Objective This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity, differentiation, and population structure of Aedes albopictus across different geographical regions in Shandong Province, and to explore the relationship between genetic diversity and geographical distribution. Methods Between July and August 2024, ten Ae. albopictus populations were sampled from seven cities in Shandong Province. Genomic DNA was extracted from individual mosquitoes, and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COⅠ)gene was amplified using PCR and sequenced. The obtained sequences were verified using BLAST and analyzed with MAFFT, MEGA 11, DnaSP v6.12, Arlequin 3.5, PopART 1.7, STRUCTURE 2.3.4 and the R packages adegenet and vegan to assess genetic diversity and population structure. Results A total of 229 COⅠ sequences(662 bp) was obtained, revealing ten variable sites with no insertions or deletions. The overall base composition showed an AT bias of 67.7%. Haplotype analysis identified 11 haplotypes, with Hap2 being the dominant and most widely distributed haplotype across all populations. Neutrality tests showed significant population expansion only in the Rizhao population. Mantel testing result revealed that geographical distance does not significantly impede gene flow. Overall, genetic differentiation among populations was low, indicating frequent gene flow. When combined with additional samples from Shanghai, Fujian, Guangdong, Yunnan, Hainan and Guangxi, STRUCTURE, UPGMA and DAPC analyses revealed two primary genetic clusters of Ae. albopictus. Conclusions Ae. albopictus populations in Shandong Province exhibit frequent gene flow, low genetic differentiation, and relatively low overall genetic diversity. However, the Rizhao population showed signs of recent expansion, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted control measures in this area.

Objective:To compare the sustained virological response (SVR) and viral recurrence in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) after antiviral treatment, and to further analyze the influencing factors of liver-related events (LRE).Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 1 844 CHC patients who visited the Department of Infectious Diseases of Hainan General Hospital from January 1st, 2013 to December 31st, 2022 were included. After screening, 891 patients were selected and divided into direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) treatment group, interferon treatment group and non-antiviral treatment group based on different intervention measures. Propensity score matching was performed, and SVR and viral recurrence were compared among the three groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors for LRE.Results:The confirmed CHC patients showed an increasing trend year by year (average annual change percentage=19.97%, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 10.46% to 30.30%, t=4.32, P<0.001). After propensity score matching, the total sample size of 891 CHC patients was 451, including 100 in the interferon treatment group, 311 in the DAA treatment group, and 40 in the non-antiviral treatment group. In the interferon treatment group, 89 cases (89.00%) achieved SVR and nine cases (9.00%) had recurrence. In the DAA treatment group, 306 cases (98.39%) achieved SVR and 10 cases (3.22%) had recurrence. The differences were statistically significant ( χ2=17.84 and 6.22, respectively, both P<0.05). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that age (hazard ratio ( HR)=1.065, 95% CI 1.028 to 1.104, P<0.001), alcohol consumption ( HR=3.034, 95% CI 1.302 to 7.071, P=0.010) were independent risk factors for LRE in CHC patients, while albumin ( HR=0.858, 95% CI 0.802 to 0.917, P<0.001), DAA treatment ( HR=0.267, 95% CI 0.103 to 0.692, P=0.007) were protective factors. In CHC patients receiving antiviral treatment, diabetes ( HR=6.719, 95% CI 2.242 to 20.137, P<0.001), total bilirubin ( HR=1.111, 95% CI 1.054 to 1.171, P<0.001) and viral recurrence ( HR=4.646, 95% CI 1.322 to 16.321, P=0.017) were independent risk factors for LRE. Conclusions:Compared with interferon treatment, DAA treatment has a significantly higher SVR rate and a lower recurrence rate. Age and alcohol consumption are independent risk factors for LRE, while higher albumin levels and DAA treatment are protective factors. In CHC patients receiving antiviral treatment, diabetes, viral recurrence, and total bilirubin are independent risk factors for LRE.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive factors for plastic bronchitis (PB) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and to establish a nomogram prediction model for PB occurrence. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on children with MPP hospitalized at The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2023 to June 2024. The patients were randomly divided into a training set (n=562) and a validation set (n=240) at a ratio of 7:3 using simple random sampling. In the training set, patients were categorized into a PB group (n=70) and a non-PB group (n=492) based on the occurrence of PB. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to exclude collinearity among variables, followed by univariate analysis and LASSO regression to identify predictive factors. A nomogram prediction model for PB in children with MPP was constructed. The discriminative ability of the model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, model calibration was evaluated with calibration curves, and clinical utility was appraised through decision curve analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the non-PB group, the PB group exhibited significantly longer disease duration prior to bronchoscopy, prolonged fever duration, higher fever peaks, higher proportions of patients with a family history of allergy and personal allergy history, and a higher proportion of patients with pleural effusion, as well as significantly elevated levels of white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, immunoglobulin A, and interleukin-6, along with a significantly lower lymphocyte percentage (all P<0.05). LASSO regression analysis identified pleural effusion, procalcitonin, D-dimer, and lactate dehydrogenase as major predictive factors for PB occurrence in children with MPP. The nomogram model based on these factors demonstrated good discriminative ability (area under the ROC curve: 0.852 in the training set and 0.830 in the validation set), with satisfactory calibration and clinical benefit. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram prediction model based on pleural effusion, procalcitonin, D-dimer, and lactate dehydrogenase provides effective predictive performance for the occurrence of PB in children with MPP.
Humans ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/complications* ; Nomograms ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Bronchitis/etiology* ; Infant ; ROC Curve ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Tanreqing Injection (TRQ) on the activation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in macrophages infected with influenza A virus and the underlying mechanism based on mitophagy pathway. METHODS: The inflammatory model of murine macrophage J774A.1 induced by influenza A virus [strain A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1), PR8] was constructed and treated by TRQ, while the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mito-TEMPO and autophagy specific inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) were used as controls to intensively study the anti-inflammatory mechanism of TRQ based on mitophagy-mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS)-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. The levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 II (LC3II) and P62 proteins were measured by Western blot. The release of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, the mtROS level was detected by flow cytometry, and the immunofluorescence and co-localization of LC3 and mitochondria were observed under confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: Similar to the effect of Mito-TEMPO and contrary to the results of 3-MA treatment, TRQ could significantly reduce the expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, and autophagy adaptor P62, promote the expression of autophagy marker LC3II, enhance the mitochondrial fluorescence intensity, and inhibit the release of mtROS and IL-1β (all P<0.01). Moreover, LC3 was co-localized with mitochondria, confirming the type of mitophagy. CONCLUSION TRQ could reduce the level of mtROS by promoting mitophagy in macrophages infected with influenza A virus, thus inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the release of IL-1β, and attenuating the inflammatory response.
Mitophagy/drug effects* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Animals ; Macrophages/virology* ; Inflammasomes/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Influenza A virus/physiology* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Injections

OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying mechanism by which quercetin (Que) alleviates sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were assigned to sham, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and CLP+Que (50 mg/kg) groups (n=15 per group) by using a random number table. The sepsisrelated ARDS mouse model was established using the CLP method. In vitro, the murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) cells were classified into control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+Que (10 μmol/L), and LPS+Que+acetylcysteine (NAC, 5 mmol/L) groups. The effect of Que on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in mice lungs and MH-S cells was determined, and the mechanism with reactive oxygen species (ROS)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was also explored both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: Que alleviated lung injury in mice, as reflected by a reversal of pulmonary histopathologic changes as well as a reduction in lung wet/dry weight ratio and neutrophil infiltration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, Que improved the survival rate and relieved gas exchange impairment in mice (P<0.01). Que treatment also remarkedly reduced malondialdehyde formation, superoxide dismutase and catalase depletion, and cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, Que treatment diminished the release of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistic investigation clarifified that Que administration led to a decline in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in addition to the suppression of ROS expression (P<0.01). Furthermore, in LPS-induced MH-S cells, ROS inhibitor NAC further inhibited ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, as well as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell apoptosis on the basis of Que treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Que was found to exert anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects by suppressing the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, thereby conferring protection for mice against sepsis-related ARDS.
Animals ; Sepsis/drug therapy* ; Quercetin/therapeutic use* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Lung/drug effects* ; Mice ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages, Alveolar/pathology* ; Inflammation/pathology* ; Protective Agents/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVES: Oxaliplatin (OXA) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are 2 commonly used chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal cancer (CRC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) play crucial roles in the development of chemoresistance in various cancers. However, the role and mechanism of miR-224-5p in regulating CRC chemoresistance remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the function of miR-224-5p in chemoresistant CRC cells and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: CRC datasets GSE28702 and GSE69657 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed miRNAs between drug-sensitive and resistant groups (OXA or 5-FU) were analyzed, and miR-224-5p was identified as the target miRNA. Chemoresistant cell lines HCT15-OXR, HCT15-5-FU, SW480-OXR, and SW480-5-FU were established. Transient transfections were performed using miR-224-5p mimics, inhibitors, and their respective negative controls (control mimic, control inhibitor) in these cell lines. Cells were treated with different concentrations of OXA or 5-FU post-transfection, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was determined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. The expression levels of miR-224-5p, LC3, and P62 were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and/or Western blotting. Autophagic flux was assessed using a tandem fluorescent-tagged LC3 reporter assay. TargetScan 8.0, miRTarBase, miRPathDB, and HADb were used to predict B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) as a potential miR-244-5p target, which was further validated by dual-luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS: Chemoresistant CRC cells exhibited down-regulated miR-224-5p expression, whereas up-regulation of miR-224-5p enhanced chemotherapy sensitivity. Exposure to OXA or 5-FU significantly increased autophagic activity in chemoresistant CRC cells, which was reversed by miR-224-5p overexpression. Dual-luciferase assays verified Bcl-2 as a direct target of miR-224-5p. CONCLUSIONS MiR-224-5p regulates chemoresistance in CRC by modulating autophagy through direct targeting of Bcl-2.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/physiology* ; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Fluorouracil/pharmacology* ; Oxaliplatin ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic