ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of long COVID and to investigate its main influencing factors by examining individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 between March and June 2022 in two communities in Shanghai, to lay the foundation for further research on the mechanism and clinical treatment of long COVID, and to provide the basis for the development of inexpensive, convenient, and feasible prevention and intervention strategies. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 6 410 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey. The incidence and common symptoms of long COVID were analyzed, along with their associations with demographic characteristics, medical history, and behavioral factors. A logistic regression model was used to identify the major factors associated with the development of long COVID symptoms. ResultsThe overall incidence rate of long COVID among the study population was 13.9%. The most commonly reported symptoms included fatigue (65.1%), attention disorders (23.1%), and cough (16.9%). The analysis showed that having underlying chronic diseases (OR=2.580, 95%CI: 2.165‒3.074), a history of allergies (OR=1.418, 95%CI: 1.003‒1.971), current smoking (OR=1.461, 95%CI: 1.013‒2.079), ever smoking (OR=2.462, 95%CI: 1.687‒3.551), a greater number of symptoms during the acute phase [1 symptom (OR=1.778, 95%CI: 1.459‒2.162), 2 symptoms (OR=2.749, 95%CI: 2.209‒3.409), ≥3 symptoms (OR=7.792, 95%CI: 6.333‒9.593)] and aggravated symptoms during the acute phase (OR=1.082, 95%CI: 1.070‒1.094) were factors associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID symptoms. Additionally, individuals who had consumed alcohol in the past year (OR=1.914, 95%CI: 1.344‒2.684) were more prone to objective long COVID symptoms. Among individuals under 50 years of age, females (OR=1.427, 95%CI: 1.052‒1.943) were more likely to develop objective long COVID symptoms. ConclusionThis study has identified the diversity of long COVID symptoms, which involve multiple organs and systems, including fatigue, attention disorders, cough, and joint pain. It has also revealed associations between long COVID and various demographic factors (e.g., age, gender), personal medical history (e.g., underlying chronic diseases, history of allergies), acute-phase characteristics (e.g., number and severity of symptoms), and behavioral factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption). These findings highlight the need for further research and ongoing surveillance of long COVID and may inform the development of more targeted health management strategies for specific populations.

Objective:To explore the association between insulin resistance (IR) and genome-wide DNA methylation based on Shanghai twin study.Methods:Monozygotic twins (MZ) from Shanghai were recruited during 2012-2013, 2017-2018, and 2022-2023. Data were collected by questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory tests. Genome-wide DNA methylation was quantified. Generalized linear mixed effect model was applied to analyze the association between methylation level at each site and homeostatic model assessment 2-insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR). Non-paired and paired designs were used to assess the association between DNA methylation and phenotype of IR. Cluster analysis was conducted to identify the clusters of top significant sites. Generalized linear regression was performed to examine the differential methylation patterns from clusters.Results:A total of 100 MZ pairs were included in this study. Hypermethylated cg10535199-2q23.1 ( β=0.74%, P=1.51×10 -7, OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.03-1.09) and ch.17.49619327- SPOP ( β=0.23%, P=7.54×10 -7, OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.08-1.28) were identified with suggestive significance. After correcting for multiple testing, no sites reached genome-wide significance. There was no statistical significance in the paired analysis. Two clusters with hypomethylated ( β=-0.39%, P<0.001) and hypermethylated ( β=0.47%, P<0.001) patterns were observed for HOMA2-IR. Conclusions:IR was significantly associated with DNA methylation, and genetic factors might contribute to the association.

Cognitive dysfunction caused by blast traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is a serious neurological disease with high incidence, serious condition and poor prognosis. bTBI can lead to a series of symptoms such as short-term memory loss, inattention or multi-tasking difficulties. In severe cases, bTBI can develop into Alzheimer′s disease, which has a great impact on patients′ normal work and life. At present, researches on cognitive dysfunction caused by bTBI mainly involve model construction, pathogenesis, pathophysiological changes, diagnosis and treatment, etc., and the molecular mechanism of its occurrence remains to be further studied. Under normal physiological conditions, the release of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, the release and uptake of Ca 2+, oxidation and antioxidant systems, and the promotion and inhibition of apoptosis are in a dynamic balance. bTBI disturbs the balance, which will lead to the damage of nerve cells at the molecular level, thus resulting in the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction. To this end, the authors summarized the aspects of excitatory toxicity and Ca 2+homeostasis disorder, oxidative stress, inflammation and edema, apoptosis, etc., and reviewed the research progress on the molecular mechanism of cognitive dysfunction caused by bTBI, so as to provide a reference for the treatment and rehabilitation of cognitive dysfunction in patients with bTBI.

Objective:To explore the effect of simulated gas of thermobaric bomb charge explosion on cognitive function and the related mechanism of damage.Methods:In January 2022, thirty-two SPF rats were selected and randomly divided into control group, exposed group 1, 2 and 3 (the exposure time of the simulated gas of the explosion of the thermobaric bomb charge was 5 min, 10 min and 15 min, respectively) according to random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. The simulated gas of the explosion of the thermobaric bomb charge were CO 0.15%, CO 2 3%, NO 0.1%, O 2 15%, and the rest were N 2. After 30 days of exposure, water maze was used to detect the learning and memory function of rats. Golgi staining was used to observe the number distribution and morphological structure of hippocampal neurons in rats. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Tau-5, pSer262, pSer396, pThr181 and pThr231 proteins in rats. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the design data of repeated measure, one-way ANOVA was used for multi-group mean comparison, and LSD method was used for pound-wise comparison. Results:There were significant differences in the results of repeated measurement ANOVA of the water maze localization navigation test ( F=80.98, P<0.001), and there was an interaction between the group and the training days ( F=2.16, P=0.022). There were significant differences in escape latency of rats at the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th days among all groups ( P<0.05). The results of spatial exploration showed that the frequency of rats crossing the platform was significantly different among all groups ( F=4.49, P=0.011). The frequency of rats crossing the platform in exposed group 2 and exposed group 3 was lower than that in control group, and the frequency of rats crossing the platform in exposed group 3 was lower than that in exposed group 1 ( P<0.05). With the increase of exposure time, the number of hippocampal neurons decreased, and the dendrite spine density of neurons in CA1 region decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the relative expression level of Tau-5 protein in all exposed groups ( P>0.05), but the expression level of pSer262 protein was significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the protein expressions of pSer396, pThr181 and pThr231 in exposed group 2 and exposed group 3 were significantly increased ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:The simulated gas of the explosion of the thermobaric bomb charge may contribute to the development of cognitive dysfunction by damaging hippocampal neurons with aberrant phosphorylation of Tau proteins.

Objective:To compare the clinical and ultrasonic features of elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis(EORA)and young-onset rheumatoid arthritis(YORA).Methods:A total of 104 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis were categorized into two groups based on their age of onset: the EORA group, consisting of 70 patients, and the YORA group, consisting of 34 patients.A comparative analysis was conducted on the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and ultrasonic images of patients in these two groups.Results:The male ratio in the EORA group was significantly higher than that in the YORA group(24.3% vs.8.8%, P=0.048).There were no statistical differences in the course of disease, DAS28, ESR, CRP, RF, and anti-CCP antibody positive rates between the two groups( P>0.05)when compared with the YORA group.The incidence of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in the EORA group was significantly higher than that in the YORA group( P=0.018, P=0.011).Ultrasonic results revealed a significantly higher incidence of phalangeal bone erosion in the EORA group compared to the YORA group(14.9% vs.4.3%, P<0.01).Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that different age groups, disease duration, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis did not have an effect on the ultrasonic changes of synovial hyperplasia, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, and bone erosion in RA patients. Conclusions:There is no significant difference in the clinical disease activity and disease progression between EORA group and YORA group.Additionally, the pattern of joint inflammation involvement is similar in both groups.Ultrasound examinations revealed a higher incidence of bone erosion in finger joints of EORA patients compared to YORA patients.

Objective:To investigate clinical efficacy of parasacral perforator flap (PPF) on postoperative wound healing in pilonidal sinus diseases (PSDs).Methods:The surgery steps were as follows: (1) To preoperatively detect parasacral perforator arteries with the handhold Doppler probe and mark them; (2) To remove the infected and necrotic tissues of PSDs completely; (3) To design the PPF according to the wound size and the parasacral perforator arteries' localization; (4) To harvest the flap from the gluteus maximus muscle surface and transfer it to the wound without tension. Several data were documented, including surgical duration, flap length, flap width, drainage tube placement duration, hospital stay, duration from operation to stitch removal, postsurgical complications and recurrence.Results:There were six patients with PSDs whose postoperative wound healing was repaired by PPF, admitted in our department from March 2021 to March 2023. Of them, five were male and one was female. Their median age was 24 (range: 18-33) years old. Their median surgical duration was 165 (range: 134-207) minutes, median length of PPF was 8 (range: 7-11) cm, median width of PPF was 3 (range: 3-4) cm, mean duration of drainage tube placement was 8 (range: 4-17) days, mean hospital stay was 13 (range: 6-23) days, mean duration from operation to stitch removal was 14 (range: 14-17) days, median follow-up time was 6-16 months. Incisions of all six cases achieved first-intention healing without early- or late-stage complications. No recurrence occurred during follow-up. All patients involved were satisfied with their clinical efficacy.Conclusion:The utility of PPF in postoperative wound healing of PPDs was effective, safe and reliable.

Objective:To explore the effect of simulated gas of thermobaric bomb charge explosion on cognitive function and the related mechanism of damage.Methods:In January 2022, thirty-two SPF rats were selected and randomly divided into control group, exposed group 1, 2 and 3 (the exposure time of the simulated gas of the explosion of the thermobaric bomb charge was 5 min, 10 min and 15 min, respectively) according to random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. The simulated gas of the explosion of the thermobaric bomb charge were CO 0.15%, CO 2 3%, NO 0.1%, O 2 15%, and the rest were N 2. After 30 days of exposure, water maze was used to detect the learning and memory function of rats. Golgi staining was used to observe the number distribution and morphological structure of hippocampal neurons in rats. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Tau-5, pSer262, pSer396, pThr181 and pThr231 proteins in rats. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the design data of repeated measure, one-way ANOVA was used for multi-group mean comparison, and LSD method was used for pound-wise comparison. Results:There were significant differences in the results of repeated measurement ANOVA of the water maze localization navigation test ( F=80.98, P<0.001), and there was an interaction between the group and the training days ( F=2.16, P=0.022). There were significant differences in escape latency of rats at the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th days among all groups ( P<0.05). The results of spatial exploration showed that the frequency of rats crossing the platform was significantly different among all groups ( F=4.49, P=0.011). The frequency of rats crossing the platform in exposed group 2 and exposed group 3 was lower than that in control group, and the frequency of rats crossing the platform in exposed group 3 was lower than that in exposed group 1 ( P<0.05). With the increase of exposure time, the number of hippocampal neurons decreased, and the dendrite spine density of neurons in CA1 region decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the relative expression level of Tau-5 protein in all exposed groups ( P>0.05), but the expression level of pSer262 protein was significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the protein expressions of pSer396, pThr181 and pThr231 in exposed group 2 and exposed group 3 were significantly increased ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:The simulated gas of the explosion of the thermobaric bomb charge may contribute to the development of cognitive dysfunction by damaging hippocampal neurons with aberrant phosphorylation of Tau proteins.

Objective:To investigate clinical efficacy of parasacral perforator flap (PPF) on postoperative wound healing in pilonidal sinus diseases (PSDs).Methods:The surgery steps were as follows: (1) To preoperatively detect parasacral perforator arteries with the handhold Doppler probe and mark them; (2) To remove the infected and necrotic tissues of PSDs completely; (3) To design the PPF according to the wound size and the parasacral perforator arteries' localization; (4) To harvest the flap from the gluteus maximus muscle surface and transfer it to the wound without tension. Several data were documented, including surgical duration, flap length, flap width, drainage tube placement duration, hospital stay, duration from operation to stitch removal, postsurgical complications and recurrence.Results:There were six patients with PSDs whose postoperative wound healing was repaired by PPF, admitted in our department from March 2021 to March 2023. Of them, five were male and one was female. Their median age was 24 (range: 18-33) years old. Their median surgical duration was 165 (range: 134-207) minutes, median length of PPF was 8 (range: 7-11) cm, median width of PPF was 3 (range: 3-4) cm, mean duration of drainage tube placement was 8 (range: 4-17) days, mean hospital stay was 13 (range: 6-23) days, mean duration from operation to stitch removal was 14 (range: 14-17) days, median follow-up time was 6-16 months. Incisions of all six cases achieved first-intention healing without early- or late-stage complications. No recurrence occurred during follow-up. All patients involved were satisfied with their clinical efficacy.Conclusion:The utility of PPF in postoperative wound healing of PPDs was effective, safe and reliable.

The comparison between traditional Chinese medicine Jinzhen oral liquid (JZOL) and Western medicine in treating children with acute bronchitis (AB) showed encouraging outcomes. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the JZOL for improving cough and expectoration in children with AB. 480 children were randomly assigned to take JZOL or ambroxol hydrochloride and clenbuterol hydrochloride oral solution for 7 days. The primary outcome was time-to-cough resolution. The median time-to-cough resolution in both groups was 5.0 days and the antitussive onset median time was only 1 day. This randomized controlled trial showed that JZOL was not inferior to cough suppressant and phlegm resolving western medicine in treating cough and sputum and could comprehensively treat respiratory and systemic discomfort symptoms. Combined with clinical trials, the mechanism of JZOL against AB was uncovered by network target analysis, it was found that the pathways in TRP channels like IL-1β/IL1R/TRPV1/TRPA1, NGF/TrkA/TRPV1/TRPA1, and PGE2/EP/PKA/TRPV1/TRPA1 might play important roles. Animal experiments further confirmed that inflammation and the immune regulatory effect of JZOL in the treatment of AB were of vital importance and TRP channels were the key mechanism of action.

Objective:To investigate the effects of thermobaric charge explosion simulated gas on long-term neurobehavior and hippocampal neurogenesis in rats.Methods:A total of 48 male SPF grade SD rats aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into control group, 5 min exposure group, 10 min exposure group and 15 min exposure group, with 12 rats in each group. Twenty-eight days after inhalation of infection, the anxiety-like behavior of rats was evaluated by an elevated cross maze, and the learning and memory function of rats was evaluated by two-way active avoidance experiment. The number of positive cells of rat hippocampal dentate gyrus neural stem cells marker molecule neural epithelial cell protein (SOX2) and mature neuron marker molecular neuronal nuclei (NeuN) was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Western blot was used to detect SOX2 and NeuN protein expression in the hippocampal tissues of rats. GraphPad prism 8.0 software was used for data analysis.The comparison of repeated measurement design data was carried out by repeated measurement ANOVA.One-way ANOVA was used for inter group comparisons, and Tukey test was used for pairwise comparison. Hippocampal nerve cells were counted using the Image J software.Results:(1) The experimental results of the elevated cross maze showed that the percentage of arm opening and the percentage of open arm residence time in each group had significant group effects ( F=22.31, 5.43, all P<0.05). The percentage of open arm entry times of rats in the 5 min, 10 min and 15 min exposure group ((28.85±1.47)%, (15.04±4.69)%, (12.66±2.89)%) and the percentage of residence time in open arm ((12.12±2.64)%, (12.16±1.11)%, (8.73±3.52)%) were all lower than those of the control group ((65.40±1.86)%, (42.92±3.12)%) (all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in pairwise comparison among the three exposure groups (all P>0.05). (2)During the memory acquisition period, the results of repeated-ANOVA showed that the time main effect ( F=56.46), the group main effect ( F=16.64) and the interaction effect had significant differences( F=4.21)(all P<0. 05). The difference values of active avoidance number between the 4th day and 1st day among the four groups were significant different ( F=68.63, P<0.05). During the memory reproduction period, there were significant differences in active avoidance number and active avoidance time among the four groups ( F=8.17, 8.28, both P<0.05). The active avoidance numbers in 10 min and 15 min exposure groups((2.50±0.26) times, (2.33±0.06) times)were significantly lower than those in the control group ((8.33±3.72) times) (both P<0.05), and the active avoidance time ((6.25±0.40)s, (6.61±1.63)s) were significantly higher than those in the control group((3.69±1.41)s) (both P<0.05). The active avoidance numbers in 10 min and 15 min exposure groups were significantly lower than that in 5 min exposure group (both P<0.05). (3) The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the numbers of SOX2-positive cells in the four groups were statistically significant ( F=5.33, P<0.05). The SOX2-positive cells in 15 min exposure group (4.33±1.12) was significantly lower than that in control group (7.67±1.52) ( P<0.05). The numbers of NeuN-positive cells in the four groups were significantly different ( F=11.06, P<0.05), and the NeuN-positive cells in the 10 min and 15 min exposure groups((105.67±8.50), (88.33±9.50)) were significantly lower than that in the control group (127.00±6.56) ( P<0.05). The NeuN-positive cells in 15 min exposure group were significantly lower than that in 5 min exposure group (110.67±8.32) ( P<0.05). (4) Western blot results showed that the relative expression of SOX2 and NeuN proteins in the four groups was statistically significant ( F=11.560, 7.035, both P<0.05). The relative expression of SOX2 and NeuN proteins in the 15 min exposure group were significantly lower than those in control group (both P<0.05). The relative expression of SOX2 protein in 15 min exposure group was significantly lower than that in 5 min exposure group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Acute exposure to warm pressure charge explosion simulated gas can lead to anxiety-like behavior, learning and memory deficits in rats, and significantly reduce the protein expression levels of hippocampal dentate gyrus neural stem cells and mature neuronal marker molecules SOX2 and NeuN.