Wastewater-based epidemiology has emerged as a transformative surveillance tool for estimating substance consumption and monitoring disease prevalence, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It enables the population-level monitoring of illicit drug use, pathogen prevalence, and environmental pollutant exposure. In this perspective, we summarize the key challenges specific to the Chinese context: (1) Sampling inconsistencies, necessitating standardized 24-hour composite protocols with high-frequency autosamplers (≤ 15 min/event) to improve the representativeness of samples; (2) Biomarker validation, requiring rigorous assessment of excretion profiles and in-sewer stability; (3) Analytical method disparities, demanding inter-laboratory proficiency testing and the development of automated pretreatment instruments; (4) Catchment population dynamics, reducing estimation uncertainties through mobile phone data, flow-based models, or hydrochemical parameters; and (5) Ethical and data management concerns, including privacy risks for small communities, mitigated through data de-identification and tiered reporting platforms. To address these challenges, we propose an integrated framework that features adaptive sampling networks, multi-scale wastewater sample banks, biomarker databases with multidimensional metadata, and intelligent data dashboards. In summary, wastewater-based epidemiology offers unparalleled scalability for equitable health surveillance and can improve the health of the entire population by providing timely and objective information to guide the development of targeted policies.
China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Wastewater/analysis* ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Public Health ; Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring ; SARS-CoV-2

Loganin(LOG),a bioactive compound derived from Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc,has been understudied in the context of osteoarthritis(OA)treatment.In this study,we induced an inflammatory response in chondrocytes using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and subsequently treated these cells with LOG.We employed fluorescence analysis to quantify reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels and measured the expression of NLRP3 and nuclear factor erythropoietin-2-related factor 2(NRF2)using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),Western blotting,and immunofluorescence(IF)techniques.Additionally,we developed an OA mouse model by performing medial meniscus destabilization(DMM)surgery and monitored disease progression through micro-com-puted tomography(micro-CT),hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining,safranin O and fast green(S&F)staining,and immunohisto-chemical(IHC)analysis.Our results indicate that LOG significantly reduced LPS-induced ROS levels in chondrocytes,inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome,and enhanced NRF2/heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)signaling.In vivo,LOG treatment mitigated cartilage degradation and osteophyte formation triggered by DMM surgery,decreased NLRP3 expression,and increased NRF2 expres-sion.These findings suggest that LOG has a protective effect against OA,potentially delaying disease progression by inhibiting the ROS-NLRP3-IL-1β axis and activating the NRF2/HO-1 pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of incision and drainage with Holmium laser under flexible ureteroscope in the treatment of parapelvic cysts.Methods:The clinical data of 21 patients with parapelvic cysts in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 10 males and 11 females. The average age was (62.86±5.38) years, and median age was 63.0 years, aged from 36-72 years. The maximum diameter of the cyst was 33-71 mm, with an average of (53.46±9.68) mm. There were 15 cases with homolateral hydronephrosis and 6 cases with homolateral renal calculus. The patients included in the study were treated with incision and drainage with Holmium laser under flexible ureteroscope. The double J ureteral catheter was removed and the urinary system ultrasound was repeated one month after surgery. CT on bilateral kidney was repeated every 6 months until 12 months after surgery. Subsequently, ultrasound on bilateral kidney was reviewed regularly every year. Prognostic indexes sunch as operation time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative time of getting out of bed, intraoperative blood loss, recurrence and shrinkage of renal cysts were recorded.Results:Of the 21 patients who underwent incision and drainage with Holmium laser under flexible ureteroscope, 9 cases (42.9%) underwent the one-stage operation and 12 cases (57.1%) underwent the two-stage operation. The mean operative time was (41.57±10.86) min, the mean postoperative hospitalization time was (2.90±1.06) d, the mean time of getting out of bed was (0.53±0.30) d, and the mean intraoperative blood loss was (6.52±2.15) mL. No significant recurrence of cysts was observed in all patients after 6-60 months of follow-up, and the cysts disappeared completely or shrank significantly.Conclusion:Incision and drainage with Holmium laser under flexible ureteroscope is safe and reliable in patients with parapelvic cysts, with short operation time, minor blood loss, rapid postoperative recovery and low recurrence rate, which is one of the ideal treatment options for parapelvic cysts.

Aldolase B (ALDOB), a glycolytic enzyme, is uniformly depleted in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tissues. We previously showed that ALDOB inhibited proliferation through a mechanism independent of its enzymatic activity in ccRCC, but the mechanism was not unequivocally identified. We showed that the corepressor C-terminal-binding protein 2 (CtBP2) is a novel ALDOB-interacting protein in ccRCC. The CtBP2-to-ALDOB expression ratio in clinical samples was correlated with the expression of CtBP2 target genes and was associated with shorter survival. ALDOB inhibited CtBP2-mediated repression of multiple cell cycle inhibitor, proapoptotic, and epithelial marker genes. Furthermore, ALDOB overexpression decreased the proliferation and migration of ccRCC cells in an ALDOB-CtBP2 interaction-dependent manner. Mechanistically, our findings showed that ALDOB recruited acireductone dioxygenase 1, which catalyzes the synthesis of an endogenous inhibitor of CtBP2, 4-methylthio 2-oxobutyric acid. ALDOB functions as a scaffold to bring acireductone dioxygenase and CtBP2 in close proximity to potentiate acireductone dioxygenase-mediated inhibition of CtBP2, and this scaffolding effect was independent of ALDOB enzymatic activity. Moreover, increased ALDOB expression inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft model and decreased lung metastasis in vivo. Our findings reveal that ALDOB is a negative regulator of CtBP2 and inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in ccRCC.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/genetics* ; Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase/metabolism* ; Co-Repressor Proteins/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Kidney Neoplasms/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

Objective To explore the feasibility of in vitro biological soft tissue imaging by using synchrotron radiation phase contrast CT.Methods Three samples of resected human cardia,two samples of resected human esophageal carcinoma and esophagus,as well as two samples of middle cerebral artery tissue extracted from corpses were fixed and airdried at room temperature for synchrotron radiation phase contrast CT imaging.The images of soft tissue structures were observed and compared with pathological findings.Results The images of synchrotron radiation phase contrast CT showed three-layer structure of cardia and esophagus,mucous,submucosa and muscular layer.The surface of mucous layer was smooth.The images of esophageal carcinoma showed cancerous tissue infiltrating esophageal wall.The wall and lumen of cerebral arteries could be also clearly displayed.Conclusion Synchrotron radiation phase contrast CT imaging can clearly display fine structures of in vitro biological soft tissue.

BACKGROUND: The proliferation of peripheral blood stem cells among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) invitro remains unclear. There is no optimal marker for tracing PBMCs transplanted in vivo.OBJECTIVE: To observe the degree of PBMC proliferation in stem cell medium by EdU labeling and to explore thefeasibility of EdU-labeled peripheral blood stem cells.METHODS: New Zealand rabbit PBMCs were isolated and cultured for 1 to 5 days in stem cell medium supplementedwith EdU. The cells were observed and counted at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days in culture. The cells were harvested at eachtime point and stained with EdU fluorescent reagents. Then, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were used to detectEdU-labeled cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Freshly isolated rabbit PBMCs were rounded and showed clear outline. After 1 dayculture, most of the cells were suspended in the medium, spherical or round. There were also a few cell clusters andadherent cells scattered in a triangle or polygon shape; after 2 days culture, more cell debris were observed, and mostcells were round; when cultured for 3-5 days, increased cell debris, smaller cell mass and decreased cell densitysignificantly were observed. (2) With the prolongation of culture time, the cell count decreased gradually. (3) Whencultured for 1 day, EdU labeled cells in red were scattered. The number of cells marked with EdU red label increasedsignificantly at day 2 and remained unchanged after 3 days of culture. At 5 days of culture, the number of red cellsmarkedly decreased; the highest positive rate of EdU-labeled cells was (2.38±0.10)% at 2 days after culture. To conclude,these results showed that the proportion of proliferating cells in rabbit PBMCs was very low. EdU is capable of labelingproliferative cells among PBMCs.

Objective The incidence rate of sacrococcygeal tumor is low , however , due to its special position , clinical symptoms are inclined to be more severe .The aim of the article was to explore the methods and therapeutic effects of operative treat-ment for sacrococcygeal tumors . Methods A retrospective analysis was made on 44 cases of sacrococcygeal tumors treated in our hospital from January 2008 to December2012 .Of all the cases , there were 11 chordomas , 9 neurinoma , 4 malignant fibrous histioto-ma, 4 giant cell tumor, 7 metastases tumors and 9 others.All the patients had definite pathological diagnosis after operation .Operative treatments involved simple resection of rumors , simple resection of lesions and resection of lesions plus screw-rod system internal fixa-tion. Res ults No patients died in perioperative period .Follow-up was made in all patients for the average time of 3.3 years(4 months to 59 months).Except for 4 patients'delayed healing of incision operation and 1 patient′s healing of operation incision after de-bridement , all the other patients healed after enhancing the wound dressing , among which there are 3 cases of chordoma recurrence , 1 case of giant cell tumor recurrence , 3 death cases of malignant fibrous histiotoma in 2 years and 1 case alive with tumor .All patients with metastases tumor died in 3 years.Except 1 patients with osteosarcoma alive with tumor , all patients′symptoms had been alleviated after operation. Conclusion Chordoma and giant cell tumor still have a high recurrence rate after operation . The extent of rumor resection and nerve preservation are determined by the range of tumors.Preoperative embolization of the internal iliac artery can clearly reduce bleeding and improve the operation safety .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic ventriculoperitoneal shunt with temporary external drainage in the treatment of hydrocephalus.

METHODSFifty-two cases of hydrocephalus randomized into two groups to receive laparoscopic assisted ventriculoperitoneal shunt with temporary external drainage (19 male and 7 female patients) and conventional ventriculoperitoneal shunt (20 male and 6 female patients). The catheterization time in the abdominal cavity, release time of intracranial hypertension, average hospital stay, postoperative pains, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSLaparoscopic ventriculoperitoneal shunt with temporary external drainage was performed successfully in all the cases without intraoperative conversion to open surgery. Compared with the conventional ventriculoperitoneal shunt, laparoscopic ventriculoperitoneal shunt with temporary external drainage was associated with significantly shortened catheterization time in the abdominal cavity, release time of intracranial hypertension, and average hospital stay (P<0.01) as well as lowered postoperative pain score at 4, 8, 16, and 24 h after the operation. The pain scores at 48 and 72 h postoperatively were comparable between the two groups. During the follow-up 3 months, the patients receiving laparoscopic ventriculoperitoneal shunt were found to have significantly lower rates of peritoneal end obstruction and abdominal cavity infection than those having conventional shunt (3.8% vs 19.2%, P<0.01; 1.0% vs 23.1%, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic ventriculoperitoneal shunt with temporary external drainage is feasible and produces better clinical therapeutic effect for management of hydrocephalus.

Abdominal Cavity ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt ; methods

BACKGROUND: Previous research has demonstrated that dermal tissue has mesenchymal stem cells, which have a possibility of autologous transplantation. If the mesenchymal stem cells derived from the skin differentiate into lymphocytes under a certain condition, the immune system disease can be solved generally.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of differentiation of human skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells into lymphocytes. METHODS: Surface marker expression was detected in the 14th passage human skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells using flow cytometry. Transdifferentiation medium of human skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells consisted of human lymphocyte supernatant and fresh human skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells based on the ratio of 7:3. Inverted microscope was employed to observe morphological changes, and flow cytometry was used to detect surface marker expression in the lymphocytes at 1-8 days after induction. Self-marker expression of human skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells was then detected at 3,6, and 9 days after induction.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Human skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells stably expressed self-specific marker CD73, Vimentin and so on, but did not express specific markers of hematopoietic system, I.e., CD34, CD45 and so on, lowly expressed HLA-I, but did not express HLA-DR at all. At 3 days after induction, the cell volume significantly increased, cell proliferation rate was significantly lower than before induction, and a lot of cystic-like particles with strong refraction were observed in or between cells. The CD45 lymphocyte expression was not significantly changed, but CD3, CD19, CD16, CD4, and CD8 expression rates of human skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells were linearly increased at 1-4 days after induction and stabilized at 5-8 days after induction. In addition, CD37, CD34, Vimentin, and HLA-DR expressions were not changed at 3, 6, and 9 days after induction, but HLA-I expression rate was gradually increased with the prolongation time of induction. This suggested that human skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into lymphocyte and potentially participate in repairing immune system injury.

BACKGROUND: The pathological changes of osteoarthritis are similar to that of kaschin-beck disease, but the cause of the latter is still unclear,damage is more serious. From the comparison of pathology changes between them, we hope to find out an effective therapeutic method with the assistance of arthroscope basing on the experiences in osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE: To make comparison of the histomorphological changes between osteoarthritis and kaschin-beck disease with knee arthroscope,which give clues to the diagnosis and selection of operative technique for kaschin-bock disease under arthroscope.DESIGN: Case control study.SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, Shaanxi People's Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five patients who needed arthroscope surgery due to severer knee osteoarthritis were randomly selected from Department of Orthopaedics, Shaanxi People's Hospital between April 1998 and September 2000; Meanwhile 31 patients with knee joint functional obstacle caused by kaschin-beck disease (epidemic disease area) were randomly selected from Luochuan Hospital of Shaanxi Province in November 2001.METHODS: Japanese made OLYMPUS series color television arthroscope and surgery system were used to carry out knee joint operations in all participants. During the operation, video recording, postoperative editing, photographs, comparison and analysis were conducted, in order to find out the pathological changes of the two groups in knee joint synovium, patella, femur, tibia and meniscus with the assistance of arthroscope.RESULTS: Totally 66 patients were enrolled in this study and all endamage in Kaschin-beck disease and osteoarthritis: Injuries were graded into grade 0, 1, 2 and 3, there were 0,3,5,23 cases and 0,3,16,16cases correspondingly in kaschin-beck disease group and osteoarthritis cartilage damage was presented by big piece of cartilage peeled off, part of them came off leading to bone exposure, the exposed bone surface is uneven; while cartilage damage in osteoarthritis was presented by the wear of cartilage, moreover cartilage island was found remained in the exposed bone with the surface covered with fiber strips and the exposed observed in 24 patients with Kaschin-beck disease, 5 cases with coarse stress point and 19 cases with burr-like damage, amongst which there were 9 cases displayed both medial and lateral meniscus damages; in osteoarthritis group there were 16 cases showed meniscus damages including edge wears in11 cases and breakage in 5 cases.CONCLUSION: Cartilage damage in knee articular was obviously severer in Kaschin-beck disease than in osteoarthritis, although kaschin-beck disease is no matter resulting in serious knee joint damage, but its pathology changes are different from osteoarthritis, we should pay more attention to the peculiarity of big piece of cartilage peeling off during operations.