Objective To investigate the prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis human infections in Congjiang County, Guizhou Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into formulation of the clonorchiasis control strategy. Methods Congjiang County was divided into eastern, western, southern, northern and central areas according to the geographical locations, and one township was randomly sampled from each area. Then, each administrative village was randomly sampled from each township, and 200 permanent residents over 3 years of age were randomly sampled from each village. Participants’ stool samples were collected for detection of C. sinensis eggs with the Kato-Katz technique (two slides for each stool sample), and the prevalence and intensity of C. sinensis infections were calculated. In addition, the risk factors of clonorchiasis were identified among participants using a questionnaire survey. Results A total of 1 001 residents were included, and the prevalence of C. sinensis infections was 16.28% (163/1 001), with mild infections as the predominant category of infection intensity [73.01% (119/163)]. The prevalence rates of C. sinensis human infections were 30.50% (61/200), 1.50% (3/200), 30.35% (61/201), 12.50% (25/200), and 6.50% (13/200) at five survey sites, respectively (χ² = 107.03, P < 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of C. sinensis infections between men [22.44% (112/499)] and women [10.16% (51/502)] (χ² = 27.71, P < 0.05). The prevalence of C. sinensis infections was relatively high among participants at ages of 60 to 70 years [26.14% (23/88)], public servants [46.15% (6/13)], and Han ethnic participants [33.33% (5/15)]. The prevalence of C. sinensis infections was higher among participants with a habit of consuming raw or un-dercooked freshwater fish and shrimp [22.06% (90/408)] than among those without the habit [12.31% (73/593)] (χ² = 16.85, P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the prevalence of C. sinensis infections between participants with [13.99% (41/293)] and without separation of raw and cooked chopping boards [17.23% (122/708)] (χ² = 1.59, P > 0.05). In addition, the prevalence of C. sinensis infections was 8.70% (2/23) and 16.46% (161/978) among participants with and without fever complicated by discomfort in the right upper abdomen during the past half year (χ² = 0.99, P > 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of C. sinensis human infections was high in Congjiang County, Guizhou Province in 2023, and infections predominantly occurred among young and middle-aged men. Intensified health education among high-risk residents and alteration of dietary habits of consuming raw or undercooked freshwater fish or shrimp are recommended to reduce the prevalence of C. sinensis human infections.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of artemitin against ozone (O₃)-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice and to explore its underlying mechanism. MethodsThirty-two specific pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a blank control group, an artemitin-only control group, an O₃-induced model group, and an artemitin-treated group, with 8 mice in each group. In the artemitin-treated group, animals were injected intraperitoneally with artemitin (20 mg/kg) daily, followed by a 1 h exposure to 0.000 25% O₃. The artemitin-only control group received the same artemitin injection but was exposed to clean air. The O₃-induced model group was injected intraperitoneally with an equal volume of normal saline daily, followed by a 1-h exposure to 0.000 25% O₃. The blank control group received the saline injection and was exposed to clean air. All treatments were administered for 7 consecutive days. Pulmonary function indices of the mice in each group were measured using a whole-body plethysmography system. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the lung tissue, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed for untargeted metabolomic analysis to examine the changes in overall metabolic pathways in plasma. ResultsCompared with the O₃-induced model group, artemitin treatment significantly improved O₃-induced lung function impairments (P<0.05), lowered the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in BALF (P<0.05) and alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and structural damage in lung tissues. Metabolomics results indicated that artemitin treatment compensatorily enhanced energy supply and oxidized lipid signaling, while inhibiting purine metabolism and tryptophan-derived pathways. ConclusionArtemitin exhibits a significant protective effect against O₃-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice. It corrects upstream metabolic disorders by synergistically modulating tryptophan metabolism, energy metabolism, and lipid inflammatory mediators, thereby inhibiting downstream inflammatory responses and airway hyperresponsiveness. This study not only reveals the pleiotropic mechanism of artemitin in treating airway inflammation but also provides potential metabolic biomarkers and a theoretical basis for its clinical translation.

Objective: To investigate the status and influencing factors of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among enterprise employees in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide evidence for optimizing tuberculosis prevention and control strategies in enterprises. Methods: From August 2024 to September 2025, a convenience sampling method was used to select employees from 26 enterprises in Wenzhou City as the study participants. Demographic information, enterprise scale, and industry type were collected by reviewing enterprise employee management files. Interferon-gamma release assays were used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and screen for LTBI. Factors affecting LTBI among enterprise employees were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 6 476 participants were surveyed, including 3 674 males (56.73%) and 2 802 females (43.27%). The median age was 37.00 (interquartile range, 20.00) years. A total of 994 cases of LTBI were detected, with a detection rate of 15.35%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male (OR=1.397, 95%CI: 1.211-1.612), age ≥45 years (45-<60 years, OR=1.919, 95%CI: 1.649-2.234; ≥60 years, OR=4.425, 95%CI: 3.170-6.177), household registration outside Zhejiang Province (OR=1.928, 95%CI: 1.577-2.357), employment in small or medium-sized enterprises (medium-sized, OR=1.663, 95%CI: 1.392-1.988; small-sized, OR=1.665, 95%CI: 1.358-2.040), and working in the manufacturing industry (OR=1.799, 95%CI: 1.147-2.822) were associated with a higher risk of LTBI among enterprise employees. Conclusions The detection rate of LTBI among enterprise employees in Wenzhou City was relatively low. Male employees, those aged ≥45 years, those with household registration outside Zhejiang Province, those working in small or medium-sized enterprises, and those in the manufacturing industry were identified as high-risk populations for LTBI.

OBJECTIVE To construct a predictive tool for surgical site infections(SSIs)in spinal surgery for Chi-nese population to provide evidence support for reducing SSIs.METHODS A systematic review of Chinese and English database literature was conducted for Meta-analysis to obtain pooled risk values for influencing factors,and a risk prediction scoring tool was constructed based on the logistic regression model.Patients who underwent spinal surgery and completed postoperative follow-up in a tertiary hospital in Beijing from Jan.to Dec.2021 were selected to validate the predictive effect of the tool.RESULTS The predictive model for SSIs in Chinese spinal sur-gery patients was Logit(P)=—3.47+0.63(age 60 years)+0.31 ×(patient with cardiovascular disease)+0.69 ×(rheumatoid arthritis)+1.07 ×(diabetes)+1.06 ×(operation duration＞3 h)+1.17 ×(preopera-tive albumin＜35 g/L)+0.71 ×(history of spinal surgery)+0.67 ×(carrying internal implants)+0.73 ×(blood transfusion).The total score of the predictive tool was 92,with a cutoff score of≥24.50 indicating high-risk individuals.The area under the curve was 0.733,with the sensitivity 58.30％and the specificity 79.60％.CONCLUSION The established predictive model for SSIs in Chinese spine surgery demonstrates good predictive performance and can be used as a reference assessment tool in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between 23-site chip genetic screening failures and the results of newborns hearing screening,and to provide clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of genetic screening failures.METHODS There were 1 916 newborns born in the Beijing area from November 2022 to May 2024,who did not pass the 23-site chip genetic screening tests and underwent newborn hearing screening with definite initial screening results.Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between different mutation types and genotypes and the initial hearing screening results.RESULTS The overall neonatal hearing screening failure rate was 5.27%(101/1 916),with a higher failure rate of 61.54%(56/91)for homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations than the failure rate of 2.54%(45/1 772)for heterozygous mutations,0%(0/34)for digenic gene heterozygous mutations,and 0(0/19)for mtDNA 12S rRNA mutations,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.001).Among the homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations,the failure rates of homozygous and compound heterozygous for GJB2 gene and SLC26A4 gene were 59.76%(49/82)and 77.78%(7/9),respectively,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P=0.488).The homozygous and compound heterozygous for GJB2 gene were divided into three groups based on genotype:c.109G>A homozygous mutations,c.109G>A compound heterozygous mutations,and other homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations.The hearing screening failure rates of the three groups,from highest to lowest,were as follow:other homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations(88.89%,8/9),c.109G>A homozygous mutations(65.12%,28/43),and c.109G>A compound heterozygous mutations(43.33%,13/30),with a statistically significant difference(P=0.029).The failure rates of heterozygous for GJB2 gene,SLC26A4 gene and GJB3 gene were 2.86%(40/1 398),1.25%(4/321)and 1.89%(1/53),respectively,with no statistically significant difference among the three groups(P=0.241).The failure rate of hearing screening for individuals with GJB2 heterozygotes of different genotypes and individuals with SLC26A4 heterozygotes of different genotypes did not show statistically significant differences.CONCLUSION The failure rate of newborn hearing screening for homozygous and compound heterozygous mutation of 23-site chip genetic screening is higher than that of other mutation types,verifying the effectiveness of the newborn hearing screening program.Some newborns of homozygous and compound heterozygous mutation can pass the hearing screening,especially those with the c.109G>A homozygous and compound heterozygous mutation,who need clinical follow-up.

A solid-phase extraction-ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(SPE-UPLC-MS/MS)method was established for simultaneous determination of 10 kinds of neonicotinoid pesticide residues in aquaculture water.Based on the chemical properties of neonicotinoid pesticides and the matrix characteristics of aquaculture water,suitable temporary storage methods for water samples and appropriate solid-phase extraction columns were selected,and the extraction conditions(including elution solvents and sample loading volumes)were optimized.The method employed acetonitrile and 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate solution(containing 0.1%formic acid)as the mobile phase and an Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction column combined with PSA as a dispersive sorbent for sample purification.The method exhibited good linearity in detection of neonicotinoid in concentration range of 0.2-50 ng/mL(R2>0.99797),with a detection limit of 0.5 ng/L and a quantification limit of 1 ng/L,which were significantly lower than the maximum acceptable method detection limits(9-500 ng/L)for neonicotinoid insecticides in water published by the European Commission.In pond water,rice-fish water,and seawater,the average recoveries of the 10 target analytes were 74.6%-114.1%,with relative standard deviations ranging from 0.3%to 9.6%.Using this method,actual sample tests were conducted on the Pearl River water,Zhaoqing pond water,and Qingyuan rice-fish aquaculture water.The total concentration of five neonicotinoid pesticides in the Pearl River water ranged from 154.8 to 246.6 ng/L,the total concentration of four neonicotinoid pesticides in the Zhaoqing pond water was 95.0-176.1 ng/L,and the total concentration of three neonicotinoid pesticides in the Qingyuan rice-fish aquaculture water was 2.3-11.7 ng/L.This method was simple in operation,highly sensitive,and had strong resistance to interference.It was suitable for detection of trace neonicotinoid pesticides in aquaculture water and could provide technical support for construction of a green aquaculture environment and resolution of international trade disputes.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of Gongxuening Capsules in reducing post-abortion bleeding following artificial abortion.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind study was conducted. From May 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023, 484 women who underwent vacuum aspiration abortion for early intrauterine pregnancy were enrolled in 11 centers and randomly assigned to control group and the study group at a 1∶1 ratio using a center-block randomization method. Control group were administered a placebo of Gongxuening Capsules for 9 d, while the study group received the actual Gongxuening Capsules for the same duration. The outcomes measured included vaginal bleeding volume, duration of vaginal bleeding, endometrial thickness, time to menstrual recovery, and complications.Results:1) A total of 484 subjects were enrolled, and 472 completed the study. Totally 450 subjects were included in the efficacy analysis set, with 224 in control group and 226 in the study group; 468 subjects were included in the safety analysis set, with 236 in control group and 232 in the study group. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable (all P>0.05). 2) The vaginal bleeding volume was lower in the study group [(13.30±12.14) mL] than in control group [(19.00±17.67) mL, P<0.001]. The proportion of subjects in the study group with bleeding days less than 4 d [29.65% (67/226)] was higher than that in control group [19.20% (43/224), P=0.010]. 3) No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of time to menstrual recovery and endometrial thickness (all P>0.05). 4) In the study group, 3 subjects experienced non-therapeutic-related complications, while 11 subjects in control group. The incidence of complications was lower in the study group [1.29% (3/232)] than in control group [4.66% (11/236), P=0.033]. Conclusion:The administration of Gongxuening Capsules to women following artificial abortion significantly reduced vaginal bleeding volume and was associated with good safety, with the treatment being well-tolerated by the subjects.

BACKGROUND:Leukoplakia is a common adverse reaction to traditional orthodontic treatment.There are still some controversies about the difference between light-transmitting clear and fixed aligners in the periodontal health status,incidence of leukoplakia,saliva and related bacteria in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.OBJECTIVE:To compare the effects of clear and fixed aligners on the smooth surface of orthodontic teeth using Universal Visual Scoring System.METHODS:A total of 80 patients admitted to Department of Orthodontics,Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2018 to December 2022 were selected and randomly divided into a control group(n=40)and an observation group(n=40)using a random number table method.The control group received orthodontic treatment with fixed aligners,and the observation group received orthodontic treatment with clear aligners.Before treatment and after 6,12,and 24 months of treatment,the labial or buccal sides of teeth 13,33,16,and 36 were selected for each patient as the research subjects,and the visual scoring system was used to evaluate the white spot lesions.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Before treatment and after 6,12,and 24 months of treatment,there was no significant difference in the color of tooth white spots and the severity of caries between the two groups of patients(P＞0.05).(2)For tooth 13,after 12 months of treatment,the color grade and caries severity of white spots were both higher than before treatment(P＜0.05).For tooth 33,the color grade and caries severity after 12 months of treatment were both higher than before treatment(P＜0.05).The severity of caries after 12 months of treatment was higher than that after 6 months of treatment(P＜0.05).For tooth 16,the color grade of white spots and the severity of caries after 12 months of treatment were both higher than those after 6 months of treatment(P＜0.05).(3)Multi-level ordered multi-classification Logistic regression model analysis showed that the color and severity of white spots on different teeth had little correlation with the type of appliance and were greatly affected by the correction time factor.Among them,the color change and severity of the initial white spots on teeth 33 and 13 were statistically significant at 12 and 24 months of treatment.(4)It is not possible to conclude that there is a difference in the effect of fixed and clear aligners on the white spot lesions of smooth surfaces of the teeth,but an increase in the risk of dental caries with the increase in the duration of treatment can be detected.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between eight serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and regional fat depots, we analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 cycles. METHODS: Multiple linear regression models were developed to explore the associations between serum PFAS concentrations and six fat compositions along with a fat distribution score created by summing the concentrations of the six fat compositions. The associations between structurally grouped PFASs and fat distribution were assessed, and a prediction model was developed to estimate the ability of PFAS exposure to predict obesity risk. RESULTS: Among females aged 39-59 years, trunk fat mass was positively associated with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Higher concentrations of PFOS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoate (PFDeA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and n-perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) were linked to greater visceral adipose tissue in this group. In men, exposure to total perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) and long-chain PFSAs was associated with reductions in abdominal fat, while higher abdominal fat in women aged 39-59 years was associated with short-chain PFSAs. The prediction model demonstrated high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9925 for predicting obesity risk. CONCLUSION PFAS exposure is associated with regional fat distribution, with varying effects based on age, sex, and PFAS structure. The findings highlight the potential role of PFAS exposure in influencing fat depots and obesity risk, with significant implications for public health. The prediction model provides a highly accurate tool for assessing obesity risk related to PFAS exposure.
Humans ; Fluorocarbons/blood* ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Environmental Pollutants/blood* ; Abdominal Fat ; Nutrition Surveys ; Alkanesulfonic Acids/blood* ; Obesity ; Environmental Exposure