OBJECTIVE To provide a reference for pharmaceutical care in patients with ulcerative colitis （UC） and ankylosing spondylitis （AS） who developed pustular psoriasis induced by infliximab. METHODS Clinical pharmacists participated in the pharmaceutical care process of a patient with UC and AS who developed pustular psoriasis after using infliximab. The clinical pharmacists determined， using Naranjo’s Scale， that the correlation between the patient’s pustular psoriasis and infliximab was “likely”. Regarding the patient’s development of pustular psoriasis after using infliximab， the clinical pharmacists recommended discontinuing infliximab and switching to Upadacitinib extended-release tablets. For the patient’s skin allergic reaction after using upadacitinib， the clinical pharmacists advised continuing the use of upadacitinib and closely monitoring any potential adverse reactions during the treatment period. RESULTS The clinicians adopted the clinical pharmacists’ recommendation. Following the treatment， the patient’s symptoms were significantly alleviated， and the patient was discharged with medication. The follow-up after discharge showed that the treatment was effective and well-tolerated. CONCLUSIONS The clinical pharmacists analyzed the causal relationship between infliximab and pustular psoriasis. Through pharmaceutical care measures such as dynamic monitoring of skin lesions， evaluation of treatment responses， and optimization of drug regimens， they assisted the physicians in formulating an individualized medication plan， ensuring the safety and efficacy of the patient’s medication use.

In recent years, potato scab caused by pathogenic Streptomyces spp. has become widespread globally, with increasing damage severely compromising the commercial value and storability of tubers. The pathogens are transmitted through the soil and seeds of potato, while existing control technologies have demonstrated limited efficacy in preventing the colonization and spread of pathogens, which pose a critical bottleneck in the sustainable development of the potato industry. This study systematically examines the pathogen characteristics and pathogenic mechanisms, evaluates the impacts of soil nutrients and microbial community structure on disease severity, and analyzes limitations in current chemical control, biological control, and disease-resistant variety breeding approaches. We propose an integrated control strategy of disease-resistant varieties, phosphorus fertilizer reduction, fertilizer efficiency enhancement, and phosphorus-soluble antagonistic fungicides, aiming to provide novel research perspectives for achieving effective prevention and control of potato scab.
Solanum tuberosum/microbiology* ; Plant Diseases/prevention & control* ; Streptomyces/pathogenicity* ; Disease Resistance ; Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology* ; Fertilizers ; Soil Microbiology

Objective : To investigate the expression of LncRNA PXN-AS1(abbreviated as PXN-AS1) in gastric cancer tissues and its impact on the proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion of gastric cancer cells, and to explore its potential regulatory mechanisms. Methods : Gastric cancer tissues and adjacent tissues from 43 patients with gastric cancer were collected. The expression levels of PXN-AS1 and miR-125a-5p in gastric cancer tissues were detected using qRT-PCR, and the relationship between the expression level of PXN-AS1 and the clinical pathological parameters of patients with gastric cancer was analyzed. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlation between PXN-AS1 and miR-125a-5p in gastric cancer tissues. PXN-AS1 siRNA plasmid(si-PXN-AS1) and negative control plasmid(si-NC), as well as miR-125a-5p inhibitor(inhibitor) and negative control miRNA inhibitor(inhibitor NC), were transfected alone or in combination into HGC-27 cells. The cells were divided into si-NC group, si-PXN-AS1 group, si-PXN-AS1+inhibitor NC group, si-PXN-AS1+inhibitor group, and a blank control group was also established. qRT-PCR was utilized to assess the expression levels of PXN-AS1 and miR-125a-5p in each cell group. CCK-8 assay was employed to evaluate the proliferation levels of cells in each group. EdU experiment was conducted to assess the proliferation status of cells in each group. Transwell assay was performed to examine the migration and invasion capabilities of cells in each group; flow cytometry was employed to measure the apoptosis levels of cells in each group; the dual-luciferase reporter gene system was used to validate the sponge absorption of PXN-AS1 on miR-125a-5p and regulate its expression levels. Bioinformatics analysis was employed to screen downstream target genes of miR-125a-5p and perform GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Results : Compared with adjacent cancerous tissues, the expression level of the PXN-AS1 in gastric cancer tissues significantly increased, while the expression level of miR-125a-5p markedly decreased(bothP<0.05). PXN-AS1 and miR-125a-5p exhibited a negative correlation(r=-0.452,P=0.002). Furthermore, gastric cancer patients with high expression of PXN-AS1 exhibited the proportions of lymph node metastasis positivity and low differentiation were significantly higher(allP<0.05). Compared to the blank group and si-NC group, the si-PXN-AS1 group of HGC-27 cells showed significantly reduced levels of PXN-AS1 expression, cell proliferation capacity, and the number of cell migration and invasion(allP<0.05), while the level of cell apoptosis significantly increased(P<0.05). The dual-luciferase reporter system results demonstrated specific adsorption of miR-125a-5p by PXN-AS1 in HGC-27 cells. Knockdown of miR-125a-5p could reverse the effect of PXN-AS1 silencing on the inhibition of proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, and promote apoptosis. The bioinformatics analysis results indicated that the downstream target genes of miR-125a-5p were involved in various biological processes, including DNA damage, T cell apoptosis and differentiation, RNA metabolism synthesis processes, and signal transduction. Additionally, miR-125a-5p was implicated in signaling pathways such as the HIF-1 pathway, JAK-STAT pathway, and cell apoptosis signaling pathway. Conclusion PXN-AS1 is upregulated in gastric cancer. Moreover, acting as a competitive sponge for miR-125a-5p, PXN-AS1 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells HGC-27 while inhibiting apoptosis.

Objective The prevalence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains is exacerbating the global burden of tuberculosis (TB), highlighting the urgent need for new treatment strategies for TB. Methods The recombinant adenovirus vaccine expressing cyclic di-adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) phosphodiesterase B (CnpB) (rAd-CnpB), was administered to normal mice via mucosal immunization, either alone or in combination with drug therapy, to treat Mtb respiratory infections in mice.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of antibodies in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to assess the transcription levels of cytokines interferon γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin 10(IL-10) in mouse lungs. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportions of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell subsets in the lungs and spleens. ELISA was employed to measure the levels of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10, inflammatory factors IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) secreted by spleen cells following antigen stimulation. The bacteria loads in the lungs and spleens of Mtb-infected mice were enumerated by plate counting methods. Resluts Intranasal immunization with rAd-CnpB induced high titers of IgG in mouse serum and the production of IgG and IgA in BALF, along with alterations in T lymphocyte subsets in the lungs and spleens. Administration of rAd-CnpB, either alone or in combination with drugs, to Mtb-infected mice significantly increased serum IgG levels as well as IgA and IgG levels in BALF. rAd-CnpB immunization promoted the secretion of CnpB-specific cytokines and inflammatory factors by splenocytes in Mtb-infected mice. However, rAd-CnpB immunotherapy, either alone or combined with drugs, did not significantly affect the bacterial loads in the lungs and spleens of mice with Mtb respiratory infections. Conclusion Mucosal immunization with rAd-CnpB induced significant mucosal, humoral and cellular immune responses in mice, and significantly enhanced CnpB-specific cellular immune responses in Mtb-infected mice.
Animals ; Adenoviridae/immunology* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genetics* ; Mice ; Female ; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases/genetics* ; Tuberculosis Vaccines/administration & dosage* ; Tuberculosis/prevention & control* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Cytokines ; Lung/microbiology* ; Immunization ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/immunology* ; Immunity, Mucosal

OBJECTIVE: To establish a three-dimensional finite element model of a digital wire loop space maintainer for the mandible and primary tooth loss, in order to investigate the stress, deformation, and shear force experienced by patients with the loss of the second primary molar when wearing the wire loop space maintainer. METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were performed on the patients to create a digital model of the mandible with the absence of the second primary molar using Mimics 21.0 software. A digital model integrating the crown's retention and the wire loop structure of the full crown and ring wire loop space maintainer was constructed using pediatric space maintainer design software, utilizing three different materials: cobalt-chromium alloy, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and titanium alloy. In ANSYS Work Beach 2023 R2 software, vertical loads of 70 N, tilted 45° along the long axis of the tooth loads of 70 N, and a 10 N load on the surface of the wire loop were applied to the occlusal surfaces of models 46 and 84, simulating centric and lateral occlusions during chewing with the wire loop space maintainer in place. The stress states of the wire loop space maintainer and supporting teeth were analyzed. RESULTS: Under various loading conditions, the maximum principal stress of the ring wire loop space maintainer was significantly lower than that of the full crown. Stress contour maps indicated that the peak of the maximum principal stress occurred at the junction of the wire loop and crown structure, indicating that this area was more susceptible to fracture. The ring wire loop space maintainer made from PEEK material exhibited the lowest maximum shear stress on the internal organizational surfaces, with equivalent stresses of 23.18 MPa and 36.35 MPa for models 46 and 84, respectively. Stress contour maps demonstrated that the maximum stress on tooth 46 was located at its mesial, while the maximum stress on tooth 84 was situated near the root area on its distal, in contact with the wire loop space maintainer. CONCLUSION In cases of second primary molar loss, wearing the digital ring wire loop space maintainer can effectively distribute stress, and the ring wire loop space maintainer made from PEEK material reduces the stress experienced by supporting teeth to some extent, demonstrating its superiority in clinical application.
Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Tooth, Deciduous ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Space Maintenance, Orthodontic/methods* ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Orthodontic Wires ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Mandible ; Stress, Mechanical

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate urban-rural disparities in its prevalence and management in elderly Chinese. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥ 65 years attending outpatient clinics were enrolled for AF screening using handheld single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from April 2017 to December 2022. Each ECG rhythm strip was reviewed from the research team. AF or uninterpretable single-lead ECGs were referred for 12-lead ECG. Primary study outcome comparison was between rural and urban areas for the prevalence of AF. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of clinical characteristics between rural and urban participants, while the Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare between-group proportions. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AF and various patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 29,166 study participants included 13,253 men (45.4%) and had a mean age of 72.2 years. The 7073 rural participants differed significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from the 22,093 urban participants in several major characteristics, such as older age, greater body mass index, and so on. The overall prevalence of AF was 4.6% (n = 1347). AF was more prevalent in 7073 rural participants than 22,093 urban participants (5.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01), before and after adjustment for age, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and prior medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified overweight/obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54) in urban areas and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.93) in rural areas as specific risk factors for prevalent AF. In patients with known AF in urban areas (n = 781) and rural areas (n = 338), 60.6% and 45.9%, respectively, received AF treatment (P < 0.01), and only 22.4% and 17.2%, respectively, received anticoagulation therapy (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In China, there are urban-rural disparities in AF in the elderly, with a higher prevalence and worse management in rural areas than urban areas. Our study findings provide insight for health policymakers to consider urban-rural disparity in the prevention and treatment of AF.

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

Objective: To investigate the association between habitual reading/writing postures and the co-occurrence of common health conditions (overweight/obesity, visual impairment, hypertension, and scoliosis) and comorbidities among children and adolescents, in order to provide data support for the joint prevention of common diseases and comorbidities among children and adolescents. Methods: From September 2021 to June 2022, a multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to select a total of 4 577 children and adolescents from 16 primary and secondary schools in Ningxia: Jinfeng District of Yinchuan City, Shapotou District of Zhongwei City, Yanchi County of Wuzhong City, and Pingluo County of Shizuishan City. A weighted complex sampling design was used to investigate the association of habitual reading and writing postures with common comorbidities in children and adolescents. Results: The prevalence rates of common diseases among children and adolescents in Ningxia were as follows: overweight/obesity was 22.87%, visual impairment was 62.52%, scoliosis was 2.30%, and hypertension was 1.30%. The prevalence of multimorbidity (co-occurrence of ≥2 conditions) among Ningxia children and adolescents was 15.95%. Multivariate unconditional Logistic regression analysis showed that frequent/always collapsing waist and sitting forward with head lowered increased the risk of common comorbidities in children and adolescents ( OR =1.90, P <0.05). Compared with the corresponding reference group, male children and adolescents aged 9 to 12 years and boys had relatively lower risks of overweight/obesity ( OR =0.71, 0.70); the risk of poor vision among children and adolescents aged 9 to 12 years, male, and urban was relatively low ( OR =0.59, 0.60, 0.73)( P < 0.05 ). Children and adolescents who often/always sat leaning to the left or right were at higher risk of poor vision ( OR =1.78); urban children and adolescents had a higher risk of developing scoliosis ( OR =3.71); children and adolescents aged 9 to 12 had a relatively low risk of developing hypertension ( OR =0.09), and children and adolescents who often/always bent their backs and sat forward on their knees had a higher risk of hypertension ( OR =5.03)( P <0.05). Conclusions Ningxia has a high incidence of common diseases and multiple diseases among children and adolescents, frequent or always collapsing waist and sitting forward with head lowered is associated with common comorbidities in children and adolescents in Ningxia. Proper postural measures for reading and writing should be carried out as soon as possible to encourage children and adolescents to develop good reading and writing habits for effectively preventing and controlling the occurrence of common diseases.

Background The pathogenesis of silicosis has not been fully elucidated, and microRNAs (miRNA) may be involved in the occurrence and development of silicosis. Objective To investigate the effect of miR-204-3p inhibitor on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and silicosis fibrosis in silicon dioxide dust-induced alveolar epithelial cells. Methods A co-culture model of macrophages and epithelial cells was established using a Transwell chamber. NR8383 macrophages were seeded into the upper chamber of the Transwell, and RLE-6TN cells were seeded into the lower chamber. After 24 h of culture, the medium in the lower chamber was discarded, washed three times with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and replaced with serum-free medium. The cells were divided into four groups: control group, silicosis group, miRNA NC group, and miR-204-3p inhibitor group. The lower chamber was transfected with miRNA NC for the miRNA NC group or the miR-204-3p inhibitor for the miR-204-3p inhibitor group. The lower chambers of the remaining two groups were added by equal amounts of serum-free medium. After 24 h, except for the control group that received an equal volume of serum-free medium, the upper chambers of the remaining three groups were treated with 800 μg·mL⁻¹ silicon dioxide dust. Morphological changes in each group were observed under a microscope. The mRNA and protein expression levels of EMT-related factors, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Vimentin, N-Cadherin, and E-Cadherin, were detected by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. The mRNA and protein expression levels of fibrosis-related factors, including Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin, were also assessed by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The fluorescence expression intensities of α-SMA, N-Cadherin, and E-Cadherin were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Results The morphological observation revealed that RLE-6TN cells in the control group exhibited a regular oval shape. After treatment with silicon dioxide, the cells predominantly displayed a long spindle shape. Following the intervention with the miR-204-3p inhibitor, the number of long spindle-shaped cells increased, and the intercellular gaps widened. The RT-qPCR results showed that, compared with the control group, the silicosis group exhibited significantly higher relative mRNA expression levels of EMT-related markers (α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin) (P<0.05), while the relative mRNA expression level of E-Cadherin was significantly reduced (P<0.05); the relative mRNA expression levels of fibrosis-related markers (Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin) were also significantly elevated (P<0.05). Compared with the miRNA NC group, the miR-204-3p inhibitor group showed significantly increased relative mRNA expression levels of α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin (P<0.05), decreased E-Cadherin mPNA expression (P<0.05), and elevated mPNA expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin (P<0.05). The Western blot analysis indicated that, compared with the control group, the silicosis group had significantly higher protein expression levels of α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin (P<0.05), lower E-Cadherin protein expression (P<0.05), and increased protein expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin (P<0.05). Compared with the miRNA NC group, the miR-204-3p inhibitor group exhibited significantly elevated protein expression levels of α-SMA, Vimentin, and N-Cadherin (P<0.05), reduced E-Cadherin expression (P<0.05), and increased protein expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and Fibronectin (P<0.05). The immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that, compared with the control group, the silicosis group showed enhanced fluorescence intensities of α-SMA and N-Cadherin and reduced fluorescence intensity of E-Cadherin. Compared with the miRNA NC group, the miR-204-3p inhibitor group exhibited increased fluorescence intensities of α-SMA and N-Cadherin and decreased fluorescence intensity of E-Cadherin. Conclusion The miR-204-3p inhibitor may exacerbate the EMT process and silicosis fibrosis in silicon dioxide-induced RLE-6TN cells. miR-204-3p plays a negative regulatory role in silicosis fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical manifestations and genetic characteristics of a child with glycogen storage disease type III (GSD-III) complicated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) caused by AGL gene variants, and to analyze the pathogenesis, potential correlation, treatment and prognosis of the two diseases. METHODS: A child with GSD-III who visited the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University due to "limb weakness for more than ten days" in July 2024 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child were collected. Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected for whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing. Candidate variants were verified, and pathogenicity analysis was conducted for the variant sites. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (Ethics No.: KYLL-2025-1984). RESULTS: The child has presented with inability to stand or walk independently, difficulty in grasping, accompanied by numbness and pain at the distal end, choking when drinking water, occasional non-projectile vomiting, and enlargement of liver and spleen. Laboratory tests showed abnormal liver function and a significant increase in creatine kinase. Color Doppler ultrasound of the heart showed an enlarged left atrium and mild regurgitation of mitral and tricuspid valves. Genetic testing confirmed that he has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the AGL gene, namely c.1611G>A (p.E537E) and c.579del (p.W194Gfs*7), which were inherited from his father and mother, respectively. According to the guidelines from the American Collage for Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the two variants were respectively predicted as variant of unknown significance (PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP3_Supporting) and likely pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting). Electrophysiological examination confirmed that the child had severe damage to the motor and sensory nerves accompanied by axonal injury, which was consistent with the axonal variant type of GBS -acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy. After a clear diagnosis, the child was treated with intravenous human immunoglobulin. His condition deteriorated progressively, presenting with breathing difficulties, liver failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding, and eventually deceased due to multiple organ failures. CONCLUSION The etiology of GSD-III and GBS involves multiple aspects such as genetics, metabolism and immunity. In clinical practice, it should be noted that similar clinical manifestations may occur in both conditions. Close attention should be paid to the patients' blood glucose, blood gas, coagulation function and liver function, etc. Clinical intervention should be carried out as early as possible to improve the prognosis.
Humans ; Male ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome/complications* ; Glycogen Storage Disease Type III/complications* ; Mutation ; Child