OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab （RTX） in the treatment of primary Sjögren syndrome （pSS）. METHODS Randomized controlled trials （RCTs） on the effects of RTX （trial group） versus placebo （control group） in the treatment of pSS were searched from the Cochran Library， PubMed， Embase， Medline， Web of Science， VIP， CNKI， Wanfang， and other databases during the inception to February 2024. After literature screening and quality evaluation， meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS Seven RCTs were finally included， involving a total of 518 patients. Results of meta-analysis showed that European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren syndrome disease activity index （ESSDAI） score [MD＝－1.17， 95%CI（－1.52， －0.82）， P＜0.000 01] and oral dryness visual analogue scale （VAS） score [MD＝－3.97， 95%CI （－5.08， －2.86）， P＜0.000 01] in the trial group were significantly lower than the control group； unstimulated salivary flow rate [SMD＝0.64， 95%CI（0.41， 0.87）， P＜0.000 01] and Schirmer score [MD＝0.19， 95%CI（0.18， 0.20）， P＜0.000 01] were significantly higher than the control group. There was no statistical significance in response rate [RD＝0.10， 95%CI（－0.04， 0.23）， P＝0.16]， fatigue VAS score [MD＝－12.50， 95%CI（－35.14， 10.15）， P＝0.28]， European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren syndrome patient reported index （ESSPRI） score [MD＝0.33， 95%CI（－0.53， 1.18）， P＝0.46]， Short-form 36 health survey physical component summary （SF36-PCS） score [MD＝0.90， 95%CI（－2.97， 4.78）， P＝0.65]， SF-36 mental component summary （SF36-MCS） score [MD＝0.11， 95%CI（－0.41， 0.63）， P＝0.68]， total salivary gland ultrasound score [SMD＝－1.91， 95%CI（－4.01， 0.19）， P＝0.07] or the incidence of adverse drug reactions [OR＝1.15，95%CI（0.62，2.13），P＝0.66] between 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS RTX has advantages in the improvement of ESSDAI score， unstimulated salivary flow rate， Schirmer score and oral dryness VAS score in pSS patients， and has a good safety profile. However， it did not exhibit significant improvement in fatigue VAS score， ESSPRI score， SF36-PCS score， SF36-MCS score or response rates.

Objective: To assess the awareness and associated factors of wild mushroom poisoning among students in Guizhou Province, so as to provide a scientific foundation for wild mushroom poisoning prevention and control among students. Methods: By a multi stage stratified cluster random sampling method, 1 162 students from Guizhou Province were selected in May 2024. The questionnaire survey was administered to evaluate knowledge regarding wild mushroom poisoning. Data were analyzed employing the χ 2 test and Logistic regression model. Results: Among the nine questions assessing awareness of wild mushroom poisoning, only three had the awareness rate exceeding 70%. Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that students who "actively learn about the prevention of wild mushroom poisoning" ( OR=0.48, 95%CI =0.26-0.92) and "spread knowledge about wild mushroom poisoning to others" ( OR=0.47, 95%CI =0.33-0.69) scored higher on the wild mushroom poisoning knowledge questions ( P <0.05). Conversely, students with a habit of consuming wild mushrooms ( OR=1.52, 95%CI =1.15-2.02) scored lower ( P < 0.05 ). 42.3% of the students suggested that scientific dissemination and publicity about wild mushrooms should be intensified. Conclusions The awareness rate of wild mushroom poisoning knowledge among students in Guizhou Province requires further attention. Comprehensive knowledge should be disseminated systematically through various channels to further improve students awareness of the prevention and control of wild mushroom poisoning.

The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is essential in innate immune-mediated inflammation, with its overactivation implicated in various autoinflammatory, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 offers a promising treatment strategy for inflammatory conditions, although no medications targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome are currently available. This study demonstrates that clioquinol (CQ), a clinical drug with chelating properties, effectively inhibits NLRP3 activation, resulting in reduced cytokine secretion and cell pyroptosis in both human and mouse macrophages, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 0.478 μM. Additionally, CQ mitigates experimental acute peritonitis, gouty arthritis, sepsis, and colitis by lowering serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Mechanistically, CQ covalently binds to Arginine 335 (R335) in the NACHT domain, inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and blocking the interaction between NLRP3 and its component protein. Collectively, this study identifies CQ as an effective natural NLRP3 inhibitor and a potential therapeutic agent for NLRP3-driven diseases.

Objective:To discuss the optimal doping concentration of vanadium(V)and silicon(Si)co-doped TiO? coating(V-Si TiO?)formed on titanium surface by electrochemical treatment,to evaluate its antibacterial effect under visible light irradiation,and to clarify its visible light response mechanism.Methods:The medical pure titanium sheets were subjected to micro-arc oxidation followed by high-temperature calcination,and V-Si TiO2 coatings with different doping concentrations were prepared by adjusting the ratio of V to Si in the electrolyte.The experiment was divided into 1V:10Si(V5Si50)group,2V:10Si(V10Si50)group,and 3V:10Si(V15Si50)group;control group was set up(contains only bacterial culture medium).The optimal doping concentration was screened based on comprehensive evaluation of surface morphology,ion release,photocatalytic ability,and biocompatibility;cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to detect the proliferation activities and the survival rates of the cells in various group.Subsequently,the optimized coating was characterized and compared by scanning electron microscope(SEM),atomic force microscopy(AFM),digital eddy current coating thickness gauge,X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray photoelectron spectroscope(XPS),and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy(UV-vis).The experiment was divided into PT group(blank control),PEO group(no element doping),V10 group(V doping),Si50 group(Si doping),and V10Si50 group(2V:10Si).The ability of the coating materials to degrade methylene blue(MB)and generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)under visible light were detected.For antibacterial experiments,Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)and Escherichia coli(E.coli)were used.The colony counts on plates in various groups were recorded after visible light irradiation for 2 h and dark treatment for 2 h,respectively.The ROS levels were detected using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)ROS probe.ROS scavenging experiment was performed using the optimal doping concentration V10Si50 group,and the two kinds of bacteria were divided into blank control group,N-acetylcysteine(NAC)group,V10Si50 group,and NAC+V10Si50 group.The colony counts on plates in various groups were recorded after visible light irradiation for 2 h.Results:The V concentration of 0.01 mol·L?1 and Si concentration of 0.05 mol·L?1 in the electrolyte solution were the optimal doping concentrations for the V-Si TiO? coating.The SEM observation results showed that compared with V5Si50 group and V15Si50 group,the surface pore size of the coating material in V10Si50 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the coating thickness was significantly increased(P<0.05);its crystal structure was mainly anatase type,and the MB degradation rate of the coating material in V10Si50 group after 9 h of visible light catalysis was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the cell proliferation activity and cell survival rate in V10Si50 group were significantly increased at 1,2,and 4 d of cell culture(P<0.05);at 2 and 4 d of cell culture,the cell proliferation activity and cell survival rate in V5Si50 group and V15Si50 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with PT,PEO,and Si50 groups,the colony counts of two kinds of the bacteria in V10 group and V10Si50 group after visible light irradiation for 2 h were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with PT group and PEO group,the ROS levels in two kinds of the bacteria in V10Si50 group after 2 h of irradiation were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with V10Si50 group,the colony counts of two kinds of the bacteria in NAC+V10Si50 group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:A reasonably loaded V-Si TiO? coating material(V10Si50)was screened out,which maintained good biological activity and significantly enhanced the antibacterial effect under visible light irradiation.

Objective To investigate the status quo of health management behaviors in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicating chronic complications and the influencing factors based on health ecology theory.Methods The convenience sampling method was used to select elderly patients with T2DM complicating chronic complications in the Shanghai City from January to July 2022 as the respondents.Based on the health ecology theory,the five aspects of personality traits,psychological and behavioral traits,family and community interpersonal networks,living and working conditions and policy environment were in-vestigated.The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation of various variables.The hi-erarchical linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of health management behaviors in eld-erly patients with T2DM complicating chronic complications.Results A total of 272 questionnaires were dis-tributed and 264 valid questionnaires were recovered,with an effective recovery rate of 97.06％(264/272).There were statistically significant differences in DSMB-Oscores among the patients with different chronic complications number,sleep quality,per capita monthly household income and medical payment methods(P＜0.05).The DSMB-Oscore in elderly patients with T2DM complicating chronic complications was positively correlated with HLSCP,DES,PACIC and CIRS scores(P＜0.05),and negatively correlated with the PAID-5 score(P＜0.05).Conclusion The health management behaviors of elderly patients with T2DM complicating chronic complications is jointly affected and acted by many factors,and it is necessary to identify and manage the related influencing factors from different aspects and different levels.

The NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome is essential in innate immune-mediated inflammation,with its overactivation implicated in various autoinflammatory,metabolic,and neurode-generative diseases.Pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 offers a promising treatment strategy for in-flammatory conditions,although no medications targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome are currently available.This study demonstrates that clioquinol(CQ),a clinical drug with chelating properties,effec-tively inhibits NLRP3 activation,resulting in reduced cytokine secretion and cell pyroptosis in both human and mouse macrophages,with a half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 0.478 μM.Additionally,CQ mitigates experimental acute peritonitis,gouty arthritis,sepsis,and colitis by lowering serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α).Mechanistically,CQ covalently binds to Arginine 335(R335)in the NACHT domain,inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and blocking the interaction between NLRP3 and its component protein.Collectively,this study identifies CQ as an effective natural NLRP3 inhibitor and a potential therapeutic agent for NLRP3-driven diseases.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of aumolertinib combined with anlotinib on proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)cells.Methods CCK-8 assay,colony formation assay,and flow cytometry were used to assess the effect of different concentrations of aumolertinib or anlotinib on proliferation,survival,and apoptosis of PC-9 and HCC827 cells,and their synergistic effect was evaluated using the SynergyFinder model.In PC-9 and HCC827 cells treated with aumolertinib combined with anlotinib,the changes in cell invasion and migration abilities were assessed with Transwell assay,and the expressions of apoptosis-and invasion/migration-related proteins(Bax,Bcl-2,E-cadherin,vimentin,MMP2,and MMP9)and the key PI3K-Akt pathway proteins were detected using Western blotting.Results In PC-9 cells,the IC50 of aumolertinib and anlotinib was 1.701 μmol/L and 4.979 μmol/L,respectively,with a synergy score(ZIP)of 19.112;in HCC827 cells,their IC50 was 2.961 μmol/L and 7.934 μmol/L,respectively,with a ZIP of 12.325.Compared with aumolertinib and anlotinib used alone,their combined treatment more strongly inhibited the proliferation and survival,enhanced apoptosis and suppressed invasion and migration abilities of PC-9 and HCC827 cells.Western blotting showed that in both PC-9 and HCC827 cells,the combined treatment significantly upregulated the expressions of E-cadherin and Bax proteins,downregulated the expressions of Bcl-2,vimentin,MMP2,and MMP9 proteins,and reduced phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt.Conclusion Aumolertinib combined with anlotinib can effectively inhibit NSCLC cell proliferation by downregulating the PI3K-Akt pathway,suggesting a potentially new option for NSCLC treatment.

Objective To investigate the expression of Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4)in liver cancer and its role in regulating ferroptosis and proliferation of liver cancer cells.Methods Clinical samples of liver cancer and adjacent normal liver tissues were examined for malondialdehyde(MDA)contents and for expressions of mRNA and protein expressions of ACSL4 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Human liver cancer Huh-7 cells were treated with Erastin(a ferroptosis inducer),Fer-1(a ferroptosis inhibitor),or both,and the changes in expression levels of MDA,ACSL4 and PCNA were detected,and the cell proliferation was assessed with plate cloning assay.Results MDA contents were lower and ACSL4 and PCNA expressions were higher significantly in liver cancer tissues than in adjacent liver tissues.In Huh-7 cells,Erastin treatment significantly inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of ACSL4 and PCNA,suppressed cell proliferation,and increased MDA contents.Fer-1 alone did not produce significant effect on cell viability but reversed the effect of Erastin on ACSL4 and PCNA expressions,cell proliferation and MDA contents.Conclusion ACSL4 level is significantly overexpressed in liver cancer.Erastin increases MDA contents and down-regulates ACSL4 expression,thereby promoting ferroptosis and inhibiting proliferation of liver cancer cells,and these effects can be reversed by Fer-1.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of nucleic acid matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry（MALDI-TOF MS）in sputum smear-negative patients with nontuberculous Mycobacterial（NTM）pulmonary disease.Methods:Clinical data of 123 patients suspected of NTM pulmonary disease admitted in Public Health Clinical Center Affiliated to Shandong University between July 2022 and November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid（BALF）specimens were collected for MALDI-TOF MS assay and MGIT 960 culture. The diagnostic efficacy of MALDI-TOF MS for NTM pulmonary disease in patients with negative sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curve. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software and MedCalc statistical software.Results:Diagnosis of NTM pulmonary disease was finally confirmed in 66 out of the 123 suspected patients. It took 8 to 24 h for MALDI-TOF MS to identify NTM species and resistance. By MALDI-TOF MS，72 NTM strains were identified，with the Mycobacterium avium complex being the most prevalent（34 strains，47.22%），followed by the Mycobacterium abscessus complex（13 strains，18.06%）；resistance to macrolides was detected in 6 cases，while no resistance to aminoglycosides was found. It took 9 to 45 days for BALF MGIT 960 culture to identify NTM，and took 7 to 15 days for NTM typing and drug sensitivity testing. By BALF MGIT 960 culture，28 NTM strains were identified；and 1 case was found to be resistant to macrolides. Using confirmed diagnosis as the gold standard，MALDI-TOF MS demonstrated higher sensitivity，negative predictive value，and agreement rate compared to MGIT 960 culture（84.85% vs. 42.42%，81.13% vs. 56.32%，80.49% vs. 62.60%， χ2=25.667，8.998，9.664， P<0.05 or <0.01）. The area under ROC curve（AUC）for MALDI-TOF MS was significantly higher than that of MGIT 960 culture（0.801 vs. 0.642， Z=3.300， P=0.001）. Conclusion:Compared to MGIT 960 culture，MALDI-TOF MS exhibits superior diagnostic efficiency in detecting NTM pulmonary disease in patients with acid-fast bacilli smear-negative sputum，with advantage of rapidly identifying NTM species and resistance.

Objective:Based on the accounting results of total health expenditure in different regions since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,to analyze the regional disparity and evolution trend of health financing level and financing structure in 2012-2022,so as to provide references for subsequent adjustment and improvement.Methods:Range,standard deviation and coefficient of variation were used to analyze the degree of absolute and relative differences of total regional health expenditure in China and the changing characteristics of regional total health expenditure differences since the New Era(2012-2022).Results:Since 2012,the total health expenditure in various regions has been increasing continuously,and the average annual growth rate of total health expenditure is higher than that of the economy in this region.The relative difference of the proportion of total health expenditure to GDP in 31 provinces has converged in the fluctuation,but the absolute difference is still very large;the relative gap and absolute gap of per capita total health expenditure are expanding;the absolute difference in the proportion of out-of-pocket payments to total health expenditure has narrowed,while the relative difference has gradually narrowed.Conclusion:There are obvious differences in the growth rate of total health expenditure in different regions,so it is suggested that"appropriate growth"and"accurate control of health expenditure"should be carried out in parallel;the regional disparity of health investment in China has not improved,especially the regional disparity of per capita investment level continues to increase,so narrowing the regional disparity is a long-term task.The gap of regional financing structure has converged,but the gap is still large.