Objective Objective To analyze the potential spatial factors affecting the genetic differentiation of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province. Methods A total of 13 administrative villages were selected from schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province as O. hupensis snail sampling sites. At least 200 snails were collected in each site, and the spatial variable data of each site were recorded, including longitude, latitude and altitude. Thirty active and Schistosoma japonicum uninfected O. hupensis snails were selected from each sampling site by means of the crawling method and the cercarial shedding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from O. hupensis snails. Following PCR amplification, purification of PCR amplification products and sequencing, the gene sequences of O. hupensis snail samples were spliced and edited using the DNAstar software and the NCBI database to yield the complete mitochondrial sequences of O. hupensis snails at each sampling site, and the mitochondrial genetic distance matrix of O. hupensis robertsoni was calculated at each sampling site. The geographical coordinates of each sampling site were marked using the software ArcGIS 10.2, and the straight-line geographical distance between each sampling site was calculated. The altitude difference, longitude difference and latitude difference between each sampling site were calculated using the Excel software, and the correlation between the mitochondrial genetic distance matrix of O. hupensis robertsoni and each spatial variable matrix was examined by using the Mantel test at 13 sampling sites in Yunnan Province. Results Among the 13 O. hupensis snail sampling sites in Yunnan Province, the largest mitochondrial genetic distance of O. hupensis robertsoni snail populations was seen between Anding Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Caizhuang Village, Midu County (26.244 2), and the largest geographical distance was seen between Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District and Cangling Village, Chuxiong County (272.64 km). The highest altitude difference was seen between Anding Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District (1 086.10 m), and the largest longitude difference was found between Qiandian Village, Eryuan County and Cangling Village, Chuxiong County (1.86°), while the largest latitude difference was measured between Leqiu Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District (1.81°). In addition, the mitochondrial genetic distance of O. hupensis robertsoni snail populations was positively correlated with altitude at 13 snail sampling sites in Yunnan Province (r = 0.542 8, P < 0.001), and showed no significant correlations with geographical distance (r = 0.093 4, P > 0.05), longitude (r = −0.199 5, P > 0.05) or latitude (r = 0.205 7, P > 0.05). Conclusion Altitude may be a potential spatial factor affecting the genetic differentiation of O. hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province.

BACKGROUND:The preparation of curved root canals is a difficult point in root canal treatment,and the main way used in clinical preparation for curved root canals is to gradually deepen the technique,but this technique is prone to lateral penetration when preparing curved root canals,resulting in treatment failure.In view of this situation,some scholars have proposed the use of touch activation technology to prepare,but there are few studies on the influence of this technology combined with different mechanical nickel-titanium instruments on the forming effect of curved root canals at home and abroad.OBJECTIVE:To observe the shaping effect of WaveOneGold,Trunatomy and M3-Pro mechanized nitinol device preparation root canal by using resin simulated root canal step-down technology and tactile controlled activation.METHODS:60 single-bending resin simulated root canals were divided into 6 groups(r=10)according to the random number table method according to the nitinol instrument used.The A1 group was prepared with step-down+WaveOneGold;the A2 group was prepared with step-down+Trunatomy,and the A3 group was prepared with step-down+M3-Pro.Tactile controlled activation+WaveOneGold was used for preparation in group B1;tactile controlled activation+Trunatomy was used for group B2,and tactile controlled activation+M3-Pro was used for preparation in group B3.After the preparation was completed,the pre-preparation and posterior root canal images are obtained using a dental surgical microscope.The root canal offset was analyzed before and after preparation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)When WaveOneGold was used,the root canal deviation at 1,4,and 7 mm from the apex was smaller with the tactile controlled activation technique than with the step-down technique(P＜0.05);when Trunatomy was used,the root canal deviation at 6,8,and 10 mm from the apex was smaller with the tactile controlled activation technique than with the step-down technique(P＜0.05);when M3-Pro was used,the root canal deviation at 1,2,and 3 mm from the apex was smaller with the tactile controlled activation technique than with the step-down technique(P＜0.05).(2)When the step-down technique was used,the root canal deviation at 1,4,5,and 7 mm from the apex was smaller with the Trunatomy than with the other two files(P＜0.05),and the root canal deviation at 1,2,3,and 6 mm from the apex was larger with the M3-Pro machine-made nickel-titanium instrument than with the other two files(P＜0.05);when the tactile controlled activation technique was used,the root canal deviation at 2,5,6,8,and 9 mm from the apex after preparation with the Trunatomy file was smaller than that of the other two groups(P＜0.05),and the root canal deviation at 1,4,5,6,and 7 mm from the apex after preparation with the M3-Pro file was larger than that of the other two groups(P＜0.05).(3)The results showed that the three files could cause root canal deviation when preparing root canals.The three files combined with the tactile controlled activation technique could reduce the root canal deviation at some sites of the root canal.The root canal deviation at some sites of the Trunatomy file was less than that of the other two files.

BACKGROUND:The preparation of curved root canals is a difficult point in root canal treatment,and the main way used in clinical preparation for curved root canals is to gradually deepen the technique,but this technique is prone to lateral penetration when preparing curved root canals,resulting in treatment failure.In view of this situation,some scholars have proposed the use of touch activation technology to prepare,but there are few studies on the influence of this technology combined with different mechanical nickel-titanium instruments on the forming effect of curved root canals at home and abroad.OBJECTIVE:To observe the shaping effect of WaveOneGold,Trunatomy and M3-Pro mechanized nitinol device preparation root canal by using resin simulated root canal step-down technology and tactile controlled activation.METHODS:60 single-bending resin simulated root canals were divided into 6 groups(r=10)according to the random number table method according to the nitinol instrument used.The A1 group was prepared with step-down+WaveOneGold;the A2 group was prepared with step-down+Trunatomy,and the A3 group was prepared with step-down+M3-Pro.Tactile controlled activation+WaveOneGold was used for preparation in group B1;tactile controlled activation+Trunatomy was used for group B2,and tactile controlled activation+M3-Pro was used for preparation in group B3.After the preparation was completed,the pre-preparation and posterior root canal images are obtained using a dental surgical microscope.The root canal offset was analyzed before and after preparation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)When WaveOneGold was used,the root canal deviation at 1,4,and 7 mm from the apex was smaller with the tactile controlled activation technique than with the step-down technique(P＜0.05);when Trunatomy was used,the root canal deviation at 6,8,and 10 mm from the apex was smaller with the tactile controlled activation technique than with the step-down technique(P＜0.05);when M3-Pro was used,the root canal deviation at 1,2,and 3 mm from the apex was smaller with the tactile controlled activation technique than with the step-down technique(P＜0.05).(2)When the step-down technique was used,the root canal deviation at 1,4,5,and 7 mm from the apex was smaller with the Trunatomy than with the other two files(P＜0.05),and the root canal deviation at 1,2,3,and 6 mm from the apex was larger with the M3-Pro machine-made nickel-titanium instrument than with the other two files(P＜0.05);when the tactile controlled activation technique was used,the root canal deviation at 2,5,6,8,and 9 mm from the apex after preparation with the Trunatomy file was smaller than that of the other two groups(P＜0.05),and the root canal deviation at 1,4,5,6,and 7 mm from the apex after preparation with the M3-Pro file was larger than that of the other two groups(P＜0.05).(3)The results showed that the three files could cause root canal deviation when preparing root canals.The three files combined with the tactile controlled activation technique could reduce the root canal deviation at some sites of the root canal.The root canal deviation at some sites of the Trunatomy file was less than that of the other two files.

OBJECTIVES: With the accelerating aging of the population and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, the number of patients with pressure injuries (PIs) has increased markedly, prolonging the period of disease-related care. Informal caregivers play a critical role in the daily care of patients with pressure injuries, and their care burden has become increasingly prominent. This study aims to investigate the current status and influencing factors of care burden among informal caregivers of patients with PIs, providing evidence for targeted intervention strategies. METHODS: A total of 170 informal caregivers of patients with PIs were selected by convenience sampling from the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. General demographic and clinical data of both patients and caregivers were collected. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Inventory (ZBI), Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Scale for Informal Caregivers of Patients with PIs, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Family Caregiver Task Inventory (FCTI) were used to assess caregiving burden, knowledge-attitude-practice level, self-efficacy, and caregiving ability, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate relationships among ZBI, Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Scale for Informal Caregivers of Patients with PIs, GSES, and FCTI scores. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing caregiving. RESULTS: Among the 170 patients with pressure injuries, the age was (65.52±15.88) years; 118 (69.41%) were male and 52 (30.59%) were female. The duration of PIs was less than 1 month in 108 (63.53%) cases and 1 to 6 months in 40 cases (23.53%). Stage II injuries were predominant (135 cases, 79.41%). A total of 193 pressure injury sites were recorded, most commonly located at the sacrococcygeal region (127 sites, 65.80%), followed by the head (3 sites, 1.55%), shoulder and back (9 sites, 4.66%), feet (24 sites, 12.44%), and other regions (30 sites, 15.55%). Informal caregivers were 48.82% aged 46 to 59 years, 54.71% female, 41.77% primarily spouses and 47.06% children of the patients, and 77.06% lived with the patients. Caregivers who received assistance from others or had higher family per-capita monthly income reported significantly lower caregiver burden scores than those without assistance or with lower income (all P<0.001). The total ZBI score was 50.89±14.95, indicating a moderate burden. The total scores of the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Scale for Informal Caregivers, GSES, and FCTI were 50.61±7.22, 26.03±7.11, and 14.76±8.70, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that ZBI scores were correlated with scores on the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Scale for Informal Caregivers of Patients with PIs (r=-0.543, P<0.001), GSES scores (r=-0.545, P<0.001), and FCTI scores (r=0.800, P<0.001). The scores on Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Scale for Informal Caregivers of patients with PIs were correlated with GSES scores (r=0.500, P<0.001) and FCTI scores (r=-0.461, P<0.001); GSES scores was negatively correlated with FCTI scores (r=-0.415, P<0.001). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that assistance availability, family per-capita monthly income, total scores on the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Scale for Informal Caregivers of Patients with PIs, total GSES score, and total FCTI score were the main influencing factors of caregiver burden, jointly explaining 79.38% of its variance. CONCLUSIONS The main factors influencing the caregiving burden of informal caregivers of patients with PIs include the availability of assistance, family per-capita monthly income, total score on the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice Scale for Informal Caregivers of PI patients, total score on the GSES, and total score on the FCTI. Developing targeted intervention strategies addressing these factors may help alleviate the caregiving burden among informal caregivers of patients with PIs.
Humans ; Caregivers/psychology* ; Pressure Ulcer/nursing* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Cost of Illness ; Adult ; Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Self Efficacy ; Caregiver Burden ; China

Andrographolide sulfonate (AS) is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, and has been approved for several decades in China. The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling, improved body weights, and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced. Bioinformatics analysis, along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels, suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions. In vitro, AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4⁺ IL-17A⁺ T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis, as indicated by metabolomics analysis, reduced glucose uptake, and pH measurements. Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2 (HK2) to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signals in vivo and in vitro, which was abolished by the addition of lactate. In conclusion, AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Animals ; Th17 Cells/immunology* ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Andrographis paniculata/chemistry* ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-17/immunology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Background: The function of CD69 expressed on T cells in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the roles of CD69 on T cells in the disease process and in antiviral therapy for CHB. Methods: We enrolled 335 treatment-naive patients with CHB and 93 patients with CHB on antiviral therapy. CD69, antiviral cytokine production by T cells, T-helper (Th) cells, and inhibitory molecules of T cells were measured using flow cytometry, and clinical-virological characteristics were examined dynamically during antiviral therapy. Results: CD69 expression on CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells was the lowest in the immune-active phase and was negatively correlated with liver transaminase activity, fibrosis features, inflammatory cytokine production by T cells, and Th-cell frequencies but positively with inhibitory molecules on T cells. CD69 expression on CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells decreased after 48 weeks of antiviral therapy, and patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in week 48 showed lower CD69 expression on T cells at baseline and week 48. The area under the ROC curve of CD69 expression on T cells at baseline for predicting HBeAg seroconversion in week 48 was 0.870, the sensitivity was 0.909, and the specificity was 0.714 (P = 0.002). Conclusions CD69 negatively regulates T-cell immunity during CHB, and its expression decreases with antiviral therapy. CD69 expression predicts HBeAg seroconversion in week 48. CD69 may play an important negative role in regulating T cells and affect the efficacy of antiviral therapy.

Objective:To investigate the situation of computed tomography(CT)equipment and socio economic development of various grades and classifications of medical institutions in Jiangsu Province,and to analyze the interrelationship between them.Methods:From October 20,2023 to November 20,2023,a questionnaire survey was conducted on imported and domestic CT equipment of various grades and classifications of medical institutions in 13 prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu Province through online questionnaire survey of"questionnaire star".The gross domestic product(GDP)of each prefecture-level city in Jiangsu province was used as an indicator of measuring the level of socio-economic development in the region.The CT number,the row number of detector,quality of image,the total examination case number of daily average and the daily average case number of single machine examination of medical institutions of various grades and classifications of 13 prefecture-level cities were used to conduct correlation analysis with GDP values of various districts.Results:A total of 910 questionnaires were distributed,and 512 questionnaires were retrieved.There were 482 valid questionnaires in the 512 questionnaires,and the valid rate was 94.15,which involved to 482 various grade and classification institutions of 13 prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu province.The number of imported and domestic CT equipment in the 13 prefecture-level cities of Jiangsu Province positively correlated with the GDP of each city(r=0.882,0.880,P<0.001).The number of imported CT equipment with 64 rows and more than 64 rows,and with less than 64 rows,and the number of domestic CT equipment with 64 rows and more than 64 rows,and with less than 64 rows all positively correlated with the GDP of each city(r=0.880,0.881,0.736,0.897,P<0.05).The total number of daily average of examinations for imported and domestic CT equipment of 13 prefecture-level cities positively correlated with the GDP of each city(r=0.774,0.814,P<0.05).There were no significant difference in the image quality and the daily average case number of single machine examination between the domestic CT equipment and the imported CT equipment(P>0.05).Conclusion:The medical institutions of city with high level of economic development have more quantitative and more high-end CT equipment,and the quality of image of domestic CT equipment is equal to that of imported CT equipment regardless of the high and low level of economic development.

Objective:To identify and trace the origin of the Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida strain SJCS-979 isolated from the blood of a patient, so as to provide a reference for the traceability investigation of such infection events. Methods:Hot spring water samples that the patient had recently bathed in were collected to culture the causative agent, combined with the pathogenic characteristics and the patient′s activity before the bloodstream infection. The water samples were concentrated, acid-treated, and then the isolation of the causative agent was performed, following the method for Legionella detection in circulating cooling water. Suspected strains detected from the hot spring water were subjected to classical phenotypic identification, API ZYM and API NH strips tests, drug sensitivity testing, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identification, and the obtained data were compared with those of strain SJCS-979 isolated from the patient′s blood. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on genomic analysis to determine the taxonomic status of strain SJCS-979 and related strains. Epidemiological data of Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida were collected and analyzed by integrating the global genetic and genomic data on GenBank database. Core single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) comparisons were obtained using Snippy 3.2 software, and then an evolutionary tree was built to determine its population structure based on BAPS analysis. Results:Strain CC-2, isolated from the hot spring water, shared the same biochemical and drug sensitivity phenotype, and had a nearly consistent mass spectrometric profile with strain SJCS-979 isolated from the blood of a patient. Genomic phylogenetic tree analysis based on 120 core protein sequences showed that strains SJCS-979 and CC-2 fell on the same branch with known Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida strains. Bayesian genotyping showed that the global Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida strains with genomic data could be divided into six different sequence clusters. Strains SJCS-979 and CC-2 were located in the same taxonomic group with only 4 SNP differences, indicating that they might be the same clone. Conclusions:This study reports a case of bacteremia caused by Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida, and natural hot spring water may be the environmental source of this infection event.

Objective: o analyze the epidemic characteristics of five sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including syphilis, gonorrhea, condyloma acuminatum, genital herpes and genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province from 2019 to 2023, so as to provide the reference for the prevention and control strategies of STDs. Methods: Data of the onset time and diagnostic types of STDs cases in Yangzhou City from 2019 to 2023 were collected from the Infectious Disease Surveillance System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The temporal, regional and population characteristics of five types of STDs was analyzed using the descriptive epidemiological method. Results: A total of 10 895 cases of STDs were reported in Yangzhou City from 2019 to 2023, with an average annual reported incidence rate of 47.83/105. The average annual reported incidence rates of syphilis, gonorrhea, condyloma acuminatum, genital herpes and genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections were 41.11/105, 2.83/105, 2.59/105, 0.43/105 and 0.85/105, respectively. The reported incidence rate of STDs showed a decreasing trend from 2019 to 2023 (P<0.05), with an average annual growth rate of -3.44%. The reported incidence rates of syphilis and gonorrhea showed a decreasing trend (both P<0.05), with average annual growth rates of -4.26% and -6.47%, respectively. The reported incidence rate of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection showed an increasing trend (P<0.05), with an average annual growth rate of 22.32%. Baoying County, Guangling District and Hanjiang District had the top three reported incidence rates of STDs, at 56.61/105, 55.61/105 and 46.50/105, respectively. The average annual reported incidence rate of STDs among males was higher than that among females (53.19/105 vs. 42.54/105, P<0.05). The STD cases were primarily people aged 50 years and above, with 6 641 cases accounting for 60.95%. The occupations of STD cases were mainly farmers, housekeepers and unemployed, with 4 670 and 3 273 cases accounting for 42.86% and 30.04%, respectively. Conclusions The overall reported incidence of STDs in Yangzhou City from 2019 to 2023 showed a downward trend, while the reported incidence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection showed an upward trend. The individuals aged 50 years and above, farmers, housekeepers and the unemployed were identified as high-risk groups for STDs.

Objective To observe the value of prenatal ultrasound graded management of Sylvian fissure for diagnosing fetal lissencephaly.Methods Totally 39 fetuses with MRI diagnosed lissencephaly who underwent prenatal ultrasound examination were retrospectively enrolled and divided into non-graded management group(n=20)and graded management group(n=19)according to prenatal ultrasound examination before or after the application of prenatal ultrasound graded management of Sylvian fissure(i.e.prenatal ultrasound routine screening for fetal Sylvian fissure morphology).The diagnosis of prenatal ultrasound were compared and analyzed between groups,and the diagnostic value of graded management was evaluated.Results Among 20 fetuses in non-graded management group,prenatal ultrasound showed lissencephaly in 4 fetuses,but only other structural abnormalities in 16 fetuses.Then the latter were re-evaluated based on prenatal ultrasound graded management of Sylvian fissure,among which 4 fetuses could not be evaluated since not standard ultrasonic section,2 fetuses with severe hydrocephalus and Sylvian fissure could not be seen,while Sylvian fissure morphology did not match the corresponding gestational week in 4 fetuses,and type Ⅰ(no platform type)and type Ⅴ(Z-shaped)were noticed in 5 and 1 fetus,respectively.In graded management group,prenatal ultrasound indicated 15 fetuses with lissencephaly,including Sylvian fissure morphology did not match the corresponding gestational week in 6 fetuses,type Ⅰ(no platform type),type Ⅲ(linear type)and type Ⅴ(Z-shaped)were detected in 7,1 and 1 fetus,respectively,while no clear diagnosis was obtained in 4 fetuses.Prenatal ultrasound detection rate of fetal lissencephaly in graded management group(15/19,78.95％)was significantly higher than that in non-graded management group(4/20,20.00％)(P＜0.01).Conclusion Based on graded management of Sylvian fissure could improve the efficiency of prenatal ultrasound for diagnosing fetal lissencephaly.