Triatoma rubrofasciata is currently the most widely distributed species of Triatoma worldwide, and it is also widespread in southern China. T. rubrofasciata has been proven to transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, and is one of vectors transmitting Chagas disease, which poses a potential risk for transmission of imported Chagas disease in China. Findings from latest studies have shown that T. rubrofasciata naturally infects T. lewisi, T. conorhini, and T. rangeli, which undoubtedly increases significant risks of and challenges to trypanosomiasis control in China. This article briefly describes the species of T. rubrofasciata-transmitted trypanosomes, and summarizes the epidemiological characteristics of trypanosomiasis, so as to provide insights into T. rubrofasciata-transmitted trypanosomiasis surveillance and control, and prevention of trypanosomiasis development and transmission in China.

Objective To explore the relationship between PANoptosis and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI), and to screen the key genes of PANoptosis in HIRI. Methods PANoptosis-related differentially expressed genes (PDG) were obtained through the Gene Expression Omnibus database and GeneCards database. Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to explore the biological pathways related to PDG. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed. Key genes were selected, and their diagnostic value was assessed and validated in the HIRI mice. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed based on the cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts. Results A total of 16 PDG were identified. GO analysis showed that PDG were closely related to cellular metabolism. KEGG analysis indicated that PDG were mainly enriched in cellular death pathways such as apoptosis and immune-related signaling pathways such as the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. GSEA results showed that key genes were mainly enriched in immune-related signaling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Two key genes, DFFB and TNFSF10, were identified with high accuracy in diagnosing HIRI, with areas under the curve of 0.964 and 1.000, respectively. Immune infiltration analysis showed that the control group had more infiltration of resting natural killer cells, M2 macrophages, etc., while the HIRI group had more infiltration of M0 macrophages, neutrophils, and naive B cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that compared with the Sham group, the relative expression of DFFB messenger RNA in liver tissue of HIRI group mice increased, and the relative expression of TNFSF10 messenger RNA decreased. Cibersort analysis showed that the infiltration abundance of naive B cells was positively correlated with DFFB expression (r=0.70, P=0.035), and the infiltration abundance of M2 macrophages was positively correlated with TNFSF10 expression (r=0.68, P=0.045). Conclusions PANoptosis-related genes DFFB and TNFSF10 may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HIRI.

Objective:To explore the treatment methods and prognosis of pregnancy-related uterine arteriovenous malformation (UAVM).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 81 patients with UAVM treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between March 2019 and March 2024. Clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies and prognosis were evaluated.Results:(1) General Information: the age of patients with UAVM was (32.7±4.6) years, with median gravidity and parity of 1 (quartile range: 1, 2) and 0 (0, 1), respectively. Pregnancy termination methods included surgical abortion or curettage in 46 cases (57%, 46/81), medical induction in 17 cases (21%, 17/81), spontaneous abortion in 16 cases (20%, 16/81), vaginal delivery in 1 case (1%, 1/81), and laparoscopic pregnancy tissue removal in 1 case (1%, 1/81). (2) Clinical manifestations: clinical presentations comprised vaginal bleeding in 59 cases [73%, 59/81; median blood loss: 740 ml (440, 1 360 ml)], massive hemorrhage in 9 cases (11%, 9/81, and bleeding combined with lower abdominal pain in 8 cases (10%, 8/81). Ultrasonography revealed intrauterine masses in 65 cases [80%, 65/81; median size: 2.5 cm (1.8, 4.2 cm)]. Elevated serum human chorionic gonadotrophin-β subunit (β-hCG) levels were observed in in 55 cases [85%, 55/65; median: 62.6 U/L (14.9, 300.1 U/L)]. The median time to UAVM diagnosis via ultrasound was 30.0 days (16.0, 52.0 days) after pregnancy termination, with median peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistance index of 59.8 cm/s (45.0, 79.6 cm/s) and 0.39 (0.36, 0.43), respectively. (3) Treatment and prognosis: treatment modalities included expectant management in 49 cases (36%, 29/81), medication in 13 cases (16%, 13/81), lesion resection in 31 cases (38%, 31/81), and uterine artery angiography in 8 cases (10%, 8/81; 5 confirmed as arteriovenous fistula). The median time of PSV returning to normal after treatment was 53.8 days (36.0, 93.4 days). The average time for β-hCG returning to normal was (60.4±20.4) days. The median return time of menses was 59.0 days (43.0, 75.4 days).Conclusions:Pregnancy-related UAVM carries a high risk of life-threatening hemorrhage, necessitating management in centers equipped for emergency uterine artery embolization. Informed consent must emphasize disease progression risks and prognosis. Treatment stratification should integrate clinical parameters and imaging features.

Objective:To investigate the differences in acute intestinal injury and regulatory mechanisms in mice following carbon ion FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) and conventional dose rate radiotherapy (CONV-RT).Methods:Healthy C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group, FLASH-RT group (100 Gy/s), and CONV-RT group (0.1 Gy/s), with 9 mice in each group. All mice received carbon ion whole abdominal radiotherapy. DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) and cell proliferation were evaluated by measuring the expression of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) and nuclear-associated antigen 67 (Ki67) using immunohistochemistry; apoptosis was analyzed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL); transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the differences in molecular pathways between FLASH-RT and CONV-RT.Results:Compared with the CONV-RT group, the FLASH-RT group showed significantly reduced intestinal γ-H2AX signal at 3 h after radiotherapy ( t=3.80, P<0.01), significantly increased expression of Ki67 at the base of intestinal crypts at 6 h after radiotherapy ( t=4.30, P<0.001), and a significantly decreased number of TUNEL-positive cells at 12 h after radiotherapy ( t=3.08, P<0.01). Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that FLASH-RT specifically activated the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway, avoiding the excessive activation of CONV-RT-induced nuclear factor-κB and B cell receptor inflammatory pathways as well as the inhibition of energy metabolism. Conclusions:Compared with CONV-RT, carbon ion FLASH-RT can reduce DSB damage, preserve the proliferative activity of intestinal stem cells, activate the IGF pathway, and regulate inflammatory, immune, and metabolic pathways, thereby significantly alleviating acute intestinal epithelial injury. Specifically, the regulation of repair pathways mediated by reduced DSB and the inhibition of inflammatory pathways are potential protective mechanisms for normal tissues.

Objective:To compare the etiological characteristics between influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in outpatient and emergency departments and those with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in Guangdong Province, hoping to provide scientific evidence for the treatment, prevention, and control of respiratory infectious diseases.Methods:Laboratory testing for multiple respiratory pathogens was conducted on 6 090 specimens collected from ILI and SARI cases in Guangdong Province from August to December 2023. Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in positive rates. Results:The overall positive rate of respiratory pathogens was 49.5% (3 016/6 090). The positive rate was 54.5% (2 260/4 145) in ILI cases and 38.9% (756/1 945) in SARI cases. The overall positive rate was higher in ILI cases than in SARI cases across all genders and age groups, and in most cities of the province, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the overall positive rate between different genders. However, the difference between different age groups was statistically significant( P<0.001), with the highest rate identified in children aged 5-14 years (57.2%, 957/1 673). The main pathogens detected in ILI cases were influenza virus, human rhinovirus/enterovirus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, while in SARI cases they were Mycoplasma pneumoniae, human rhinovirus/enterovirus, and influenza virus. The positive rates of adenovirus, human parainfluenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, human coronavirus, influenza virus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae were significantly higher in ILI cases than in SARI cases, while the positive rate of Mycoplasma pneumoniae was significantly higher in SARI cases ( P<0.05). Moreover, ILI cases were characterized by a higher risk of coinfection compared with SARI cases, especially in males or those aged 25-59 years. Conclusions:There are differences in the detection rates and spectrum of respiratory pathogens between ILI and SARI cases in Guangdong Province. Case features should be considered when developing strategies for preventing and treating respiratory infections.

BACKGROUND:The asymmetrical biomechanical environment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis can lead to further wedge deformation of the vertebral body,which may affect cardiopulmonary function and compress nerves in severe cases.Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with different degrees of scoliosis should be treated with exercise,bracing,and surgery.However,the mechanical mechanism of selecting an orthopedic approach remains unclear due to the individual variability of patients.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical mechanism of different orthopedic modalities for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to provide a basis for clinical selection of treatment modalities based on the spine model of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.METHODS:Based on the CT images of an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient,a scoliosis model(C7-L5)was reconstructed in Mimics software in three dimensions,and lateral thrust force was applied at the T8/T9 thorax and vertical distraction force was applied over the C7 vertebra with the magnitude of 20,40,60,80,100,and 120 N.The intervertebral disc stress and vertebral displacement in concave and convex sides,and Cobb angle of the spine were analyzed under two orthopedic modalities.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)With lateral thrust,there was no significant change in the C7T1-T7T8 intervertebral disc.The concave and convex stress of T7T8-L4L5 segment decreased first and then increased with the increase of lateral thrust force.The correction effect of lateral thrust on the segment near T8T9 was obvious and weakened with the extension of the segment to the cephalic and caudal ends.At 120 N of lateral thrust,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 32.5° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 43.9°.(2)With the vertical distraction,the thoracic intervertebral disc stresses first decreased and then increased,and all the lumbar disc stresses decreased.The C7 displacement was the most obvious,and the correction effect gradually diminished with the segment extended to the caudal end.At a vertical distraction force of 120 N,the thoracic Cobb angle changed from 53.2° to 39.4° and the lumbar Cobb angle changed from 50.2° to 47.6°.(3)It is concluded that both orthopedic modalities provide improvement in the degree of scoliosis,with the thoracic correction being greater than the lumbar correction.Also,the asymmetric stress distribution on the concave and convex sides is improved,which contributes to normal bone growth.A vertical distraction approach is appropriate for larger Cobb angles,and a lateral thrust approach is appropriate for smaller Cobb angles.The results of this study help to understand the mechanism of spinal orthosis and provide a theoretical basis for the choice of orthopedic approach.

Objective To quantitatively evaluate structural changes in the TMD disc using magnetic resonance T2 mapping technology at open and closed mouth positions,and assess its significance.Methods 127 newly diagnosed patients with TMD and 51 controls in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University from June 2023 to January 2024 were prospectively collected.All subjects underwent routine TMJ sequence and T2 mapping sequence scans.After scanning,the pseudo-color images were processed,and T2 values of the joint disc(anterior and posterior bands)were measured at open and closed mouth positions to analyze their correlation with TMD disc displacement.Results The T2 values of the posterior zone of the joint disc in both open and closed positions were higher than those in the anterior zone of the joint disc in the case group(P<0.05);for different anterior displacement degrees of the joint disc,T2 values showed a progressive increase from the normal position group to the mild and moderate anterior displacement groups,while the severely displaced group demonstrated a decreasing trend(P<0.01);joint clicking and occlusal abnormalities were independent risk factors for non-reducible anterior joint disc displacement in TMD patients.Conclusion Scans during both mouth-opening and closing positions can be used to assess joint disc injury in TMD;T2 mapping technology can quantitatively and sensitively reflect changes in the biochemical composition of joint disc microstructure.

To reduce the dependency on high-carbon-load chromatographic columns,a new method has been established for the determination of the content of docusate sodium using ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography(IP-HPLC).Tetrapropylammonium chloride was used as the ion-pair reagent with a mobile phase,composition of acetonitrile:10 mmol/L tetrapropylammonium chloride solution=66∶34,adjusting pH to 6.5 with 0.1%phosphoric acid solution,flow rate of 1.5 mL/min,detection wavelength of 214 nm,column temperature of 35℃,and an injection volume of 25 μL,and quantified by an external standard method.The main peak of docusate sodium exhibited a tailing factor of 1.34.The method showed good linearity within the range of 0.02 mg/mL to 0.40 mg/mL,with a correlation coefficient(r)of 0.999 9.It also demonstrated good repeatability,with recovery ranging from 97.0%to 98.2%(n=6).The quantification limit was 3.31 μg/mL,and the detection limit was 2.76 μg/mL.In summary,the new method shows good durability,a wide linear range,and high sensitivity,it is suitable for the determination of docusate sodium.

ObjectiveTo explore the current situation of forensic ethics practice and education by designing a questionnaire on forensic ethics， with a view to exploring the path of forensic ethics education construction. MethodsA total of 667 valid questionnaires were collected using the online survey method， basically covering various regions across the country and all sub-specialties of forensic medicine. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the relevant data. ResultsMost practitioners had relevant ethical reflections in the process of forensic practice. 69.12% of the respondents indicated that they had studied the relevant rules， but approximately half stated that there were no corresponding ethical norms or standard operating manuals. The specific behaviors violating ethics in different units were diverse. 23.04% of the respondents reported that they had encountered unethical behaviors， but only 4.9% of them reported such violations. In terms of forensic ethics education， 87.75% of the respondents believed that there were issues with the current model of forensic ethics education. Meanwhile， the respondents showed a high degree of recognition for receiving forensic ethics education， with 84.15% of respondents expressing willingness to participate in relevant courses. More than half of respondents were willing to participate in forensic ethics education during undergraduate studies， new employee training， and regular post-employment training. ConclusionCurrently， there is a problem of ethical neglect in forensic work in China. Combining ethics courses with professional courses at the practitioner training stage and providing regular training at the practice stage are effective measures to popularize forensic ethics knowledge， enhance ethical awareness， and improve the quality of practice.

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.