Objective:To analyze the distribution and genomic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 variants isolated from imported cases of COVID-19 in Sichuan Province from December 2022 to January 2023.Methods:This study selected 108 nasal and throat swab samples with fluorescence threshold (Ct)≤32 that were collected from imported COVID-19 cases in Sichuan Province from December 2022 to January 2023. Targeted amplification and Illumina NextSeq? 2000 system were used for whole-genome sequencing. Nextclade and Pangolin online platforms were used to determine the virus genotypes and analyze the mutation loci. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum likelihood.Results:A total of 55 SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences with coverage of >95% were obtained, and all of the strains were Omicron variants. Compared with the sequence of reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1, the median number of nucleotide mutation sites of 21L, 22B, 22D, 22E, and 22F genotypes were 93, 75, 92, 78, and 92, and the median number of amino acid mutation sites were 68, 53, 68, 69, and 65, respectively. From December 2022 to January 2023, the predominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants from imported cases in Sichuan Province were BA.5.2 (10.91%, 6/55), XBB.1.1 (9.10%, 5/55), BF.7.14 (7.23%, 4/55), and BQ.1.1 (7.23%, 4/55).Conclusions:The distribution of SARS-CoV-2 variants can reflect the global epidemic trend to a certain extent. However, it is different from the distribution of local circulating variants in the Chinese mainland. The XXB variants with transmission advantages can be detected in large numbers of inbound travelers before becoming the predominant circulating strains in the Chinese mainland.

Objective:To monitor the changes in donor gene chimerism ratio after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with severe beta-thalassemia using third-generation sequencing, and to explore the value of this technology in monitoring the proportion of donor genes chimerism in the early stage of postoperative allo-HSCT.Methods:Case analysis. Three beta-thalassemia patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University during June-July 2022 who had undergone allo-HSCT with genotypes IVS-Ⅱ-654/CD41-42, IVS-Ⅱ-654/IVS-Ⅱ-654 and CD41-42/CD41-42 were included in this study. "Visual" analysis of the readouts of recipient DNA using third generation sequencing was used to monitor the genetic chimerism of the donor DNA and to compare with Sanger sequencing results. Post-transplantation follow-up was performed in the three patients to monitor the blood statistics and assess their implantation status and hematopoietic reconstitution.Results:The results of donor DNA chimerism status after allo-HSCT in the three patients detected by third generation sequencing were consistent with the Sanger sequencing results. The chimeric state of donor DNA gradually shifted to complete donor gene chimerism as the number of days after transplantation increased. Recipient 1 had 95.5% and 100% donor DNA chimerism at 10 and 20 d post-transplantation, respectively; recipient 2 had 100% donor DNA chimerism at 30 and 40 d post-transplantation; recipient 3 had 69.5% donor DNA chimerism at 1 d post-transplantation, and 100% donor DNA chimerism at 10 and 20 d post-transplantation. All patients achieved full donor gene chimerism within 30 d post-transplantation. Stable implantation of granulopoiesis, platelets, and erythropoiesis with hematopoietic reconstitution were obtained in all 3 patients within 1 month after transplantation.Conclusions:In this study, we developed a new method to detect the chimerism ratio of donor DNA using third-generation sequencing technology, enabling us to monitor the gene chimerism status of donor DNA at an early stage.

AIM:To investigate the molecular mechanism of long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)SNHG1 in regu-lating ferroptosis to alleviate inflammation in CHME-5 human microglia induced by HIV-1 gp120 V3 loop.METHODS:CHME-5 human microglia were cultured in vitro,and were divided into 7 groups:blank group,random peptide group,gp120 V3 loop group(HIV-1 gp120 group),HIV-1 gp120+shCon group,HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2 group,HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2+ferrostatin-1(Fer-1;ferroptosis inhibitor)group,and HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2+EX527(Sirt1 in-hibitor)group.Normal CHME-5 cells were treated with random peptide or gp120 V3 loop for 24 h.After pretreatment of SNHG1 sh2 cells with inhibitors for 2 h,the cells were then treated with gp120 V3 loop for 24 h.The levels of inflammato-ry cytokines in the cell supernatants were detected by ELISA.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),Sirt1 and p53.Microplate reader was used to detect the levels of intracellular ferrous ion(Fe2+)and malondialdehyde(MDA).RESULTS:(1)The results of ELISA showed that the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-1β in HIV-1 gp120 group were significantly higher than those in blank group(P<0.05).Compared with HIV-1 gp120 group,the ex-pression levels of inflammatory cytokines in HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2 group,the expression levels of inflammatory factors in HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2+Fer-1 were significantly decreased(P<0.05),but those in HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2+EX527 group were significant-ly increased(P<0.01).(2)The results of Western blot showed that compared with blank group,the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins SLC7A11 and GPX4 in HIV-1 gp120 group were significantly down-regulated(P<0.01).Com-pared with HIV-1 gp120 group,the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2 group were sig-nificantly up-regulated(P<0.01).Compared with HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2 group,the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2+Fer-1 group were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05),but the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2+EX527 group were significantly down-regulated(P<0.01),and the expression level of p53 was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).(3)Compared with blank group,the levels of Fe2+and MDA in HIV-1 gp120 group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with HIV-1 gp120 group,the levels of Fe2+and MDA in HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2 group were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2 group,Fe2+and MDA in HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2+Fer-1 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),but those in HIV-1 gp120+SNHG1 sh2+EX527 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Knockdown of SNHG1 can attenuate the inflammation in microglia induced by HIV-1 gp120 V3 loop,which may be achieved by regulating ferrop-tosis-related signaling molecules through the Sirt1/p53 signaling pathway.

Oral health is closely related to systemic health. Common chronic oral diseases, periodontitis and periapical inflammation for example, not only affect the health of oral soft and hard tissues including the alveolar bone and gums, but may also cause changes in systemic conditions such as chronic low-grade inflammation, elevated oxidative stress levels, and dysbiosis of the microbiota. These changes in systemic health can exacerbate the progression of obesity. Therefore, through proactive oral health interventions such as maintaining good oral hygiene habits, modifying dietary structures, and undergoing oral examinations, it is possible to effectively prevent and alleviate inflammatory oral diseases, and actively intervene in obesity. This article delves into the impact of inflammatory oral diseases on obesity and their underlying mechanisms, defines the concept of "oral proactive healthcare", and systematically summarizes their preventive and therapeutic effects on inflammatory oral diseases, thereby demonstrating the potential of improving obesity through proactive oral health strategies.

To analyze the effects of tooth brushing frequency on blood indicators among adolescents and to preliminarily explore the effects of tooth brushing frequency on general health.

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of poor anal function after laparoscopic intersphincteric resection(Lap-ISR)for extremely low rectal cancer,and to construct and verify a prediction model based on this model,in order to provide guidance for improving the anal function of patients with extremely low rectal cancer after Lap-ISR.Method A total of 127 patients with extremely low rectal cancer who underwent Lap-ISR in Taizhou People's Hospital from June 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively selected.Patients were followed up for 12 months after surgery,and postoperative anal function was evaluated by the anal incontinence score(Wexner).According to Wexner score,the patients were divided into good anal function group(106 cases)and poor anal function group(21 cases).The clinical data of patients were collected and the risk factors affecting postoperative poor anal dysfunction were analyzed,and a Nomogram model was constructed to predict the risk of postoperative anal dysfunction in patients after Lap-ISR,and the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was drawn.The area under the curve(AUC)was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of the prediction model for poor anal dysfunction after Lap-ISR.Result The incidence of anal dysfunction after Lap-ISR in patients with extremely low rectal cancer was 16.54％(21/127).Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in gender,age,body mass index,clinical stage,combined underlying diseases,operation time,intraoperative blood loss,anastomosis method,and the distance from the lower edge of the tumor to the dentate line between the two groups(P＞0.05).The proportion of tumor diameter≥5 cm,the proportion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy,the distance between anastomosis and anal verge＜2 cm,and the proportion of anastomotic leakage in the anal dysfunction group were higher than those in the good anal function group(P＜0.05).Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that tumor diameter≥5 cm(OR=5.124),neoadjuvant chemotherapy(OR=5.761)and anastomotic leakage(OR=6.881)were risk factors for postoperative anal function(P＜0.05).Wexner score of patients with tumor diameter ≥5 cm was higher than that of patients with tumor diameter＜5 cm,Wexner score of patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy was higher than that of patients without neoadjuvant chemotherapy,and Wexner score of patients with anastomotic leakage was higher than that of patients without anastomotic leakage(P＜0.05).Internal validation of Bootstrap method showed that the C-index was 0.785(95％CI:0.692-0.851).The results of ROC curve showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the nomogram model in predicting postoperative poor anal function of patients were 85.70％and 88.70％,respectively,and the AUC was 0.895(95％CI:0.795-0.984).Conclusion Tumor diameter,neoadjuvant chemotherapy and anastomotic leakage are risk factors for poor anal function after Lap-ISR in patients with extremely low rectal cancer.The nomogram risk prediction model based on the above risk factors has a good risk efficiency in evaluating the risk of postoperative anal dysfunction in patients.

Objective:To construct the training program system for hospice care volunteers and provide reference for the training of hospice care volunteers in China.Methods:The training program system for hospice care volunteers was initially determined by using the method of literature analysis and investigation, and 16 experts were consulted by two rounds of letters using the method of expert inquiry from May to July 2022, and finally the training program system was established.Results:The effective recovery rate of the two rounds of expert consultation questionnaire was 100%, the expert authority coefficient was 0.88, and the Kendall coordination coefficient was 0.141, 0.131 (both P<0.05). The final training program system for hospice care volunteers contained 7 first-class indicators including training objectives, training objects, training contents, training methods, training hours, training resources and training evaluation, 27 second-class indicators and 92 third-class indicators. Conclusions:The training program system for hospice care volunteers constructed in this study has high reliability and scientificity, and has a good guiding role and reference value for the training of hospice care volunteers.

Objective:To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics, pathogenesis and treatment strategy of congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus(CNDI)combined with hyperuricemia.Methods:The clinical manifestations and laboratory data of an infant patient diagnosed as CNDI with hyperuricemia and his family members were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Whole exome sequencing(WES)was applied to detect the proband′s genome variation of each exon and suspected variants of AVPR2 and ABCG2 were verified by PCR-Sanger sequencing of members from his pedigree. Furthermore, we retrospectively collected the serum uric acid levels of patients(≤14-year-old) with CNDI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2015 to January 2022.Results:The proband was clinically diagnosed with CNDI and the rest of the family members had no symptoms of polydipsia or polyuria. In addition to the proband, his father was also suffered from hyperuricemia. WES showed that the proband carried a hemizygous AVPR2 gene variation(p.S331R)and a heterozygous ABCG2 gene variation(p.N308K). The former was X-linked recessive inheritance from his mother, and the latter was autosomal dominant inheritance from the father. Fraction excretion of uric acid(FEUA)of the proband and his father with hyperuricemia were 3.1% and 2.7%, respectively. Twelve children(≤14-year-old)were diagnosed with CNDI from the respective study. Among all the cases, 11 patients were male and 1 was female, ranging from 3-month to 14-year-old. Five patients were accompanied with hyperuricemia.Conclusion:Children with CNDI may be complicated with hyperuricemia, and the regimen of hydrochlorothiazide combined with benzbromarone is effective. The pathogenicity of the AVPR2 gene variation(p.S331R)and ABCG2 gene variation(p.N308K)in this pedigree needs to be further studied.

Objective:To evaluate the performance of an artificial intelligent (AI)-based automated digital cell morphology analyzer (hereinafter referred as AI morphology analyzer) in detecting peripheral white blood cells (WBCs).Methods:A multi-center study. 1. A total of 3010 venous blood samples were collected from 11 tertiary hospitals nationwide, and 14 types of WBCs were analyzed with the AI morphology analyzers. The pre-classification results were compared with the post-classification results reviewed by senior morphological experts in evaluate the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and agreement of the AI morphology analyzers on the WBC pre-classification. 2. 400 blood samples (no less than 50% of the samples with abnormal WBCs after pre-classification and manual review) were selected from 3 010 samples, and the morphologists conducted manual microscopic examinations to differentiate different types of WBCs. The correlation between the post-classification and the manual microscopic examination results was analyzed. 3. Blood samples of patients diagnosed with lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or myeloproliferative neoplasms were selected from the 3 010 blood samples. The performance of the AI morphology analyzers in these five hematological malignancies was evaluated by comparing the pre-classification and post-classification results. Cohen′s kappa test was used to analyze the consistency of WBC pre-classification and expert audit results, and Passing-Bablock regression analysis was used for comparison test, and accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and agreement were calculated according to the formula.Results:1. AI morphology analyzers can pre-classify 14 types of WBCs and nucleated red blood cells. Compared with the post-classification results reviewed by senior morphological experts, the pre-classification accuracy of total WBCs reached 97.97%, of which the pre-classification accuracies of normal WBCs and abnormal WBCs were more than 96% and 87%, respectively. 2. The post-classification results reviewed by senior morphological experts correlated well with the manual differential results for all types of WBCs and nucleated red blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, immature granulocytes, blast cells, nucleated erythrocytes and malignant cells r>0.90 respectively, reactive lymphocytes r=0.85). With reference, the positive smear of abnormal cell types defined by The International Consensus Group for Hematology, the AI morphology analyzer has the similar screening ability for abnormal WBC samples as the manual microscopic examination. 3. For the blood samples with malignant hematologic diseases, the AI morphology analyzers showed accuracies higher than 84% on blast cells pre-classification, and the sensitivities were higher than 94%. In acute myeloid leukemia, the sensitivity of abnormal promyelocytes pre-classification exceeded 95%. Conclusion:The AI morphology analyzer showed high pre-classification accuracies and sensitivities on all types of leukocytes in peripheral blood when comparing with the post-classification results reviewed by experts. The post-classification results also showed a good correlation with the manual differential results. The AI morphology analyzer provides an efficient adjunctive white blood cell detection method for screening malignant hematological diseases.

Professor Zhang Zhiyuan， a master of Chinese medicine， made good use of Baizhu （Atractylis macrocephala （Koidz.））. Except for defecation in clinical practice， he usually prescribed processed Baizhu after stir-frying with soil. Baizhu is good at excreting water and removing dampness， so applied it in the formula series with Fuling （Poria cocos） and Guizhi （Cassia Twig） or self-made decoction for diarrhea. High-dose Baizhu could be used for edema by treating obstructive syndrome with tonics， so Baizhu were added in self-made Shugan Qushui Decoction （疏肝祛水汤） or modified Lizhong Decoction （理中汤） for liver cirrhosis ascites. It was emphasized that Baizhu could eliminate phlegm， so added it in modified Zexei Decoction （泽泻汤） for excess syndrome of vertigo. It was also acknow-ledged that Baizhu could strengthen the spleen and stomach， and was suitable for deficiency or excess syndrome of abdominal distension， so applied it in Burun Decoction （补润汤） for abdominal distension with deficiency-excess in complexity， and applied it in Zhizhu Decoction （枳术汤） or self-made Tiaozhong Decoction （调中汤） for deficient abdominal distention.