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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan drug-containing serum （LDP） on epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） and the expression of cancer stem cell （CSC） properties in 4T1 cells from triple-negative breast cancer by intervening myeloid-derived suppressor cells （MDSCs）. MethodsSPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups， which were given 0.39， 1.94， 3.89 g·kg^-1·d^-1 suspension of Liuwei Dihuangwan for 7 days， respectively， to prepare low-， medium-， and high-dose LDPs. 4T1 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the mammary glands of SPF-grade female Balb/c mice to construct a transplantation tumor model. Bone marrow cells were extracted from the tibia and femur and induced into MDSCs in vitro. The cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to detect the viability of 4T1 cells and MDSCs. The number of MDSCs and the expressions of CSC surface markers CD44 and CD24 in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry （FC）. The migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were detected by cell scratch assay， Transwell invasion assay， and plate colony-forming assay， respectively. Western blot （WB） was used to detect the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （CXCL2）， E-cadherin， and N-cadherin. The expression of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin and N-cadherin were detected by immunofluorescence （IF）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， LDP showed no significant inhibitory effect on the cell viability of 4T1 cells， but it significantly reduced the viability and number of MDSCs and reduced the number of MDSCs， as well as the expression of TGF-β （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were increased after co-culture with MDSCs （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of NF-κB， CXCL2， and N-cadherin and the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） were elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the expression of E-cadherin was decreased （P<0.05）. After the intervention of MDSCs with LDP， followed by co-culture with 4T1 cells， the migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were obviously reduced （P<0.01）. The expressions of NF-κB， CXCL2， and N-cadherin were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistical difference in the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） in 4T1 cells. However， the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） was decreased in the co-culture system of 4T1 cells and MDSCs with LDP intervention （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionLDP can reduce the viability and number of MDSCs and the expression of TGF-β， NF-κB， and CXCL2， reverse EMT， and reduce the characteristic expression of CSC to inhibit the migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan drug-containing serum （LDP） on epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） and the expression of cancer stem cell （CSC） properties in 4T1 cells from triple-negative breast cancer by intervening myeloid-derived suppressor cells （MDSCs）. MethodsSPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups， which were given 0.39， 1.94， 3.89 g·kg^-1·d^-1 suspension of Liuwei Dihuangwan for 7 days， respectively， to prepare low-， medium-， and high-dose LDPs. 4T1 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the mammary glands of SPF-grade female Balb/c mice to construct a transplantation tumor model. Bone marrow cells were extracted from the tibia and femur and induced into MDSCs in vitro. The cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to detect the viability of 4T1 cells and MDSCs. The number of MDSCs and the expressions of CSC surface markers CD44 and CD24 in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry （FC）. The migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were detected by cell scratch assay， Transwell invasion assay， and plate colony-forming assay， respectively. Western blot （WB） was used to detect the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （CXCL2）， E-cadherin， and N-cadherin. The expression of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin and N-cadherin were detected by immunofluorescence （IF）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， LDP showed no significant inhibitory effect on the cell viability of 4T1 cells， but it significantly reduced the viability and number of MDSCs and reduced the number of MDSCs， as well as the expression of TGF-β （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were increased after co-culture with MDSCs （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of NF-κB， CXCL2， and N-cadherin and the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） were elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the expression of E-cadherin was decreased （P<0.05）. After the intervention of MDSCs with LDP， followed by co-culture with 4T1 cells， the migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells were obviously reduced （P<0.01）. The expressions of NF-κB， CXCL2， and N-cadherin were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistical difference in the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） in 4T1 cells. However， the proportion of CSC （CD44⁺CD24^-） was decreased in the co-culture system of 4T1 cells and MDSCs with LDP intervention （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionLDP can reduce the viability and number of MDSCs and the expression of TGF-β， NF-κB， and CXCL2， reverse EMT， and reduce the characteristic expression of CSC to inhibit the migration， invasion， and proliferation of 4T1 cells.

As key cells of innate immunity, macrophages play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis through their M1/M2 polarization states. Various metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity are closely associated with inflammation, and macrophage polarization imbalance is commonly observed during their progression. Regulating M1/M2 macrophage polarization is highly likely to become a potential therapeutic direction for metabolic inflammation-related diseases. Through literature research, this article summarizes the origin, activation, and polarization mechanisms of macrophages, and reviews the latest research progress on the imbalance and regulation of macrophage polarization in metabolic inflammation-related diseases. It aims to provide a theoretical basis for in-depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms and precise targets of macrophage polarization, as well as optimized strategies for the prevention and treatment of metabolic inflammation-related diseases.

As key cells of innate immunity, macrophages play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis through their M1/M2 polarization states. Various metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity are closely associated with inflammation, and macrophage polarization imbalance is commonly observed during their progression. Regulating M1/M2 macrophage polarization is highly likely to become a potential therapeutic direction for metabolic inflammation-related diseases. Through literature research, this article summarizes the origin, activation, and polarization mechanisms of macrophages, and reviews the latest research progress on the imbalance and regulation of macrophage polarization in metabolic inflammation-related diseases. It aims to provide a theoretical basis for in-depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms and precise targets of macrophage polarization, as well as optimized strategies for the prevention and treatment of metabolic inflammation-related diseases.

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.

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 .

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of malignant tumor complicating herpes zoster.Methods Fifty-seven cases of malignant tumor complicating herpes zoster in our hospital from September 2003 to November 2014 were performed the retrospective analysis on the anti-tumor treatment history and the clinical characteristics of herpes zoster.Results Most of the cases were over 60 years old.Herpes zoster had the high incidence rate within 2 years of operation and radiochemotherapy.The on-set sites of herpes zoster were most commonly in the chest and back.Conclusion The factors of advanced age,surgery,radiochemo-therapy,poor nutritional status,etc.aggravate or promote the occurrence of herpes zoster in the patients with malignant tumor.

Objective To determine whether regulatory T cells(Tr)are increased in patients with tuberculosis and whether they are associated with its immunopathology.Meantime,to investigate the possibility of tuberculosis(TB)as a model for studying Tr functions.Methods The lymphocyte subsets were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by sorting with flow cytometry.Total cellular RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed to detect the Foxp3 mRNA in purified CD3+CIM+T cells,CD3+CD8+T cells and non-CD3+CD4+CD8+T cells.Using FACS analysis.we further investigated the distribution of Foxp3+ population in CD4+ CD25+T cells.Finally,we compared the percentage of CD4+CD25highFoxp3+T cells present in 51 active patients with tuberculosis and 40 uninfected healthy control subjects by FACS.The detection of Tr infiltration of Foxp3+ cells were performed with immunohistochemistry(IHC)method on tuberculosis pathological sections.Results Foxp3 was specific expressed in CD3+CD4+T cells,either in tuberculosis patients or healthy control subjects.Foxp3+ T cells took about 85%fraction of CD4+ CD25highpopulation.We used CD4+CD25high Foxp3+as a detective markers for Tr in the FACS analysis.The results showed that patients with active TB had a 4.4 fold higher percentage within the CD4+T cells in peripheral blood compared to healthy control group(modian,1.01%vs 0.23%,P<0.01).Much higher frequency of Tr were found along with T cells infiltration at the tuberculosis pathological tissues.A few individuals that we can followed indicated the expanded Tr was declined after curative treatment with operation.Conclusion Tr cells are increased in tuberculosis patients and closely correlate with its immunopathology.Tuberculosis should be a valuable model for Tr functional study.

Objective To discuss the significance and value of speckle tracking imaging (STI) technique for accurate evaluating different types myocardial systole. Methods Anterior interventricular branches of 11 healthy crossbreed dogs were separated and ligatured to establish acute myocardial infarction models. The short axle radial strain (RS), circumferential strain (CS) of ventricular sinister and long axle longitudinal (LS) of apex of experiment dogs were measured with STI technique before and after myocardial infarction. Results Before myocardial infarction, no statistical difference of RS, CS was detected among sections of left ventricle (P>0.05), and RS was greater than LS (P<0.05). When detector was at the apex of base, LS of middle, apex sections of left ventricle myocardium increased gradually (LS of base section was least and apex section was most) (P<0.05). RS, CS and LS of antetheca, forepart of interventricular septum of middle of left ventricle and antetheca, posterior and forepart septum of apex all became lower after myocardial infarction (P<0.05). Conclusion Strains caused by all types of myocardium action can be accurately evaluated with STI.