Objective To systematically analyze the disease burden, long-term trends, and age-sex distribution of major valvular heart disease (VHD) subtypes—rheumatic heart disease (RHD), non-rheumatic valvular disease (NRVD), and non-rheumatic calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD)—in global, Chinese, and US populations from 1990 to 2021, providing evidence for public health strategies and clinical resource allocation. Methods Based on publicly available data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021, we extracted incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for VHD from 1990 to 2021. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) were calculated using the GBD 2021 global standard population, and the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) with its 95% uncertainty interval (UI) was computed for the period. Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/Eurostat surveys, and Chinese national registries were used for trend triangulation and contextual background. Results From 1990 to 2021, the ASR and disease burden of RHD significantly decreased globally and in China (EAPC for DALYs in China: −4.8%, 95%UI: −5.0% to −4.6%). In contrast, the burden of NRVD and CAVD steadily increased in aging populations like those in China and the US, with a higher burden observed in older adults and males. In 2021, the incidence of NRVD and CAVD peaked in individuals aged ≥65 years, with rates being significantly higher in men than in women. RHD burden was concentrated in low socio-demographic index (SDI) regions, whereas NRVD/CAVD burden was strongly associated with high-SDI regions. Conclusion The global VHD epidemiological landscape is transitioning from an RHD-dominant to an NRVD/CAVD-dominant pattern. China faces a dual challenge of a residual RHD burden and a rapidly growing burden of degenerative valvular diseases. Developing tailored screening, prevention, and treatment strategies for different disease subtypes and populations is crucial.

Objective To explore the value of combined ultrasound parameters, including the hepatorenal index (HRI) and renal resistance index (RRI), with cystatin C (CysC) in monitoring early acute kidney injury (AKI) after liver transplantation. Methods Perioperative data from 121 liver transplant recipients who received organs from donation after brain death were collected. The HRI and RRI of the recipients were measured on postoperative days 1-7 and at 1 month, and the CysC levels were measured on postoperative day 1. The recipients were divided into the AKI group (n=53) and the non-AKI group (n=68) based on whether AKI occurred within 7 days after operation. The data of the two groups were compared, and the ultrasound parameters before and after recovery in the AKI group were analyzed. The value of combined HRI, RRI and CysC in monitoring AKI was also analyzed. Results AKI occurred in 53 recipients, with an incidence rate of 43.8%, including 30 cases of stage 1, 18 cases of stage 2, and 5 cases of stage 3. Among them, 49 cases occurred on postoperative day 1, and 4 cases occurred on postoperative day 2. Of these, 43 cases recovered within 7 days after surgery, 8 cases recovered within 2 months after surgery, 1 case was lost to follow-up, and 1 case received renal replacement therapy. The body mass index and preoperative CysC levels were higher in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group, and the operative time was longer in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group (all P < 0.05). The HRI on postoperative day 1 was lower in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group, while the RRI and CysC levels were higher (all P < 0.05). When AKI occurred, the HRI was lower than the baseline level, and the RRI was higher than the baseline level. As AKI recovered, the HRI gradually increased, and the RRI gradually decreased. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of HRI ≤ 1.12 for predicting AKI were 0.623 and 0.878, respectively, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.801. The sensitivity and specificity of RRI ≥ 0.65 for predicting AKI were 0.878 and 0.676, respectively, with an AUC of 0.825. The sensitivity and specificity of CysC ≥ 1.38 mg/L for predicting AKI were 0.736 and 0.882, respectively, with an AUC of 0.851 (all P<0.01). The combination of HRI and CysC (AUC=0.897, P<0.01), RRI and CysC (AUC=0.910, P<0.01), and all three parameters combined (AUC=0.934, P<0.01) were more effective than using each parameter alone. Conclusions HRI and RRI may be used to monitor the occurrence and recovery of early AKI after liver transplantation. The combination of these two parameters with CysC has a high application value in monitoring early AKI after liver transplantation.

Objective:To establish a protocol for virus isolation using the mixed method, and evaluate the efficacy of the suspended method and the mixed method in isolating herpes simplex virus (HSV).Methods:Simulated HSV-infected clinical samples were prepared using HSV-1 F strain and CDC-P1 strain. Both the suspended method and the mixed method were used to isolate HSV-1 from these samples. The virus isolation efficiency of the mixed method under various conditions was assessed. These conditions included different multiplicity of infection (MOI), cell seeding densities, and virus adsorption times.The 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID 50) assay was used for the assessment. The positive rates of virus detection under low viral load conditions were compared between the two methods. Results:Under the conditions of a MOI of 0.005, a virus adsorption time of 15 min, and a cell seeding density of 1×10 6 cell/ml, the mixed method achieved effective isolation of HSV-1. When the virus titer of the sample was 100 TCID 50/ml, the positivity rate of the mixed method reached 100.0%, while the positivity rates of the suspended method were 50.7% (38/75) and 52.0% (39/75) after cultured for 72 h and 96 h, respectively. When the virus titer of the sample was 10 TCID 50/ml, the positivity rate of the mixed method was 100.0%, while the positivity rate of the suspension method was 0. Conclusions:The mixed method exhibits significantly higher efficiency in HSV isolation compared with the suspended method. Under the conditions of high viral load, both the suspended method and the mixed method can be effective in isolating HSV-1. For clinical samples with low viral loads, the mixed method has greater applicability.

In response to the demand for portable and rapid measurement in normalized nutritional metabolism monitoring,a low-power and multifunctional measurement method and system scheme based on indirect calorimetry is proposed. Firstly,a combination of Kalman and the 5th order Bessel filtering algorithm is used to preprocess the real-time data of oxygen,carbon dioxide,flow rate and electrocardiogram,and the cumulative amount of gas per unit time is obtained. Secondly,a rapid nutrient metabolism measurement method that considers resting analyses of electrocardiogram and respiratory waves is designed,and a calculation model for energy metabolism parameters is constructed. Then,a dedicated collection and analysis circuit system is developed to transmit data to the upper computer or cloud through wireless networks,achieving intelligent and networked design. Finally,the resting state of the subjects is determined by analyzing electrocardiogram and respiratory parameters,and the test of monitoring nutrient metabolism is completed. The results show that the system can effectively detect metabolism related physiological signals with high precision,and achieve accurate measurement of human fat and sugar consumptions on metabolism,providing an effective means for measuring human metabolic energy.

Objective To investigate the correlation between triglyceride(TG)and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)ratios and cerebral infarct(CI)in people aged 45-60 years,and to analyze the difference of this correlation between genders.Methods In this study,patients were divided into CI without type 2diabetes(T2DM)group(CI-NG group,HbA1c＜5.9％)and CI with T2DM group(CI-T2DM group,HbA1c ≥6.5％),and TG/HDL-C was divided into tertiles(T1＜1.08,1.08≤T2＜1.72,T3≥1.72),and the relationship between TG/HDL-C and CI was analyzed by binary Logistic regression using T1 as a reference,and strati-fied according to sex for discussion.Results Among 1495subjects,423(28.29％)patients were in the CI-T2DM group.Binary Logis-tic regression showed a significant correlation between TG/HDL-C and CI-T2DM patients(P＜0.001),and this correlation was 1.207 times higher than that of CI-NG patients(OR=1.207).Correction for confounders revealed that this correlation was enhanced(OR=1.317),with the highest tertile of TG/HDL-C correlating 3.277 times more than that of CI-T2DM patients(OR=3.277).Stratifica-tion according to gender showed that TG/HDL-C was significantly correlated with CI-T2DM patients of different genders(P＜0.001),but more significantly in female patients(OR=2.000)than in male patients(OR=1.224).The highest tertile of TG/HDL-C in women was 5.598 times more correlated with CI-T2DM patients than the lowest tertile(OR=5.598).Conclusion In people aged 45 to 60 years,the correlation between TG/HDL-C and CI-T2DM patients was more significant compared with CI-NG patients and was positively correlated and was more pronounced in female patients.

Objective:To investigate the dynamic changes of cellular miRNA expression profiles in EBV latently infected Raji cells upon reactivation with Phorbol ester (TPA).Methods:Total RNA was extracted using TRIzol reagent from Raji cells treated with TPA at different time points (0 h, 24 h, 48 h). Small RNA libraries were constructed and sequenced on an Illumina SE50 platform. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, and their target genes were predicted and functionally annotated. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were carried out through online tools. Additionally, miRanda and RNAhybrid software were used to predict cellular miRNAs targeting the EBV genome. Real-time RT-qPCR was employed to validate the expression levels of differentially expressed novel miRNAs.Results:High-throughput sequencing identified 1 301 celluar miRNAs, comprising 1 189 known and 112 novel miRNAs. A total of 264 known differentially expressed cellular miRNAs and 13 novel miRNAs were identified through high-throughput miRNA sequencing. Secondary structure prediction revealed that the novel miRNAs exhibited typical pre-miRNA hairpin structures. Stem-loop quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) validation of Novel_miR_183 and Novel_miR_242 did not exhibit a statistically significant difference ( F=1.407, P=0.370 7 for Novel_miR_183; F=1.277, P=0.397 0 for Novel_miR_242) between the TPA-stimulated and untreated groups. Target gene prediction analysis revealed that the differentially expressed cellular miRNAs were involved in various important biological processes and signaling pathways. Furthermore, 1 189 known cellular miRNAs and 108 novel miRNAs were predicted to target the EBV genome. Conclusions:Treatment of Raji cells with TPA stimulation successfully reactivated Raji cells and significantly altered their miRNA expression patterns. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, suggesting that these miRNAs probably play crucial roles in regulating EBV infection and replication by directly targeting the EBV genome.

Objective:To investigate the effect of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor (Nrf2) overexpression on high-risk human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6 protein.Methods:The pRK5-FLAG-NFE2L2 plasmid was constructed, and pRK5-FLAG-NFE2L2 and pRK5-HA-HPV16E6 plasmids were co-transfected in HEK293T cells, and the expression of the two proteins was detected by Western blotting (WB). Next, pRK5-HA-HPV16E6 and pRK5-FLAG-Nrf2 plasmids were expressed using an in vitro transcription system to observe the expression of both. Finally, pEGFP-HPV16E6 and pLVX-mCherry-Nrf2 plasmids were co-transfected in HEK293T cells, and the cellular localization of the E6 protein and the Nrf2 protein was observed using fluorescence microscopy.Results:Nrf2 protein was successfully overexpressed in HEK293T cells, and the WB result showed that Nrf2 inhibited HPV16 E6 protein expression in a significant dose-dependent manner. The expression of HPV16 E6 protein in the TNT Quick Coupled Transcription/Translation Systems was affected by Nrf2, while the expression of HPV16 E6 in TnT SP6 High-Yield Wheat Germ Protein Expression System was no longer inhibited by Nrf2. Fluorescence imaging further showed no intracellular co-localization of Nrf2 and HPV16 E6.Conclusions:Overexpression of the nuclear transcription factor Nrf2 reduces HPV16 E6 protein expression, but there is no intracellular co-localization of them.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trend of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) in China from 2015 to 2022, and to provide evidence for the adjustment of prevention and control strategies and measures for AHC.Methods:The case data of AHC reported by national notifiable disease information system from 2015 to 2022 were collected, and descriptive analysis method were used to analyze the population distribution characteristics, temporal epidemiological trends and spatial clusters of AHC in China.Results:From 2015 to 2022, the incidence of AHC in China ranged from 1.85/100 000 to 2.97/100 000, with a fluctuating downward trend. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was -4.91 (95% CI: -7.74 to -2.00, P<0.05), with an annual percent change (APC) of 2.73 (95% CI: -2.34 to 8.06, P=0.189) for 2015—2019 and an APC of -14.23 (95% CI: -21.78 to -5.94, P<0.05). The age-specific incidence rate was highest in children aged 0-4 years (fluctuating between 4.69 and 5.67/100 000 from 2015 to 2019; It decreased significantly during 2020—2022, fluctuating between 1.93 and 2.72 per 100 000).The proportion of cases in children at 0-4 years of age showed a fluctuating downward trend from 8.68% in 2015 to 3.76% in 2020, with an increase in 2021—2022 to 5.74%. After 2020, the proportion of the population aged 60 years and above has increased, reaching 33.59% in 2022. Cases were mainly farmers, with a fluctuating upward trend of around 50% per year, with the highest percentage of 60.96% in 2020. The peak seasonal incidence of AHC was obvious from May to September from 2015 to 2019, but it was not obvious in 2020—2022. The cases were mainly distributed in Guangxi, Hainan and other provinces in the southwestern part of China. The high incidence counties were concentrated in Leye County of Guangxi, Maojian District of Hubei, Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County of Guangxi, Funing County of Yunnan, and Pulan County of Tibet every year. Conclusions:The overall epidemic rate of AHC in China showed a fluctuating downward trend from 2015 to 2022, with a pronounced decline observed between 2020 and 2022, potentially linked to non-pharmaceutical interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased attention needs to be given to farmers and people above 60 years of age to reduce the risk of morbidity. Moreover, prevention and control efforts should be strengthened in high-risk areas of southwestern China, and comprehensive measures should be implemented in counties with high incidence, including enhanced health education campaigns and improved allocation of sanitary facilities, to reduce the risk of AHC infection. This study is the first to highlight the potential impact of public health policies on AHC epidemiology, thereby offering a scientific foundation for population- and region-specific precision prevention strategies, particularly guiding the refinement of control measures in high-burden areas.

Objective:To investigate how age and nail-tract volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) are associated with postoperative mechanical performance of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA-Ⅱ) fixation for geriatric intertrochanteric fractures using a finite-element analysis.Methods:Fifteen elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of the femur were selected for this study. They were 11 females and 4 males and divided into 5 groups based on their ages ( n=3): 55-year-old, 65-year-old, 75-year-old, 85-year-old, and 95-year-old groups. After three-dimensional models of the proximal femur were constructed using the preoperative CT data of their healthy contralateral hip, 31-A1.2 fractures of the AO/OTA type were created and PFNA-Ⅱ fixations simulated. Two loading schemes were created: graded quasi-static axial loads (700 N, 1,400 N, 2,100 N, and 2,800 N) were applied to compute equivalent plastic strain volumes in the femoral head region; displacement-controlled loading was applied to failure to derive load-displacement curves for stiffness and the maximum failure load. Nail-tract vBMD and regional hip vBMDs were measured by quantitative CT. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the associations of age and nail-tract vBMD with the aforementioned mechanical indicators. Results:Under the same load, compared with the 55-year-old, 65-year-old, and 75-year-old groups, the plastic strain unit volumes of the fracture models in the 85-year-old and 95-year-old groups increased significantly. Under a load of 700 N, no plastic strain was observed in the fracture models in the 55-year-old, 65-year-old, and 75-year-old groups, while an average plastic strain of approximately 50 mm 3 was observed in the fracture models in the 85-year-old group. Under a load of 2,800 N, the high strain areas in the fracture models in the 85-year-old and 95-year-old groups were mainly concentrated at the tip of the head nail and the junction between the head nail and the main nail. Load-displacement curves showed a marked reduction in the failure load in patients aged ≥85 years. Under loads of 1,400 N, 2,100 N, and 2,800 N, there was a strong association between the nail-tract vBMD and the volume of the plastic strain unit ( r=-0.82, -0.88, -0.89, respectively), which was stronger than those for total-hip vBMD. Conclusions:Finite-element analysis indicates that age and nail-tract vBMD are closely related to local plastic strain and overall stiffness of the proximal femur after PFNA-Ⅱ fixation for the geriatric intertrochanteric fractures. Patients aged ≥85 years old are more prone to plastic yielding, which compromises fixation stability.

Peri-implant keratinized mucosa (PIKM) augmentation refers to surgical procedures aimed at increasing the width of PIKM. Consensus reports emphasize the necessity of maintaining a minimum width of PIKM to ensure long-term peri-implant health. Currently, several surgical techniques have been validated for their effectiveness in increasing PIKM. However, the selection and application of PIKM augmentation methods may present challenges for dental practitioners due to heterogeneity in surgical techniques, variations in clinical scenarios, and anatomical differences. Therefore, clear guidelines and considerations for PIKM augmentation are needed. This expert consensus focuses on the commonly employed surgical techniques for PIKM augmentation and the factors influencing their selection at second-stage surgery. It aims to establish a standardized framework for assessing, planning, and executing PIKM augmentation procedures, with the goal of offering evidence-based guidance to enhance the predictability and success of PIKM augmentation.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Implants ; Mouth Mucosa/surgery* ; Keratins