Objective:To assess the trends in the burden of periodontal disease among individuals aged 60 years and above in China from 1990 to 2021, thereby providing a scientific foundation for the development of targeted prevention and control strategies for periodontal disease in the elderly.Methods:Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021), key indicators including incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rates were analyzed. Age-standardized rates were determined using the global standard population. Trends in the disease burden of periodontal disease among the elderly population in China from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed using Joinpoint regression analysis, and an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was applied to forecast the disease burden from 2022 to 2036.Results:The annual average percentage changes (AAPC) in the number of incident cases, prevalent cases, and DALYs due to periodontal disease among individuals aged 60 years and above in China from 1990 to 2021 were 3.215% (95% CI: 3.149%-3.281%, P<0.05), 3.161% (95% CI:3.037%-3.286%, P<0.05), and 3.091%(95% CI: 2.887%-3.296%, P<0.05), respectively. The results indicated that the average annual change trends of the number of incident cases, number of prevalent cases, and number of DALYs were real upward trends. Compared with other age groups, the number of incident cases, prevalent cases, and DALYs were the highest among the population aged 60-69 years. The AAPC for age-standardized incidence rate, prevalence, and DALY rates were -0.012% (95% CI:-0.031%-0.008%, P>0.05), 0.023% (95% CI:-0.070%-0.116%, P>0.05), and 0.013% (95% CI:-0.089%-0.115%, P>0.05), respectively. This indicated that the average annual change trends of the age-standardized incidence rate, age-standardized prevalence rate, and age-standardized DALY rate might be caused by random fluctuations. Males exhibited higher prevalence and DALY rates than females across all age groups ( P<0.05), whereas the incidence rates showed minimal differences between males and females across all age groups. The ARIMA forecast model indicated that the age-standardized incidence rate among males in the elderly population in China was relatively stable, while that among females showed a downward trend; the age-standardized prevalence and DALY rates followed a pattern of "decline-rise-decline". Conclusions:The disease burden of periodontal disease among Chinese adults aged 60 and above showed an overall upward trend from 1990 to 2021, with males and individuals aged 60-69 identified as high-risk groups. With the exacerbation of aging, the prevention and control situation remains severe, necessitating the implementation of gender-differentiated interventions to reduce the disease burden.

T cell response plays an important role in anti-viral infection and anti-tumor immunity,and antigen-specific T cell detection is essential for study of T cell response.This article reviews progress of antigen-specific T cell detection technology,including enzyme-linked immunospot(ELISPOT)assay,intracellular cytokine staining(ICS)assay and activation-induced labeling(AIM)assay,which based on detection of cytokine secretion or activation phenotypes of specific T cells after stimulation and reactivation with antigen in vitro.Another class of methods include Tetramer technology based on known epitopes-human leukocyte antigen(HLA)restriction and recently developed single-cell transcriptomes and T-cell antigen receptor(TCR)sequencing technology.Application of the above methods has advanced our understanding of antigen specific T cell response:Strength and duration of the response,subpop-ulation information,epitopes and their associated HLA-restriction,TCR cloning information and transcriptome characteristic.

Objective:To assess the trends in the burden of periodontal disease among individuals aged 60 years and above in China from 1990 to 2021, thereby providing a scientific foundation for the development of targeted prevention and control strategies for periodontal disease in the elderly.Methods:Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021), key indicators including incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rates were analyzed. Age-standardized rates were determined using the global standard population. Trends in the disease burden of periodontal disease among the elderly population in China from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed using Joinpoint regression analysis, and an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was applied to forecast the disease burden from 2022 to 2036.Results:The annual average percentage changes (AAPC) in the number of incident cases, prevalent cases, and DALYs due to periodontal disease among individuals aged 60 years and above in China from 1990 to 2021 were 3.215% (95% CI: 3.149%-3.281%, P<0.05), 3.161% (95% CI:3.037%-3.286%, P<0.05), and 3.091%(95% CI: 2.887%-3.296%, P<0.05), respectively. The results indicated that the average annual change trends of the number of incident cases, number of prevalent cases, and number of DALYs were real upward trends. Compared with other age groups, the number of incident cases, prevalent cases, and DALYs were the highest among the population aged 60-69 years. The AAPC for age-standardized incidence rate, prevalence, and DALY rates were -0.012% (95% CI:-0.031%-0.008%, P>0.05), 0.023% (95% CI:-0.070%-0.116%, P>0.05), and 0.013% (95% CI:-0.089%-0.115%, P>0.05), respectively. This indicated that the average annual change trends of the age-standardized incidence rate, age-standardized prevalence rate, and age-standardized DALY rate might be caused by random fluctuations. Males exhibited higher prevalence and DALY rates than females across all age groups ( P<0.05), whereas the incidence rates showed minimal differences between males and females across all age groups. The ARIMA forecast model indicated that the age-standardized incidence rate among males in the elderly population in China was relatively stable, while that among females showed a downward trend; the age-standardized prevalence and DALY rates followed a pattern of "decline-rise-decline". Conclusions:The disease burden of periodontal disease among Chinese adults aged 60 and above showed an overall upward trend from 1990 to 2021, with males and individuals aged 60-69 identified as high-risk groups. With the exacerbation of aging, the prevention and control situation remains severe, necessitating the implementation of gender-differentiated interventions to reduce the disease burden.

T cell response plays an important role in anti-viral infection and anti-tumor immunity,and antigen-specific T cell detection is essential for study of T cell response.This article reviews progress of antigen-specific T cell detection technology,including enzyme-linked immunospot(ELISPOT)assay,intracellular cytokine staining(ICS)assay and activation-induced labeling(AIM)assay,which based on detection of cytokine secretion or activation phenotypes of specific T cells after stimulation and reactivation with antigen in vitro.Another class of methods include Tetramer technology based on known epitopes-human leukocyte antigen(HLA)restriction and recently developed single-cell transcriptomes and T-cell antigen receptor(TCR)sequencing technology.Application of the above methods has advanced our understanding of antigen specific T cell response:Strength and duration of the response,subpop-ulation information,epitopes and their associated HLA-restriction,TCR cloning information and transcriptome characteristic.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of lingual mucosal graft ureteroplasty (LMGU) for managing long-segment (≥5 cm) ureteral strictures in a multi-institutional cohort of patients.Methods:A multi-center retrospective case series study was conducted on clinical data from 42 patients undergoing LMGU for long-segment ureteral strictures (≥5 cm) across five institutions between February 2017 and June 2024. The cohort comprised 31 males and 11 females, with an age of (43.4±12.0) years (range: 15 to 64 years) and a body mass index of (24.6±2.6) kg/m2 (range: 16.0 to 30.0 kg/m2). Strictures involved the left ureter in 24 cases and right ureter in 18 cases, demonstrating a stricture length of (6.4±1.5) cm (range: 5.0 to 11.5 cm). Surgical interventions included either onlay ureteroplasty or augmented anastomotic ureteroplasty, selected according to intraoperative findings. Intraoperative parameters, postoperative complications, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.Results:Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 22 cases and robot-assisted surgery in 20 cases. Among the 42 patients, 22 underwent onlay ureteroplasty while 20 received augmented anastomotic ureteroplasty. The graft length was (5.9±1.8) cm (range: 3.0 to 12.0 cm), operative time (191.5±55.6) minutes (range: 105.0 to 350.0 minutes), and intraoperative estimated blood loss (86.7±73.6) ml (range: 10.0 to 400.0 ml). All procedures were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. The postoperative hospital stay was (7.6±2.0) days (range: 4.0 to 15.0 days), with double-J stent removal at 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively. During a follow-up of (49.1±25.0) months (range: 12.0 to 99.0 months), no stricture recurrence was observed in any patient.Conclusion:LMGU is a safe, feasible, and effective long-term technique for managing long-segment (≥5 cm) ureteral strictures.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of lingual mucosal graft ureteroplasty (LMGU) for managing long-segment (≥5 cm) ureteral strictures in a multi-institutional cohort of patients.Methods:A multi-center retrospective case series study was conducted on clinical data from 42 patients undergoing LMGU for long-segment ureteral strictures (≥5 cm) across five institutions between February 2017 and June 2024. The cohort comprised 31 males and 11 females, with an age of (43.4±12.0) years (range: 15 to 64 years) and a body mass index of (24.6±2.6) kg/m2 (range: 16.0 to 30.0 kg/m2). Strictures involved the left ureter in 24 cases and right ureter in 18 cases, demonstrating a stricture length of (6.4±1.5) cm (range: 5.0 to 11.5 cm). Surgical interventions included either onlay ureteroplasty or augmented anastomotic ureteroplasty, selected according to intraoperative findings. Intraoperative parameters, postoperative complications, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.Results:Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 22 cases and robot-assisted surgery in 20 cases. Among the 42 patients, 22 underwent onlay ureteroplasty while 20 received augmented anastomotic ureteroplasty. The graft length was (5.9±1.8) cm (range: 3.0 to 12.0 cm), operative time (191.5±55.6) minutes (range: 105.0 to 350.0 minutes), and intraoperative estimated blood loss (86.7±73.6) ml (range: 10.0 to 400.0 ml). All procedures were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. The postoperative hospital stay was (7.6±2.0) days (range: 4.0 to 15.0 days), with double-J stent removal at 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively. During a follow-up of (49.1±25.0) months (range: 12.0 to 99.0 months), no stricture recurrence was observed in any patient.Conclusion:LMGU is a safe, feasible, and effective long-term technique for managing long-segment (≥5 cm) ureteral strictures.

Objective To explore the predictive value of slow apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCslow),fast apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCfast)and perfusion fraction(f)value of intravoxel incoherent motion in body diffusion-weighted imaging(IVIM-DWI)sequence in early lumbar disc degeneration in young people.Methods The IVIM-DWI technique was used as quantitative magnetic resonance imaging for 120 patients(596 lumbar intervertebral discs)with lower back pain included in Wenzhou People's Hospital.The ADCslow,ADCfast and f values of all lumbar intervertebral discs were measured,and then they were divided into 3 groups according to the Pfirrmann grading standard.SPSS 20.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data.Results The ADCfast value has statistical significance in distinguishing the lumbar intervertebral discs of each group:The area under the curve(AUC)of the normal group vs.the early degenerative group was 0.766,with a sensitivity of 64.2%and a specificity of 78.5%;The AUC of the normal group vs.the mid to late stage degenerative group was 0.822,with a sensitivity of 67.9%and a specificity of 91.3%;The AUC of the early degeneration group vs.the middle and late stage degeneration group was 0.797,with a sensitivity of 62.1%and a specificity of 92.1%.The ADCslow value has statistical significance in distinguishing the lumbar intervertebral discs of each group:AUC=0.707 in the normal group vs.the early degenerative group,with a sensitivity of 83.6%and a specificity of 61.0%;The AUC of the normal group vs.the mid to late stage degenerative group was 0.701,with a sensitivity of 84.5%and a specificity of 58.6%;The AUC of the early degeneration group vs.the middle and late stage degeneration group was 0.668,with a sensitivity of 86.6%and a specificity of 51.0%.The f value cannot distinguish between different groups of lumbar intervertebral discs.Conclusion ADCslow and ADCfast of IVIM-DWI sequence have certain accuracy and specificity in distinguishing the early degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc in young people,which provides a reliable basis for early clinical treatment.

Objective:To construct core medical skill index system for helicopter medical rescue personnel by Delphi expert consensus method.Methods:This study combined literature review and two rounds of Delphi expert correspondence to construct the core skill index system. Total of 22 experts from relevant disciplines were selected purposively to conduct Delphi expert consultation.Results:The effective questionnaire recovery rates of the two rounds of Delphi expert correspondence was 100%; the authority coefficient of experts was 0.87; the Kendall coordination coefficients of the importance of the first and second level indexes were 0.380 and 0.338 in the first round of correspondence, and then 0.415 and 0.357 in the second round. the Kendall coordination coefficients of the feasibility of the second level indexes were 0.347 in the first round of correspondence and 0.354 in the second round. The final core skill index system for helicopter medical rescue personnel includes 4 primary indicators: core medical skill for diseases or trauma in respiratory system, circulatory system, sports system and other system, and 32 secondary indicators.Conclusions:The core medical skill index system for helicopter medical rescue personnel constructed through two rounds of Delphi expert correspondence is scientific and reasonable, which can provide a scientific basis to accurately understand, describe, analyze, and evaluate the competence level of helicopter medical rescue personnel, as well as serve as a content framework for training programs.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of focal peliosis hepatis (PH).Methods:From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2022, a total of 8 PH patients (10 lesions) diagnosed pathologically in Yueqing People′s Hospital were collected. The location, size, and shape of the lesions, as well as the CT (4 patients with 4 lesions) and MRI (5 patients with 7 lesions) characteristics of the patients were analyzed. Descriptive method was used for statistical analysis.Results:Among the 8 PH patients, 6 patients had lesions located in the right lobe of the liver, 1 in the left lobe of the liver, and 1 (3 lesions) in both left and right lobes of the liver. Eight lesions were round or round-like, and 2 lesions were irregularly shaped. The median maximum diameter of the lesions was 4.2 cm (ranged from 2.2 to 9.3 cm), of which the maximum diameters of 2 lesions were less than 3.0 cm, those of 6 lesions were 3.1 to 5.0 cm, and those of 2 lesions were more than 6.0 cm. Nine lesions had clear boundaries, and 1 lesion had blurred boundary; 9 lesions had capsule, 1 lesion had no capsule; 1 lesion had blood vessels passing through it. The CT plain scan of 4 patients (4 lesions) showed that 3 lesions had uniform density and 3 lesions had low density, the CT enhancement showed that 2 lesions were significantly enhanced in the arterial phase, 3 lesions were sustained moderately enhanced in the portal phase, and 2 lesions were sustained mildly enhanced in the delayed phase. The MRI plain scan of 5 patients (7 lesions) showed uniform signals in 6 lesions, low signal in 3 lesions and equal signal in 4 lesions on T1-weighted images, high signal in 6 lesions on T2-weighted images, high signal in 3 lesions and equal signal in 4 lesions on diffusion-weighted images. The MRI enhancement showed that 4 lesions were significantly enhanced in the arterial phase, 5 lesions were sustained moderately enhanced in the portal phase, and 6 lesions showed sustained mild enhanced in the delayed phase.Conclusion:The PH lesions are round or round-like, with clear or unclear boundaries and uniform or uneven density, and are characterised by low density on CT and MRI plain scan, low signal on T1-weighted images, and high signal on T2-weighted images and diffusion-weighted images, and moderate or significant sustained enhancement on CT and MRI enhancement.

Mycolic acids (MAs), i.e. 2-alkyl, 3-hydroxy long-chain fatty acids, are the hallmark of the cell envelope of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and are related with antibiotic resistance and host immune escape. Nowadays, they've become hot target of new anti-tuberculosis drugs. There are two main methods to detect MAs, ¹⁴C metabolic labeling thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS). However, the user qualification of ¹⁴C or the lack of standards for LC-MS hampered the easy use of this method. TLC is a common way to analyze chemical substance and can be used to analyze MAs. In this study, we used tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and methyl iodide to hydrolyze and formylate MAs from mycobacterium cell wall. Subsequently, we used diethyl ether to extract methyl mycolate. By this method, we can easily extract and analyze MA in regular biological labs. The results demonstrated that this method could be used to compare MAs of different mycobacterium in different growth phases, MAs of mycobacteria treated by anti-tuberculosis drugs or MAs of mycobacterium mutants. Therefore, we can use this method as an initial validation for the changes of MAs in researches such as new drug screening without using radioisotope or when the standards are not available.
Mycolic Acids/metabolism* ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Fatty Acids ; Antitubercular Agents/pharmacology*