Objective:To investigate the application value of photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) in preoperative identification of critical anatomical structures and surgical assessment in pancreatic cancer, and to compare its performance with conventional energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) in delineating tumor margins, vascular structures, and neural anatomy.Methods:This single-center retrospective matched case-control study included 25 patients with pathologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent PCD-CT enhanced scanning and curative surgery at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between February and June 2025 (PCD-CT group). These patients were matched in a 1∶2 ratio to 50 patients who underwent EID-CT between January 2016 and December 2024 and subsequently received curative surgery (EID-CT group). Tumor boundary clarity, vascular visualization scores, and neural structure visibility were subjectively evaluated using the Likert scoring system. The assessed vessels included the celiac artery, common hepatic artery, superior mesenteric artery, splenic artery, portal vein, superior mesenteric vein, splenic vein, and pancreaticoduodenal arterial arcade. Imaging-based assessment of structural involvement was compared with intraoperative findings and pathological results to calculate diagnostic accuracy. Surgeons rated the usefulness of PCD-CT images for identifying key structures and determining resectability using a 5-point Likert scale. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for group comparisons of subjective scores, and categorical data were analyzed using the χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Results:The PCD-CT group showed significantly higher scores for tumor boundary clarity, vascular visualization, and neural structure detectability than those of the EID-CT group (all P<0.05). The accuracy of assessing superior mesenteric vein involvement was 96.0% (24/25) in the PCD-CT group and 72.0% (36/50) in the EID-CT group, with a significant difference ( χ2=6.00, P=0.014). Postoperative surgeon evaluations indicated that PCD-CT provided substantial assistance for both key structure identification [5 (5, 5)] and resectability assessment [5 (4, 5)]. Conclusion:PCD-CT demonstrates superior performance over EID-CT in preoperative delineation of tumor margins, vascular structures, and neural anatomy and in the assessment of structural involvement in pancreatic cancer. It provides valuable anatomical information to support preoperative evaluation and surgical decision-making.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence of hospital-associated infections among the neurosurgery de-partment patients undergoing brain tumor resection and analyze the economic cost so as to provide scientific bases for formulating prevention strategies.METHODS Totally 1027 patients who underwent brain tumor resection in neurosurgery department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from Jan.1,2020 to Dec.31,2024 were recruited as the research subjects.The 36 patients who had postoperative hos-pital-associated infections were assigned as the infection group,and 991 patients who did not have hospital-associ-ated infection were assigned as the no infection group.The patients of the infection group and the non-infection group were matched in a 1∶1 ratio by using propensity score matching method(caliper value 0.005).The length of hospital stay and costs of medical items were compared between the infection group and the non-infection group,and the economic burden due to the hospital-associated infections was estimated.RESULTS The incidence of hospital-associated infections was 3.51％among the patients undergoing brain tumor resection,and totally 36 pairs were matched successfully with the propensity score.The hospitalization cost of the infection group was 109,103.81(73,370.21,163,628.37)yuan after the matching,which was increased by 50,087.69 yuan as com-pared with the non-infection group(Z=-5.237,P＜0.001);the length of hospital stay was 23.00(17.25,36.00)days,which was prolonged by 8.50 days(Z=-3.764,P＜0.001).Among the costs of medical items,the medial costs of western medicine,treatment materials and clinical laboratory tests increased most.CONCLUSIONS The control of the costs of western medicine,treatment materials and clinical laboratory tests is the key to reduce the costs of brain tumor resection patients with hospital-associated infections.It is necessary to carry out the real-time monitoring of the hospital-associated infections and early warning of suspected cases and reduce the incidence of hospital-associated infections so as to reduce the economic costs.

Objective To explore TCM syndrome distribution law in patients with overlapping non-erosive reflux disease(NERD)and epigastric pain syndrome(EPS)gastrointestinal symptoms.Methods A multi-center,cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the general information of 800 patients with overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms in four hospitals,such as gender,age,body mass index(BMI)and four diagnostic information of TCM.Descriptive frequency analysis,factor analysis and clustering analysis were used to summarize the TCM syndrome types and distribution characteristics.Results The average age of 800 patients with overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms was(44.50±14.43)years old,the average BMI was(23.17±4.80)kg/m2,and the male to female ratio was 3:5.Frequency of 95 TCM symptoms/signs≥20%.18 common factor variables were obtained based on factor analysis,and the cumulative contribution rate was 67.11%.The first three syndrome elements of disease location were liver,stomach and spleen,and the disease nature syndrome elements were qi stagnation,qi deficiency and yin deficiency.Based on the clustering analysis of 18 common factor variables,combined with expert discussion,four main TCM syndrome types were obtained,which were liver-stomach stagnation heat syndrome(213 cases,26.63%),spleen-stomach damp heat syndrome(209 cases,26.13%),spleen-stomach deficiency and cold qi stagnation syndrome(190 cases,23.75%)and qi-phlegm stagnation syndrome(188 cases,23.50%).There was no significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndrome types among patients with different genders,ages and BMI values(P>0.05).Patients with a course of disease≥2 years and those residing long-term north of the Qinling-Huaihe Line showed a significantly higher prevalence of spleen-stomach dampness-heat syndrome(P<0.05).Conclusion The syndrome elements of disease location of overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms are mainly liver,stomach and spleen.The TCM syndrome types are liver-stomach stagnation heat syndrome,spleen-stomach damp heat syndrome,spleen-stomach deficiency cold qi stagnation syndrome and qi-phlegm stagnation syndrome.The course of disease and the regional differences between north and south may be the influencing factors of the distribution of syndrome types.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence of hospital-associated infections among the children with acute leukemia and analyze the economic burden so as to provide scientific bases for formulating the hospital infec-tion management strategies.METHODS A total of 140 children with acute leukemia who were hospitalized in pedi-atric hematology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from Jan.1,2018 to Jun.30,2024 were recruited as the research subjects.The clinical data,incidence of infections and cost data were collected.The infection group and the non-infection group were matched in a 1∶1 ratio by propensity score matching method.The length of hospital stay and costs of medical items were compared between the infection group and the non-infection group.The economic burden due to the hospital-associated infections was estimated.RESULTS Of the 140 children,59 had hospital-as-sociated infections,with the incidence of infections 42.14％.A total of 125 children who conformed to the inclu-sion and exclusion criteria were included in the study,among whom 53 pairs were matched successfully by propen-sity score matching method.The median hospitalization cost was 230,125.79 yuan in the infection group after the matching,189,880.90 yuan in the non-infection group,and there was significant difference between the two groups(Z=-2.038,P=0.042).The direct economic burden due to the hospital-associated infections in the chil-dren with acute leukemia was 40,244.89 yuan.The median costs of western medicine,self-pay and antibiotics were increased most remarkably among all the costs of medical items(all P＜0.05).CONCLUSION The targeted surveillance of hospital-associated infections and early warning of suspected cases are the major strategies to reduce the incidence of infections and relieve the economic burden.

Objective To investigate the potential mechanism of Jianpi Qinghua Granules in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)with spleen deficiency and damp heat syndrome.Methods Six of 50 SPF male SD rats were randomly selected as the sham-operation group,the other 44 rats were treated with modified esophagoduodenostomy+abnormal hunger and satiety+internal and external damp heat intervention to establish GERD model of spleen deficiency and damp heat syndrome.The modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,omeprazole group,sodium cromoglicate group and Jianpi Qinghua Granules low-,medium-and high-dosage group,with 6 rats in each group.Each group was intervened with corresponding measures.Pathological changes in esophageal tissue were observed,ELISA was used to detect serum and esophageal mucosal tissue contents of interleukin(IL)-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-6 and IL-10.Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)p65,mast cell tryptase(MCT),proteinase-activated receptor 2(PAR2),Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),TNF receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6)and transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1(TAK1)in esophageal mucosal tissue,RT-qPCR was used to detect mRNA expressions of MCT,PAR2,TLR4 and TRAF6 in esophageal mucosal tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the esophageal mucosal epithelium in the model group was thickened,basal cells proliferated,cell gaps widened,tissue edema and inflammatory cells infiltration were observed;the contents of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and esophageal mucosa significantly increased,while the content of IL-10 significantly decreased(P<0.01);the expressions of NF-κB p65,MCT,PAR2,TLR4,TRAF6,TAK1 protein and MCT,PAR2,TLR4,TRAF6 mRNA in esophageal mucosa significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the injury of esophageal mucosa in each treatment group was alleviated in varying degrees;the contents of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and esophageal mucosa increased,while the content of IL-10 decreased,the expressions of NF-κB p65,MCT,PAR2,TLR4,TRAF6 and TAK1 protein in esophageal mucosa decreased,the mRNA expressions of MCT,PAR2,TLR4 and TRAF6 decreased,and the differences were statistically significant in Jianpi Qinghua Granules high-dosage group(P<0.01).Conclusion Jianpi Qinghua Granules can reduce the esophageal mucosal injury and inflammatory reaction in GERD rats with spleen deficiency and damp heat syndrome,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation induced by LPS.

Objective To investigate the incidence and economic burden of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in patients after liver transplant.Methods Basic clinical information,infection status,and related medical expenses of liver transplant patients in the department of hepatobiliary surgery in a tertiary first-class hospital from November 2012 to December 2023 were investigated retrospectively.A case-control study design was employed,with post-li-ver transplant patients who developed HAI as the infection group and those without HAI during the same period as the control group.The 1∶1 propensity score matching(PSM)method was adopted(caliper value was set at 0.05,employing sampling without replacement).Length of hospital stay and hospitalization expenses between patients in the infection group and the control group were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test,and the economic burden due to HAI was calculated.Results A total of 336 liver transplant patients were included in study,out of which 48 had HAI,with an incidence of 14.29％.44 pairs were successfully matched by PSM.After matching,the median hospitalization expense for patients in the infection group was 334 473.73 Yuan,while that of the control group was 285 824.82 Yuan,with a statistically significant difference(Z=-3.430,P＜0.05).The direct economic burden of HAI in liver transplant patients was 48 648.91 Yuan.After matching,the median length of hospital stay in the in-fection group(37.0 days)was 12.5 days longer than that in the control group(24.5 days),with statistically sig-nificnat difference(Z=-3.630,P＜0.001).Conclusion HAI after liver transplant increases patients' hospitaliza-tion expense and prolongs their hospital stay,thus brings huge economic burdens to the patients.

Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)is the pathogen of acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS).The vi-rus is a highly contagious and highly pathogenic disease caused by the virus attacking the human immune system,which remains a ma-jor global public health problem.Interferon(IFN)is a key cytokine with antiviral and cell-regulatory properties,involved in functions such as cell proliferation,innate and adaptive immune responses.The JAK/STAT signaling pathway is a signal transduction pathway stimulated by cytokines that is involved in many important biological processes such as cell proliferation,differentiation,apoptosis,and immune regulation.With the further in-depth research on AIDS,it has been revealed that IFN and the JAK/STAT pathway play crucial roles in the activation and replication of HIV-1 in target cells.This paper summarizes the structure,signal transduction,and regulatory mechanisms of IFN and the JAK/STAT pathway,and explores the mechanism of IFN-regulated JAK/STAT signaling path-way in HIV-1.It is expected to provide new treatment strategies for the clinical treatment of AIDS.

Objective:To study the characteristics of soil microbial composition in sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas, and explore potential zoonotic pathogen species.Methods:Using cross-sectional survey method, soil samples from sheep sheds in the agricultural and pastoral areas of Darhan-Muminggan Joint County, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were collected from August to October 2023. Genomic DNA was extracted, and metagenomic second-generation sequencing was conducted. Microbial species annotation was carried out by Kaiju method, and the soil microbial composition and zoonotic pathogen species of sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas were analyzed.Results:A total of 10 and 5 soil samples were collected from sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas, respectively. The results of β diversity analysis showed that there was a significant separation trend in soil samples from sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas, and the interpretation of principal co-ordinates analysis (PCoA) 1 and PCoA2 were 27.8% and 17.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the microbial composition of soil samples from sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas ( R = 0.09, P = 0.242). At the phylum level, the dominant bacterial phyla were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the dominant bacterial genera were Corynebacterium, Luteimonas, Atopostipes, and Salinicoccus. A variety of zoonotic pathogens were detected, including Brucella melitensis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Clostridium tetani in 15 soil samples. Conclusion:The soil microorganisms in sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas are diverse, and zoonotic pathogens such as Brucella melitensis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Clostridium tetani are detected.

Objective To investigate the incidence and economic burden of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in patients after liver transplant.Methods Basic clinical information,infection status,and related medical expenses of liver transplant patients in the department of hepatobiliary surgery in a tertiary first-class hospital from November 2012 to December 2023 were investigated retrospectively.A case-control study design was employed,with post-li-ver transplant patients who developed HAI as the infection group and those without HAI during the same period as the control group.The 1∶1 propensity score matching(PSM)method was adopted(caliper value was set at 0.05,employing sampling without replacement).Length of hospital stay and hospitalization expenses between patients in the infection group and the control group were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test,and the economic burden due to HAI was calculated.Results A total of 336 liver transplant patients were included in study,out of which 48 had HAI,with an incidence of 14.29％.44 pairs were successfully matched by PSM.After matching,the median hospitalization expense for patients in the infection group was 334 473.73 Yuan,while that of the control group was 285 824.82 Yuan,with a statistically significant difference(Z=-3.430,P＜0.05).The direct economic burden of HAI in liver transplant patients was 48 648.91 Yuan.After matching,the median length of hospital stay in the in-fection group(37.0 days)was 12.5 days longer than that in the control group(24.5 days),with statistically sig-nificnat difference(Z=-3.630,P＜0.001).Conclusion HAI after liver transplant increases patients' hospitaliza-tion expense and prolongs their hospital stay,thus brings huge economic burdens to the patients.

Objective:To study the characteristics of soil microbial composition in sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas, and explore potential zoonotic pathogen species.Methods:Using cross-sectional survey method, soil samples from sheep sheds in the agricultural and pastoral areas of Darhan-Muminggan Joint County, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were collected from August to October 2023. Genomic DNA was extracted, and metagenomic second-generation sequencing was conducted. Microbial species annotation was carried out by Kaiju method, and the soil microbial composition and zoonotic pathogen species of sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas were analyzed.Results:A total of 10 and 5 soil samples were collected from sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas, respectively. The results of β diversity analysis showed that there was a significant separation trend in soil samples from sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas, and the interpretation of principal co-ordinates analysis (PCoA) 1 and PCoA2 were 27.8% and 17.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the microbial composition of soil samples from sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas ( R = 0.09, P = 0.242). At the phylum level, the dominant bacterial phyla were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the dominant bacterial genera were Corynebacterium, Luteimonas, Atopostipes, and Salinicoccus. A variety of zoonotic pathogens were detected, including Brucella melitensis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Clostridium tetani in 15 soil samples. Conclusion:The soil microorganisms in sheep sheds in agricultural and pastoral areas are diverse, and zoonotic pathogens such as Brucella melitensis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Clostridium tetani are detected.