Objective:To investigate the correlation between leucine-rich α2 glycoprotein (LRG) and endoscopic activity in patients with Crohn′s disease (CD), based on the assessment of inflammation in small intestinal lesion by double-balloon enteroscope (DBE).Methods:From 15 August 2022 to 22 August 2023, the clinical data of 139 patients with small bowel CD diagnosed by DBE at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were prospectively collected, which included fecal calprotectin (FC), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, hemoglobin, albumin, Crohn′s disease activity index (CDAI), and simple endoscopic score for Crohn′s disease (SES-CD). According to the SES-CD, endoscopic activity was classified as mucosal healing (0), endoscopic remission (0 to 2), mild activity (3 to 6), moderate activity (7 to 15), and severe activity (≥16). LRG levels were detected in all patients. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between LRG, clinical biochemical parameters and endoscopic scores. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was performed to determine the optimal cut-off value of LRG for evaluating endoscopic mucosal healing. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Bonferroni corrected test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among 139 patients with small bowel CD, the LRG level was 17.3 (13.0, 25.2) mg/L, and SES-CD was 5 (1, 9); 32 patients achieved mucosal healing, 50 patients achieved endoscopic remission; 39 patients had mild activity, 40 patients had moderate activity, and 10 patients had severe activity. The SES-CD was negatively correlated with both hemoglobin and albumin ( r=-0.177 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI: -0.334 to -0.011), -0.293 (95% CI: -0.438 to -0.133)), with statistical significance ( P=0.037, <0.001). The SES-CD was positively correlated with CRP, CDAI, LRG and FC ( r=0.344 (95% CI: 0.188 to 0.482), 0.429 (95% CI: 0.282 to 0.556), 0.525 (95% CI: 0.393 to 0.636), 0.661 (95% CI: 0.556 to 0.745)), with statistical significant (all P<0.001). For the 64 small bowel CD patients with CRP in the normal reference value, SES-CD was positively correlated with CDAI, LRG and FC ( r=0.296 (95% CI: 0.054 to 0.505), 0.364 (95% CI: 0.129 to 0.559), 0.547 (95% CI: 0.348 to 0.699)), with statistical significance ( P=0.017, =0.003, <0.001). The LRG level of patients with endoscopic mucosal healing was significantly lower than that of patients with endoscopic remission (11.5 (10.1, 17.2) mg/L vs. 17.3 (13.4, 23.5) mg/L), with statistical significance ( Z=-3.25, P<0.001). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of LRG in predicting endoscopic mucosal healing was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.73 to 0.89), with an optimal cut-off value of 15.27 mg/L. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 0.757, 0.718, 0.900 and 0.469, respectively. The accuracy of the combination of LRG and FC (AUC was 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82 to 0.94) in predicting endoscopic mucosal healing was higher than that of LRG alone (AUC was 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.89), and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.011). Conclusion:Based on the results of DBE, LRG may be a reliable biomarker for predicting endoscopic remission and mucosal healing in patients with small bowel CD.

Objective To develop and validate a scoring system to predict the possibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) conversion to laparotomy based on preoperative clinical data, and to establish a grading management model of surgery. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 9 414 patients who underwent LC at Renhe Hospital and Huashan Hospital from June 2013 to June 2018. The patients were divided into two groups: the LC group (9 246 patients who successfully underwent LC) and the conversion to laparotomy group (168 patients who required conversion to open surgery). The data of two groups were compared, and the risk factors affecting conversion to laparotomy were screened out by single factor analysis of Chi-square test. Then, the risk factors were analyzed by multiple Logistic regression, and the pre-coefficient of each variable of the risk factors was assigned according to the established conversion to laparotomy possibility function. After calculating the score of each case, the difference in the actual conversion rate of each group was compared. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to evaluate the performance of the scoring system. According to the scoring system, LC surgical grading management model was created and verified. Results The following factors were identified as significant risk factors for conversion to laparotomy (P < 0.001): body temperature ≥ 38.5℃, frequency of acute cholecystitis ≥3 times, maximum thickness of gallbladder wall ≥ 5 mm, gallbladder neck stone incarceration, diameter of common bile duct ≥8 mm, and surgical experience ≤50 cases were the risk factors for conversion to laparotomy (P < 0.001). A score >3 points was associated with a high risk of conversion to laparotomy. Conclusions The LC scoring system and surgical grading management are reliable and effective tools for predicting and reducing the conversion rate of LC to laparotomy.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of paragonimiasis cases in Sichuan Province, and to provide an evidence for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of paragonimiasis in medical institutions. MethodsData were collected from case reports submitted by cities (prefectures) from 2020 to 2023, including demographic information, epidemiological features, clinical symptoms, laboratory testing indicators, and awareness of paragonimiasis. Epidemiological descriptions and statistical analyses were performed on these variables. ResultsA total of 125 paragonimiasis cases were reported in Sichuan Province from 2020 to 2023, including 53 thoracic/pulmonary cases and 72 extrapulmonary cases. Geographically, cases were distributed in Dazhou City (63 cases, 50.40%), Yibin City (61 cases, 48.80%), and Deyang City(1 case, 0.80%). The male-to-female ratio was 1.66∶1, with 77.60% (97 cases) aged 0‒18 years. Students accounted for the majority of cases (67 cases, 53.60%). Among the patients, 67 cases (53.60%) had a history of consuming raw or undercooked crabs, and 94 cases (75.20%) reported drinking untreated water. The predominant symptoms included migratory subcutaneous nodules (26.40%), cough (24.80%), and abdominal pain/diarrhea (21.60%). Younger patients exhibited a higher proportion of migratory subcutaneous nodules, while older patients more frequently presented with cough and chest pain (χ²=4.060, P=0.044; χ²=9.235, P=0.002). Elevated eosinophil percentages and absolute counts were observed in 99.20% (124 cases) and 93.60% (117 cases) of patients, respectively. Peripheral white blood cell counts were higher in thoracic/pulmonary cases than that in extrapulmonary cases (Z=2.398, P=0.016), but no statistically significant differences were found in eosinophil absolute counts or percentages between the two types (Z=0.609, P=0.542; Z=0.732, P=0.464). In terms of treatment courses, 28 cases had 1 course, 31 cases had 2 courses, 43 cases had 3 courses, 11 cases had 4 courses, and 10 cases had 5 courses or more. Extrapulmonary cases required significantly longer treatment durations than thoracic/pulmonary cases (t=2.299, P=0.023). Only 12.80% (16 cases) of patients were aware of paragonimiasis. ConclusionParagonimiasis in Sichuan Province occurred sporadically, and the patients were mainly children and adolescents. The clinical manifestations of the patients lacked specificity, making it easy to lead to misdiagnosis. During the diagnosis, epidemiological history, migratory subcutaneous nodules and other main symptoms should be fully considered. An increase of the absolute count and proportion of eosinophils served as significant warning indicators for paragonimiasis infection.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of peripheral blood-derived exosomes （Exo） intervened by Naozhenning （NZN） on injury of neuron cells HT22 induced by microglia BV-2 cells. METHODS Wistar rats were selected to prepare peripheral blood- derived Exo intervened by NZN （66.83 g/kg）， referred to as NZN-Exo； peripheral blood-derived Exo intervened by normal saline and piracetam （PLXT， 1.62 g/kg） were prepared using the same method， denoted as KB-Exo and PLXT-Exo respectively， and all Exo were subsequently identified. Meanwhile， BV-2 cells were stimulated with 1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide （LPS） to prepare LPS- stimulated supernatant， and non-LPS-stimulated supernatant was prepared following the same protocol. HT22 cells were divided into four groups: KB-Exo group （treated with non-LPS-stimulated supernatant+KB-Exo）， model group （treated with LPS-stimulated supernatant+KB-Exo）， PLXT-Exo group （treated with LPS-stimulated supernatant+PLXT-Exo）， and NZN-Exo group （treated with LPS-stimulated supernatant+NZN-Exo）， with the concentration of the corresponding Exo in all groups being 50 μg/mL. After 24 hours of culture， the proliferation of HT22 cells was detected by the CCK-8 assay and EdU assay； the apoptosis of HT22 cells was detected； the microstructure of HT22 cells was observed； the contents of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-10， nuclear factor-κB （NF- κB）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in HT22 cells were measured， as well as the expression levels of TNF-α， NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1， B-cell lymphoma-2（ Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. RESULTS KB-Exo， PLXT-Exo and NZN-Exo were successfully prepared， and all Exo exhibited typical cup-shaped contours and membrane-enclosed characteristics. Compared with KB-Exo group， model group showed significantly decreased cell proliferation rates （detected by CCK-8 and EdU）， intracellular IL-10 levels， and Bcl-2 protein expression levels （P＜0.05）； while the cell apoptosis rate， intracellular levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， and NF-κB， as well as the expression levels of NLRP3， TNF-α， Caspase-1， and Bax proteins were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Additionally， in the model group， the cells showed volume swelling， incomplete cell membrane， nucleolar rupture， significant swelling and deformation of mitochondria， and severe vacuolization. Compared with model group， the above quantitative indicators in the PLXT-Exo group and NZN-Exo group were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）， with large and round cell nuclei， intact nuclear membranes， and reduced mitochondrial vacuolization. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral blood-derived Exo intervened by naozhenning can alleviate the injury of neuronal cells HT22 by inhibiting inflammatory responses and cell apoptosis.

BACKGROUND:The definitive cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is not yet known.The search for a clinical approach to address adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is imminent.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Schroth therapy combined with core strength training on mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and to provide more bases for the clinical treatment of mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.METHODS:110 patients with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis attending the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Spine Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from July 2022 to January 2024 were selected as the study subjects.They were divided into the trial group and the control group according to the wishes of the patients and their parents,with 55 cases in each group.The control group was observed and followed up,and the trial group underwent Schroth therapy combined with core strength training for 45 minutes a day for 24 weeks.The differences in imaging parameters,body surface indexes,three-dimensional ultrasound imaging angle,and quality of life were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)At 24 weeks after treatment,major curve Cobb,apical vertebral translation,and cervical lordosis were significantly improved in the trial group(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in the control group(P＞0.05).Major curve Cobb and apical vertebral translation in the trial group were significantly better than those in the control group(P＜0.05).(2)At 24 weeks after treatment,angle of trunk rotation in the trial group was significantly lower than that before treatment(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference between before and after treatment in the control group(P＞0.05),and angle of trunk rotation in the trial group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).(3)At 24 weeks after treatment,the center of laminae angle of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging was significantly reduced in the trial group(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in the control group before and after treatment(P＞0.05).The center of laminae angle of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging was smaller in the trial group than that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)At 24 weeks after treatment,in terms of the quality of life,pain dimension score in the trial group was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Both trial and control groups showed significantly higher scores in the self-image dimension compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05).Both groups had significantly lower scores in the mental health dimension compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05).In the dimensions of pain,self-image,mental health,and satisfaction,the trial group was significantly higher than the control group(P＜0.05).(5)It is indicated that Schroth therapy combined with core strength training can improve the major curve Cobb,apical vertebral translation,and cervical lordosis angle,reduce the angle of trunk rotation,decrease the center of laminae angle of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging,and improve the quality of life,and it is effective in the treatment of mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the integrated schistosomiasis control programme in Sichuan Province during the stage moving from transmission interruption to elimination (2015—2023), so as to provide insights into formulation of the schistosomiasis control measures during the post-elimination stage. Methods Schistosomiasis control data were retrospectively collected from departments of health, agriculture and rural affairs, forestry and grassland, water resources, and natural resources in Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2023, and a database was created to document examinations and treatments of human and livestock schistosomiasis, and snail survey and control, conversion of paddy fields to dry fields, ditch hardening, rivers and lakes management and building of forests for snail control and schistosomiasis prevention. The completion of schistosomiasis control measures was investigated, and the effectiveness was evaluated. Results A total of 20 545 155 person-times received human schistosomiasis examinations in Sichuan Province during the period from 2015 to 2023, and 232 157 person-times were seropositive, with a reduction in the seroprevalence from 2.10% (44 299/2 107 003) in 2015 to 1.12% (9 361/837 896) in 2023 (χ² = 7.68, P < 0.001). The seroprevalence of human schistosomiasis appeared a tendency towards a decline in Sichuan Province over years from 2015 to 2023 (b = −8.375, t = −10.052, P < 0.001); however, no egg positive individuals were identified during the period from 2018 to 2023, with the prevalence of human Schistosoma japonicum infections maintained at 0. Expanded chemotherapy was administered to 2 754 515 person-times, and medical assistance of advanced schistosomiasis was given to 6 436 persontimes, with the treatment coverage increasing from 46.80% (827/1 767) in 2015 to 64.87% (868/1 338) in 2023. Parasitological tests for livestock schistosomiasis were performed in 35 113 herd-times, and expanded chemotherapy was administered to 513 043 herd-times, while the number of fenced livestock decreased from 121 631 in 2015 to 103 489 in 2023, with a reduction of 14.92%. Snail survey covered 433 621.80 hm² in Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2023, with 204 602.81 hm² treated by chemical control and 4 637.74 hm² by environmental modifications. The area of snail habitats decreased from the peak of 5 029.80 hm² in 2016 to 3 709.72 hm² in 2023, and the actual area of snail habitats decreased from the peak of 8 585.48 hm² in 2016 to 473.09 hm² in 2023. The mean density of living snails remained low across the study period except in 2017 (0.62 snails/0.1 m²). Schistosomiasis control efforts by departments of agriculture and rural affairs in Sichuan Province included conversion of paddy fields to dry fields covering 153 346.93 hm², hardening of 6 110.31 km ditches, building of 70 356 biogas digesters, replacement of cattle with 227 161 sets of machines, and captive breeding of 21 161 070 livestock from 2015 to 2023, and the control efforts by departments of water resources included rivers and lakes management measuring 5 676.92 km and renovation of 2 331 irrigation areas, while the control efforts by departments of forestry and grassland included building of forests for snail control and schistosomiasis prevention covering 23 913.33 hm², renovation of snail control forests covering 8 720 hm² and newly building of shelterbelts covering 764 686.67 hm². All 63 endemic counties (cities and districts) had achieved the criterion for schistosomiasis elimination criteria in Sichuan Province by the end of 2023. Conclusion Following the integrated control efforts from 2015 to 2023, remarkable achievements have been obtained in the schistosomiasis control programme in Sichuan Province, with all endemic counties successfully attaining the schistosomiasis elimination target at the county level.

Objective　To detect clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) in Listeria monocytogenes, and analyze the structure and homology of CRISPR loci. Methods Totally 34 strains of Listeria monocytogenes isolated in our laboratory were identified, PCR amplified and sequenced. The repeat sequence structure and spacer sequence homology in CRISPR loci were analyzed by bioinformatics software. Results A total of 7 CRISPR loci were detected in 34 strains. The mutation rate of the first 2 and last 2 bases of the Repeat sequence of CRISPR loci was higher, while the mutation rate of the middle part was lower. Seven CRISPR sites form eight CRISPR structural types, among which the Repeat sequences of CRISPR1 and CRISPR2 are relatively conserved, while the Repeat sequences of CRISPR1 and CRISPR5 can form dumbbell shaped secondary structures. The number of Spacer sequences contained in each CRISPR site ranges from 2 to 15, with an average of 2.43. The 136 Spacer sequences detected were not only homologous to Listeria plasmids and bacteriophages, but also homologous to uncultured virus sequences, staphylococcal bacteriophages, and Listeria innocua. The same CRISPR genotype did not show large-scale clustering, but some strains in the same year were in the same evolutionary cluster with close genetic relationships. Conclusion The CRISPR structure of Listeria monocytogenes in this study exhibits high specificity, and its homology with bacteriophages provides a theoretical basis for the application of bacteriophages in the control and prevention of Listeria monocytogenes.

Objective:To compare the efficacies of endovascular therapy (EVT) and standard medical therapy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients aged ≥85 years, and analyze the independent influencing factors for poor prognosis of AIS patients after EVT.Methods:Sixty-nine AIS patients aged ≥85 years admitted to Department of Neurology, Xi'an Third Hospital from January 2018 to April 2024, including 40 accepted EVT and 28 accepted standard medicinal therapy, were enrolled. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the prognosis of the patients 90 days after onset. General data, prognosis and complications between the EVT group and standard medical therapy group were compared. General data, treatment processes and complications between patients with good prognosis and poor prognosis in the EVT group were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors for poor prognosis in AIS patients after EVT.Results:Compared with the standard medical therapy, the EVT group had significantly lower NIHSS score at discharge, greater improvement in NIHSS score (NIHSS score at admission-NIHSS score at discharge), lower mRS score 90 days after onset, higher good prognosis rate, lower mortality rate within 90 days of onset, and longer hospital stay ( P<0.05). In the EVT group, 11 patients (27.5%) had good prognosis and 29 patients (72.5%) had poor prognosis 90 days after onset. Compared with the good prognosis group, the poor prognosis group had significantly higher blood glucose level and lower Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECT) on admission ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that blood glucose on admission ( OR=2.363, 95% CI: 1.134-4.928, P=0.022) and ASPECT score on admission ( OR=0.273, 95% CI: 0.088-0.854, P=0.026) were independent influencing factors for poor prognosis in AIS patients after EVT. Conclusion:AIS patients aged ≥85 years received EVT have better prognosis compared with those accepted standard medical therapy; these patients with high glucose level and low ASPECT score on admission have poor prognosis.

Objective:To analyze the etiological characteristics in patients pulmonary infection after esophageal cancer sur-gery and clinical significance of detecting peripheral blood activity of natural killer cell(NK),CD4+T cell subsets,and circulating tu-mor cell(CTC).Methods:A total of 108 patients with pulmonary infection undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer in Chi-feng Songshan District Mongolian Medicine Hospital,from July 2020 to July 2022 were enrolled as infection group,while another 108 patients without pulmonary infection during the same period were enrolled as non-infection group.The levels of NK cells,CD4+T cell subsets and CTC in the peripheral blood of the two groups were detected 3 days after the operation.The disease severity was evaluated by clinical pulmonary infection score(CPIS).The correlation between CD4+T cell subsets,NK activity,CTC levels and CPIS were an-alyzed by Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis.The application value of each index for predicting pulmonary infection after esophageal cancer surgery was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of pulmonary infection after esophageal cancer surgery.Results:The levels of peripheral blood NK,CD4+T cells and CD4+T/CD8+T in infection group were significantly lower than those in non-infection group,while positive rate of serum CTC was significantly higher than that in non-infection group(P<0.05).The levels of peripheral blood NK,CD4+T cells and CD4+T/CD8+T in CTC positive group were significantly lower than those in CTC negative group(P<0.05).CPIS in patients with lung in-fection after esophageal cancer surgery was(4.18±1.29)points.Correlation analysis showed that levels of peripheral blood NK,CD4+T cells were significantly negatively correlated with CPIS,while CTC were significantly positively correlated with CPIS(P<0.05).AUC values of NK,CD4+T cell subsets and CTC for predicting lung infection were 0.694,0.757 and 0.574,respectively.The predictive value of NK and CD4+T cells subsets was better than that of CTC(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that low levels of NK and CD4+T cell were independent risk factors of postoperative lung infection(P<0.05).Conclusion:Patients with pulmo-nary infection after esophageal cancer surgery have abnormal immune function,and low levels of NK cells and CD4+T cells are inde-pendent risk factors for postoperative pulmonary infection.Focusing on monitoring the levels of NK cells and CD4+T cells in the periph-eral blood of patients is helpful to grasp the development of the patient's condition and predict the occurrence of postoperative pulmo-nary infection.

BACKGROUND:The definitive cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is not yet known.The search for a clinical approach to address adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is imminent.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Schroth therapy combined with core strength training on mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and to provide more bases for the clinical treatment of mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.METHODS:110 patients with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis attending the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Spine Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from July 2022 to January 2024 were selected as the study subjects.They were divided into the trial group and the control group according to the wishes of the patients and their parents,with 55 cases in each group.The control group was observed and followed up,and the trial group underwent Schroth therapy combined with core strength training for 45 minutes a day for 24 weeks.The differences in imaging parameters,body surface indexes,three-dimensional ultrasound imaging angle,and quality of life were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)At 24 weeks after treatment,major curve Cobb,apical vertebral translation,and cervical lordosis were significantly improved in the trial group(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in the control group(P＞0.05).Major curve Cobb and apical vertebral translation in the trial group were significantly better than those in the control group(P＜0.05).(2)At 24 weeks after treatment,angle of trunk rotation in the trial group was significantly lower than that before treatment(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference between before and after treatment in the control group(P＞0.05),and angle of trunk rotation in the trial group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).(3)At 24 weeks after treatment,the center of laminae angle of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging was significantly reduced in the trial group(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in the control group before and after treatment(P＞0.05).The center of laminae angle of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging was smaller in the trial group than that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)At 24 weeks after treatment,in terms of the quality of life,pain dimension score in the trial group was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Both trial and control groups showed significantly higher scores in the self-image dimension compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05).Both groups had significantly lower scores in the mental health dimension compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05).In the dimensions of pain,self-image,mental health,and satisfaction,the trial group was significantly higher than the control group(P＜0.05).(5)It is indicated that Schroth therapy combined with core strength training can improve the major curve Cobb,apical vertebral translation,and cervical lordosis angle,reduce the angle of trunk rotation,decrease the center of laminae angle of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging,and improve the quality of life,and it is effective in the treatment of mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.