ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among newly detained populations in eastern China, to identify high-risk groups, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating tuberculosis prevention and control strategies in the prison system. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among the newly admitted detainees in two prisons in eastern China in 2022. Data on demographic characteristics, behavioral risk factors and previous disease history of the research subjects were collected through a structured questionnaire survey. The LTBI status of the detainees was determined using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) method. Lasso regression was used to screen variables, followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the influencing factors of LTBI. ResultsA total of 305 detainees were included in the study. The median age of detainees was 35 (31, 43) years. The study population was predominantly male (67.21%), of Han ethnicity (95.41%), had a junior or senior high school education (59.34%), and was unemployed (31.80%). A history of smoking was reported by 52.79% of participants, while 57.70% reported no alcohol consumption. The majority had no history of hypertension (85.90%), diabetes mellitus (93.77%), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (97.38%), familial genetic diseases (95.08%), surgery or trauma (73.77%), drug use (92.79%), or hepatitis (93.77%). The LTBI rate was 14.75%. After comparing the demographic characteristics of LTBI and non-infected groups, it was found that smoking history (χ²=7.40, P=0.025), drug use history (χ²=5.49, P=0.019), and HIV infection (χ²=8.12, P=0.004) were statistically correlated with LTBI infection. The results of multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that smoking [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=4.08, 95%CI: 1.60‒10.42, P=0.003], HIV infection (aOR=11.57, 95%CI: 2.50‒53.51, P=0.002) and drug use (aOR=3.04, 95%CI: 1.02‒9.09, P=0.046) were risk factors for LTBI. ConclusionThe LTBI rate among newly detainees in two prisons in eastern China is slightly lower than that among long-term detainees. Early screening and intervention should be implemented for newly detainees, with particular attention focused on high-risk groups such as those with a history of smoking, HIV infection, or drug use.

Objective To systematically investigate biomechanical characteristics of one-finger Zen push method applied at the Fengchi acupoint under different force conditions,in order to provide precise quantitative data and enhance the treatment efficacy.Methods Ten senior Tuina practitioners were recruited.The German Novel Pliance-X 32 Expert dynamic pressure distribution system was used to record the mechanical parameters during the application of one-finger Zen push at the Fengchi acupoint under three force intensities:light,medium,and heavy,for 3 minutes.Data from the stable 1-minute segment of the mechanical output was selected for data analysis,and key biomechanical parameters such as the maximum force,average force,peak pressure,mean pressure,force-time integral(FTI),pressure-time integral(PTI),and operational frequency were evaluated.Results Under light,medium,and heavy force conditions,the mean maximum force applied by senior Tuina practitioners at the Fengchi acupoint were 6.31,9.45,and 18.27 N,respectively,while the mean force were 3.31,5.64,and 9.05 N,respectively.The mean peak pressures were 26.10,34.80,and 70.00 kPa,while the mean pressures were 11.95,21.00,and 26.15 kPa,respectively.The mean FTIs were 55.65,182.10,and 225.21 N·s,and the mean PTIs were 167.10,489.59,and 795.83 kPa·s,respectively.The mean operational frequencies were 156.00,150.60,and 154.80 times/min,respectively.Conclusions Ten senior Tuina practitioners showed a high degree of consistency between their subjective definitions of light,medium,and heavy force and the objectively measured mechanical parameters.This reflected their precise control over the applied force under different force conditions,verifying the practicality and reproducibility of the one-finger Zen push method in clinical applications.This study provides a reliable basis for quantitative research and development of standardized clinical operation guidelines.

Objective To systematically investigate biomechanical characteristics of one-finger Zen push method applied at the Fengchi acupoint under different force conditions,in order to provide precise quantitative data and enhance the treatment efficacy.Methods Ten senior Tuina practitioners were recruited.The German Novel Pliance-X 32 Expert dynamic pressure distribution system was used to record the mechanical parameters during the application of one-finger Zen push at the Fengchi acupoint under three force intensities:light,medium,and heavy,for 3 minutes.Data from the stable 1-minute segment of the mechanical output was selected for data analysis,and key biomechanical parameters such as the maximum force,average force,peak pressure,mean pressure,force-time integral(FTI),pressure-time integral(PTI),and operational frequency were evaluated.Results Under light,medium,and heavy force conditions,the mean maximum force applied by senior Tuina practitioners at the Fengchi acupoint were 6.31,9.45,and 18.27 N,respectively,while the mean force were 3.31,5.64,and 9.05 N,respectively.The mean peak pressures were 26.10,34.80,and 70.00 kPa,while the mean pressures were 11.95,21.00,and 26.15 kPa,respectively.The mean FTIs were 55.65,182.10,and 225.21 N·s,and the mean PTIs were 167.10,489.59,and 795.83 kPa·s,respectively.The mean operational frequencies were 156.00,150.60,and 154.80 times/min,respectively.Conclusions Ten senior Tuina practitioners showed a high degree of consistency between their subjective definitions of light,medium,and heavy force and the objectively measured mechanical parameters.This reflected their precise control over the applied force under different force conditions,verifying the practicality and reproducibility of the one-finger Zen push method in clinical applications.This study provides a reliable basis for quantitative research and development of standardized clinical operation guidelines.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of Notch1-regulated microglial polarization against epileptic seizure in mice.Methods The pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)kindling models of epilepsy were established in mice with normal(Notch1normal)and high(Notch1over)expression of the Notch1 protein,with Racine grade Ⅳ set as the standard,to evaluate the effect of Notch1 expression on sei-zure susceptibility.Microglial activation and polarization in the temporal lobe tissues of mice were detected using immunofluorescence staining,and the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the temporal lobe tissues was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results High Notch1 expression showed high resistance to seizures.Compared with the Notch1normal+Sal group,the relative fluorescence intensity of Iba1,CD16,and Arg1 proteins in the temporal lobes of mice in the Notch1normal+PTZ group,as well as the TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-10 levels significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the Notch1nornal+PTZ group,the relative fluorescence intensity of Iba1 and CD16 proteins in the temporal lobes of mice in the Notch1over+PTZ group significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the relative fluorescence intensity of Arg1 protein significantly increased(P＜0.05),the TNF-α and IL-6 levels significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the IL-10 level further increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion High Notch1 protein expression significantly enhanced M2-type microglial polari-zation,inhibited M1-type microglial polarization,and increased resistance to seizure susceptibility in mice.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of Notch1-regulated microglial polarization against epileptic seizure in mice.Methods The pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)kindling models of epilepsy were established in mice with normal(Notch1normal)and high(Notch1over)expression of the Notch1 protein,with Racine grade Ⅳ set as the standard,to evaluate the effect of Notch1 expression on sei-zure susceptibility.Microglial activation and polarization in the temporal lobe tissues of mice were detected using immunofluorescence staining,and the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the temporal lobe tissues was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results High Notch1 expression showed high resistance to seizures.Compared with the Notch1normal+Sal group,the relative fluorescence intensity of Iba1,CD16,and Arg1 proteins in the temporal lobes of mice in the Notch1normal+PTZ group,as well as the TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-10 levels significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the Notch1nornal+PTZ group,the relative fluorescence intensity of Iba1 and CD16 proteins in the temporal lobes of mice in the Notch1over+PTZ group significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the relative fluorescence intensity of Arg1 protein significantly increased(P＜0.05),the TNF-α and IL-6 levels significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the IL-10 level further increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion High Notch1 protein expression significantly enhanced M2-type microglial polari-zation,inhibited M1-type microglial polarization,and increased resistance to seizure susceptibility in mice.

Objective To investigate the nutritional status of the elderly population in an elderly care institution in Jiangning District of Nanjing City, and analyze the relevant influencing factors, and to provide theoretical guidance for the prevention and control of malnutrition in the elderly population. Methods A total of 1 040 elderly individuals who were admitted to the Nanjing Jiangning Muchun Garden Nursing Home from September 2019 to December 2023 were included as the study subjects. According to the evaluation scores using the Mini Nutrition Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF), the elderly people were divided into a normal nutrition group, a malnutrition risk group , and a malnutrition group . The differences in general condition, dietary intake or elderly syndromes such as anxiety, depression , and activity ability among the three groups of study subjects were compared and analyzed . Results The incidence of malnutrition in the elderly was 15.87%. There were differences in the incidence of malnutrition among the elderly population with different educational levels, marital status, and pre-retirement occupations. The frequency of intake of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and dairy products in the malnutrition group of the elderly population was lower than that in the normal nutrition group. The proportion of elderly people with malnutrition and poor sleep quality was higher than that of those with normal nutrition. In addition, the proportion of elderly people with malnutrition, moderate or above depression, and moderate action dependence was also higher than that of those with normal nutrition (P<0.05). The logistic regression results showed that an increase in educational level, a decrease in dairy product intake, and an exacerbation of depression and disability levels were risk factors for malnutrition in the elderly population (OR>1), while good sleep quality was protective factor for malnutrition in the elderly population (OR<1). Conclusion The incidence of malnutrition among elderly people in a nursing home in Nanjing is relatively high. Low frequency of dairy intake, depression, and disability are independent influencing factors for malnutrition among elderly people in this nursing home.

Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological features of giant ovarian masses(mean diameter≥10 cm)and analyze the clinical characteristics of patients in different age groups.Methods:The clinicopathological characteristics of 311 patients diagnosed with giant ovarian masses by surgery at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School,Nanjing University from January 2014 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were further stratified by age and mass size to compare the differences of clinical and patho-logical features among different age groups and different mass diameter groups.Results:①The median age of thepatients were 44(24,60)years old.The first symptoms were as follows:ovarian mass discovered during physi-cal examination,abdominal pain,bloating,conscious abdominal distension,and symptoms of compression.②The surgical methods were as follows:unilateral oophorectomy(30.5％,95/311),ovarian cystectomy(28.9％,90/311),tumor staging or cytoreductive surgery(28.0％,87/311),total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy(12.5％,39/311).③The pathological types were benign(49.5％,154/311),malignant(31.8％,99/311)and borderline(18.7％,58/311).④ Patients complained abdominal distension in＜20 years old group were signifi-cantly higher than the other two groups(P＜0.05).The ovarian resection rate in the＞50-year-old group was higher than that of the other two groups(P＜0.05),and the rate of unilateral ovarian resection in the＜20-year-old group was still as high as 30.1％(15/49).⑤ The size of the mass correlated with the duration of the disease.When the disease course was between 1 to 6 months,the mass diameter line＞30 cm was the most common(P＜0.05).The incidence of borderline tumors in the＞30 cm group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusions:Ovarian mucinous and mucinous borderline tumors are the most common types of giant adnexal masses.The size of the mass tends to increase with the prolongation of the disease course.The incidence of borderline tumors increases with the in-crease of mass.Health education for young people should be strengthened.When abdominal pain,abdominal bloating,especially lower abdominal distension occurs,they should seek medical treatment in time to avoid adnex-ectomy due to borderline tumors.

Objective:To explore the correlations of brain network functional connectivity (FC) alterations with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathological biomarkers in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods:A total of 39 patients with cognitive impairment, admitted to Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from January 2020 to December 2022 were recruited; 23 patients were with AD and 16 with non-AD. Clinical data were compared between the 2 groups. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data were collected, and FC differences between brain networks and FC differences within brain networks were compared by independent component analysis. Correlations of FC differences between brain networks and FC differences within brain networks with concentrations of β-amyloid protein 1-42 (Aβ 1-42) and Tau protein in CSF were analyzed. Results:Compared with the non-AD group, AD group had significantly lower Aβ 1-42 in CSF ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the non-AD group, FC alterations between the left frontoparietal network (lFPN) and anterior default mode network (aDMN) and between the visual network (VN) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), as well as FC alterations in lFPN, were significantly increased in AD group ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the non-AD group, FC alterations between lFPN and cerebellar network (CEN), and FC alterations in aDMN, sensorimotor network (SMN) and VN were significantly decreased in AD group ( P<0.05). In AD group, FC in SMN was positively correlated with total Tau and phosphorylated-Tau181 in CSF ( P<0.05); FC between VN and PCC was positively correlated with total Tau in CSF ( P<0.05). CSF Aβ 1-42 was positively correlated with FC alterations in aDMN and VN, but negatively correlated with FC in FPN ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In AD patients, characteristic changes in FC within and between multiple brain networks are noted, which are related to changes of Tau protein and Aβ 1-42 in CSF.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism by which glycoprotein non-transferable melanin B(GPNMB)regulates microglia M2 polarization to reduce nerve damage after cerebral ischemic stroke(CIS).Methods:SD rats were used for establishment of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model.Neurons,astrocytes and microglia were cultured under oxygen and glucose depri-vation(OGD)conditions,and the expression of GPNMB in tissues and cells were measured by Western blot.Gpnmb wrapped with adeno-associated virus(AAV)or shRNA-Gpnmb were injected into rat brain tissues for overexpression or inhibition of GPNMB,modified neurological deficit score(mNSS),Rotarod fatigue test and tape removal test were used to evaluate rat nerve function,the proportion of cerebral infarction was determined by TTC staining,microglia M1/M2 polarization markers were detected by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR,and the expression of Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/Serine/threonine kinase(Akt)pathway was determined by Western blot.Microglia was cultured under OGD conditions in vitro,Gpnmb was overexpressed and PI3K expression were inhibited by LY294002,and M1/M2 polarization markers were measured.Results:Compared with normal rats or normal cultured cells,the expres-sion of GPNMB in MCAO model or OGD-intervened microglia was up-regulated(P<0.05);when Gpnmb was overexpressed in the brain tissue of MCAO rats,the mNSS score decreased,the Rotarod time of latency to fall lengthened,the contact time and removal time shortened in the tape removal test,the proportion of cerebral infarction decreased,the M1 polarization level of microglia decreased while the M2 polarization level increased,PI3K/Akt pathway activated,and these difference were statistically significant(P<0.05);inhibition of PI3K reversed the effect of overexpression of Gpnmb on promoting M2 polarization of microglia in vitro(P<0.05).Conclusion:GPNMB promotes M2 polarization of microglia by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway,thereby reducing nerve damage after CIS.

Objective:To analyze the viral genome sequence of novel coronavirus infected persons in Baotou City, understand the mutation characteristics of novel coronavirus genome in the process of transmission among cases, and explore the transmission rule of novel coronavirus in the clustered populations.Methods:Nine throat swabs samples (No. 1 - 7, No. 9, and No. 10), two sputum samples (No. 8, No. 11, and No. 11 sample was from No. 10 case), and one surface smear sample (No.12, and No. 12 sample was from No. 10 case) were collected from 10 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection in Baotou City from January 25 to February 21, 2020. Samples 1 and 3 were from single cases, and the rest were from clustered cases. The virus genome was sequenced by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation sites were screened by comparing with NC_045512, a reference strain of novel coronavirus. Combined with relevant epidemiological information, gene mutation, virus typing, and evolutionary traceability analysis were carried out.Results:The results of viral genome mNGS showed that 76 SNP mutation sites were detected in 12 samples compared with the reference strain NC_045512, including 3 (3.95%) transitions and 73 (96.05%) reversals. There were 19 (25.00%) synonymous mutations and 57 (75.00%) non-synonymous mutations. The analysis of nucleotide and amino acid variation sites showed that mutations were found at five sites (T2821C, C6548T, T16464C, G16858A and T251C) in all the clustered cases (cases 2, 4 - 10). In the single cases, sample 1 had mutations at C9245T and A15340T, and sample 3 had mutation at C13T. The virus typing analysis showed that the samples 1 and 3 belonged to the L type of novel coronavirus, while the rest belonged to the S type of novel coronavirus. The results of genomic evolutionary relationship analysis showed that all the samples could be divided into two branches. The branches of sample 1 and 3 belonged to single cases, and the rest belonged to family clustered cases.Conclusion:The genomic characteristics of the clustered cases of novel coronavirus infection in Baotou City are basically consistent with the epidemiological investigation results, and the transmission of the virus is mainly related to close contact and family gathering.