ObjectiveTo evaluate the detection specificity for clinical samples and the detection capability for standard substances of five commercially available multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid detection kits (hereinafter referred to as the kits) for respiratory pathogens, and to provide a reference for selecting appropriate detection kits for multi-pathogen nucleic acid testing of respiratory infections. MethodsA total of 60 respiratory pathogen-positive clinical samples with known redults were selected and tested using the five kits (labeled as A, B, C, D, and E). The detection rates and Kappa coefficients were calculated to evaluate the consistency between the results from these kits and those from single-pathogen PCR kits. According to the limit of detection (LOD) provided by the kits, standard substances of respiratory pathogens (including 12 types such as influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis) were diluted to four concentrations (250, 500, 1 000, and 2 000 copies·mL⁻¹). All five kits were used for detection to evaluate their respective detection capabilities. ResultsCompared with the results from single-pathogen PCR kits, the five tested kits demonstrated good consistency (all Kappa >0.80). Among them, Kit A had the highest detection rate (100.00%), followed by Kits C and E (98.33%), and then Kits B and D (95.00%). All five kits showed a relatively low false negative rate (FNR) for samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) value ≤35 (≤2.38%). However, for samples with Ct values>35, the FNR increased accordingly(average FNR=6.67%, P=0.029). Kit C exhibited the highest detection sensitivity for the tested standard substances (average LOD: 458.33 copies·mL⁻¹), followed by Kit D, then Kits A/E, and finally Kit B. ConclusionThe five multiplex PCR kits showed good consistency with single-pathogen detection results, but each had its own performance emphasis. Kit A, with the highest detection rate and high throughput, is suitable for targeted viral screening. Kit B, covering the broadest pathogen spectrum (including fungi/bacteria), is suitable for comprehensive respiratory pathogen screening. Kits C, D and E, are applicable for rapid detection. It is important to note that the detection efficacy of all kits decreases for low viral load samples with Ct values >35. In practical application, selection should be based on specific screening objectives, throughput requirements, and sample types.

Purpose: Our previous study showed that circulating tumor cell (CTC) count combined with gene mutation detection might help differentiate benign and malignant pulmonary nodules (PNs). Herein, we aimed to expand the study cohort and conduct further sequencing analysis. Materials and Methods: Patients with PNs were included, and CTCs were identified before operation. Low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (LC-WGS) and lung cancer-related targeted gene sequencing were performed on CTCs. The diagnostic efficacy was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The differences in CTC counts among subgroups classified by demographic–clinical characteristics were analyzed. LC-WGS–based copy number variation (CNV) analysis and targeted gene mutation analysis were conducted. Results: A total of 172 patients were included. CTC count of 2.5 was identified by the ROC curves as the optimal diagnostic cutoff. The sensitivity and specificity of CTC count for differentiating benign and malignant PNs were 54.2% and 78.6%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of combined CTC count, radiological nodule type, and any malignant imaging features were 84.7% and 71.4%, respectively. The CTC counts were significantly greater in patients with aggressive tumors, later stage, and spread through air spaces. CTCs from malignant cases had more CNVs than those from benign cases. Conclusion CTC count can be used in identifying malignant PNs. The diagnostic efficacy can be improved if combined with computed tomography imaging characteristics. Further CNV analysis might help differential diagnosis. Greater CTC count might suggest more aggressive tumors. CTC detection can provide important information and guidance for subsequent management of PNs.

BACKGROUND:Black phosphorus has a high degree of homology with human bone,so it has been extensively studied in the field of bone tissue engineering in recent years.Since 2014,two-dimensional black phosphorus materials have garned significant attention in the field of biomedicine due to their excellent exceptional physical,chemical,and biological properties. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the advancements made in black phosphorus-based nanomaterials for bone tissue engineering,focus on the synthesis methods,osteogenic characteristics,and applications in biomaterials pertaining to two-dimensional black phosphorus nanomaterials. METHODS:Chinese and English key words were"black phosphorus,bone tissue engineering,bone defect,bone regeneration,osteogenesis."Relevant articles in PubMed and CNKI databases from January 2014 to December 2023 were searched.After exclusion and screening,96 articles were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Black phosphorus nanomaterials play an important role in bone tissue engineering due to their good biocompatibility,biodegradability,photothermal action,antibacterial ability,drug loading performance,and special osteogenic effect,and are ideal candidate materials for promoting bone regeneration.The preparation of black phosphorus nanomaterials is mainly a top-down top-layer stripping method.The main principle is to weaken the van der Waals force between the black phosphorus layers by physical or chemical means to obtain a single or less layer of phosphanse,that is,black phosphorus nanosheets or quantum dots.Black phosphate-based nanocomposites are mainly divided into hydrogels,3D printing scaffolds,composite scaffolds,electrospinning,bionic periosteum,microspheres,and bionic coatings.The research of nano-black phosphorus in bone tissue engineering is in its infancy,and still faces many challenges:the behavior of black phosphorus in vivo and the interaction mechanism with various biomolecules need to be further studied.The long-term potential toxicity of black phosphorus is unknown.The manufacturing process for black phosphorus is difficult to control.Therefore,how to develop uniform size,safe,reliable,and efficient nano black phosphorus and transform it into clinical application requires interdisciplinary research on modern biomedical technology,physicochemical technology,and precision manufacturing technology.

Aim To investigate the effect of Rtv(a P-gp inhibitor and inducer)on the pharmacokinetics of Y101(P-gp substrate)via P-gp.Methods In short-term studies,rats received a single dose of Rtv,where-as in long-term studies they received continuous dosing for seven days.Following this treatment,Y101 was o-rally administered to analyze its blood concentration in rats.Subsequently,the mechanism by which Rtv af-fected Y101 pharmacokinetics was investigated through the everted gut sac model(in vitro),cellular uptake studies,and so on.Results Short-term administra-tion of Rtv significantly increased Y101's AUC,liver-to-plasma partition coefficient,the everted gut sac model(in vitro),and cellular accumulation.Although long-term Rtv treatment had no effect on Y101 pharma-cokinetics or hepatic distribution,it markedly reduced Y101 cellular accumulation in Caco-2 cells,concomi-tant with an upregulation of P-gp expression.Conclu-sions Short-term Rtv administration acts as a compet-itive P-gp inhibitor,enhancing Y101 intestinal absorp-tion and hepatic distribution.In contrast,the plasma pharmacokinetics and hepatic distribution of Y101 are not altered after long-term administration of Rtv,po-tentially attributable to Rtv's dual modulatory effects on P-gp involving both induction and inhibition.Hence,the potential Rtv and Y101 interaction should be close-ly monitored in the clinic.

The scientific research and innovation capabilities of medical students are intrinsically linked to the sustained and high-quality development of national healthcare initiatives.Cultivating outstanding medi-cal students with independent scientific capabilities and innovative consciousness is a critical component in the education and training of high-level medical professionals.Our investigation revealed that within the imperfections of the cultivating model,some faculty and students at medical schools have an insufficient understanding of scientific research and innovation and lack motivation for engaging in such activities,which hinder the progression of scientific research activities.Consequently,we initiated a teaching practice and exploratory study on the"tutorial system"aimed at fostering medical students'scientific research and innovation abilities.Based on the principle of"research informing teaching,teaching and research advan-cing together,"this study implements a"tutorial system"coordinated by tutors,supplemented by graduate and undergraduate student mentors,to cultivate innovative thinking,stimulate interest in scientific re-search,and enhance practical and research skills among medical students.Through collaborative efforts within"scientific research innovation teams,"various educational methods—including preliminary re-search,in-class and extracurricular activities,intra-group and inter-group interactions,and theoretical and practical applications—are employed to improve and strengthen the cultivation of medical students'scientif-ic research and innovation abilities.This study aims to provide valuable references for optimizing medical education management systems and enhancing the quality of medical student training.

Objective To explore the risk factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)in obese children,and evaluate the diagnostic value of each index for NAFLD and establish a Nomogram prediction model.Methods A total of 207 obese children admitted at Department of Pediatrics the Second Hospital of Jiaxing from January 2022 to January 2025 were selected.These children were divided into two groups based on NAFLD diagnosis:non-NAFLD group(n=99)and NAFLD group(n=108).Differences in gender,age,body mass index(BMI),and related metabolic indicators were compared between two groups.Logistic regression was employed to analyze potential risk factors for NAFLD development,while receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and Nomograms were used to evaluate the predictive value of different factors for NAFLD.Results ROC curve analysis demonstrated diagnostic value for NAFLD in triglyceride-glucose index(TyG),triglyceride-to-cholesterol ratio,TyG-waist circumference,and TyG-BMI.Among these,the area under the curve(AUC)of TyG showed the highest value of 0.713,with an optimal cutoff of 8.189,sensitivity of 50.5％and specificity of 83.3％.Univariate Logistic regression analysis revealed multiple insulin resistance indicators associated with NAFLD development.Multivariate analysis identified homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)and TyG as independent risk factors,with TyG showing the best predictive value(OR=3.038 95％CI:1.089-8.475,P＜0.05).The constructed Nomogram prediction model demonstrated strong comprehensive discriminant capability(AUC=0.742).Conclusion The Nomogram model based on HOMA-IR,TyG and its derived indexes has certain clinical application value in the screening of NAFLD in children.

The scientific research and innovation capabilities of medical students are intrinsically linked to the sustained and high-quality development of national healthcare initiatives.Cultivating outstanding medi-cal students with independent scientific capabilities and innovative consciousness is a critical component in the education and training of high-level medical professionals.Our investigation revealed that within the imperfections of the cultivating model,some faculty and students at medical schools have an insufficient understanding of scientific research and innovation and lack motivation for engaging in such activities,which hinder the progression of scientific research activities.Consequently,we initiated a teaching practice and exploratory study on the"tutorial system"aimed at fostering medical students'scientific research and innovation abilities.Based on the principle of"research informing teaching,teaching and research advan-cing together,"this study implements a"tutorial system"coordinated by tutors,supplemented by graduate and undergraduate student mentors,to cultivate innovative thinking,stimulate interest in scientific re-search,and enhance practical and research skills among medical students.Through collaborative efforts within"scientific research innovation teams,"various educational methods—including preliminary re-search,in-class and extracurricular activities,intra-group and inter-group interactions,and theoretical and practical applications—are employed to improve and strengthen the cultivation of medical students'scientif-ic research and innovation abilities.This study aims to provide valuable references for optimizing medical education management systems and enhancing the quality of medical student training.

Aging is comprehensively influenced by multiple fac-tors such as internal genes,cellular metabolism,external envi-ronment,and lifestyle habits.Among them,epigenetic regula-tion plays a core role.Epigenetic modifications,including DNA methylation,histone modification,heterochromatin remodeling,and non-coding RNA regulation,act in concert with the three-di-mensional genome architecture to precisely regulate gene expres-sion.This review elaborates on the factors influencing epigenetic regulation,as well as the mechanisms of how epigenetics affects the occurrence of organismal aging and the corresponding inter-vention strategies,providing relevant insights for uncovering the mechanisms of aging and preventing/treating aging-related disea-ses.

BACKGROUND:Related studies have shown that bone density,postoperative infection,adjacent vertebral fracture,and lumbar fascial edema may be risk factors for lingering pain after vertebroplasty.OBJECTIVE:To scrutinize the risk factors for lumbar fascia edema in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures patients and investigate its influence on lingering pain after vertebroplasty.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 204 osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures patients who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty at the Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University from February to October 2022.Patients were categorized based on MRI findings into two groups:without lumbar fascia edema(84 cases)and with lumbar fascia edema(120 cases).Preoperative data,encompassing age,gender,height,weight,body mass index,bone density,serum total protein,serum albumin,inflammatory markers(C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate),degree of fracture compression,presence of prior compression fractures,fracture count,lumbar instability,and Japanese senile independence score were gathered.Postoperative follow-up recorded data such as the number of new vertebral fractures and visual analog scale scores were recorded.Logistic regression method was used to analyze the risk factors of lumbar fascial edema,and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine whether the risk factors had relevant diagnostic significance.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Age,prior vertebral compression fractures,Japanese senile independence score score,and lumbar instability presence emerged as autonomous risk factors for lumbar fascia edema in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures patients,with corresponding odds ratios of 2.76,1.70,2.56,and 4.74,respectively.(2)Employing a visual analog scale score of 4 at 1 month postoperatively to distinguish residual pain revealed 31 cases with residual pain in the lumbar fascia edema group,in contrast to only 8 cases in the non-fascia edema group(P＜0.01).(3)The fascia edema group exhibited a significantly higher visual analog scale score at 1 month postoperatively(2.12±1.35)compared to the group without fascia edema(1.67±1.08)(P＜0.01).(4)It is indicated that age,Japanese senile independence score,prior compression fractures,and lumbar instability presence independently contribute to lumbar fascia edema in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures patients.Lumbar fascia edema emerges as a determinant of persistent pain in the lumbar region following percutaneous vertebroplasty in these patients.

BACKGROUND:Ankle inversion injuries frequently occur during landing,injuring the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments.Previous studies usually used indirect indicators,such as inversion angle,as an injury risk indicator,but epidemiological support is lacking.OBJECTIVE:To calculate anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligament strains using a three-dimensional multi-body foot model during a drop-landing and to investigate whether increasing the foot toe-out angle for landing would reduce the risk of inversion sprains.METHODS:Thirty-five participants with high sports demands[15 males and 20 females,age:(21.0±0.9)years,height:(176.2±8.8)cm,body mass:(71.6±12.8)kg]were recruited to perform a drop-landing test using a trapdoor device to simulate ankle inversion sprains.Two landing conditions were tested,i.e.,natural landing and toe-out landing.Kinematic data were collected using a 12-camera motion analysis system,the strains of the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments were calculated using a three-dimensional rigid-body foot model.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:From natural landing to toe-out landing conditions,the anterior talofibular ligament strain decreased[natural landing=(3.57±1.92)％,toe-out landing=(0.36±1.18)％,P＜0.001,Cohen's d=2.01),as was the calcaneofibular ligament strain[natural landing=(1.38±1.80)％,toe-out landing=(0.28±2.29)％,P=0.003,Cohen's d=0.81).It could be concluded that increasing foot toe-out angle reduces anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligament strains during drop-landing with ankle inversion,thereby reducing the potential of ankle inversion sprains.