BackgroundAtypical antipsychotics have been widely used in patients with chronic schizophrenia， and aripiprazole and risperidone are the most commonly used drugs. The mechanism of action of the two is different， while previous studies have provided insufficient credible evidence from multiple perspectives to support the comparative efficacy of the two drugs in improving symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia. ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of aripiprazole and risperidone on the improvement of symptoms， prepulse inhibition （PPI）， cognitive functioning and neurotrophic factors in patients with chronic schizophrenia， so as to provide effective treatment regimens for these patients. MethodsA total of 86 patients with chronic schizophrenia attending the psychiatry department of the Third People's Hospital of Fuyang from March 2021 to March 2023 and fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10） were enrolled and grouped using random number table method， each with 43 cases. Aripiprazole group was given oral aripiprazole once daily at an initial dose of 5 mg for one week and then gradually increased to a maximum dose of 25 mg. Risperidone group received oral risperidone twice daily at an initial dose of 0.5 mg for one week and then gradually increased to a maximum dose of 3 mg. Treatment in both groups lasted 3 months. Before treatment and 3 months after treatment， Patients were required to complete Positive and Negative Symptom Scale （PANSS）， detection of both strong and weak PPIs in a startle modification passive attention paradigm， Wisconsin Card Sorting Test （WCST） and the measurement of neurotrophic factors at baseline and after treatment. The adverse reactions were recorded. Analysis of covariance was used to test the difference between the PANSS score， PPI， WCST and neurotrophic factor levels of the groups， with the pretest used as the covariate. Results3 months after treatment， no statistical difference was found in the scores of PANSS general psychopathology subscale， positive symptom subscale， negative symptom subscale and total score between two groups after treatment （F=0.621， 0.815， 0.743， 0.752， P>0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in PPI inhibition rate， single intense stimulus amplitude， single intense stimulus latency， prepulse inhibition amplitude， or prepulse inhibition latency （F=0.174， 0.001， 0.183， 0.171， 0.001， P>0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the total number of WCST tests between two groups （F=0.512， P>0.05）， whereas aripiprazole group reported significantly larger total numbers of categories completed and correct responses as well as smaller total numbers of random errors and perseverative errors compared to risperidone group （F=3.737， 4.621， 4.892， 5.130， P<0.05）. A significant increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and nerve growth factor （NGF） along with a reduction in glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） were documented in risperidone group when compared to risperidone group （F=4.414， 3.781， 6.319， P<0.05）. No significant difference was demonstrated in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups （χ²=0.261， P>0.05）. ConclusionAripiprazole may be more beneficial than risperidone in improving cognitive functioning and neurotrophic factor levels in patients with chronic schizophrenia. ［Funded by Scientific Research Project of Fuyang Municipal Health Commission in 2021 （number， FY2021-147）］

Due to its high sensitivity and non-destructive nature, Raman spectroscopy has become an essential analytical tool in biopharmaceutical analysis and drug development. Despite of the computational demands, data requirements, or ethical considerations, artificial intelligence (AI) and particularly deep learning algorithms has further advanced Raman spectroscopy by enhancing data processing, feature extraction, and model optimization, which not only improves the accuracy and efficiency of Raman spectroscopy detection, but also greatly expands its range of application. AI-guided Raman spectroscopy has numerous applications in biomedicine, including characterizing drug structures, analyzing drug forms, controlling drug quality, identifying components, and studying drug-biomolecule interactions. AI-guided Raman spectroscopy has also revolutionized biomedical research and clinical diagnostics, particularly in disease early diagnosis and treatment optimization. Therefore, AI methods are crucial to advancing Raman spectroscopy in biopharmaceutical research and clinical diagnostics, offering new perspectives and tools for disease treatment and pharmaceutical process control. In summary, integrating AI and Raman spectroscopy in biomedicine has significantly improved analytical capabilities, offering innovative approaches for research and clinical applications.

To investigate the expression of mRNA in esophageal cancer (ESCA) tissues and its potential and diagnostic and prognostic value by high-throughput sequencing data. Using the Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database in USA by integrative bioinformatics analysis methods, the gene expression profiles and clinical data of 173 patients with ECSA were collected. The mRNA expression levels in ESCA tissue and para-cancerous tissue samples were analyzed using DESeq2, edgeR and limma to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs-related protein network diagrams were drawn. GO and KEGG function enrichment analysis were performed and the hub genes were screened and the survival analysis of hub genes was analyzed. Genes related to the prognosis of ESCA were selected and their prognostic value in ESCA was analyzed. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate its diagnostic value. The results showed that using TCGA cancer data, a total of 620 up-regulated DEGs and 668 down-regulated DEGs with significant differential expression between ESCA and para-cancerous tissues were screened. DEGs were mainly involved in receptor complexes, ubiquitin ligase complexes, etc., playing GTPase activity, phospholipid binding, and other molecular functions, and participating in the regulation of intracellular substance transport, small molecule metabolism, and other biological processes. Protein functional enrichment analysis showed that these proteins were mainly enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Epstein-Barr virus infection, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and other pathways involved in the formation and development process of ESCA. Survival analysis showed that the overall survival rate of ESCA patients with high expression of KIF4A, RAD51AP1, and CDKN3 was significantly shortened, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the areas under the curve (AUC) of KIF4A, RAD51AP1, and CDKN3 for diagnosing esophageal cancer were 0.956, 0.951 and 0.979, respectively, with sensitivities and specificities both exceeding 80%. Additionally, ROC results of the combined diagnostic model of these three genes showed an AUC of 0.979, with sensitivities and specificities of 0.914 and 1, respectively. This indicates that KIF4A, RAD51AP1 and CDKN3 have individual or combined auxiliary diagnostic value for ESCA. In conclusion, KIF4A, RAD51AP1 and CDKN3 have high diagnostic efficiency for ESCA, and their increased expression is closely related to the prognosis, suggesting that these three genes could be used as auxiliary diagnostic and prognostic factors for ESCA.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and associated risk of cardiovascular event of resistant hypertension in treated outpatients.Methods:This study was a nationwide multi-center prospective cohort study. The participants were treated outpatients enrolled in the China Nationwide Ambulatory and Home Blood Pressure Registry study of 42 hospitals in 19 provinces across the country from August 2009 to October 2017. Apparent resistant hypertension was defined as uncontrolled office blood pressure (≥140/90 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) in spite of the use of three antihypertensive drugs or controlled office blood pressure (<140/90 mmHg) with four antihypertensive drugs or more. Subjects diagnosed with uncontrolled office blood pressure were further subdivided as pseudo-resistant hypertension and true resistant hypertension based on 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The primary endpoint was fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, which was a composite endpoint consisting of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary artery revascularization, unstable angina, heart failure, and coronary artery stenosis≥50% confirmed by coronary angiography. Secondary outcomes included fatal and non-fatal stroke or cardiac events. Patients with controlled office blood pressure after taking only 1 or 2 antihypertensive drugs were included as control. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log-rank test, and Cox proportional risk model were used to evaluate the risk of apparent refractory hypertension in relation to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular prognosis.Results:A total of 2 782 treated hypertensive patients, aged (58.1±12.3) years were enrolled, including 1 403 (50.4%) men. The prevalence of apparent and true resistant hypertension was 15.1% (420/2 782) and 10.5% (293/2 782), respectively. Among patients with apparent resistant hypertension, during a median of 5 years follow-up, the cumulative incidence rate was 28.2, 11.2 and 19.1 per 1 000 person-years for fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events ( n=58), stroke ( n=24) and cardiac events ( n=40), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test showed that those patients with true resistant hypertension, had the highest cumulative incidence rate of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, stroke, and cardiac events. Multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that true resistant hypertension was associated with a significantly higher risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events ( HR=1.73, 95% CI 1.17-2.56, P=0.006) and stroke ( HR=2.81, 95% CI 1.53-5.17, P=0.001). Conclusion:Resistant hypertension, especially true resistant hypertension, is associated with a higher risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

To investigate the expression of mRNA in esophageal cancer (ESCA) tissues and its potential and diagnostic and prognostic value by high-throughput sequencing data. Using the Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database in USA by integrative bioinformatics analysis methods, the gene expression profiles and clinical data of 173 patients with ECSA were collected. The mRNA expression levels in ESCA tissue and para-cancerous tissue samples were analyzed using DESeq2, edgeR and limma to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs-related protein network diagrams were drawn. GO and KEGG function enrichment analysis were performed and the hub genes were screened and the survival analysis of hub genes was analyzed. Genes related to the prognosis of ESCA were selected and their prognostic value in ESCA was analyzed. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate its diagnostic value. The results showed that using TCGA cancer data, a total of 620 up-regulated DEGs and 668 down-regulated DEGs with significant differential expression between ESCA and para-cancerous tissues were screened. DEGs were mainly involved in receptor complexes, ubiquitin ligase complexes, etc., playing GTPase activity, phospholipid binding, and other molecular functions, and participating in the regulation of intracellular substance transport, small molecule metabolism, and other biological processes. Protein functional enrichment analysis showed that these proteins were mainly enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Epstein-Barr virus infection, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and other pathways involved in the formation and development process of ESCA. Survival analysis showed that the overall survival rate of ESCA patients with high expression of KIF4A, RAD51AP1, and CDKN3 was significantly shortened, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the areas under the curve (AUC) of KIF4A, RAD51AP1, and CDKN3 for diagnosing esophageal cancer were 0.956, 0.951 and 0.979, respectively, with sensitivities and specificities both exceeding 80%. Additionally, ROC results of the combined diagnostic model of these three genes showed an AUC of 0.979, with sensitivities and specificities of 0.914 and 1, respectively. This indicates that KIF4A, RAD51AP1 and CDKN3 have individual or combined auxiliary diagnostic value for ESCA. In conclusion, KIF4A, RAD51AP1 and CDKN3 have high diagnostic efficiency for ESCA, and their increased expression is closely related to the prognosis, suggesting that these three genes could be used as auxiliary diagnostic and prognostic factors for ESCA.

Background and aim:A genome-wide association study has indicated the association of numerous genes in the 6p21.3 region with chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection.In this study,we screened 12 representative single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)from the 6p21.3 region and investigated their association with the risk of chronic hepatitis B(CHB)to better understand the molecular etiology un-derlying CHB risk in the Han Chinese population. Methods:Between March 2021 and November 2022,we included 183 patients with CHB(case group)and 196 with natural HBV clearance(control group).Allele typing of the selected SNPs was performed using snapshot technology.The correlation between the 12 chosen SNPs and the risk of chronic HBV infection was examined using binary logistic regression analysis.Interacting genes of the variants were identified,and expression quantitative trait loci(eQTL)were analyzed using the 3DSNP database. Results:We validated 12 previously reported CHB susceptibility sites,including rs1419881 of tran-scription factor 19(TCF19),rs3130542 and rs2853953 of human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-C,rs652888 of euchromatic histone-lysine-methyltransferase 2(EHMT2),rs2856718,rs9276370,rs7756516,and rs7453920 of HLA-DQ,rs378352 of HLA-DOA,and rs3077,rs9277535,and rs9366816 of HLA-DP.Logistic regression analyses revealed that polymorphisms such as rs9276370,rs7756516,rs7453920,rs3077,rs9277535,and rs9366816 were positively correlated with natural HBV clearance in the dominant model.Conversely,rs3130542 and rs378352 were identified as risk factors for CHB.Haplotype analysis revealed that rs9276370,rs7756516,and rs7453920 in HLA-DQ were TTG and GCA haplotypes.Although the TTG haplotype was positively correlated with a higher risk of CHB,the GCA haplotype significantly influenced the natural clearance of HBV.Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that rs378352,rs3077,and rs9366816 were located within enhancer states;rs3077 and rs9366816 overlapped with nine tran-scription factor-binding sites,whereas rs378352 altered five sequence motifs.Furthermore,eQTL analysis demonstrated the functional tendencies of eight statistically significant SNPs(rs3130542,rs9276370,rs7756516,rs7453920,rs378352,rs3077,rs9277535,and rs9366816). Conclusions:Genetic variations within the 6p21.3 region were associated with chronic HBV infection in the Han Chinese population in southern China.Furthermore,the GCA haplotype including rs9276370,rs7756516,and rs7453920 of HLA-DQ contributed significantly to natural HBV clearance,implying that multiple SNPs exert a cumulative allelic effect on HBV infection.

Objective To evaluate the molluscicidal effect of spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones against of Oncomelania hupensis snails in snail habitats in marshland areas. Methods From September to October, 2022, marshlands were sampled from Dantu District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province as study areas, and assigned into four groups, of approximately 3 000 m² per group. In Group A, environmental cleaning was performed, followed by spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with knapsack sprayers at a dose of 40 g/m², and in Group B, 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules were sprayed with knapsack sprayers at a dose of 40 g/m² without environmental cleaning, while in Group C, environmental cleaning was conducted, followed by spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones at a dose of 40 g/m², and in Group D, 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules were sprayed with drones at a dose of 40 g/m² without environmental cleaning. Then, the study areas in each group were equally divided into six blocks, with Block 1 for baseline surveys and blocks 2 to 6 for snail surveys 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 days following chemical treatment. The mortality of snails and the reduction of the density of living snails were calculated. Results A total of 132 frames were surveyed during the period from September to October 2022, and the occurrence of frames with living snails and means density of living snails were 61.36% (81/132) and 1.58 snails/0.1 m², respectively. The overall mortality rates of snails were 43.02% (77/179), 38.69% (77/199), 47.78% (86/180) and 31.02% (58/187) 14 days following chemical treatment in groups A, B, C and D, respectively (χ² = 11.646, P < 0.05), and there were differences detected in the snail mortality between group A and D, and between groups C and D (both P_adjusted values < 0.05). The adjusted mortality rates of snails were 37.42%, 36.07%, 38.85% and 40.40% in groups A, B, C and D 14 days post-treatment, and the density of living snails decreased by 48.10%, 63.29%, 67.09% and 69.62% 14 days post-treatment relative to pre-treatment, respectively. Conclusions Chemical treatment with drones is feasible for O. hupensis snail control in marshland areas; however, the molluscicidal effect of spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones is comparable to spraying chemicals manually in marshland areas regardless of environmental cleaning.

Objective To observe the effect of abdominal acupuncture in treating allergic rhinitis(AR).Methods Twenty-seven AR patients who attended Fangshan Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from August to October 2022 were selected.They were divided into treatment group(15 cases)and control group(12 cases)according to randomized numerical table method.The treatment group received abdominal acupuncture.The control group at the same point was used one-time sterile cannula acupuncture to simulate acupuncture,but no needle was inserted into the acupoint.Two groups were treated,3 times a week for 4 weeks.The visual analogue scale(VAS),rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ),Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)scores,and the histamine(HIS),leukotriene D4(LTD4),immunoglobulin E(IgE)levels were compared between two groups before and after treatment.Results At each time point after treatment,the VAS,RQLQ,PSQI scores and HIS,LTD4,IgE levels of patients in treatment group were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in VAS,RQLQ,and PSQI scores,the HIS,LTD4,and IgE levels after 2-week treatment in both groups(P>0.05).After 4-week treatment and follow-up 4-week,the VAS,RQLQ,and PSQI scores,the HIS,and LTD4 levels in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Abdominal acupuncture has good therapeutic effect on AR and significantly improves life quality of the patients,which can reduce the levels of HIS,LTD4 and IgE.The therapy is worthy of clinical application.

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of microwave ablation in the colorectal cancer with simultaneously multiple liver metastases that was initially evaluated as potentially resectable.Methods The patients with potentially resectable colorectal cancer with simultaneous multiple liver metastases treated in the De-partment of General Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University,the Center of Minimally Invasive Therapy in Oncology of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing U-niversity of Chinese Medicine,and the Second Department of General Surgery in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from October 1,2018 to October 1,2020 were selected in this study.The general data,pathological features,treatment methods,and clinical efficacy of the patients were collected.According to the treatment methods,the patients were assigned into a surgical resection group(conversion therapy + laparoscopic primary resection +hepatectomy)and a microwave ablation group(conversion therapy +laparoscopic primary re-section +microwave ablation).The surgical indicators(operation duration,time to first postoperative anal ex-haust,hospital stay,etc.)and postoperative complications(anastomotic stenosis,anastomotic hemorrhage,incision infection,etc.)were compared between the two groups.The survival period was followed up,including the overall survival period and disease-free survival period,and the survival curves were drawn to analyze the clinical efficacy of the two treatment regimens.Results A total of 198 patients with potentially resectable color-ectal cancer with simultaneous multiple liver metastases were included in this study.Sixty-six patients were cured by neoadjuvant chemotherapy(FOLFOX or FOLFIRI),including 30 patients in the surgical resection group and 36 patients in the microwave ablation group(with 57 tumors ablated).After the first ablation,54(94.74%)tumors achieved complete ablation,and all of them reached no evidence of disease status after re-ablation.The microwave ablation group had shorter operation duration,less intraoperative blood loss,shorter time to first post-operative anal exhaust,shorter time of taking a liquid diet,shorter hospital stay,and lower hospitalization cost than the surgical resection group(all P<0.001).In addition,the microwave ablation group had lower visual analogue scale score(P<0.001)than the surgical resection group.The incidences of complications such as inci-sion infection(P =0.740),anastomotic fistula(P =1.000),and anastomotic stenosis(P =1.000),the over-all survival period(P =0.191),and the disease-free survival period(P =0.934)showed no significant differ-ences between the two groups.Conclusions For patients with colorectal cancer with simultaneous multiple liver metastases initially assessed as potentially resectable,laparoscopic primary resection +surgical resection/microwave ablation after conversion therapy was safe,effective,and had similar survival outcomes.Microwave ablation outper-formed surgical resection in postoperative recovery,economy,and tolerability,being worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective Analyze the risk factors associated with severe subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)and rebleeding in small intracranial aneurysms.Methods From July 2014 to January 2020,patients with SAH caused by small ruptured intracranial aneurysms admitted to the Neurosurgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital,Chongqing Medical University were retrospectively and continuously included.Small intracranial aneurysms refer to intracranial aneurysms with a maximum diameter of less than 5 mm.Baseline data and clinical data of patients were collected,including age,gender,past history(hypertension,diabetes,coronary heart disease),smoking history,drinking history,admission Glasgow coma scale(GCS)score and Hunt-Hess grade.Patient imaging data were collected to clarify the characteristics of aneurysms,including the number of aneurysms(single or multiple),the shape of SAH responsible aneurysms(irregular aneurysms with subcapsular,polycystic,or lobulated aneurysms),and their location(anterior communicating artery,posterior communicating artery,middle cerebral artery,anterior cerebral artery,internal carotid artery,and posterior circulation).Based on the CT images of the head at admission,the distribution of SAH in patients was determined.The modified Fisher grading system was used to classify SAH into 1-4 levels,and the Hijdra score was used to assess the bleeding volume of SAH in patients.The treatment methods of patients(interventional embolization,clipping)were collected.All patients were grouped according to the modified Fisher classification,with grades 1-2 being the minor SAH group and grades 3-4 being the massive SAH group.Baseline data and clinical data and aneurysm characteristics were compared between minor SAH group and massive SAH group.Multiple Logistic regression analysis was conducted using the modified Fisher grades 3-4 as the dependent variable,and factors with P＜0.1 in baseline data that may affect SAH bleeding volume as independent variables,the risk factors associated with the massive SAH in small ruptured intracranial aneurysms were analyzed.New bleeding visible on preoperative CT of the patient,with or without neurological deterioration,is defined as rebleeding.All patients are divided into rebleeding group and non-rebleeding group based on the occurrence of rebleeding.Baseline data and aneurysm characteristics between patients with rebleeding and those without rebleeding were compared.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted with rebleeding as the dependent variable,and factors with P＜0.1 in baseline data and aneurysm characteristics were used as independent variables,the risk factors associated with rebleeding in small aneurysms were analyzed.Results A total of 363 SAH patients with small ruptured aneurysms were included in this study,including 103 males and 260 females;age range from 25 to 85 years old,with an average age of(55±11)years.According to the modified Fisher classification,there were 198 cases in the massive SAH group and 165 cases in the minor SAH group.Compared with patients in the minor SAH group,patients in the massive SAH group were older(P=0.011),with a higher proportion of males,concomitant hypertension,and smoking history(all P＜0.05).The proportion of admitted Hunt Hess grade Ⅳ to V was higher(26.3％vs.2.4％,P＜0.01),the GCS score was lower([13.1±1.8]points vs.[13.9±0.8]points,P＜0.01),and the Hijdra score was higher([19.7±5.4]points vs.[8.4±2.6]points,P＜0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the number of aneurysms and the location and morphology of responsible aneurysms between the massive and minor SAH groups(all P＞0.05).According to whether patients experienced rebleeding before surgery,there were 30 cases in the rebleeding group and 333 cases in the non-rebleeding group.Compared with the non-rebleeding group,patients in the rebleeding group had a higher proportion of concomitant hypertension(83.3％vs.49.2％,P＜0.01)and a higher proportion of admitted Hunt Hess grades Ⅳ-V(43.3％vs.12.9％,P＜0.01),lower GCS scores(12[9,14]points vs.14[13,14]points,P＜0.01),and higher Hijdra scores(18[9,26]points vs.14[9,18]points,P=0.024).There was no statistically significant difference in the number of aneurysms,responsible aneurysm morphology,and location between the rebleeding group and the non-rebleeding group(all P＞0.05).There was no statistically significant difference between the coiling and clipping in the two group(both P＞0.05).Multiple Logistic regression analysis was conducted using modified Fisher grading 3-4 and rebleeding as dependent variables respectively.The results showed that age(OR,1.027,95％CI 1.006-1.049,P=0.012)and hypertension(OR,1.858,95％CI 1.196-2.886,P=0.006)were independent risk factors associated with massive SAH in small ruptured aneurysms.Hypertension(OR,3.775,95％CI 1.371-10.391,P=0.010)and lower GCS score(OR,0.677,95％CI 0.561-0.816,P＜0.01)were independent risk factors associated with rebleeding in small ruptured aneurysms.Conclusions Older age and concomitant hypertension are risk factors associated with massive SAH in patients with small ruptured aneurysms.Coexisting hypertension and lower GCS score are risk factors associated with rebleeding in patients with small ruptured aneurysms.