1.Species of sandflies and prevalence of Leishmania infections in sandflies in selected areas of northern and northwestern China
Yaqi HE ; Lei CUI ; Yi ZHANG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Limin YANG ; Yuan FANG ; Zhongqiu LI ; Zhengbin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):20-28
Objective To investigate the species of sandflies and the prevalence of Leishmania infections in sandflies from selected areas of northern and northwestern China, so as to provide insights into identification of leishmaniasis vectors and assessment of epidemiological trends of leishmaniasis in China. Methods Sandfly samples were collected from Mentougou District of Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County of Karamay District of Karamay City, Gaochang District of Turpan City in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2023 to July 2024. Approximately 100 intact female sandfly samples were randomly selected from each site and the species of sandflies was identified according to morphological characteristics and molecular assays. Female sandflies originating from the same habitat were grouped into pools of 10 individuals. Leishmania infection was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene, and the prevalence of Leishmania infection was calculated in sandflies from different sampling sites using the minimum infection rate (MIR) method. In addition, positive amplicons were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Results A total of 6 155 sandflies were collected from different environments at sampling sites across the six aforementioned regions from July 2023 to July 2024. Phlebotomus chinensis (96.00%) was the dominant sandfly species in Mentougou District, Beijing Municipality, with a small proportion of Ph. sergenti (4.00%), and only Ph. chinensis was found in Xiangning County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. Ph. wui was the only sandfly species detected in Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County, Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Ph. caucasicus (97.70%) was the dominant sandfly species in Karamay District, Karamay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a small proportion of Ph. wui (2.30%), while Ph. alexandri was the only species in Gaochang District, Turpan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. A total of 40, 60, 34, 18, 18, and 22 pools of sandfly samples were tested from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Payzawat County in Kashgar City, Karamay District in Karamay City, and Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, respectively. L. infantum was detected in Ph. chinensis samples from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, and Xiangning County of Linfen City in Shanxi Province, with MIR of 0.25% to 1.00%, and L. donovani was detected in Ph. wui from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with MIR of 0.56% to 0.88%; however, no Leishmania infection was detected in Ph. caucasicus from Karamay District in Karamay City or Ph. alexandri from Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality and Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. infantum ITS-1 gene, while the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. donovani ITS-1 gene. Conclusions There are variations in sandfly species in selected areas of northern and northwestern China, and variations in the species of Leishmania infecting sandflies. Improved surveillance of sandfly vectors and targeted control strategies with adaptations to geographical features and leishmaniasis vectors are recommended.
2.A case of special blood type with discrepancy between ABO genotype and serological results
Wenting JIA ; Wei ZHANG ; Limin CUI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):118-122
Objective: To analyze the cause of discrepancy between ABO genotype B102/O01 and serological results in one case by PCR-SSP, to clarify the serological characteristics of this special blood group, and to explore relevant blood transfusion strategies. Methods: Blood group serological tests were performed on blood donor in August and December 2024, including forward and reverse ABO typing using tube method, H antigen identification, direct anti-human globulin test by tube method, red blood cell absorption-elution test, and determination of ABH blood group substance in saliva. Exons 1-7 of the ABO gene were amplified by PCR-SSP and sequenced. Results: The two separate serological tests consistently identified the donor as having an A
B phenotype, but the results of gene sequencing indicated a B102/O01 genotype, showing an discrepancy between serological and genetic results. Conclusion: It is very likely that the blood type of the blood donor is B102/O01 with a microchimerism of type A, or an AB type masked by A type reference gene.
3.Exploration on the psychological support mechanism for palliative care patients from the perspective of the interactive ritual chain theory
Limin WU ; Sujuan LIU ; Jingyan ZHANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(3):351-357
Based on the interactive ritual chain theory, this paper deeply analyzed the interactive characteristics between doctors, patients, and their families in the palliative care environment, as well as explored the role of emotional resonance, symbolic representation, and situational creation in psychological support. It also sorted out four primary issues currently present in psychological support for palliative care patients, including insufficient recognition of caregivers regarding patients’ psychological needs, limited psychological intervention methods, inadequate psychological support capabilities among medical staff, and an imperfect family and social support system. On this basis, a five-dimensional psychological support mechanism was constructed, encompassing emotional resonance, situational creation, team collaboration, environment building, and technological application. This aimed to provide palliative care patients with comprehensive and continuous psychological intervention by optimizing doctor-patient interaction, strengthening emotional connection, improving physical environment, and utilizing information technology, thereby contributing to alleviating the psychological distress patients confront in the terminal stage and improving their life dignity and quality of life.
4.Dynamic Interactions Between Hemispheres Reveal a Compensatory Pathway for Motor Recovery in Moderate-to-Severe Subcortical Stroke
Huaxin FAN ; Hewei WANG ; Zhengxu LIAN ; Qiurong YU ; Xinran WU ; Nanyu KUANG ; Benjamin BECKER ; Jianfeng FENG ; Mingxia FAN ; Lili SONG ; Limin SUN ; Jie ZHANG ; Craig S. ANDERSON
Journal of Stroke 2026;28(1):97-114
Background:
and Purpose Therapeutic target selection in noninvasive brain stimulation for poststroke motor recovery typically relies on the interhemispheric inhibition model, which is effective for mildly affected patients but offers limited benefits for severely affected individuals. The mechanisms governing recovery from moderate-to-severe stroke remain poorly understood, which hinders the development of targeted interventions.
Methods:
We analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from patients with unilateral subcortical stroke and moderate-to-severe upper limb deficits, both pre- and postintervention, along with data from healthy controls. We developed a novel dynamic lag analysis method for identifying recovery-related homotopic sensorimotor regions with altered interhemispheric interactions. To further uncover the global reorganization pathway, we developed dynamic lateralization approaches to detect large-scale functional connectivity (FC) alterations associated with the identified regions in transient lateralization states.
Results:
Dynamic time-lag analysis revealed significantly reduced synchronized states in the homotopic dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) post-intervention compared with pre-intervention, which correlated with motor recovery. Further dynamic lateralization analysis revealed a prolonged segregation state in patients, characterized by weakened interhemispheric and strengthened intrahemispheric interactions. In this state, patients showed decreased FC in the ipsilesional PMd and increased FC in the contralesional PMd with bilateral subcortical networks. These recoveryrelated alterations were absent in the traditional static analysis.
Conclusions
Dynamic analyses targeting interhemispheric interactions are valuable for understanding neural reorganization after stroke. The diminished interactions between the homotopic PMd indicate a compensatory mechanism. Importantly, a state-dependent compensatory pathway was identified, wherein the contralesional PMd assumes the functions of the ipsilesional PMd through enhanced interactions with subcortical structures, potentially guiding more effective interventions.
5.Effect of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Qingyuan City
ZHANG Jiayong ; LUO Yandong ; GUO Limin
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(6):630-634
Objective:
To analyze the effects of ambient air pollutants including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO) on mortality from respiratory diseases in Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province from 2018 to 2022, so as to provide the evidence for optimizing prevention and control strategies for respiratory diseases.
Methods:
Data on deaths caused by respiratory diseases in Qingyuan City from 2018 to 2022 were collected through the population death registration and management system of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the corresponding data on ambient air pollutants were collected through the China National Environmental Monitoring Center. A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was established to explore the association between air pollutants and mortality from respiratory diseases. Attributable fraction (AF) and attributable deaths were calculated to assess the attributable risks of air pollutants for respiratory disease mortality.
Results:
A total of 17 008 deaths due to respiratory diseases were reported in Qingyuan City from 2018 to 2022, with an average annual mortality of 88.63/105. The median mass concentrations of PM2.5, O3 and CO were 23.83 (interquartile range, 21.22), 53.00 (interquartile range, 32.82), and 770.83 (interquartile range, 295.29) μg/m3, respectively. The results of DLNM analysis showed that within the lag period of 0-7 days, the cumulative RR on respiratory disease mortality generally increased along with the rising concentrations of PM2.5, O3 and CO. On the exposure day (lag 0 day), high concentrations of PM2.5 (155.04 μg/m3) and CO (2 253.12 μg/m3) were associated with higher mortality risk, with the RR values of 1.520 (95%CI: 1.228-1.904) and 1.891 (95%CI: 1.650-2.314) respectively. A high O3 concentration (148.08 μg/m3) at lag 7 days also led to higher mortality risk, with an RR value of 1.341 (95%CI: 1.088-1.713). The AF of respiratory disease mortality related to PM2.5, O3 and CO exposure was 14.522% (95%CI: 4.320%-24.265%), 8.598% (95%CI: 3.760%-13.351%) and 24.994% (95%CI: 14.903%-34.056%) respectively. The attributable deaths were 2 469 (95%CI: 735-4 128), 1 463 (95%CI: 639-2 270) and 4 250 (95%CI: 2 534-5 793).
Conclusions
Concentrations of PM2.5, O3 and CO in Qingyuan City had a non-linear relationship with the mortality risk of respiratory diseases, which was affected by lag effects. Exposure to the three air pollutants imposed substantial attributable burdens on respiratory disease mortality. CO contributed the highest burden, followed by PM2.5 and O3.
6.Dipsacus asper Treats Alzheimer's Disease in Caenorhabditis elegans by Regulating PPARα/TFEB Pathway
Mengmeng WANG ; Jianping ZHAO ; Limin WU ; Shuang CHU ; Yanli HUANG ; Zhenghao CUI ; Yiran SUN ; Pan WANG ; Hui WANG ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Zhishen XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):104-114
ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effect of Dipsacus asper(DA) in the Caenorhabditis elegans model, and decipher the underlying mechanism via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)/transcription factor EB (TFEB) pathway. MethodsFirst, transgenic AD C. elegans individuals were assigned into the blank control, model, positive control (WY14643, 20 µmol·L-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (100, 200, and 400 mg·L-1, respectively) DA groups. The amyloid β-42 (Aβ42) formation in the muscle cells, the paralysis time, and the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in the head were detected. The lysosomal autophagy in the BV2 cell model was examined by Rluc-LC3wt/G120A. The expression levels of lysosomal autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ, LC3I, LAMP2, and TFEB were detected by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes beclin1 and Atg5 and lysosome-related genes LAMP2 and CLN2 downstream of PPARα/TFEB. A reporter gene assay was used to detect the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence intensity of PPARα, and the active components of the ethanol extract of DA were identified by UPLC-MS. RCSB PDB, Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and Autodock were used to analyze the binding between the active components and PPARα-ligand-binding domain (LBD). ResultsCompared with the model group, the positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L-1 DA groups showed prolonged paralysis time (P<0.05), and all the treatment groups showed decreased Aβ deposition in the head (P<0.01). DA within the concentration range of 50-500 mg·L-1 did not affect the viability of BV2 cells. In addition, DA enhanced the autophagy flux (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA levels of beclin1, Atg5, LAMP2, and CLN2 (P<0.05, P<0.01), promoted the nuclear translocation of TFEB (P<0.05), increased LAMP2 expression and autophagy flux (P<0.05, P<0.01), and enhanced the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB (P<0.01). The positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L-1 DA groups showed enhanced fluorescence intensity of PPARα in the BV2 nucleus (P<0.01). UPLC-MS detected nine known compounds of DA, from which 8 active components of DA were screened out. The docking results suggested that a variety of components in DA could bind to PPARα-LBD and form stable hydrogen bonds. ConclusionDA may reduce the pathological changes in AD by regulating the PPARα-TFEB pathway.
7.Distribution of Anopheles stephensi in China
Qingchi HAN ; Limin YANG ; Yunhai GUO ; Yi ZHANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):120-124
Anopheles stephensi is an important malaria vector in many Southeast Asian countries, and is also a widely distributed Anopheles species in parts of Asia. As a potential vector of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, Anopheles stephensi had a relative wide distribution in China. This review gives a brief overview of the morphological characteristics and geographical distribution of Anopheles stephensi, which has been reported in South China, Southwest China and East China, including but not limited to Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan, Fujian and other provinces. Thanks to the continuous and effective disease surveillance and mosquito control strategies, the risk of malaria epidemic in China has been greatly reduced. However, Anopheles stepheni is highly invasive and adaptable, in addition to its rapid spread in global distribution, together with global climate anomalies and other factors, there still exists a certain transmission risk of the diseases related to Anopheles stepheni in some parts of China. In order to consolidate the achievements of malaria prevention and control, it is still necessary to conduct continuous monitoring of Anopheles stephensi and other malaria vectors, and to consolidate the implementation of malaria control measures in China.
8.Correlation between the expression level of miRNA-4319 and miRNA-4262 in early gastric carcinoma tissue and recurrence after endoscopic submucosal dissection
Hui ZHANG ; Xiaoyang LI ; Qing'e LIU ; Ru JIAO ; Jian CHANG ; Lijuan YAN ; Chen YANG ; Limin CHENG
China Journal of Endoscopy 2025;31(9):69-75
Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of microRNA-4319(miRNA-4319)and microRNA-4262(miRNA-4262)in early gastric carcinoma tissue and postoperative recurrence after endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD).Methods From May 2018 to March 2020,396 patients with early gastric carcinoma who underwent ESD were regarded as the disease group,meantime,98 patients with normal gastric mucosa gastritis confirmed by pathological examination were as the control group.Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)method was applied to detect the relative expression levels of miRNA-4319 and miRNA-4262 in tissues;follow up on postoperative recurrence of early gastric carcinoma patients,and the expression levels and clinical pathological characteristics of miRNA-4319 and miRNA-4262 were compared between recurrent and non recurrent patients.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze the influencing factors of recurrence in early gastric carcinoma patients after ESD;receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve)was applied to analyze the predictive value of miRNA-4319 and miRNA-4262 in early gastric carcinoma tissue for recurrence after ESD.Results The expression levels of miRNA-4319 and miRNA-4262 in the disease group were lower than those in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05);The expression levels of miRNA-4319 and miRNA-4262 in the recurrence group were decreased,and the proportion of submucosal invasion was increased,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The depth of invasion to the submucosal level(OR=3.158,95%CI:1.395~7.151)was a risk factor for recurrence after ESD in patients with early gastric carcinoma(P<0.05),and miRNA-4262 ≥ 0.76(OR=0.561,95%CI:0.370~0.852)and miRNA-4319 ≥ 0.69(OR=0.482,95%CI:0.255~0.911)were protective factors for recurrence after ESD in patients with early gastric carcinoma(P<0.05);The area under the curve(AUC)of miRNA-4319,miRNA-4262 and their combination for predicting recurrence after ESD in patients with early gastric carcinoma was 0.889(95%CI:0.854~0.918),0.914(95%CI:0.882~0.940)and 0.964(95%CI:0.940~0.980),respectively,which was superior to the individual predictions of miRNA-4319 and miRNA-4262 respectively(P<0.05).Conclusion MiRNA-4319 and miRNA-4262 are low expressed in tissues of early gastric carcinoma patients,they are closely related to postoperative recurrence after ESD.
9.Effect of buccal and lingual tooth thickness on the restoration of molars after root canal therapy
Guoqing ZHANG ; Limin WANG ; Ali ZHAO ; Liang CAO ; Weiguo WANG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(2):12-15
Objective To compare the stress magnitude and distribution of the restorations,remaining tooth tissues,and bonding interfaces of endodontically mandibular first molar with different buccolingual residual tooth tissue thicknesses in two different restorations.Methods The finite element method was used to model the restorations of mandibular first molars with different buccolingual residual tissue thicknesses after root canal treatment.The vertical and oblique loads were applied to record the stress magnitude and distribution of restorations,residual tissues,and bonding interfaces of the different restorations.Results Three different models of mandibular first molar were designed based on the amount of buccal and glossal side dental tissue.Based on this simulation of the dental preparation of FO and EC and the preparation of the prosthesis,generating 6 different groups:FO repair in A1 group,thickness of the buccal tooth tissue is 2mm;A2 group was repaired by FO,thickness of the buccal tooth tissue is 3mm;A3 Group was performed with FO repair,thickness of the buccal and lingual remaining tooth tissue is 4mm;In B1 group,with EC repair,thickness of buccal tooth tissue is 2mm;In B2 group with EC repair,thickness of buccal tooth tissue is 3mm;In B3 group,using EC repair,thickness of remaining dental tissue on buccal and lingual side was 4mm.Results Two loading modes,the restoration such as effect force distribution are concentrated around the loading point,dentin effect force are concentrated in the tooth neck,the full coverage of high embedded group restoration-dental resin interface maximum main stress(MPS)is concentrated in the hole wall and shaft wall Angle,the pulp cavity setting crown group restoration-dental resin interface MPS focus in the bottom wall angle of the pulp cavity setting hole type.In the model of tooth tissue thickness in the same buccal-lingual side,except that the peak effect force of the restoration was greater than the peak of the full coverage crown,the peak of the observed index of the full coverage crown was greater than that of the whole cavity.Conclusion Endocrown can better protect the tooth tissue after root canal treatment,and it is recommended to choose endocrown for restoration after root canal treatment.
10.CT and MRI features of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis
Peixian CHENG ; Peigui ZHANG ; Limin ZHANG ; Zhongquan WANG ; Qiande QIU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(4):268-272
Objective:To study the CT and MRI features of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC).Methods:Clinical data of 41 patients with XGC admitted to Yueqing Third People's Hospital, Yueqing People's Hospital and Wenzhou Central Hospital from January 1, 2013 to December 30, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 21 males and 20 females, aged 63 (61, 65) years. Data including gender, age, clinical manifestations, CT and MRI features, were recorded.Results:Of the 41 patients, 26 had clinical manifestations of upper abdominal pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever, and 15 had upper abdominal pain accompanied by jaundice. Forty-one patients had positive percussion pain in liver area, of which 18 had positive Murphy’s sign and 12 had jaundice of the skin and sclera. Among the 25 patients who underwent CT examination, the gallbladder had a longitudinal diameter of 8 (5, 10) cm and a transverse diameter of 4 (3, 6) cm. The thickness of the thickened gallbladder wall was 1.6 (0.4, 1.9) cm. Most cases show diffuse uneven thickening, and a few cases show uniform diffuse or localized thickening. After enhancement, the thickened gallbladder wall can be seen as " sandwich" - or " sandwich cookie" -like enhancement or layered enhancement. Mucosal line is continuous or discontinuous. Eleven cases with low-density nodules between walls showed no enhancement. Among the 16 patients who underwent routine MRI examinations, the gallbladder had a longitudinal diameter of 8 (5, 10) cm and a transverse diameter of 4 (3, 6) cm. The thickness of the thickened gallbladder wall was 1.6 (0.4, 1.9) cm. Most cases show diffuse uneven thickening, and a few cases show uniform diffuse or localized thickening. There were nine cases of multiple small nodules between walls. The thickened gallbladder wall showed heterogeneous signal on T 1-weighted imaging (T 1WI) and T 2-weighted imaging (T 2WI), presenting equal, high, low, or mixed signals. T 1WI showed low signal intensity in reverse phase. Diffusion weighted imaging fat suppression sequence shows multiple small nodules within the wall with high signal intensity. Nine cases of intramural nodules showed high signal intensity on T 1WI in-phase, T 2WI, and T 2WI fat phase, low signal intensity on T 1WI in-phase, and low signal intensity on T 2WI fat suppression sequence. The wall of gallbladder showed " sandwich" - or " sandwich cookie" -like enhancement or layered enhancement. Mucosal line is continuous or discontinuous. Nine cases of intramural nodules showed no enhancement. Conclusions:The CT and MRI features of XGC are diffuse and uneven thickening with nodules between the gallbladder walls in most cases. Nodules with low density on CT plain scan, high signal on T 1WI in-phase, high signal on T 2WI, and low signal on T 1WI out-phase. The thickening of the gallbladder wall after enhancement is characterized by a " sandwich" - or " sandwich cookie" -like enhancement.


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