Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases in Shanghai Municipality from 2020 to 2024, so as to provide insights into dynamic adjustment of imported malaria control strategies. Methods All data pertaining to malaria cases reported in Shanghai Municipality from 2020 to 2024 were collected from Infectious Diseases Reporting Information Management System and Parasitic Diseases Prevention and Control Information Management System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and epidemiological investigation reports of malaria cases. The type of malaria cases, source of acquiring infections, temporal, spatial and population distributions of malaria cases, type of initial diagnosis institutions, accuracy of initial diagnosis, time interval from disease onset to initial diagnosis, and the time interval from initial diagnosis to diagnosis were statistically analyzed. The monthly distribution of malaria cases was analyzed using a circular distribution method. Results A total of 124 malaria cases were reported in Shanghai Municipality from 2020 to 2024, with 14, 52, 22, 8 and 28 cases annually, respectively, and all cases were overseas imported cases. Plasmodium falciparum malaria was the predominant type, accounting for 82.26% (102/124) of all malaria cases, while P. ovale, P. vivax and P. malariae malaria accounted for 8.06% (10/124), 7.26% (9/124) and 2.42% (3/124) of reported cases, respectively. Malaria cases acquired infections from 28 countries in 4 continents, with African countries as a major source of acquiring infections (96.77%, 120/124). Malaria cases were reported across all 16 districts in Shanghai Municipality. There were peaks in numbers of reported malaria cases in May 2021 (9 cases) and November 2021 (9 cases); however, there was no concentration trend in the reporting time of malaria cases from 2020 to 2024 (Z = 2.45, P > 0.05). The reported malaria cases included 116 males and 8 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 14.5∶1.0, and had a median age of 39 (17) years. Worker was the primary occupation of reported malaria cases, accounting for 48.39% (60/124) of all reported cases. City-level medical institutions were the predominant initial diagnosis institutions (75.81%, 94/124). The overall accuracy of initial diagnosis was 74.19% (92/124), and the median time interval from disease onset to initial diagnosis was 0 (2) day (healthcare seeking on the day of disease onset), with 72.58% (90/124) of malaria cases seeking healthcare services within one day. The median time interval from initial diagnosis to diagnosis was 2 (3) days, with 41.94% (52/124) of malaria cases that were definitively diagnosed within one day following initial diagnosis. There were significant differences in the accuracy of initial malaria diagnosis (χ² = 15.01, P < 0.05), the time interval from disease onset to initial diagnosis (H = 29.30, P < 0.001), and the time interval from initial diagnosis to diagnosis (H = 22.92, P < 0.001) among years from 2020 to 2024, and the time interval from disease onset to initial diagnosis (Z = -5.09, P < 0.001) and the time interval from initial diagnosis to diagnosis (Z = -4.14, P < 0.001) were both shorter during the period from 2020 to 2022 than those recorded from 2023 to 2024. In addition, a total of 2 malaria deaths were reported in Shanghai Municipality during the period from 2020 to 2024, both caused by P. falciparum malaria. Conclusions The numbers of malaria cases fluctuated continuously in Shanghai Municipality from 2020 to 2024. It is recommended to continuously strengthen surveillance and response measures, improve malaria diagnosis and treatment capabilities, and conduct targeted health education activities among high-risk populations, such as labors going to overseas malaria hyper-endemic areas, so as to prevent re-establishment of imported malaria.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whose etiology is influenced by genetic and clinical risk factors, considerably impacts women's quality of life. However, the genetic underpinnings in non-European populations and comprehensive risk models integrating genetic and clinical factors remain underexplored. This study constructed the first polygenic risk score (PRS) for POP in the Chinese population by utilizing 20 disease-associated variants from the largest existing genome-wide association study. We analyzed a discovery cohort of 576 cases and 623 controls and a validation cohort of 264 cases and 200 controls. Results showed that the case group exhibited a significantly higher PRS than the control group. Moreover, the odds ratio of the top 10% risk group was 2.6 times higher than that of the bottom 10%. A high PRS was significantly correlated with POP occurrence in women older than 50 years old and in those with one or no childbirths. As far as we know, the integrated prediction model, which combined PRS and clinical risk factors, demonstrated better predictive accuracy than other existing PRS models. This combined risk assessment model serves as a robust tool for POP risk prediction and stratification, thereby offering insights into individualized preventive measures and treatment strategies in future clinical practice.
Humans ; Female ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; China/epidemiology* ; Multifactorial Inheritance ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Adult ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genetic Risk Score ; East Asian People

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Recent studies have shown that the physiological homeostasis of oral mucosal cells is regulated by the circadian clock.Dis-ruption or dysfunction of the circadian clock is closely associated with the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC).Research based on the circadian clock offers a novel perspective on the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for OSCC.However,there is current-ly limited research on this topic,and people generally have insufficient understanding and recognition of the circadian clock.Given the complexity and challenges of circadian clock which is the fourth dimension of medical research,we organize relevant experts based on summarizing the current research results of circadian clock in the pathogenesis and precision diagnosis and treatment of OSCC,combining the scientific principles of the circadian clock's role and their long-term research experience,then summarizes and recommends the con-sensus opinions for the research of circadian clock in the pathogenesis mechanism and precision diagnosis and treatment of human OSCC,with the hope of providing guidance for the basic research and clinical application of circadian clock or circadian rhythm in the pathogene-sis mechanism and precision diagnosis and treatment of oral and maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma.

Heatstroke,especially in high-temperature and high-humidity environments,is a life-threatening acute heat-injury disease that seriously endangers human health.Timely and effective on-site treatment is crucial for patients'survival and prognosis.Early recognition,rapid assessment,and on-site cooling are the core of pre-hospital treatment of heatstroke.Currently,there is a lack of standardized application procedures for pre-hospital emergency care of heatstroke.Therefore,the"Expert Consensus on Pre-hospital Emergency Management of Heatstroke(2024 edition)"was initiated by the Expert Group on Heatstroke Prevention of the People's Liberation Army and developed in collaboration with experts from local pre-hospital emergency care,emergency departments,and intensive care units.This consensus focuses on heatstroke prevention,on-site and ambulance-based treatment,and early emergency room interventions,and puts forward 10 evidence-based recommendations,aiming to provide a reference for scientific and standardized pre-hospital emergency care of heatstroke.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) represents a significant evolution in minimally invasive surgery, designed to accomplish cholecystectomy via a single umbilical incision. This approach seeks to reduce abdominal wall trauma while optimizing cosmetic outcomes. SILC is a safe and feasible minimally invasive technique for cholecystectomy under defined conditions; however, its broader adoption will require further evidence-based research and the establishment of standardized protocols to support its widespread implementation. When performed by skilled surgeons in carefully selected patients, SILC demonstrates clinical outcomes comparable to those of conventional multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with notable improvements in incision aesthetics. Nonetheless, the technique is limited by a constrained operative field and a protracted learning curve. In response, continuous advancements in instrumentation and procedural modifications have propelled the further development and clinical integration of SILC. Drawing on current literature and clinical experience, this review delineates the technical characteristics, current clinical applications, primary benefits, and prevailing challenges associated with SILC.

Polygonati Rhizoma demonstrates significant potential for addressing both chronic and hidden hunger. The supply of high-quality seedlings is a primary factor influencing the development of the Polygonati Rhizoma industry. Warm water soaking is often used in agriculture to promote the rapid germination of seeds, while its application and molecular mechanism in Polygonati Rhizoma have not been reported. To rapidly obtain high-quality seedlings, this study treated Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium seeds with sand storage at low temperatures, warm water soaking, and cultivation temperature gradients. The results showed that the culture at 25 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months rapidly broke the seed dormancy of P. kingianum var. grandifolium, while the culture at 20 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 1 month failed to break the seed dormancy. Soaking seeds in 60 ℃ warm water further increased the germination rate, germination potential, and germination index. Specifically, the seeds soaked at 60 ℃ and cultured at 25 ℃ without sand storage treatment(Aa25) achieved a germination rate of 78. 67%±1. 53% on day 42 and 83. 40%±4. 63% on day 77. The seeds pretreated with sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months, soaked in 60 ℃ water, and then cultured at 25 ℃ achieved a germination rate comparable to that of Aa25 on day 77. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that warm water soaking might promote germination by triggering reactive oxygen species( ROS), inducing the expression of heat shock factors( HSFs) and heat shock proteins( HSPs), which accelerated DNA replication, transcript maturation, translation, and processing, thereby facilitating the accumulation and turnover of genetic materials. According to the results of indoor controlled experiments and field practices, maintaining a germination and seedling cultivation environment at approximately 25 ℃ was crucial for the one-year seedling cultivation of P. kingianum var. grandifolium.
Germination ; Seedlings/genetics* ; Water/metabolism* ; Seeds/metabolism* ; Polygonatum/genetics* ; Temperature ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Plant Dormancy

PURPOSE: The rate of complications among patients undergoing surgery has increased due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 and other variants of concern. However, Omicron has shown decreased pathogenicity, raising questions about the risk of postoperative complications among patients who are infected with this variant. This study aimed to investigate complications and related factors among patients with recent Omicron infection prior to undergoing orthopedic surgery. METHODS: A historical control study was conducted. Data were collected from all patients who underwent surgery during 2 distinct periods: (1) between Dec 12, 2022 and Jan 31, 2023 (COVID-19 positive group), (2) between Dec 12, 2021 and Jan 31, 2022 (COVID-19 negative control group). The patients were at least 18 years old. Patients who received conservative treatment after admission or had high-risk diseases or special circumstances (use of anticoagulants before surgery) were excluded from the study. The study outcomes were the total complication rate and related factors. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify related factors, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the impact of COVID-19 infection on complications. RESULTS: In the analysis, a total of 847 patients who underwent surgery were included, with 275 of these patients testing positive for COVID-19 and 572 testing negative. The COVID-19-positive group had a significantly higher rate of total complications (11.27%) than the control group (4.90%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for relevant factors, the OR was 3.08 (95% CI: 1.45-6.53). Patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at 3-4 weeks (OR = 0.20 (95% CI: 0.06-0.59), p = 0.005), 5-6 weeks (OR = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.04-0.59), p = 0.010), or ≥7 weeks (OR = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.06-1.02), p = 0.069) prior to surgery had a lower risk of complications than those who were diagnosed at 0-2 weeks prior to surgery. Seven factors (age, indications for surgery, time of operation, time of COVID-19 diagnosis prior to surgery, C-reactive protein levels, alanine transaminase levels, and aspartate aminotransferase levels) were found to be associated with complications; thus, these factors were used to create a nomogram. CONCLUSION Omicron continues to be a significant factor in the incidence of postoperative complications among patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. By identifying the factors associated with these complications, we can determine the optimal surgical timing, provide more accurate prognostic information, and offer appropriate consultation for orthopedic surgery patients who have been infected with Omicron.
Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Orthopedic Procedures/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Nomograms ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

To guide clinical blood transfusion practices for pediatric patients, the National Health Commission has issued the health standard "Guideline for pediatric transfusion" (WS/T 795-2022). Blood transfusion is one of the most commonly used supportive treatments for children with hematological diseases. This guideline provides guidance and recommendations for blood transfusions in children with aplastic anemia, thalassemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. This article presents the evidence and interpretation of the blood transfusion provisions for children with hematological diseases in the "Guideline for pediatric transfusion", aiming to assist in the understanding and implementing the blood transfusion section of this guideline.
Humans ; Child ; Hematologic Diseases/therapy* ; Blood Transfusion/standards* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic