Objective To investigate the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of herpes zoster in Jinshan District, Shanghai, in 2024, and to provide a scientific basis for the development of prevention and control measures. Methods The visit information of herpes zoster cases in 2024 was collected through the outpatient diagnosis and treatment system of medical institutions in Jinshan District. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used for statistical analysis. Results In 2024, there were a total of 7 270 cases of herpes zoster in Jinshan District, including 3 398 male cases and 3 872 female cases. The incidence rate among females was higher than that among males (χ² =125.25, P< 0.001). Cases occurred in all age groups, with an average age of 59.58 ± 15.28 years. The highest proportion of cases was in the 50-year-old group (21.99%) and the 60-year-old group (25.45%). The incidence rate increased with age (χ² = 4 505.99, P< 0.001). The main departments for consultation were dermatology, pain clinics, and neurology. The main clinical diagnoses were herpes zoster without complications, postherpetic neuralgia, and incomplete herpes zoster. Among the cases, 3,102 patients had follow-up visits, and the number of follow-up visits increased with age. From 2020 to 2024, a total of 2,032 doses of herpes zoster vaccine were administered in the district, with the highest vaccination rate in the 50-year-old group (54.48%). Conclusion The majority of herpes zoster cases in Jinshan District are concentrated in the 50- and 60-year-old groups. The main complication is postherpetic neuralgia. The incidence rate and number of follow-up visits increase with age. The vaccination rate of herpes zoster vaccine in the entire district is relatively low. It is recommended to enhance monitoring and analysis, carry out health education for key populations (aged 50 years old and above), and promote vaccination and other preventive and control measures.

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on the autophagy function in the hippocampus of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 （SAMP8） by regulating the expression of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B （GPNMB）. Furthermore， it is designed to explore the mechanism of the method of tonifying the kidneys and replenishing essence in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease （AD）. MethodsIn experiment 1， 24 5-month-old SAMP8 mice were randomly and equally divided into the model group， and the low-， middle- and high-dose（0.59，1.18，2.36 g·kg^-1） Liuwei Dihuangwan groups. At the same time， six 5-month-old senescence accelerated mouse resistant 1 （SAMR1） mice were used as the control group. The learning and memory ability was evaluated through novel object recognition experiment. Serum cortisol （Cort）， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH） and urine 17-hydroxycorticosteroid （17-OHCS） levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons was observed by transmission electron microscope （TEM）， and the expression levels of hippocampal GPNMB， a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 （ADAM10） and autophagy-related proteins were detected by Western blot. In experiment 2， 18 SAMP8 mice were randomly and equally divided into the model group， vector control group （Vector）， and GPNMB overexpression group （GPNMB^OE）. Lentiviral vectors were stereotactically injected into the brain （2 μL per side in the GPNMB^OE group）. Western blot was used to detect the expression of the above target proteins in the hippocampus； In Experiment 3， 24 SAMP8 mice were randomly and equally divided into the model group， Liuwei Dihuangwan group， Liuwei Dihuangwan+negative control （NC） group， and Liuwei Dihuangwan+GPNMB silencing group （shGPNMB）. Before drug treatment， the Liuwei Dihuangwan+NC group and the Liuwei Dihuangwan+shGPNMB group were injected with negative control and GPNMB silencing lentivirus， respectively. Western blot was used to detect the expression of the above target proteins in the hippocampus. ResultsThe novel object discrimination index of mice in the model group was significantly lower than that of mice in the control group （P<0.01）. The novel object discrimination index of mice in the medium- and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups was significantly higher than that of mice in the model group （P<0.01）. Aggregated autolysosomes were observed in the normal hippocampus tissue by TEM. In the model group， mitochondria were dominant， and no typical characteristic autophagosomes were observed. In the low- and medium-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups， a small number of autolysosomes and autophagosomes with double-membrane structures were observed. In the high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan group， the number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was greater than that in the low- and medium-dose groups. The results of ELISA and Western blot showed that compared with the control group， the levels of serum Cort， ACTH， and urine 17-OHCS in the model group were substantially increased， while the expression of hippocampal ADAM10， Beclin1， and microtubule associated-protein light chain 3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ （LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ） was significantly decreased. The expression of GPNMB and ubiquitin binding protein p62 was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the serum Cort and ACTH levels in the low-， medium-， and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups were significantly reduced， while only the urine 17-OHCS level in the high-dose group was significantly reduced. The hippocampal GPNMB， ADAM10， Beclin1， and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ expression levels in the medium-， and high-dose groups of Liuwei Dihuangwan were significantly increased compared to the model group， whereas the expression of p62 was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The above indicators showed a progressive trend among the three groups. Compared with the model group， the GPNMB^OE group showed a significant increase in GPNMB， ADAM10， Beclin1， LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ expression， and a significant decrease in p62 expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression of GPNMB， ADAM10， Beclin1， and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the hippocampus of the Liuwei Dihuangwan group significantly increased， while the expression of p62 significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the Liuwei Dihuangwan group， the Liuwei Dihuangwan+shGPNMB group showed a significant decrease in GPNMB， ADAM10， Beclin1， LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ， and a significant increase in p62 expression （P<0.01）. ConclusionLiuwei Dihuangwan can enhance hippocampal autophagy function and improve AD by upregulating GPNMB expression.

Objective: To validate the performance of the Procleix UltrioPlex E assay (Grifols, Spain) on the Procleix Panther automated nucleic acid detection platform, which employs the TMA method to simultaneously detect HIV-1/HIV-2/HCV/HBV/HEV viruses, and to evaluate its value for screening transfusion-associated infectious diseases. Methods: In accordance with the requirements of ISO15189"Application of the Guidelines for the Accreditation of Quality and Capabilities of Medical Laboratories in the Field of Molecular Diagnostics (CNAS-CL02-A009: 2018)", "Guidelines for Performance Validation of Molecular Diagnostic Testing Procedures (CNAS-GL039: 2019)", and the "Technical Operating Procedures for Blood Banks (2019 Edition)", this study validated the reagent's performance in terms of analytical sensitivity validation, performance consistency validation, interference resistance, and cross-contamination resistance. Results: Probit analysis revealed that the 95% detection limits (95% confidence interval) for HBV, HCV, HIV, and HEV were 2.0 IU/mL, 1.5 IU/mL, 18.0 IU/mL and 3.7 IU/mL, respectively, which were consistent with the minimum detection limits stated in the kit's package insert and were comparable to the Procleix Ultrio Elite kit. Both kits were used to test the performance validation serum plate simultaneously, yielding results consistent with the serum plate (Kappa=1), indicating stable performance. Detection of medium-and low-concentration lipemia and weakly positive hemolysis samples demonstrated good interference resistance. Cross-contamination performance validation showed that the kit exhibited excellent cross-contamination resistance. Conclusion: The Procleix UltrioPlex E nucleic acid detection kit enables combined detection of HIV-1, HIV-2, HCV, HBV, and HEV, allowing single-test screening for multiple viruses in donor blood. The kit's analytical performance is stable and meets basic laboratory requirements, making it suitable for screening transfusion-associated infectious diseases in blood banks.

Yin-Yang theory is one of the core components of the foundational theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), yet its classification as philosophical or scientific has long been controversial. To move beyond the longstanding either-philosophy-or-science debate surrounding Yin-Yang theory in TCM, this article, for the first time, proposes a three-level framework spanning macro, meso, and micro perspectives. At the macro level, Yin and Yang are a theoretical achievement of ancient Chinese natural philosophy, used to explain universal laws governing how the cosmos operates, which constitutes Yin-Yang theory in philosophy; at the meso level, Huangdi Neijing (《黄帝内经》, Inner Canon of Huangdi) translated Yin-Yang from a cosmological framework into medical discourse, making it a core methodological basis for clinical pattern differentiation and treatment, which constitutes Yin-Yang theory in medicine; at the micro level, Yin-Yang theory in TCM has increasingly converged with modern science, showing scientific features that are testable and reproducible, which constitutes Yin-Yang theory in science. The article further demonstrates that Yin-Yang theory in TCM differs markedly from Yin-Yang as a general philosophical doctrine in core application and practical orientation: in the course of its medical transformation, elements related to life phenomena were selectively incorporated, while, within a medical context, abstract propositions such as cosmological speculation were bracketed and rendered concrete, thereby achieving a practice-oriented transition from philosophy to medicine. Based on this, the present study conducts analyses from four aspects, namely philosophical roots, clinical application, modern scientific interpretation, and implications for life sciences; it substantiates the logical basis for Yin-Yang theory in TCM as the overarching framework for clinical pattern differentiation and treatment, reviews modern research progress from perspectives such as systems science and network regulation, and explores its potential value in advancing a new paradigm of state-based medicine. The study suggests that an accurate understanding of Yin-Yang theory in TCM requires moving beyond the either-philosophy-or-science binary and analyzing specific issues on a case-by-case basis. Across different perspectives, Yin-Yang theory in TCM has philosophical, medical, and scientific attributes. Only by grounding the theory in actual clinical efficacy and engaging with modern science can the innovative development of Yin-Yang theory in TCM be promoted, thereby providing valuable Eastern insights for building a life science system with original Chinese contributions.

Purpose: Due to the preservation of the entire stomach after endoscopic resection, the occurrence of metachronous gastric cancer (MGC) remains a possibility. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors for MGC in patients with early gastric cancer who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and successfully eradicatedHelicobacter pylori. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 1,191 patients who underwent ESD and successfully eradicated H. pylori at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University. Endoscopic surveillance was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months post-resection, and annually thereafter. MGC was defined as the development of a new cancer at a site other than the primary gastric cancer site, at least 1 year after the initial endoscopic resection. Results: A total of 77 patients were diagnosed with MGC during a median follow-up of 41.5 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a 5-year cumulative incidence of MGC of 9.4% after successful H. pylori eradication. Multivariate analysis of the training set using Cox proportional hazards models identified male sex, severe atrophic gastritis, multiple gastric cancers before H. pylori eradication, and smoking history as independent risk factors for MGC.The nomogram exhibited favorable discrimination, with area under the curves of 0.767 and 0.822 in the training set and 0.724 and 0.745 in the testing set at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Conclusions Patients with gastric cancer who undergo endoscopic resection, even after successful H. pylori eradication, should undergo annual and continuous endoscopic surveillance for MGC.

Objective To comprehensively investigate the levels of exposure and distribution characteristics of trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water in Guangzhou City, and evaluate the health risks of different groups of children, adolescents and adults, and to provide data and evidence for protecting human health and promoting risk control of drinking water. Methods According to the technical requirements of the ^"Standards for Drinking Water Quality Testing Methods^" (GB/T 5750-2023), the concentration of THMs, including trichloromethane (TCM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), and tribromomethane (TBM) in drinking water in Guangzhou City from 2023-2024 were detected. The health risk model recommended by USEPA was used for risk assessment．Results TCM, BDCM and DBCM were detected in the factory water and terminal water, with TCM contributing the most. There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) between the wet and dry seasons, and the concentration of TCM in the wet season was higher than that in the dry season. Among the multiple exposure factors, the amount of exposure through drinking water intake was much greater than that through skin absorption. The carcinogenic risk index of THMs for children, adolescents, and adults was 22.0×10^-6, 12.2×10^-6, and 11.4×10^-6, respectively, while the non-carcinogenic risk was less than 1. Conclusion The exposure risks of THMs in children, adolescents, and adults is within an acceptable range, but monitoring needs to be strengthened, with a particular focus on children.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatial-temporal clustering trend of scarlet fever in Nantong from 2009 to 2023, and to provide a scientific basis for scarlet fever prevention and control. Methods The incidence data of scarlet fever in Nantong from 2009 to 2023 were analyzed. Descriptive analysis, seasonal index method and Joinpoint 5.2.0 software were used to analyze epidemiological characteristics. Spatial-temporal clustering was assessed with SaTScan 10.2.5 software. Results The average annual incidence of scarlet fever in Nantong from 2009 to 2023 was 6.54/100 000. The overall morbidity rate of scarlet fever in Nantong had an increasing trend from 2009 to 2019 with an average annual percentage change of 14.55% (t=3.36，P<0.05). The cases mainly occurred during late spring to early summer and late autumn to early winter. Students, preschool children and scattered children were the main scarlet fever population. The average annual incidence of males was significantly higher than that of females (χ²=7.00, P<0.05). Rugao City, Chongchuan District and Tongzhou District were identified as high-incidence areas, accounting for 76.51% of all reported cases. Spatial-temporal scan analysis indicated that Rugao City and Chongchuan District were primary cluster areas, spanning from 2015 to 2021 (RR=3.77, LLR=1 308.07, P<0.05). Conclusion The number of reported cases of scarlet fever in Nantong City from 2009 to 2023 shows epidemic and spatial clustering, mainly concentrated in the central urban area and adjacent counties (cities). It is necessary to strengthen health education and disease surveillance in high-incidence areas, as well as in key institutions and key populations before epidemic peaks.

ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanism by which the Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription exerts a renal protective effect in mice with diabetic kidney disease （DKD） by regulating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） signaling pathway. MethodsThirty specific pathogen-free （SPF） male db/db mice were adaptively fed for three weeks. Mice with a random tail vein blood glucose level ≥ 11.1 mmol·L^-1 and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio （ACR） ≥ 30 mg·g^-1 were considered successfully modeled. The successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into five groups with six mice in each group： the model group， the low-， medium-， and high-dose Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription groups （administered at doses of 7， 14， 28 g·kg^-1·d^-1 respectively）， and the positive drug irbesartan group （administered at a dose of 20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Additionally， six db/m mice were selected as the blank group. Mice in each group were given intragastric administration of the Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription at the corresponding concentrations， irbesartan， or an equal volume of pure water， and the intervention lasted for 12 weeks. During the experiment， the general conditions， body weight changes， and renal function indicators of the mice were dynamically monitored. After the intervention， a blood glucose meter was used to measure the fasting blood glucose （FBG） of the mice. An automatic biochemical analyzer was employed to detect the levels of serum creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， urinary microalbumin （uALB）， ACR， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， leptin （LEP）， glycosylated serum protein （GSP）， and insulin （INS） in the mice. Renal tissues were collected for hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and Masson's trichrome staining to observe the histopathological changes. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the expressions of protein kinase A （PKA） and cAMP response element-binding protein （CREB） in the mice. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression levels of PKA， phosphorylated protein kinase A （p-PKA）， CREB， phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein （p-CREB）， and B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） proteins in the renal tissues of the mice. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of PKA， CREB， and Bcl-2 in the renal tissues of the mice. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the mice in the model group showed listlessness， decreased activity， and a significant increase in body weight （P<0.01）. Biochemical indicators revealed that the levels of BUN， uALB， ACR， AST， ALT， TC， TG， FBG， LEP， GSP， and INS were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while SCr showed an increasing trend with no statistically significant difference. Compared with the model group， the mice in the Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription intervention groups had improved general conditions and a decreasing trend in body weight. Biochemical indicators showed that the levels of BUN， uALB， ACR， TC， GSP， and INS were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while SCr， AST， ALT， TG， and LEP showed a decreasing trend with no statistically significant difference. Renal histopathological analysis showed that the model group exhibited typical DKD pathological features such as thickening of the glomerular basement membrane， expansion of the mesangial matrix， and deposition of collagen fibers in the renal tubulointerstitium， and all treatment groups could alleviate the above pathological damages. The IHC results showed that compared with the blank group， the expression levels of p-PKA and p-CREB in the renal tissues of the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression level of p-PKA in the medium-dose Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the expression level of p-CREB showed an increasing trend with no statistically significant difference. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group， the expression levels of p-PKA/PKA， p-CREB/CREB， and Bcl-2 in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the expression levels of these proteins in the medium-dose Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the blank group， the mRNA expressions of PKA， CREB， and Bcl-2 in the model group were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the mRNA expressions of these genes in the medium-dose Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription group were significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe Bushen Kaixuan Tongluo prescription can improve the liver and kidney functions of db/db mice， correct lipid metabolism disorders and glucose metabolism imbalance. Its renal protective effect is associated with up-regulating the cAMP signaling pathway to improve renal fibrosis and reduce the level of oxidative stress， thereby protecting renal function.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1 （SHMT1） rs1979277 polymorphisms on pharmacokinetic characteristics and clinical prognosis of methotrexate （MTX） in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia （ALL）. MethodsMatrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry was used for SHMT1 rs1979277 genotyping in children with ALL . Clinical data including serum MTX concentrations， incidences of adverse events， and ALL relapse after chemotherapy with MTX were collected. The associations of SHMT1 rs1979277 G>A genotypes with dose-adjusted serum concentrations （C/D ratios）， adverse events of MTX， and relapse were analyzed. The associations between rs1979277 genotypes and SHMT1 expression were explored based on Bioinformatics methods. ResultsAmong the 146 children with ALL included， the rs1979277 GG homozygous genotype accounted for 85.62% （125/146）， while the GA heterozygous genotype accounted for 14.38% （21/146）. The frequency of the G allele was 92.81% （271/292）， while the A allele was only 7.19% （21/292）. Children with the GG homozygous genotype had higher median C/D ratios of MTX in 24 h ［12.06 （μmol·m²）/（L·g）］ and higher relapse rates （12.80%） than those in GA heterozygous genotype carriers ［10.96 （μmol·m²）/（L·g）， and 9.52%， respectively］. However， none of the above differences were statistically significant （all P>0.05）. The incidences of respiratory （19.05%） and liver disorders （33.33%） in children with the GA heterozygous genotype were significantly higher than those in GG homozygous genotype carriers （4.00% and 12.00%， respectively， P<0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidences of other adverse events. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the rs1979277 A allele was significantly associated with higher SHMT1 expression in multiple tissues， such as the tibial artery， pancreas， and adrenal gland （P<0.05）. ConclusionSHMT1 rs1979277 GA genotype may be a risk factor for respiratory and liver disorders in ALL children treated with MTX.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Huangkui capsules on targeted drug-related proteinuria in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of HCC patients with targeted drug-related proteinuria from June 2023 to December 2024 at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. According to the treatment plan, patients were divided into the conventional treatment group and the Huangkui combination treatment group (Huangkui capsules combined with conventional treatment), and the clinical efficacy between the two groups was compared. The logistic regression analysis was used to identify the main factors affecting treatment efficacy. Results The Huangkui combination treatment group (n＝29) showed a significantly higher overall effective rate (79.3% vs 42.3%, P＝0.005), and an earlier proteinuria improvement (median time: 3 months vs 6 months, P＝0.008) than the conventional treatment group (n＝26) . The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker (ARB) using (OR＝0.190, 95%CI 0.045-0.808, P＝0.025), targeted drug adjustment (OR＝0.132, 95%CI 0.030-0.581, P＝0.007), and Huangkui capsules using (OR＝0.168, 95%CI 0.039-0.730, P＝0.017) were protective factors for treatment efficacy of targeted drug-related proteinuria. Conclusions On the basis of conventional treatment, additive treatment with Huangkui capsules can alleviate targeted drug-related proteinuria faster and more effectively in HCC patients.