Objective:To evaluate the risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in schools and the protective effect of tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect data on 15 school outbreaks that occurred in Guangdong Province from 2017 to 2021. Baseline information on tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-gamma release test (IGRA) was obtained during contact surveys, as well as baseline information such as TPT. The incidence of PTB between 2017 and 2022 was queried using the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Poisson regression analysis was used to compare the incidence risk of PTB in the LTBI population under different TST states at baseline. Current cases, new cases and all cases (the sum of the two) were used as dependent variables. Cox regression models were used to analyze various risk factors affecting the risk of PTB in the LTBI population and evaluate the protective effect of TPT.Results:A total of 6 550 contacts were included in this study, of which 409 received TPT. Within 0-3 months after baseline survey, 119 cases were diagnosed as current cases [19.4‰, 119/(6 550-409)]. A total of 17 221.65 person-years of follow-up were conducted, during which 71 new cases were diagnosed (4.1/1 000 person-years, 71/17 221.65). The incidence density of PTB was 47.7/1 000 person-years, 6.6/1 000 person-years, 1.4/1 000 person-years, and 0.9/1 000 person-years, respectively, in TST strong/IGRA positive, TST moderate positive, TST generally positive, and TST and IGRA negative populations. The difference in PTB incidence density was statistically significant [likelihood ratio test LRT=153.16, P<0.001]. TPT was performed for individuals with strong TST or IGRA positivity, and the protection rate could reach 93% ( HR=0.07, 95% CI: 0.02-0.23). Conclusion:After the outbreak of the school epidemic, individuals with strong TST/IGRA positivity have a higher risk of developing PTB in the future. Targeted implementation of TPT can achieve better protection effects. In addition, the risk of developing PTB in individuals with moderate TST positivity is also worth noting.

Tuberculosis remains a significant global public health threat.Early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial to combat this disease.Yet,traditional diagnostic methods for tuberculosis face limitations due to their low sensitivity,extended detection periods,and dependence on sputum samples.Molecular diagnostic techniques,while offering higher sensitivity,still primarily rely on sputum samples,thereby impeding significant advancements in tuberculosis diagnosis.In clinical settings,there exists a pressing demand for diagnostic approaches that are not solely reliant on sputum samples.In recent years,extracellular vesicles(EVs),as emerging biomarkers,have demonstrated substantial potential in various diseases,including tumors and infectious diseases.A multitude of studies indicate that EVs also exhibit potential in the field of tuberculosis.This review provides an in-depth analysis of the biological characteristics of EVs and their role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.It systematically summarizes the progress and significance of EV-based biomarkers in tuberculosis diagnosis,treatment monitoring,and disease mechanism exploration,while addressing the challenges and future prospects in this field.The aim is to offer valuable insights and up-to-date research findings to researchers and clinicians engaged in tuberculosis-related studies.

Objective To explore the factors influencing blood drug concentrations of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs in fixed-dose combinations by analyzing therapeutic drug monitoring data from tuberculosis patients receiving these regimens.Methods This retrospective study enrolled 224 patients who received treatment at Guangzhou Chest Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024.All participants underwent standardized therapy during the intensive phase,with therapeutic drug monitoring of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs(ANTDs),including isoniazid(INH)and rifampicin(RFP).Data collection was completed in January 2025,at which time clinical records and measured INH and RFP plasma concentrations were updated.Data analysis was conducted from January to February 2025.Eight baseline variables—gender,age,hypoproteinemia(serum albumin<35 g/L),glomerular filtration rate(GFR),and others—were collected.Univariate chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors associated with subtherapeutic INH and RFP plasma concentrations.Results Among the study participants,71.43%(160/224)exhibited blood drug concentrations below the reference range for INH,compared to 41.07%(92/224)for RFP.The mean blood concentrations(mg/L,±SD)were 2.532±1.371 for INH and 9.428±4.317 for RFP,respectively.One-way analysis indicated significant associations between male gender,positive etiological test results,and subtherapeutic RFP concentrations(P<0.05),suggesting statistically significant differences.Multivariate regression analysis further revealed that male gender(OR=1.992,95%CI:1.094～3.628)and positive etiological tests(OR=1.929,95%CI:1.058～3.517)were independent risk factors for low RFP levels.Conclusions This study demonstrates that therapeutic drug monitoring(TDM)frequently identifies subtherapeutic RFP concentrations in tuberculosis patients undergoing treatment.Multivariate analysis reveals that male sex and positive pathogen test results are independent risk factors associated with low RFP plasma levels.Consequently,clinicians should exercise heightened vigilance in patients exhibiting these characteristics,promptly implementing TDM to guide individualized dose adjustments.Such an approach is crucial for optimizing treatment efficacy and minimizing the risk of drug resistance development.

Tuberculosis remains a significant global public health threat.Early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial to combat this disease.Yet,traditional diagnostic methods for tuberculosis face limitations due to their low sensitivity,extended detection periods,and dependence on sputum samples.Molecular diagnostic techniques,while offering higher sensitivity,still primarily rely on sputum samples,thereby impeding significant advancements in tuberculosis diagnosis.In clinical settings,there exists a pressing demand for diagnostic approaches that are not solely reliant on sputum samples.In recent years,extracellular vesicles(EVs),as emerging biomarkers,have demonstrated substantial potential in various diseases,including tumors and infectious diseases.A multitude of studies indicate that EVs also exhibit potential in the field of tuberculosis.This review provides an in-depth analysis of the biological characteristics of EVs and their role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.It systematically summarizes the progress and significance of EV-based biomarkers in tuberculosis diagnosis,treatment monitoring,and disease mechanism exploration,while addressing the challenges and future prospects in this field.The aim is to offer valuable insights and up-to-date research findings to researchers and clinicians engaged in tuberculosis-related studies.

Objective:To evaluate the risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in schools and the protective effect of tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect data on 15 school outbreaks that occurred in Guangdong Province from 2017 to 2021. Baseline information on tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-gamma release test (IGRA) was obtained during contact surveys, as well as baseline information such as TPT. The incidence of PTB between 2017 and 2022 was queried using the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Poisson regression analysis was used to compare the incidence risk of PTB in the LTBI population under different TST states at baseline. Current cases, new cases and all cases (the sum of the two) were used as dependent variables. Cox regression models were used to analyze various risk factors affecting the risk of PTB in the LTBI population and evaluate the protective effect of TPT.Results:A total of 6 550 contacts were included in this study, of which 409 received TPT. Within 0-3 months after baseline survey, 119 cases were diagnosed as current cases [19.4‰, 119/(6 550-409)]. A total of 17 221.65 person-years of follow-up were conducted, during which 71 new cases were diagnosed (4.1/1 000 person-years, 71/17 221.65). The incidence density of PTB was 47.7/1 000 person-years, 6.6/1 000 person-years, 1.4/1 000 person-years, and 0.9/1 000 person-years, respectively, in TST strong/IGRA positive, TST moderate positive, TST generally positive, and TST and IGRA negative populations. The difference in PTB incidence density was statistically significant [likelihood ratio test LRT=153.16, P<0.001]. TPT was performed for individuals with strong TST or IGRA positivity, and the protection rate could reach 93% ( HR=0.07, 95% CI: 0.02-0.23). Conclusion:After the outbreak of the school epidemic, individuals with strong TST/IGRA positivity have a higher risk of developing PTB in the future. Targeted implementation of TPT can achieve better protection effects. In addition, the risk of developing PTB in individuals with moderate TST positivity is also worth noting.

Objective To explore the factors influencing blood drug concentrations of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs in fixed-dose combinations by analyzing therapeutic drug monitoring data from tuberculosis patients receiving these regimens.Methods This retrospective study enrolled 224 patients who received treatment at Guangzhou Chest Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024.All participants underwent standardized therapy during the intensive phase,with therapeutic drug monitoring of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs(ANTDs),including isoniazid(INH)and rifampicin(RFP).Data collection was completed in January 2025,at which time clinical records and measured INH and RFP plasma concentrations were updated.Data analysis was conducted from January to February 2025.Eight baseline variables—gender,age,hypoproteinemia(serum albumin<35 g/L),glomerular filtration rate(GFR),and others—were collected.Univariate chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors associated with subtherapeutic INH and RFP plasma concentrations.Results Among the study participants,71.43%(160/224)exhibited blood drug concentrations below the reference range for INH,compared to 41.07%(92/224)for RFP.The mean blood concentrations(mg/L,±SD)were 2.532±1.371 for INH and 9.428±4.317 for RFP,respectively.One-way analysis indicated significant associations between male gender,positive etiological test results,and subtherapeutic RFP concentrations(P<0.05),suggesting statistically significant differences.Multivariate regression analysis further revealed that male gender(OR=1.992,95%CI:1.094～3.628)and positive etiological tests(OR=1.929,95%CI:1.058～3.517)were independent risk factors for low RFP levels.Conclusions This study demonstrates that therapeutic drug monitoring(TDM)frequently identifies subtherapeutic RFP concentrations in tuberculosis patients undergoing treatment.Multivariate analysis reveals that male sex and positive pathogen test results are independent risk factors associated with low RFP plasma levels.Consequently,clinicians should exercise heightened vigilance in patients exhibiting these characteristics,promptly implementing TDM to guide individualized dose adjustments.Such an approach is crucial for optimizing treatment efficacy and minimizing the risk of drug resistance development.

Objective To evaluate the application value of simultaneous amplification and testing for Myco-bacterium tuberculosis(SAT-TB)in evaluating the curative effect of initial treatment of smear-positive pul-monary tuberculosis patients.Methods A total of 62 newly treated smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis pa-tients from June 2022 to June 2023 in Guangzhou Panyu District Chronic Disease Control Station were selected as the study objects,and the curative effect was evaluated by liquid-based sandwich cup method,Roche culture method and SAT-TB detection method.All patients received the standard anti-tuberculosis treatment regimen of 2HRZE/4HR standard regimen,and sputum samples were detected by liquid-based sandwich cup method,Roche culture method,and SAT-TB detection method at the 2nd,4th,and 8th week of treatment,respectively.Results Among 62 patients,54 cases were positive and 8 cases were negative using Roche culture method,47 cases were positive and 15 cases were negative using SAT-TB detection method.60 cases were positive and 2 cases were negative by Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB)-DNA test.The positive rates of the three methods were 87.10％(54/62),75.81％(47/62)and 96.77％(60/62),respectively.Taking Roche culture method re-sults as the standard,the sensitivity of SAT-TB detection method and MTB-DNA was 97.87％(46/47)and 90.00％(54/60),and the specificity was 46.67％(7/15)and 100.00％(2/2),respectively.There were signifi-cant differences between Roche culture method and SAT-TB detection method and MTB-DNA test(x2=20.070,P＜0.05,x2=13.985,P＜0.05),the difference between the results of SAT-TB detection method and MTB-DNA test was also statistically significant(x2=8.365,P＜0.05).The negative conversion rates of MTB in sputum samples were 69.35％(43/62),29.03％(18/62)and 41.94％(26/62)at the 2nd,4 th,and 8 th weeks,respectively.77.42％(48/62),59.68％(37/62),58.06％(36/62),82.26％(51/62),79.03％(49/62),75.81％(47/62).There were significant differences in the negative conversion rates of MTB in sputum sam-ples between SAT-TB and liquid-based sandwich cup method at the 2nd and 4th weeks(x2=8.365,P＜0.05,x2=4.465,P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference between the results of Roche culture method at the 2nd,4th and 8th weeks(x2=1.726,P＞0.05,x2=0.000,P＞0.05,x2=0.046,P＞0.05).Conclusion The use of SAT-TB detection method in clinical practice to evaluate the efficacy of smear positive pulmonary tuberculo-sis patients could accurately and quickly assess the negative conversion rate and treatment effect of patients,and provide a reliable basis for guiding clinical treatment.It could be considered as an effective auxiliary diag-nosis and evaluation method of curative effect,worthy of promotion and practical application.

Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanisms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), to identify key cell subgroups and genes, to construct effective diagnostic models, and to screen for potential therapeutic drugs.Methods:Key cell subgroups in CRS were identified through single-cell transcriptomic sequencing data. Essential genes associated with CRS were selected and diagnostic models were constructed by hdWGCNA (high dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis) and various machine learning algorithms. Causal inference analysis was performed using Mendelian randomization and colocalization analysis. Potential therapeutic drugs were identified using molecular docking technology, and the results of bioinformatics analysis were validated by immunofluorescence staining. Graphpad Prism, R, Python, and Adobe Illustrator software were used for data and image processing.Results:An increased proportion of basal and suprabasal cells was observed in CRS, especially in eosinophilic CRS with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP), with P=0.001. hdWGCNA revealed that the "yellow module" was closely related to basal and suprabasal cells in CRS. Univariate logistic regression and LASSO algorithm selected 13 key genes ( CTSC, LAMB3, CYP2S1, TRPV4, ARHGAP21, PTHLH, CDH26, MRPS6, TENM4, FAM110C, NCKAP5, SAMD3, and PTCHD4). Based on these 13 genes, an effective CRS diagnostic model was developed using various machine learning algorithms (AUC=0.958). Mendelian randomization analysis indicated a causal relationship between CTSC and CRS (inverse variance weighted: OR=1.06, P=0.006), and colocalization analysis confirmed shared genetic variants between CTSC and CRS (PPH4/PPH3>2). Molecular docking results showed that acetaminophen binded well with CTSC (binding energy:-5.638 kcal/mol). Immunofluorescence staining experiments indicated an increase in CTSC +cells in CRS. Conclusion:This study integrates various bioinformatics methods to identify key cell types and genes in CRS, constructs an effective diagnostic model, underscores the critical role of the CTSC gene in CRS pathogenesis, and provides new targets for the treatment of CRS.

Objective:To investigate the anti-intestinal effect and mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in Wuzhishan CallicarpanudifloraHook.etArn in Hainan Province.Methods:The colony formation assay was used to detect the effect of Wuzhishan CallicarpanudifloraHook.etArn on the proliferation of intestinal cancer cells in Hainan Province. The effect of Wuzhishan CallicarpanudifloraHook. etArn on the colony growth of intestinal cancer cells was detected by HE staining. The effect of Wuzhishan CallicarpanudifloraHook.etArn on transmembrane protein of intestinal cancer cell line IFITM1 was detected by laser confocal microscopy. Immunocytochemistry was used to detect the effect of Wuzhishan CallicarpanudifloraHook.etArn on the tumor suppressor protein of intestinal cancer cells. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins.Results:With the increase of Wuzhishan CallicarpanudifloraHook.etArn in Hainan Province concentration, the colony number of SW480 and SW620 cells was down-regulated and the inhibition rate was up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with that in control group(con group), the colony size of SW480 and SW620 cells in group Wuzhishan CallicarpanudifloraHook.etArn in Hainan Province group (Lhzz group) decreased, the cell morphology was blurred and the number of colony cells decreased significantly. Compared with that in con group, the green fluorescence intensity of IFITM1 transmembrane protein expression in SW480 and SW620 cells in Lhzz group decreased, the number of colony formation decreased, the volume decreased, and the nucleus showed pyknosis and irregular shape. The expression of tumor suppressor protein DCC in SW480 cells in Lhzz group was significantly higher than that in con group (2.13 ± 0.33 vs. 1.05 ± 0.16, t = 3.542, P < 0.05). The expression level of tumor suppressor protein DCC in SW620 cells in con group was significantly higher than that in con group (1.89 ± 0.26 vs. 0.96 ± 0.12, t = 3.466, P < 0.05). The expression level of oncoprotein DCC in SW620 cells in con group was significantly higher than that in con group (0.64 ± 0.11 vs. 0.38 ± 0.05, t = 3.154, P < 0.05), and the expression level of tumor suppressor protein in SW620 cells in con group was significantly higher than that in con group (0.52 ± 0.09 vs. 0.24 ± 0.03, t = 3.143, P < 0.05), and the expression level of β-catenin in SW480 and SW620 cells in Lhzz group was significantly higher than that in con group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Wuzhishan CallicarpanudifloraHook.etArn in Hainan Province can inhibit the proliferation of intestinal cancer cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective: To find out the source and the epidemic pattern of norovirus outbreak in July, 2016 to June, 2017 in Guangzhou. Methods: The stool samples and clinical information of diarrhea cases were collected by the sentinel hospitals and CDCs; a real-time RT-PCR method was used to detect the norovirus nucleic acids from the samples, the positive ones were amplified and sequenced; the partial sequences of norovirus were aligned by an online BLAST alignment, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed by a neighbor-joining method . Results: A total of 854 cases with infectious diarrhea were reported by Guangzhou diarrhea surveillance network from July, 2016 to June, 2017; the gender ratio (male versus female) was 1∶0.67; 78.33% of the cases were preschool children under the age of 7 years. Totally 220 samples were detected norovirus G II+ (25.76%, including 5 double-positive samples with G I+ ). GII.Pe-GII.4.Sydney_2012 was the prevalent genotype in the second half of 2016 (94.64%), which was replaced by GII.P16-GII.2 in the first half of 2017 (67.65%). Since September 2016, the reported number of norovirus-caused diarrhea epidemic was increased gradually; the peak of epidemic curve emerged in February to March of 2017, and the number started to decrease since April. In May to June there were only 2-3 epidemics reported monthly. All the endemics from September to November 2016 were caused by genotype GII.Pe-GII.4.Sydney_2012; the endemics from December 2016 to April 2017 were mainly caused by genotype GII.P16-GII.2. Some samples from kitchen workers and babysitters were detected GII+ , which was consistent with the result of the cases′ samples. Conclusions It was the first time that the novel GII.P16-GII.2 recombinant strain outbroke occurred in Guangzhou City and homology analysis also suggested that GII.P16-GII.2 was the main source of those epidemics in 2016 -2017 winter and spring season. Furthermore, The kitchen workers and babysitters may have played an important role in the spread of norovirus.