the value of amniotic fluid metabolite detection by mass spectrometry combined with gene mutation analysis in the prenatal diagnosis of glutaric acidemia type Ⅰ (GA-Ⅰ). Method: From January 2009 to December 2016, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetic, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine carried out prenatal diagnosis for 24 cases of pregnant women with GA-Ⅰproband. 24 pregnant women without organic acidemia proband for conventional prenatal diagnosis at the same period were used as the control group. The pregnant women of the two groups had the amniocentesis at 16 to 20 weeks of gestation.The levels of glutaryl carnitine (C5DC) and octanoylcarnitine (C8) in amniotic fluid were detected by tandem mass spectrometry, and the levels of glutaric acid was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. All the amniotic fluid cells underwent GCDH gene testing. Result: A total of 4 cases of fetuses were diagnosed by gene mutation analysis combined with mass spectrometry detection, the levels of C5DC (1.58(0.89-2.85) μmol/L), C5DC/C8 (19.74(12.40-25.93))and glutaric acid (129.96 (90.09-66.02) mmol/mol Cr) were significantly higher than the upper limit of the reference, of which in one case with the proband only on mutation was detected, and in the amniotic fluid cells also only one mutation was detected, the diagnosis was made according to the significantly increased levels of amniotic fluid C5DC, C5DC/C8 and glutaric acid. Twenty cases of fetuses were identified as non-GA-Ⅰchildren, of whom in 2 cases of proband only one mutation was detected, and also in amniotic fluid cells one mutation was detected, in 2 cases the diagnosis was excluded because the normal levels of C5DC, C5DC/C8 and glutaric acid. There were 2 cases whose levels of C5DC or glutaric acid were slightly higher than the upper limit of the reference, but the diagnosis was excluded according to genetic testing. Conclusion Prenatal diagnosis cannot be made by gene analysis when the proband mutation is not clear, and it cannot determine whether the fetus is patient when the mass spectrometry detection of amniotic fluid metabolite is mildly abnormal, while mass spectrometry detection of amniotic fluid C5DC, C5DC/C8 and glutaric acid levels combined with GCDH gene analysis can make up the deficiencies, and make the prenatal diagnosis of GA-Ⅰ more reliably.