Objective To explore the relationship between education level and the risk of all-cause mortality in the middle-aged and elderly (≥45 years old) population in China. Methods Using data from five surveys from 2011-2020, years of education, age, gender, marital status, type of household, alcohol consumption status, smoking status, physical activity, limited ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), chronic disease status, and body mass index were collected. According to the survival status，the study participants were divided into a survival group (n=8625) and an all-cause mortality group (n=1735). Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the relationship between years of education and the risk of all-cause mortality in middle-aged and elderly people with stratified analysis. Results The survey was conducted on 10360 research subjects, including 4 983 males and 5 377 females, with an age M(Q_R) of 59(8) years old. A total of 88 187 person years (average 8.512 person years) were followed up, and a total of 1735 deaths were reported over 9 years. The all-cause mortality rate was 19.674 ‰, with an education period M(Q_R) of 5(8) years and a survival time M(Q_R) of 9 (0) years. After adjusting for confounding factors, for every 1 year increase in education, the risk of all-cause mortality decreased by 2.60% [HR=0.974, 95% CI (0.960-0.988)]. The stratified analysis results showed that in the population aged 45-59, for every 1 year increase in education, the risk of all-cause mortality decreased by 1.00% [HR=0.990, 95% CI (0.959,1.021)]; In the population aged 60-74 and over 75, for every 1 year increase in education, the risk of all-cause mortality decreased by 2.70% [HR=0.973, 95% CI (0.948, 0.999)] and 3.50% [HR=0.965, 95% CI (0.929, 1.003)], respectively. Conclusion Improving the education level of middle-aged and elderly people (≥ 45 years old) in China can reduce the risk of all-cause mortality, and elderly education should be vigorously promoted.

[Objective] To explore the feasibility of using whole blood as a source of NK cells for allogeneic CAR NK cell therapy and activated NK cell reinfusion therapy, and initially construct a technical system for the separation and purification of NK cells from whole blood. [Methods] All peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were enriched from 400 mL of whole blood by manual separation and machine separation, respectively. The erythrocyte loss rate, PBMCs number, NK cell purity of the two methods were compared. NK cells were sorted from PBMCs by three separation and enrichment methods as immunomagnetic bead negative selection method, platelet lysate culture expansion and PERCOLL density gradient separation method, and the purity and yield of NK cells, the activity of NK cells and the tumor-killing ability of the three separation and enrichment methods were compared. [Results] The proportion of NK cells in the lymphocyte population was higher in the manual separation method than in the machine separation method[(13.16±5.16)% vs (8.56±3.92)%, P<0.05]; the number PBMCs was lower in the manual separation method than in the machine separation method[(4.09±1.80)×10⁸vs (6.49±2.16)×10⁸, P<0.05], and there was no difference in the red blood cell loss between the two methods (P>0.05). The purity of NK cells isolated and enriched from PBMCs by manual separation method using immunomagnetic was (96.77±2.31)%; the yield was (56.27±10.47)%; the inhibition of tumor proliferation was (38.67±14.05)%; and the tumor killing rate was (19.90±8.05)%. The purity of NK cells isolated and enriched from PBMCs by manual separation method using platelet lysis culture expansion method was the highest at day 7, which was (54.84±15.80)%; the cell expansion multiple could reach 16.92±6.28 at day 7; the in vitro tumor killing rate of NK cells was (15.83±5.5)%; the tumor inhibition rate was (44.33±13.5)%; and there was no difference in the toxicity and activity of NK cells between the two methods (P>0.05). The purity of NK cells isolated and enriched by PERCOLL density gradient separation method was (15.83±5.82)%, and the yield was (14±6.25)%, which was significantly lower than the other two methods. [Conclusion] PBMCs isolated from whole blood by manual separation and NK cells enriched by negative selection with immunomagnetic beads have the potential to provide NK cell materials for CAR-NK cell therapy, and NK cells enriched by platelet lysate-conditioned medium have the potential to provide NK cells for large-scale NK cell activation reinfusion therapy.

This study was aimed at preliminarily assessing the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection(LTBI)among cattle farming and slaughterhouse workers across Wuxue,Xianning,and Yichang Cities in Hubei Province,and exploring associated risk factors.Data on cattle farming and slaughterhouse workers were gathered via a questionnaire.LTBI detection was performed with a tu-berculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assay,and influencing factors were subsequently analyzed.The LTBI prevalence among cattle farming and slaughterhouse personnel in the three cities was 30.50%,and a higher rate was observed in slaughterhouse workers(39.01%)than cattle farmers(21.63%)(P<0.01).Multifactor analysis indicated that working in slaughterhouses(95%CI:1.582-3.878),having a history of tuberculosis(95%CI:1.377-25.057)or BCG vaccination(95%CI:1.229-3.285),and having a college education or above(95%CI:0.303-0.859)were significant factors influencing LTBI positivity in these personnel.Having more than 30 years of work experience(95%CI:1.303-18.782)was a risk factor for personnel at cattle breeding farms.Among slaugh-terhouse personnel,having a college education or above(95%CI:0.164-0.894),11-20 years of work experience(95%CI:0.122-0.994),or a history of tuberculosis(95%CI:1.661-64.397);performing logistics work(95%CI:3.234-126.424);and working in slaughter-related positions(95%CI:1.209-19.639)were associated with LTBI positivity.Therefore,the slaughterhouse workers in the three cities had higher LTBI rates than the cattle farming workers,thus underscoring the need for increased attention to personnel in logistics and slaughter-related positions.

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,molecular subtypes,and prognostic factors of diffuse midline glioma(DMG)with H3K27 alterations.Methods Clinical data from 19 patients from DMG were col-lected.The clinical manifestations,histopathological features,immunophenotypes,and molecular genetic characteris-tics were analyzed.Relevant literature was also reviewed.Results Among the 19 patients,12 cases had tumors loca-ted in the thalamus,while 7 cases had tumors in other midline regions(including 4 cases in the brainstem,1 case in the cerebellum,and 2 cases in the spinal cord).Clinical symptoms primarily included dizziness,gait instability,and blurred vision.Histological features were diverse,with 12 cases classified as high-grade gliomas and 7 cases as low-grade.Immunohistochemistry revealed a loss of H3K27me3 expression in all cases,with 18 cases showing diffuse H3K27M positivity and 1 case expressing EZHIP.Of the 16 cases that underwent next-generation sequencing(NGS),1 case showed EGFR mutation(1/16,6％),while the remaining 15 cases had H3F3A K27M mutations(15/16,94％).Among these,7 cases had ATRX mutations(7/15,46.6％),5 cases had MAPK pathway alterations(5/15,33.3％,including 2 cases FGFR1,2 cases NF1,1 case co-mutated with BRAF and NF1),5 cases had PDGFRA mis-sense mutations(5/15,33.3％),4 cases had p53 missense or frameshift deletions(4/15,26.6％).One case each had a DICER1 missense mutation and an IDH1-S202R frameshift deletion(1/15,6.6％).The prognosis was general-ly poor,with a median survival of 9.5 months.Conclusion DMG exhibits high tumor heterogeneity and an overall poor prognosis.The predominant molecular aleration was the H3F3A K27M mutation.Patients with co-altered MAPK pathway showed relatively better outcomes,providing new insights into the molecular genetic characteristics of DMG.

Objective To explore method for improving the colonization efficiency of Helicobacter pylori(Hp)in the mouse stomach and to determine if the proton pump inhibitor(PPI)pantoprazole can act as a colonization adjuvant to enhance Hp colonization,with the aim of providing an effective tool for establishing an Hp infection mouse model.Methods The Hp Sydney strain 1(SS1)was introduced and solid plate and liquid culture systems were established.The effects of different doses of pantoprazole on gastric acid secretion in mice were compared.The impact of Hp inoculation,alone or combined with pantoprazole pretreatment,on Hp colonization efficiency was analyzed using rapid urease tests,bacterial plate cultures,and TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results PPI pretreatment inhibited gastric acid secretion and promoted Hp colonization in the mouse stomach,to some extent.Conclusions PPI can serve as colonization adjuvants to enhanc e the efficiency of constructing Hp infection mouse models.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children with stage 4/M neuroblastoma (NB).Methods:This study was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter clinical trial conducted by Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Children′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. From March, 2019 to August, 2023, 25 children with confirmed with stage 4/M NB and received allo-HSCT were enrolled. The patients received either unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Conditioning regimens for UCBT was fludarabine+busulfan+cyclophosphamide+topotecan, and for PBSCT was fludarabine+busulfan+melphalan+thiotepa+antithymocyte globulin, respectively. Until the last follow-up date of September, 2023, the overall survival (OS) rate and event free survival (EFS) rate were analyzed to evaluate efficacy. The engraftment rate and transplant-related complications were statistically assessed to evaluate safety. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:Of the 25 patients, there were 15 males and 10 females. The age at transplantation was 5.7 (3.8, 7.3) years. The engraft rate was 100%, with recovery time of neutrophil as 15.7 (12.5, 17.0) d, and the recovery time of platelets as 33.5 (18.0, 48.0) d. Seventeen of the 25 children (68%) developed acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD), occurred at 18.0 (13.0, 22.5) d after transplantation, including 13 of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ cases. The main sites of aGVHD were skin and intestinal tract. After treatment, 13 cases improved, 4 patients developed chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). After allo-HSCT, 14 children received maintenance therapy. Twenty of the 25 patients survived, the 2-year cumulative OS rate was (80±9)%, and 2-year EFS rate was (56±11)%. Nine cases (36%) relapsed, the time from allo-HSCT to disease relapse was 10.9 (5.5, 16.0) months. Five cases (20%) died. The hematopoietic stem cell transplantation associated mortality rate was 4% (1/25).The 2-year OS rate of patients who had partial remission prior to allo-HSCT was significant lower than those who had complete remission prior to allo-HSCT ((33±25)% vs. 100%, P=0.037). Conclusion:allo-HSCT is an effective treatment for patients with stage 4/M NB.

Objective:To analyze the application of situational teaching method based on the OBE concept in the teaching of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing course for undergraduate nursing students,and evaluate its effect on their clinical practice and internship adaptability.Methods:The third-year nursing students from 2018 to 2021 in a university in Anhui Province were selected as the research objects.Thirty students were selected as the experimental group each academic year,and taught using situational teaching method based on the OBE concept.Another 30 students from the same academic year were selected as the control group and taught using the conventional teaching method.The course teaching evaluation and course assessment scores of the two groups were compared,and the clinical practice ability and internship adaptability were compared before and after 3 months of hospital internship.Results:There was no significant difference in the course teaching evaluation and course assessment scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).The case analysis score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.01).The scores of each dimension and total score of the clinical practice ability scale after internship in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05),and the scores of each dimension and total score of the internship adaptability scale were also higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Based on the concept of OBE,the situational teaching method is beneficial to improving the ability of case analysis,and enhancing the clinical practice ability and internship adaptability of nursing students.

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,molecular subtypes,and prognostic factors of diffuse midline glioma(DMG)with H3K27 alterations.Methods Clinical data from 19 patients from DMG were col-lected.The clinical manifestations,histopathological features,immunophenotypes,and molecular genetic characteris-tics were analyzed.Relevant literature was also reviewed.Results Among the 19 patients,12 cases had tumors loca-ted in the thalamus,while 7 cases had tumors in other midline regions(including 4 cases in the brainstem,1 case in the cerebellum,and 2 cases in the spinal cord).Clinical symptoms primarily included dizziness,gait instability,and blurred vision.Histological features were diverse,with 12 cases classified as high-grade gliomas and 7 cases as low-grade.Immunohistochemistry revealed a loss of H3K27me3 expression in all cases,with 18 cases showing diffuse H3K27M positivity and 1 case expressing EZHIP.Of the 16 cases that underwent next-generation sequencing(NGS),1 case showed EGFR mutation(1/16,6％),while the remaining 15 cases had H3F3A K27M mutations(15/16,94％).Among these,7 cases had ATRX mutations(7/15,46.6％),5 cases had MAPK pathway alterations(5/15,33.3％,including 2 cases FGFR1,2 cases NF1,1 case co-mutated with BRAF and NF1),5 cases had PDGFRA mis-sense mutations(5/15,33.3％),4 cases had p53 missense or frameshift deletions(4/15,26.6％).One case each had a DICER1 missense mutation and an IDH1-S202R frameshift deletion(1/15,6.6％).The prognosis was general-ly poor,with a median survival of 9.5 months.Conclusion DMG exhibits high tumor heterogeneity and an overall poor prognosis.The predominant molecular aleration was the H3F3A K27M mutation.Patients with co-altered MAPK pathway showed relatively better outcomes,providing new insights into the molecular genetic characteristics of DMG.

Objective To investigate the status of perceived uncertainty in the process of re-pregnancy in patients with recurrent abortion,and to systematically explore the influencing factors based on the health ecology model,to inform a reduction in the level of perceived uncertainty about their re-pregnancy and improve their quality of life.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to investigate 260 patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion during re-pregnancy from 2 reproductive clinics of a tertiary A hospital in Suzhou,from December 2023 to June 2024,and they were investigated by a self-designed general data questionnaire,Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12,Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and Simple Coping Style Questionnaire.The single factor analysis and multiple linear regression methods were used to analyze the influences factors of perceived uncertainty in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion during re-pregnancy.Results A total of 256 valid questionnaires were collected,with a recovery rate of 98.5％.The score of intolerance of uncertainty in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion during re-pregnancy was(35.18±9.23).Multiple linear regression analysis found that average monthly family income,residence,history with assisted reproductive therapy,anxiety and coping were the factors influencing the feeling of perceived uncertainty in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion during re-pregnancy(P＜0.05).Conclusion The level of perceived uncertainty in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion during re-pregnancy is at a medium level.Medical workers should pay attention to the early identification of the perceived uncertainty in patients,enhance the psychological support for patients,and improve their mental health.

Background Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most prevalent environmental endocrine disruptor among phthalate acid esters (PAEs) worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that exposure to DEHP may disrupt glucose metabolism. Objective To investigate the impact of DEHP on glucose homeostasis in rats, focusing on oxidative stress-induced impairment of autophagy in islet β cells. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly assigned to four groups, receiving DEHP doses of 0, 187, 375, and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ for 12 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were conducted 24 h after the final exposure. Pancreatic microstructural alterations were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Commercial ELISA kits were employed to quantify the levels of insulin, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in rat serum, as well as the protein expression level of activated caspase-3 in pancreatic tissue. Additionally, commercial microplate kits were utilized to measure the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in serum, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) using water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid method, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pancreatic tissue by chemical fluorescence method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure sequestosome1 (SQSTM1/p62), Beclin1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-8 (Caspase-8) mRNA levels. Western blot analysis was applied to detect the protein relative expression levels of p62, Beclin-1, LC3-I, LC3 II, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR, p-mTOR, ULK1, and Caspase-8. Results Compared to the 0 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited a significant increase in fasting blood glucose levels at 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks (P<0.05). The OGTT showed that, following high-glucose gavage, the 187 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group had elevated blood glucose at 30 min (P<0.05), the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group showed increased glucose levels at 15, 30, and 180 min (P<0.05), and the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited elevated levels at 15, 30, 60, and 180 min (P<0.05). The 375 and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups demonstrated significantly increased OGTT area under the curve (AUC) values (P<0.05). In contrast, ITT results indicated no significant differences in blood glucose levels or AUC among the DEHP exposure groups at all time points (P>0.05). Compared to the 0 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited significantly higher HOMA-IR levels and markedly lower HOMA-ISI values (P<0.05). HE and TEM showed that in each DEHP exposure group, the number of islet cells decreased, the islet area reduced, and chromatin condensation occurred. The endocrine granules in the cytoplasm of islet β cells decreased, and there were varying degrees of widening of the nuclear membrane gap, flattening and expansion of the Golgi complex, and expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosome separation was observed, and autophagosomes were visible. In the 375 and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups, the mitochondria were deformed to varying degrees, and some cristae structures disappeared, presenting vacuolization. Moreover, the chromatin condensation in the nuclei was more severe in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group. The serum SOD activity was significantly elevated in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group (P<0.05). Both the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups exhibited a significant increase in the relative ROS content in pancreatic tissue (P<0.05). In DEHP-treated groups, the MDA content increased (P<0.05), while the GSH content decreased (P<0.05). Additionally, in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the AMP/ATP ratio in serum was significantly raised (P<0.05), and the expression of cleaved Caspase-3 protein in pancreatic tissue was also significantly increased (P<0.05). The relative mRNA levels of p62, Beclin-1, LC3, and Caspase-8 in the pancreatic tissue of rats exposed to DEHP were significantly elevated (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK, p-ULK1/ULK1, and Beclin-1 proteins in the DEHP-treated groups were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP treatment groups, the relative expression levels of p62, LC3 II/LC1, and Caspase-8 proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the relative expression level of p-mTOR/mTOR was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion DEHP can disrupt glucose homeostasis by inducing oxidative stress, which subsequently activates autophagy via the ROS/AMPK/ULK1 pathway, impairing autophagic flux and promoting apoptosis of islet β cells, ultimately decreasing their function and number.