ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological trends and characteristics of brucellosis in humans (hereinafter referred to as brucellosis) in Tangshan City, Hebei Province from 2016 to 2023, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating brucellosis prevention and control strategies in the region. MethodsThe incidence data of human brucellosis in Tangshan City from 2016 to 2023 were collected from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The diagnosis time, infection route, and clinical characteristics of the cases were obtained from the case investigation reports. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the temporal, spatial, demographic distributions, and clinical characteristics of human brucellosis. Brucella species were identified using agglutination tests with bacterial suspension and A/M antigen-positive serum. ResultsA total of 2 193 cases of human brucellosis were confirmed and clinically diagnosed in Tangshan City from 2016 to 2023, with the peak incidence occured from March to August, and which exhibited distinct geographic distribution patterns. The highest incidence rate was found in people aged 60‒<70 years. The occupation of cases were primarily farmers. The incidence rate in males (528/100 000) was higher than that in females (184/100 000). All cases had confirmed exposure to infected animals or contaminated animal products. ConclusionThe epidemic of human brucellosis in Tangshan exhibited an overall steady downward trend from 2016 to 2023, except for a slight increase in 2016 and 2021, with the incidence rate controlled at 289/100 000‒335/100 000. The prevention and control situation of human brucellosis still remains severe, with the highest incidence rate in the eastern region of Tangshan, which are characterized by the breeding, slaughtering, and processing of cattle and sheep. Therefore, it it is necessary to enhance the prevention and control of human brucellosis among the personnel engaged in these industries in the eastern areas.

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the role of dehydrocorydaline (DHC) in chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 3 groups by using a random number table, including sham group (sham operation), CCI group [intrathecal injection of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)], and CCI+DHC group (intrathecal injection of DHC), 8 mice in each group. A CCI mouse model was conducted to induce neuropathic pain through ligating the right common sciatic nerve. On day 14 after CCI modeling or sham operation, mice were intrathecal injected with 5 µL of 10% DMSO or 10 mg/kg DHC (5 µL) into the 5th to 6th lumbar intervertebral space (L5-L6). Pregnant ICR mice were sacrificed for isolating primary spinal neurons on day 14 of embryo development for in vitro experiment. Pain behaviors were evaluated by measuring the paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) of mice. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the activation of astrocytes and microglia in mouse spinal cord. Protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), phosphorylation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (p-NR2B), and NR2B in the spinal cord or primary spinal neurons were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: In CCI-induced neuropathic pain model, mice presented significantly decreased PWMT, activation of glial cells, overexpressions of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6, and higher p-NR2B/NR2B ratio in the spinal cord (P<0.05 or P<0.01), which were all reversed by a single intrathecal injection of DHC (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The p-NR2B/NR2B ratio in primary spinal neurons were also inhibited after DHC treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION An intrathecal injection of DHC relieved CCI-induced neuropathic pain in mice by inhibiting the neuroinflammation and neuron hyperactivity.
Animals ; Neuralgia/etiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Analgesics/pharmacology* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/pathology* ; Constriction ; Male ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Microglia/pathology* ; Spinal Cord/drug effects* ; Female ; Mice ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Constriction, Pathologic/complications* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Astrocytes/metabolism* ; Chronic Disease ; Neurons/metabolism*

AIM To optimize the extraction process for Jigen Standard Decoction,and to establish its quality standard.METHODS With soaking time,water addition and first decoction time as influencing factors,comprehensive score for 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose content and yield rate as an evaluation index,the extraction process was optimized by response surface method on the basis of single factor test.The content and transfer rate of 3,6'-dimustayl sucrose were determined,after which HPLC characteristic chromatograms were established,cluster analysis,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were performed.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be 60 min for soaking time,(12+11)times for water addition,and(47+20)min for decoction time,the comprehensive score was 97.98.Fifteen batches of standard decoctions demonstrated the average yield rate and transfer rate of 14.182％and 20.468％,respectively,whose characteristic chromatograms existed six common peaks with the similarities of more than 0.9(except for S4,S8).Various batches of standard decoctions were clustered into two types,three principal components displayed the acumulative variance contribution rate of 91.4％,peaks 2,6 were quality markers.CONCLUSION This precise,stable and reproducible method can be used for the preparation and quality control of Jigen Standard Decoction.

Background/Aims: Finite nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy has been proposed as an alternative treatment strategy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but biomarkers for post-treatment monitoring are limited. We investigated whether measuring hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) after NA cessation may stratify the risk of subsequent clinical relapse (CR). Methods: This retrospective multicenter analysis enrolled adults with CHB who were prospectively monitored after discontinuing entecavir or tenofovir with negative HBeAg and undetectable HBV DNA at the end of treatment (EOT). Patients with cirrhosis or malignancy were excluded. CR was defined as serum alanine aminotransferase > two times the upper limit of normal with recurrent viremia. We applied time-dependent Cox proportional hazard models to clarify the association between HBcrAg levels and subsequent CR. Results: The cohort included 203 patients (median age, 49.8 years; 76.8% male; 60.6% entecavir) who had been treated for a median of 36.9 months (interquartile range [IQR], 36.5–40.1). During a median post-treatment follow-up of 31.7 months (IQR, 16.7–67.1), CR occurred in 104 patients with a 5-year cumulative incidence of 54.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47.1–62.4%). Time-varying HBcrAg level was a significant risk factor for subsequent CR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.53 per log U/mL; 95% CI, 1.12–2.08) with adjustment for EOT HBsAg, EOT anti-HBe, EOT HBcrAg and time-varying HBsAg. During follow-up, HBcrAg <1,000 U/mL predicted a lower risk of CR (aHR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.21–0.81). Conclusions Dynamic measurement of HBcrAg after NA cessation is predictive of subsequent CR and may be useful to guide post-treatment monitoring.

Diabetic ulcer is recognized as a chronic nonhealing wound, often associated with bacterial infection and tissue necrosis, which seriously affect patients' health and quality of life. The traditional treatment methods exist some problems, such as bacterial resistance and secondary trauma, so it is urgent to find new methods to meet the requirements of diabetic ulcer treatment. In this study, we prepared a drug delivery system (DFO@CuS nanoparticles) based on hollow copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles loaded with deferoxamine (DFO), which realized the synergistic therapy of promoting angiogenesis and photothermal antibacterial. The morphological structure and particle size distribution of DFO@CuS nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and particle size analyzer, respectively. The antibacterial effect of DFO@CuS nanoparticles was evaluated by the plate coating method. The effects of DFO@CuS nanoparticles on the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated by CCK-8 (cell counting kit-8) assay, cell scratch assay, and tube formation assay. The results showed that DFO@CuS nanoparticles were hollow and spherical in shape with an average particle size of (200.9 ± 8.6) nm. DFO@CuS nanoparticles could effectively inhibit the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. DFO@CuS nanoparticles showed negligible cytotoxicity and effective acceleration of cell migration and tube formation in a certain concentration range. In conclusion, the prepared DFO@CuS nanoparticles exhibit good photothermal antibacterial properties and pro-angiogenic effects, providing a basis for their application in the treatment of diabetic ulcer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of daratumumab in treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) patients with renal impairment (RI). METHODS: The clinical data of 15 MM patients with RI who received daratumumab-based regimen from January 2021 to March 2022 in three centers were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were treated with daratumumab or daratumumab combined with dexamethasone or daratumumab combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone and the curative effect and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: The median age of 15 patients was 64 (ranged 54-82) years old. Six patients were IgG-MM, 2 were IgA-MM,1 was IgD-MM and 6 were light chain MM. Median estinated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 22.48 ml/(min·1.73 M₂). Overall response rate of 11 patients with MM was 91% (≥MR), including 1 case of stringent complete response (sCR), 2 cases of very good partial response (VGPR), 3 cases of partial response (PR) and 4 cases of minor response (MR). The rate of renal response was 60%(9/15), including 4 cases of complete response (CR), 1 case of PR and 4 cases of MR. A median time of optimal renal response was 21 (ranged 7-56) days. With a median follow-up of 3 months, the median progression-free survival and overall survival of all patients were not reached. After treatment with daratumumab-based regimen, grade 1-2 neutropenia was the most common hematological adverse reaction. Non-hematological adverse reactions were mainly infusion-related adverse reactions and infections. CONCLUSION Daratumumab-based regimens have good short-term efficacy and safety in the treatment of multiple myeloma patients with renal impairment.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Dexamethasone/therapeutic use* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use* ; Bortezomib/therapeutic use* ; Renal Insufficiency/drug therapy* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the carrier rate, genotype and phenotype of α-thalassemia fusion gene in Huadu district of Guangzhou, Guangdong province of China, and provide data reference for the prevention and control of thalassemia. METHODS: A total of 10 769 samples who were screened for thalassemia in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Huadu District from July 2019 to November 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Blood cell analysis and hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis were performed. Thalassemia genes were analyzed by gap-PCR and PCR-reverse dot blot hybridization (PCR-RDB). RESULTS: A total of 9 cases with α-thalassemia fusion gene were detected in 10 769 samples (0.08%). There were 7 cases with fusion gene heterozygote, 1 case with compound of α-thalassemia fusion gene and Hb G-Honolulu, 1 case with compound of α-thalassemia fusion gene and Hb QS. The MCV results of 4 samples of blood cell analysis were within the reference range, the Hb A2 value of 1 case was decreased, and there were no other abnormalities found. CONCLUSION The α-thalassemia fusion gene is common in Huadu district of Guangzhou, and heterozygotes are more common, and current screening methods easily lead to misdiagnosis.
Humans ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Genotype ; Phenotype ; Heterozygote ; China ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To establish an intestinal organoid model that mimic acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) caused intestinal injuries by using aGVHD murine model serum and organoid culture system, and explore the changes of aGVHD intestine in vitro by advantage of organoid technology. METHODS: 20-22 g female C57BL/6 mice and 20-22 g female BALB/c mice were used as donors and recipients for bone marrow transplantation, respectively. Within 4-6 h after receiving a lethal dose (8.0 Gy) of γ ray total body irradiation, a total of 0.25 ml of murine derived bone marrow cells (1×10⁷/mice, n=20) and spleen nucleated cells (5×10⁶/mice, n=20) was infused to establish a mouse model of aGVHD (n=20). The aGVHD mice were anesthetized at the 7th day after transplantation, and the veinal blood was harvested by removing the eyeballs, and the serum was collected by centrifugation. The small intestinal crypts of healthy C57BL/6 mice were harvested and cultivated in 3D culture system that maintaining the growth and proliferation of intestinal stem cells in vitro. In our experiment, 5%, 10%, 20% proportions of aGVHD serum were respectively added into the organoid culture system for 3 days. The formation of small intestinal organoids were observed under an inverted microscope and the morphological characteristics of intestinal organoids in each groups were analyzed. For further evaluation, the aGVHD intestinal organoids were harvested and their pathological changes were observed. Combined with HE staining, intestinal organ morphology evaluation was performed. Combined with Alcian Blue staining, the secretion function of aGVHD intestinal organoids was observed. The distribution and changes of Lgr5⁺ and Clu⁺ intestinal stem cells in intestinal organoids were analyzed under the conditions of 5%, 10% and 20% serum concentrations by immunohistochemical stainings. RESULTS: The results of HE staining showed that the integrity of intestinal organoids in the 5% concentration serum group was better than that in the 10% and 20% groups. The 5% concentration serum group showed the highest number of organoids, the highest germination rate and the lowest pathological score among experimental groups, while the 20% group exhibited severe morphological destruction and almost no germination was observed, and the pathological score was the highest among all groups(t=3.668, 4.334,5.309,P<0.05). The results of Alican blue staining showed that the secretion function of intestinal organoids in serum culture of aGVHD in the 20% group was weaker than that of the 5% group and 10% of the organoids, and there was almost no goblet cells, and mucus was stainned in the 20% aGVHD serum group. The immunohistochemical results showed that the number of Lgr5⁺ cells of intestinal organoids in the 5% group was more than that of the intestinal organoids in the 10% aGVHD serum group and 20% aGVHD serum group. Almost no Clu⁺ cells were observed in the 5% group. The Lgr5⁺ cells in the 20% group were seriously injuried and can not be observed. The proportion of Clu⁺ cells in the 20% group significantly increased. CONCLUSION The concentration of aGVHD serum in the culture system can affect the number and secretion function of intestinal organoids as well as the number of intestinal stem cells in organoids. The higher the serum concentration, the greater the risk of organoid injury, which reveal the characteristics of the formation and functional change of aGVHD intestinal organoids, and provide a novel tool for the study of intestinal injury in aGVHD.
Mice ; Female ; Animals ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Stem Cells ; Organoids