Tropical diseases, the transmission of which is affected by multiple natural and social factors, pose a great challenge to global public health, notably in African countries. During the past several decades, China and African countries have continuously collaborated for the control of neglected tropical diseases and malaria, which has become an important part of global South-to-South cooperation and global health governance. This article reviews the history of China-Africa cooperation for tropical diseases control, summarizes the experiences and achievements over the past decade, analyzes the current challenges in the coopera tion, and proposes future recommendations. The China-Africa cooperation has achieved significant progress in the control of tropical diseases, such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and filariasis, and established a China-Africa cooperation network for tropical diseases control. Through the "Three-Step" strategy of China-Africa cooperation, the effectiveness of China's integrated control strategies has been validated in Africa, and the application of China's tropical disease control technologies has been promoted in African disease-epidemic countries. Currently, China-Africa collaboration, however, still experiences multiple realistic challenges, such as insufficient resources, difficulty in technology transfer, and weak primary healthcare systems. In the future, both sides are recommended to further strengthen policy coordination, deepen technological cooperation, innovate cooperation models, aiming to continuously promote the high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation for tropical diseases control.

Objective To investigate the impact of red blood cell suspension infusion across various perioperative periods on patients with valvular heart disease. Methods The patients with valvular heart disease admitted to Tianjin Chest Hospital from 2018 to 2020 were selected. Based on the timing of perioperative red cell suspension infusion, patients were categorized into three groups: a group 1 receiving intraoperative red cell suspension infusion, a group 2 receiving red cell suspension infusion within 24 hours after entering the ICU, and a group 3 receiving red cell suspension infusion at both time points. The laboratory results, perioperative blood component infusion volume, and other relevant parameters were retrospectively analyzed. After propensity score matching, the differences in different variables among the three groups were compared. Results After propensity score matching, 102 patients were enrolled, including 52 males and 50 females, with an average age of (61.74±10.58) years. There were 34 patients in each group. The preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) value of the group 2 was significantly higher than that of the group 1 and the group 3, and the amount of red cell suspension and autoblood transfusion was the lowest (P<0.05). Group 1 had the highest postoperative Hb, as well as the highest Hb and hematocrit (HCT) levels within 24 hours post-surgery (P<0.05). The group 1 had the lowest plasma, platelet and cryoprecipitate infusion volumes, and the shortest cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative ICU stay and hospital stay, and the least blood loss and total drainage volume (P<0.05). The difference between postoperative and preoperative Hb (△Hb1) was highest in group 1 (P<0.05). Conclusion For patients with valvular heart disease, intraoperative-only infusion of red blood cell suspension is associated with a better prognosis at discharge and during follow-up.

Objective To investigate the protective effects and mechanism of Shuilian Fengkui Formula(SFF)of Yao medicine on sequelae pelvic inflammatory disease(SPID)in rats.Methods The SPID rat model was established by mechanical injury coupled with bacterial infection,and then the rats were randomly divided into:the SPID group,the positive drug(Fukeqianjin tablets)group,SFF groups at low,medium and high doses,and the sham-operation group,with 8 rats in each group;SPID group,SFF groups,TLR4 agonist CRX-527(CRX-527)group,SFF plus CRX-527 group,with 8 rats in each group.Corresponding drug intervention was given for 21 consecutive days.The indexes of uterus,spleen,thymus and other organs were calculated.The histopathological changes in rat uterus were observed by HE staining.The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),immunoglobulin G(IgG),immunoglobulin M(IgM)in serum were detected by ELISA;The protein expression levels of Toll receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor(MyD88),nuclear factor kappa B p65(NF-κB p65),and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B p65(p-NF-κB p65)in rat uterine tissues were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the uterine index of SPID group significantly increased(P<0.01),the spleen index and thymus index significantly decreased(P<0.01),the pathological damage of uterine tissue was serious,the contents of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α in serum significantly increased(P<0.01),the contents of IgG and IgM significantly decreased(P<0.01),the TLR4,MyD88 protein and the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein in uterine tissue significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the SPID group,the uterine index of the positive drug group and the SFF groups significantly decreased(P<0.05),the spleen index and thymus index significantly increased(P<0.05),the pathological damage of uterine tissue significantly improved,the contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were significantly lowered(P<0.05),the contents of IgG and IgM significantly increased(P<0.05),and the TLR4,MyD88 protein and the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein in uterine tissue significantly downregulated(P<0.01).However,CRX-527 significantly reversed the effects of SFF on SPID in rats.Conclusion SFF could improve SPID in rats by impeding the inflammatory response,and its mechanism might be attributed to inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the differences in demographic characteristics,reproductive health status,and the distribution of pregnancy-related diseases between couples conceived via assisted reproductive technology(ART)and naturally conceived couples,and to analyze the impact of ART treatment on the incidence of preterm birth(PTB)in singleton and twin and multiple pregnancies.Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the maternal and infant cohort data of Jing'an District from 2013 to 2020.Based on the conception method,the subjects were categorized into two groups:the ART group and the natural conception group.Chi-square test was applied to compare baseline characteristics and disease distributions differences between the two groups,and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between ART and the PTB risks.A causal mediation model was used to evaluate the mediating effect of twin and multiple pregnancy in the relationship between ART and PTB.Results A total of 117 717 parturients were included,6 265 in the ART group and 111 452 in the natural conception group.Compared with the natural conception group,couples in the ART group were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of reproductive system diseases.The incidences of diabetes and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy in ART parturient were 13.76%and 9.99%,respectively,which were significantly higher than 7.88%and 4.75%in the natural conception group(both P<0.001).The overall PTB rate in the ART group was 14.81%,higher than 5.35%in the natural conceptions group(P<0.001).The PTB rate in ART for singleton pregnancies in the ART group was 6.40%,higher than 4.83%in the natural conception group(P<0.001),while the PTB rate in ART for twin and multiple pregnancies in the ART group was 53.97%,lower than 60.42%in the natural conception group(P<0.05).Mediation analysis showed that 97.99%of the effect of ART on PTB was mediated by twin and multiple pregnancy,with ART increasing the PTB risk by 3.44 times through multiple pregnancy.Conclusion The overall PTB rate of ART recipients is higher than that of natural recipients,but ART does not increase the PTB risk in singleton and twin and multiple pregnancies.Twin and multiple pregnancy is the key mediating factor contributing to PTB in ART-conceived recipients.Compared with naturally conceived couples,ART conception couples own more advanced maternal age,and have higher risks of suffering gestational diabetes,gestational hypertension,and PTB.

Objective To explore the correlation between the proximal angle of carotid atherosclerotic plaques and neovascularization scores,and their clinical application value in predicting recurrent cerebral infarction.Methods A total of 88 patients who underwent carotid plaque ultrasound examination in our hospital were selected.According to CT/MRI results,patients were divided into the non-cerebral infarction group(45 cases)and the cerebral infarction group(43 cases).Conventional ultrasound examination was performed followed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound.Plaque length,thickness and proximal angle were measured,and the neovascularization score of the proximal end was evaluated using contrast-enhanced ultrasound,and the results were compared and analyzed.Results In the cerebral infarction group,plaque thickness,proximal angle,and neovascularization score were significantly higher than those in the non-cerebral infarction group(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in plaque length.The proportion of plaques with a proximal neovascularization score of 2 or 3 was higher in the cerebral infarction group than those of the non-cerebral infarction group(79.1%vs.24.4%,P＜0.01).A positive correlation was found between the proximal angle and neovascularization score in all patients(rs=0.374,P＜0.01).There was no significant difference between the area under the ROC curve for neovascularization score in predicting recurrent cerebral infarction and the proximal angle(P＞0.05).The optimal cutoff value of the proximal angle was 18.8,and the sensitivity and the specificity for predicting recurrent cerebral infarction were 93.0%and 62.2%.In the cerebral infarction group,seven patients(16.3%)had recurrent infarction within one year,and these patients had higher proximal neovascularization scores,with angles greater than 18.8°.Conclusion There is a strong correlation between proximal angle of carotid plaques and neovascularization score,which has a positive predictive role in the recurrence of cerebral infarction,providing a reliable auxiliary diagnostic basis for clinical practice.

Objective To explore the correlation between the proximal angle of carotid atherosclerotic plaques and neovascularization scores,and their clinical application value in predicting recurrent cerebral infarction.Methods A total of 88 patients who underwent carotid plaque ultrasound examination in our hospital were selected.According to CT/MRI results,patients were divided into the non-cerebral infarction group(45 cases)and the cerebral infarction group(43 cases).Conventional ultrasound examination was performed followed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound.Plaque length,thickness and proximal angle were measured,and the neovascularization score of the proximal end was evaluated using contrast-enhanced ultrasound,and the results were compared and analyzed.Results In the cerebral infarction group,plaque thickness,proximal angle,and neovascularization score were significantly higher than those in the non-cerebral infarction group(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in plaque length.The proportion of plaques with a proximal neovascularization score of 2 or 3 was higher in the cerebral infarction group than those of the non-cerebral infarction group(79.1%vs.24.4%,P＜0.01).A positive correlation was found between the proximal angle and neovascularization score in all patients(rs=0.374,P＜0.01).There was no significant difference between the area under the ROC curve for neovascularization score in predicting recurrent cerebral infarction and the proximal angle(P＞0.05).The optimal cutoff value of the proximal angle was 18.8,and the sensitivity and the specificity for predicting recurrent cerebral infarction were 93.0%and 62.2%.In the cerebral infarction group,seven patients(16.3%)had recurrent infarction within one year,and these patients had higher proximal neovascularization scores,with angles greater than 18.8°.Conclusion There is a strong correlation between proximal angle of carotid plaques and neovascularization score,which has a positive predictive role in the recurrence of cerebral infarction,providing a reliable auxiliary diagnostic basis for clinical practice.

Hypokalemia,a common clinical electrolyte disorder,can affect multiple systems and can be life-threatening in severe cases.Identifying the cause of hypokalemia is crucial for its prevention and treatment.However,the etiology of hypokalemia is complex and often requires detailed differential diagnosis.This article reports a rare clinical case of hypokalemia caused by long-term excessive consumption of strong tea and discusses its pathogenesis.The aim is to raise clinical awareness and understanding of the etiology of such cases of hypokalemia and reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.

Purpose To explore the effect of Calumenin(CALU)on migration and invasion ability of gastric cancer cells,as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Methods The immunohistochemical experiments and Western blot were applied to evaluate the protein level of CALU in gastric cancer.After constructing a gastric canc-er cell line with low expression of CALU,CCK8 assay,wound-healing analysis and Transwell migration and invasion assays were performed to determine cell proliferation,Migration and invasion ability.Western blot was performed to an-alyse the effect of CALU knockdown on EMT molecules.Results CALU expression was significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues compared to normal gastric tissues(P＜0.05),and high CALU expression was significantly associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05).Compared with GES-1 cells,the protein expression of CALU upregulated in gastric cancer cells(P＜0.05).CALU knockdown suppressed the proliferation,migration,invasion of BGC823 cells and SGC7901 cells(P＜0.05).Rescue experimental evidence showed that synonymous mutations of CALU could reverse the inhibitory effect of CALU knockdown on the proliferation,migration,and invasion ability of gastric cancer cells(P＜0.05).Knockdown of CALU resulted in the downregulation of vimentin and Snail expression,while E-cadherin and β-catenin expression were upregulated in human gastric cancer cells(P＜0.05).Conclusion CALU knockdown inhibits the proliferation,migration,invasion,and EMT of human gastric cancer cells.

Objective To explore the relationship between epstein-barr viral(EBV)load and T lymphocyte subsets distribution in peripheral blood of children with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)and its synergistic effect on liver injury.Methods A total of 212 children with SLE admitted to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Children's Hospital from October 2021 to September 2023 were selected as the study subjects.The SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI)score was divided into active group(n=58)and inactive group(n=154).The clinical data and laboratory indexes of the two groups were compared.The curve relationship between EBV load and T lymphocytes was analyzed by local weighted scatterplot smoothing(LOWESS)method.According to the occurrence of liver injury,212 children with SLE were divided into two groups(n=166)without liver injury and(n=46)with liver injury.The clinical data of the two groups were compared.Multifactor Logistics regression analysis was used to screen the influencing factors of liver injury in SLE children.Restricted cubic spline(RCS)model was used to analyze the relationship between EBV load,T lymphocytes and liver injury.The unconditioned Logistic regression model was used to analyze the interaction between EBV load and T lymphocytes on liver injury.Results Compared with the inactive group,the active group had younger age(t=9.265),higher hormone dosage(t=2.369),decreased ALB,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+levels(t=4.870,3.463,5.820),and increased EBV load,CD3+,CD8+levels(t=40.830,12.719,5.048),and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).LOWESS analysis showed that EBV load had a nonlinear relationship with CD3+,CD4+,CD8+and CD4+/CD8+.The proportion of children with liver injury who had a disease course of≤3 months,EBV load,CD3+and CD8+levels,and the proportion of active children were lower than those without liver injury(t/χ2=10.749～30.378);the levels of ALB,CD4+and CD4+/CD8+indexes were higher than those without live injury(t=13.561,3.117,13.204),and the differences were statistically significantly(all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that disease duration≤3 months,EBV load,CD3+,ALB,CD4+/CD8+and active SLE were influential factors for liver injury in SLE children(Wald χ2=1.020～1.932,all P<0.05).The results of RCS model analysis showed that EBV load,CD3+and CD8+were positively correlated with liver injury in SLE children,and CD4+,CD4+/CD8+were negatively correlated with liver injury in SLE children.Interaction analysis results showed that EBV load≥450 IU/ml had a multiplicative and additive interaction with CD3+≥60%,CD4+<30%,CD8+≥37%and CD4+/CD8+<0.94,and the risk of liver injury in SLE children was higher when the two factors co-existed.Conclusion There is a nonlinear relationship between EBV load in peripheral blood of SLE children and CD3+,CD4+,CD8+and CD4+/CD8+.Peripheral blood EBV load and abnormal expression of CD3+,CD4+,CD8+and CD4+/CD8+are all factors affecting liver injury in children with SLE,and there is a multiplicative and additive interaction between the above factors.

Totally 45 in vitro diagnostic(IVD)reagent manufacturing enterprises were investigated in terms of the use and quality control of nitrocellulose(NC)membranes.The influences of the NC membrane performance indexes on IVD reagent quality were analyzed,including the within-run stability,crawling speed,protein absorption and pore size.The defficiencies of the enterprises were pointed out in the acceptance standard of NC membrane,and some suggestions were put forward including enhancing the performance of domestic NC membrane,improving the acceptance standard,optimizing NC membrane supply chain management by the enterprises and strengthening the internal management of the enterprises.References were provided for the development of IVD industries.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(7):75-80]