Objective To investigate the screening results and factors affecting abnormal detection rates among high-risk groups of esophageal cancer and to explore effective intervention measures. Methods We investigated and collected the information on gender, education level, age, marital status, symptoms of reflux esophagitis (heartburn, acid reflux, belching, hiccup, foreign body sensation in the pharynx, and difficulty swallowing), consumption of pickled vegetables, salt use, and esophageal cancer incidence of villagers in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Changes in reflux esophagitis symptoms in the high-incidence area of esophageal cancer before and after 16 years were observed, and the relationship of such changes with esophageal cancer was analyzed. Results In 2008, 711 cases were epidemiologically investigated, including 213 cases with one of the symptoms of reflux esophagitis such as heartburn, acid reflux, belching, hiccups, foreign body sensation in the pharynx, and difficulty swallowing (sorted in accordance with the abovementioned symptoms; if there are multiple symptoms, then the former is taken); 55 cases with at least two related symptoms, among which the most symptom was heartburn in 108 cases (15.1%); followed by acid reflux, belching, etc. In 2024, the same group of people was investigated, and eight people were missing because of relocation. A total of 703 people were successfully investigated, of which 189 cases (26.8%) had one of the symptoms of reflux esophagitis, such as heartburn (sorted in accordance with relevant symptoms, if there are multiple symptoms, then the former will be selected); 167 cases (23.7%) had at least two related symptoms, among which the most symptom was heartburn in 139 cases (19.7%); followed by acid reflux. Over 16 years, among the 703 people investigated, 45 cases had esophageal cancer and they had one or more of the abovementioned symptoms. No significant differences in the reflux esophagitis-like symptoms were found between 2008 and 2024 (P=0.26); no significant differences in the composition of reflux esophagitis-like symptoms were found between 2008 and 2024 (P=0.299). Conclusion The detection rate of reflux esophagitis-related symptoms in the population in a high-risk area of esophageal cancer has not decreased in the past 16 years, and the high-risk factors still exist. Esophageal cancer is closely related to reflux esophagitis, and clinical practice can provide early diagnosis and treatment for high-risk population.

Osteoporosis(OP) is a senile bone disease characterized by an imbalance between bone remodeling and bone formation. Targeting pathogenesis of kidney deficiency, spleen deficiency, and blood stasis, Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction has a significant effect on the treatment of OP by tonifying kidney, invigorating spleen, and activating blood circulation. MicroRNA(miRNA) and the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2-like protein 1(BCL2L1) are closely related to bone cell metabolism. Therefore, in this study, the binding of miR-140-5p to BCL2L1 was detected by dual luciferase assay and polymerase chain reaction(PCR). After silencing or overexpressing miR-140-5p, the apoptosis, autophagy, and osteogenic function of human fetal osteoblast cell line 1.19(HFOB1.19) were observed by flow cytometry and Western blot. Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction-containing serum was prepared by intragastric administration of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction in rats. Different concentrations of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction-containing serum were used to treat HFOB1.19 with or without miR-140-5p mimic. The expression of osteogenic proteins in each group was observed, and the role of miR-140-5p/BCL2L1 in apoptosis and autophagy of HFOB1.19 was studied, along with the effect of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction on these processes. As indicated by the dual luciferase assay, miR-140-5p bound to BCL2L1. Flow cytometry and Western blot showed that miR-140-5p promoted apoptosis and inhibited autophagy in HFOB1.19. After intervention with high, medium, and low doses of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction-medicated serum, compared with the miR-140-5p NC group, the expression of osteocalcin(OCN), osteopontin(OPN), Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2), and transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1) decreased in the miR-140-5p mimic group, while the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2) showed no significant difference under high-dose intervention. Therefore, miR-140-5p/BCL2L1 can promote apoptosis and inhibit autophagy in HFOB1.19. Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction can affect the osteogenic effect of miR-140-5p through BMP2.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Cell Line ; bcl-X Protein/metabolism* ; Osteoblasts/metabolism* ; Rats ; Osteoporosis/physiopathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Osteogenesis/drug effects*

Kupffer cells (KCs), as residents and sentinels of the liver, are involved in the formation of hepatic fibrosis (HF). However, the biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in KCs to HF have not been determined. In this study, the expression levels of circRNAs, microRNAs, and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in KCs from a mouse model of HF mice were investigated using microarray and circRNA-Seq analyses. circDcbld2 was identified as a candidate circRNA in HF, as evidenced by its up-regulation in KCs. Silver staining and mass spectrometry showed that Wtap and Igf2bp2 bind to cirDcbld2. The suppression of circDcbld2 expression decreased the KC inflammatory response and oxidative stress and inhibited hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation, attenuating mouse liver fibrogenesis. Mechanistically, Wtap mediated the N ⁶-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation of circDcbld2, and Igf2bp2 recognized m6A-modified circDcbld2 and increased its stability. circDcbld2 contributes to the occurrence of HF by binding miR-144-3p/Et-1 to regulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. These findings indicate that circDcbld2 functions via the m6A/circDcbld2/miR-144-3p/Et-1 axis and may act as a potential biomarker for HF treatment.

Objective To understand current epidemic trend of coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)in Anhui province in the optimization policy stage,and to analyze the pathogenic characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)in different population.Methods Using a cross-sectional survey design,from December 19 to 20,2022,an online questionnaire survey was conducted among residents of Anhui province through the official Wechat public accounts of provincial and municipal institutions with high traffic,to collect infor-mation on the incidence and clinic situation of COVID-19.The chi-square test was used to compare the proportion of COVID-19 suspected symptoms in different regions,ages and occupations.Results A total of 69 014 question-naires were distributed and 68 232 valid questionnaires were recovered with an effective rate of 98.97％.The pro-portion of the participants with COVID-19 suspected symptoms in the past 2 weeks was 51.37％,of which 77.88％self-medicated at home.The top three cities were Bozhou,Fuyang and Bengbu.The age group of 15-59 had the highest proportion of COVID-19 suspected symptoms(51.96％).Among various occupations,service providers had the highest proportion of COVID-19 suspected symptoms(61.07％).70.20％of the respondents felt anxious about the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and thought it was more serious than the flu.Conclusion The relatively high number of the infected cases and the anxiety of the people are all challenges faced by Anhui province in the stage of optimizing policies.Under the new situation of the epidemic,it is necessary to continuously monitor the local preva-lent strains and strengthen the monitoring of clinical symptoms of the infected cases,and effectively control the speed of the virus spread through public health policies and various economic and publicity measures,so as not to cause a run on medical resources and excessive excess deaths.

Purpose/Significance To construct a specialized database for inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system(CNS),so as to contribute to clinical research and improve the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of primary healthcare institu-tions.Method/Process Using the internet to collect medical data,after processing and analysis,the CNS inflammatory demyelinating disease database is constructed.Using statistical analysis,natural language processing(NLP),artificial intelligence(AI)image recog-nition and data visualization and other technologies,the database information is integrated and analyzed.Result/Conclusion A standard-ized big database for CNS inflammatory demyelinating diseases is constructed,which enables visualization of clinical research data,pro-vides patient education and specialist training,and facilitates multi-center teleconsultations.The establishment of a specialized database for the CNS inflammatory demyelinating disease can promote the transformation of medical research achievements,provide references for future real-world clinical research,optimize the process of diagnosis and treatment,and improve the clinical capability of primary healthcare institutions.

Objective To establish an evaluation system of pathogen detection rate of hospitalized patients before antimicrobial treatment based on process and outcome indicators,and study its application effect.Methods Hospi-talized patients with therapeutic antimicrobial treatment in a tertiary first-class hospital from July 2022 to June 2023 were selected as the study objects.Difference in process and outcome indicators were compared between before(Ju-ly-December 2022,control group)and after(January-June 2023,intervention group)the implementation of inter-vention in the evaluation system for pathogen detection rate of hospitalized patients before antimicrobial treatment.Results 41 577 and 27 052 hospitalized patients received therapeutic antimicrobial agents were included in the inter-vention group and control group,respectively.Pathogen detection rate and the accurate pathogen detection rate in the intervention group were both higher than those in the control group(74.2％vs 62.8％and 90.3％vs 82.5％,respectively),both with statistically significant differences(both P＜0.001).The goal achievement rate and im-provement rate for pathogen detection rate were 237.5％and 18.2％respectively,the goal achievement rate and im-provement rate for accurate pathogen detection rate were 104.0％and 9.5％respectively.For the process indica-tors,the conformity rate of detection and diagnosis,accurate collection rate,timely transfer rate,acceptance rate of pathogen specimens in the intervention group were all higher than those in the control group,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.001).For the outcome indicators,detection rates of targeted indicators and blood culture specimens,pathogen detection rate before treatment of restricted and special grade antimicrobial agent,as well as detection rate of sterile body fluid specimens in the intervention group were all higher than those in the con-trol group,with statistical significance(all P＜0.05).In addition,the positive rate of blood culture specimens in-creased from 18.5％before intervention to 21.7％after intervention,with statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).Conclusion The establishment of indicator evaluation system can improve the detection rate and accurate detection rate of pathogens before antimicrobial treatment,as well as the management quality and connotation of indicators.

Fatal familial insomnia,an autosomal dominant prion disease,is rare.We reported the clin-ical symptoms,examination results,diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of a patient who was diagnosed with fatal familial insomnia.Furthermore,we described the unique clinical manifestations that involuntary movements and laryngeal stridor were significantly correlated with postural changes,aiming to provide reference for the clini-cal diagnosis,treatment,and research of the disease in the future.

Primary central nervous system vasculitis(PACNS)is a vasculitic disorder affecting small to medium-sized blood vessels primarily in the central nervous system,involving the brain,spinal cord,and me-ninges.Tumor-like PNCAS,a rare subtype of PACNS,is often misdiagnosed as intracranial malignancy,and that with spinal cord involvement is even more uncommon.The lack of specific clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations poses a challenge to the diagnosis of PACNS.This report presents a case of tumor-like PACNS with spinal cord involvement based on the pathological evidence,aiming to enrich the knowledge about this condition.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of 17 patients with primary angiitis of the central nervous system(PACNS)and thus facilitate the early diagnosis and treatment,reduce the recurrence and mortal-ity,and improve the prognoses of this disease.Methods We collected the data of patients with PACNS diag-nosed by brain biopsy from January 2009 to June 2023 and analyzed their clinical presentations,laboratory and imaging manifestations,electrophysiological and pathological changes,and treatment regimens and prognosis.Results The 17 patients diagnosed with PACNS via brain biopsy included one child and 16 adults.The subtyp-ing results showed that 10,2,3,2,1,and 1 patients had tumorous,spinal cord-involved,angiography-posi-tive,rapidly progressive,hemorrhagic,and amyloid β-related PACNS,respectively.Eleven(64.7％)of the patients were complicated with secondary epilepsy.All the patients exhibited abnormal manifestations in head MRI,with 94.1％showing lesions with uneven enhancement around the lesions or in the leptomeninges.Mag-netic resonance angiography revealed large vessel abnormalities in 3 patients,and spinal cord involvement was observed in 2 patients.Histopathological typing revealed 7(43.7％)patients with lymphocytic vasculitis and 5(31.2％)patients with necrotizing vasculitis.Eleven patients were treated with glucocorticoids and cyclophospha-mide,which resulted in partial lesion disappearance and symptom amelioration in 6 patients upon reevaluation with head MRI after 3 months of maintenance therapy.Two,1,and 3 patients experienced rapid disease progres-sion,death,and recurrence within 1 year,respectively.Three patients showed insensitivity to hormonotherapy and residual disabilities.Two patients received rituximab after relapse and remained clinically stable during a fol-low-up period of 0.5-1 year.Conclusions Tumorous PACNS was more prone to epilepsy,mainly occurring in males.The most common histopathological type was necrotizing vasculitis,which responded to hormonotherapy and had favorable outcomes.Therefore,for the young patients with epilepsy and intracranial tumorous lesions,the possibility of PACNS should be considered.Spinal cord involvement in PACNS was often located in the thorac-ic and cervical cords,suggesting a poorer prognosis.Electromyography commonly revealed neural conduction ab-normalities in the anterior horn or roots,providing clues for differential diagnosis.For suspected spinal cord in-volvement,comprehensive electromyography is recommended.Rapidly progressive PACNS often presented infrat-entorial lesions,such as lesions in the pons and medulla,with a higher mortality rate.Hemorrhagic PACNS was rare,and a multifocal hemorrhagic lesion with enhancement in the intracranial region,particularly in young pa-tients,should raise suspicion.For the patients with recurrent or progressive disease,rituximab is a recommended therapeutic option.

Objective:To construct a predictive model for intensive care unit (ICU) and in-hospital mortality risk in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and validate its performance.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 3 907 patients with TBI published until May 2018 in the eICU Collaborative Research Database v2.0 (eICU-CRD v2.0), including 2 397 males and 1 510 females, aged 18-92 years [63.0(43.0, 79.0)years]. According to whether the patients died in ICU or at hospital stay, they were divided into ICU survival group ( n=3 575) and ICU mortality group ( n=332), and hospital survival group ( n=3 413) and hospital mortality group ( n=494). The general data, admission diagnosis, laboratory tests, therapeutic interventions, and clinical outcomes were extracted as variables of interest. Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were conducted on both the survival groups and the mortality groups to identify the independent risk factors that affect ICU and in-hospital mortality in TBI patients, based on which a Logistic regression prediction model was constructed and represented by Nomograms. The extracted dataset was randomly divided into training set ( n=2 735) and validation set ( n=1 172) with a ratio of 7∶3, and was applied for internal validation of the of the predictive model. Meanwhile, the data of TBI patients in the MIMIC-III v1. 4 database were extracted for external validation of the predictive model. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used for discriminability evaluation of the model, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness of fit test and calibration curve were used for calibration evaluation of the model. Results:The statistically significant variables identified in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis of ICU mortality and in-hospital mortality risk. The results revealed that acute physiology and chronic health evaluation IV (APACHE IV) score ( OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.03, 1.04, P<0.01), Glasgow coma scale (GCS) ( OR=0.66, 95% CI 0.59, 0.73, P<0.01), cerebral hernia formation ( OR=6.91, 95% CI 3.13, 15.26, P<0.01), international normalized ratio (INR) ( OR=1.33, 95% CI 1.09, 1.62, P<0.01), use of hypertonic saline ( OR=0.45, 95% CI 0.21 0.94, P<0.05), and use of vasoactive agents ( OR=2.19, 95% CI 1.36, 3.52, P<0.01) were independent risk factors for ICU mortality in TBI patients. The age (with 10 years as a grade) ( OR=1.28, 95% CI 1.17, 1.40, P<0.01), APACHE IV score ( OR=1.03, 95% CI 1.02, 1.04, P<0.01), GCS ( OR=0.75, 95% CI 0.71, 0.80, P<0.01), cerebral hernia formation ( OR=6.44, 95% CI 2.99, 13.86, P<0.01), serum creatinine level ( OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.01, 1.15, P<0.05), INR ( OR=1.49, 95% CI 1.20, 1.85, P<0.01), use of hypertonic saline ( OR=0.41, 95% CI 0.21, 0.80, P<0.01), and use of vasoactive agents ( OR=2.27, 95% CI 1.46, 3.53, P<0.01) were independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality of TBI patients. Based on the forementioned independent risk factors for ICU mortality, the model equation was constructed: Logit P (ICU)=7.12+0.03×"APACHE IV score"-0.42×"GCS"+1.93×"cerebral hernia formation"+0.28×"INR"-0.81×"use of hypertonic saline"+0.79×"use of vasoactive agents". Based on the forementioned independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality, the model equation was constructed: Logit P (in-hospital)=2.75+0.25×"age"(with 10 years as a grade)+0.03×"APACHE IV score"-0.28×"GCS"+1.86×"cerebral hernia formation"+0.07×"serum creatinine level"+0.40×"INR"-0.90×"use of hypertonic saline"+0.82×"use of vasoactive agents". In the prediction model for ICU mortality, the AUC of the training set and validation set was 0.95 (95% CI 0.94, 0.97) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.87, 0.95). The result of H-L goodness of fit test of the training set was P=0.495 with the average absolute error in the calibration curve of 0.003, while the result of H-L goodness of fit test of the validation set was P=0.650 with the average absolute error in the calibration curve of 0.012. In the prediction model for in-hospital mortality, the AUC of the training set and validation set was 0.91 (95% CI 0.89, 0.93) and 0.91(95% CI 0.88, 0.94). The result of H-L goodness of fit test of the training set was P=0.670 with the average absolute error in the calibration curve of 0.006, while the result of H-L goodness of fit test of the validation set was P=0.080 with the average absolute error in the calibration curve of 0.021. In the external validation set of ICU mortality risk, the AUC of the prediction model was 0.88 (95% CI 0.86, 0.90), while the result of H-L goodness of fit test was P=0.205 with the average absolute error in the calibration curve of 0.031. In the external validation set of in-hospital mortality risk, the AUC of the prediction model was 0.88 (95% CI 0.85, 0.91), while the result of H-L goodness of fit test was P=0.239 with the average absolute error in the calibration curve of 0.036. The internal and external validation of the model indicated that both the prediction models for ICU and in-hospital mortality had good discriminability and calibration. Conclusion:The ICU mortality prediction model constructed by APACHE IV score, GCS, cerebral hernia formation, use of hypertonic saline, vasoactive agents use of and INR, and the in-hospital mortality prediction model constructed by age grading, APACHE IV score, GCS, cerebral hernia formation, serum creatinine level, hypertonic saline use of, use of vasoactive agents and INR can predict the mortality risk of TBI patients well.