Objective To compare the epidemic characteristics of seasonal influenza in Xicheng District, Beijing, between 2018-2019 and 2023-2024. Methods The present study was a cross-sectional study. The influenza cases and etiological surveillance data of Xicheng District, Beijing in 2018-2019 and 2023-2024, respectively, were analyzed to study the differences in the incidence rate of influenza cases in different ages, regions, occupations, and etiological detection results during the four years. Results There were significant differences in the incidence rates of influenza (χ²=37 038.65，P＜0.05) and the interval between visits (Z=468.692, P < 0.05) in 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2024. There were statistically significant differences in the incidence rates of influenza among different age groups, streets, and occupations during the four years (Z=75.646, 209.276, 72.132, 361.176, 43.570, all P < 0.05). Compared with 2018-2019, the growth rate of influenza in Xicheng District, Beijing in 2023-2024 was the highest in the 15-24 year-old group, Tianqiao Street, and housework and unemployed people. The difference in the interval between influenza visits among people of different age groups during these 4 years was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The growth rate of the interval between influenza visits in Xicheng District, Beijing in 2023-2024 was the highest in the 15-24 year-old group, while it showed a decrease in the 0-4 year-old group. The etiology in 2018-2019 was mainly H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes, and in 2023-2024 it was mainly H3N2 subtype and influenza B, and the peak values of H1N1, H3N2 subtype and influenza B in 2023-2024 were all higher than those in 2018-2019. Conclusion During the epidemic period, non-medical interventions have changed the transmission mode, seasonal peak and subtype distribution of influenza virus. As the epidemic has eased, the pattern of influenza has gradually rebounded.

Objective To explore the impact of meteorological factors on the incidence of scarlet fever in Xicheng District of Beijing, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating targeted prevention and control measures. Methods Daily scarlet fever incidence data and corresponding meteorological data from 2010 to 2019 in Xicheng District of Beijing were collected. Using year, month, and day of the week as time-stratified variables, a conditional logistic regression model with a time-stratified case-crossover design was employed to analyze the impact of different meteorological factors on the number of scarlet fever cases in Xicheng District, while controlling for long-term trends, seasonality and other confounding factors. Results From 2010 to 2019, a total of 3,195 cases of scarlet fever were reported in Xicheng District, with an average annual incidence rate of 24.17/100 000. The overall trend showed fluctuating decline, during which three incidence peaks occurred, with the highest incidence rate observed in 2011. No severe or fatal cases were reported. The incidence of scarlet fever exhibited a distinct seasonal bimodal distribution, primarily concentrated between April to June and November to January of the following year. The conditional logistic regression results showed that the average relative humidity and average temperature were positively correlated with scarlet fever cases (β=0.0203, β=0.0613, P＜0.001), while the average vapor pressure was negatively correlated with scarlet fever cases (β=-0.1468, P＜0.001). Increases average relative humidity and average temperature were risk factors for scarlet fever incidence (OR=1.0205，95%CI=1.0150 -1.0261；OR=1.0632，95%CI=1.0379 -1.0891). For every 1.00% increase in average relative humidity, the number of scarlet fever cases increased by 2.05% (1.50% –2.61%). Similarly, for every 1^。C rise in average temperature, the number of cases increased by 6.32% (3.79% – 8.91%). In contrast, an increase in average vapor pressure had a protective effect against scarlet fever (OR=0.8635,95%CI=0.8392-0.8885). For every 1 hPa increase in average vapor pressure, the number of scarlet fever cases decreased by 13.65% (11.15%–16.08%). Conclusion The average relative humidity, average temperature and average vapor pressure are the primary meteorological factors influencing the incidence of scarlet fever in Xicheng District of Beijing, and can be utilized as indicators for the prevention, control, surveillance and early warning of scarlet fever.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of esculetin （Esc） on acute myeloid leukemia （AML） HL-60 cells by regulating the protein kinase B （AKT）/S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 （SKP2）/MutT homolog 1 （MTH1） pathway. METHODS AML HL-60 cells were randomly divided into control group （routine culture）， Esc low-concentration group （L-Esc group， 25 μmol/L Esc）， Esc medium-concentration group （M-Esc group， 50 μmol/L Esc）， Esc high-concentration group （H-Esc group， 100 μmol/L Esc）， and high-concentration of Esc+ SC79 （AKT agonist） group （100 μmol/L Esc+5 μmol/L SC79）. Cell proliferation in each group was detected by MTT assay and colony formation assay. The level of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in cells was measured by using the CM-H2DCFDA fluorescent probe. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot assay was performed to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins [B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cleaved caspase-3]， AKT/SKP2/MTH1 pathway-related proteins （p-AKT， AKT， SKP2， MTH1）， along with the upstream and downstream proteins of AKT phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 （P21） and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B （P27）. RESULTS Compared with control group， the cell viability， colony number， and the phosphorylation levels of AKT and PI3K proteins as well as protein expressions of SKP2， MTH1 and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）， while ROS level， apoptosis rate， and the expression levels of Bax， cleaved caspase-3， P21 and P27 proteins were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Moreover， the effects of Esc exhibited concentration-dependence （P＜0.05）. Compared with H-Esc group， above indexes of high-concentration of Esc+ SC79 group were reversed significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Esc may promote massive ROS production and induce activation of apoptosis in HL-60 cells by inhibiting the AKT/SKP2/MTH1 pathway， thus inhibiting the proliferation of HL-60 cells.

Tetrodotoxin（TTX）is a potent neurotoxin known for its specific sodium channel blocking effects, widely used in biomedical research. While TTX has been identified in various marine organisms, its true origin remains unclear, and the specific biosynthetic pathways are yet to be elucidated. The reported sources of TTX and the progress in research on TTX biosynthesis were summarized, with a focus on potential microbial sources of TTX, which could provide scientific reference for the production and biosynthesis studies of TTX.

ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJDT） in treating mice with atherosclerosis （AS） by improving ferroptosis. MethodsA total of 10 SPF C57BL/6J mice were selected as a normal group， and 50 ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into five groups： model group， low-dose group of HLJDT， medium-dose group of HLJDT， high-dose group of HLJDT， and atorvastatin （ATV） group. ApoE^-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks to establish the AS model， and at the 9th week， they were given normal saline， low， medium， and high doses of HLJDT （3.9， 7.8， 15.6 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and atorvastatin calcium tablets （0.01 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， respectively， for a total of eight weeks. The formation of aortic plaque in mice was observed by gross oil red O staining and Masson staining. The levels of total cholesterol （TC）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， triglyceride （TG）， and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） in blood fat were measured by the automatic biochemical analyzer， and the mitochondrial structure of the aorta was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The content of serum superoxide dismutase （SOD） in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The content of reduced glutathione （GSH） in serum was detected by the microplate method， and that of malondialdehyde （MDA） in serum was detected by the TBA method. The protein expression of nuclear factor E₂-associated factor 2 （Nrf2）/glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） signaling pathway was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with those of the normal group， the contents of TC， LDL-C， TG， HDL-C， and MDA in the serum and the aortic vascular plaque deposition of the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the expression levels of SOD and GSH in serum， as well as Nrf2， solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）， and GPX4 in aorta were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Mice in the model group appeared mitochondrial fragmentation and vacuolation in the aorta， volume atrophy， mitochondrial crista reduction， or a loose and disorganized form. Compared with those in the model group， the aortic vascular plaque deposition was significantly decreased in the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of HLJDT and ATV group， and the contents of serum TC， LDL-C， TG， and MDA in serum were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The contents of serum SOD and GSH and the expression levels of Nrf2， SLC7A11， and GPX4 in the aorta were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the symptoms of aortic mitochondrial vacuolation were alleviated. The number of cristae was increased， and they were ordered neatly. ConclusionHLJDT can reduce aortic vascular plaque deposition， decrease blood lipid and MDA expression， increase SOD and GSH expression， and ameliorate the pathological changes of ferroptosis， the mechanism of which is related to the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Qingxin Jieyu granules （QXJYG） on FeCl₃-induced carotid artery thrombosis in rats and on the expression of thrombosis-related proteins tissue factor （TF） and tissue factor pathway inhibitor （TFPI） as well as the protein kinase B （Akt）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway in EA.hy926 cells exposed to tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， thus preliminarily exploring the mechanism of QXJYG in inhibiting thrombosis. MethodsThirty-six SD rats were randomized into normal control， model， positive control （aspirin， 9 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （0.99， 1.98， 3.96 g·kg^-1， respectively） QXJYG groups （n=6）. The rats in the drug treatment groups were administrated with corresponding drugs， and those in the normal control group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water. After 14 consecutive days of prophylactic gavage， the rat model of common carotid artery thrombosis was established with 45% FeCl₃ solution， and the blood vessels were collected and the wet weight of thrombus was weighed by an electronic balance （precision of 1/10 000）. The thrombosis in the common carotid artery of each group of rats was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The plasma levels of von Willebrand factor （vWF）， platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 （PECAM-1）， tissue-type plasminogen activator （t-PA）， and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 （PAI-1） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An endothelial cell injury model was established by treating EA.hy926 human umbilical vein endothelial cells with TNF-α. The cell counting kit-8 method was used to screen the intervention concentrations of QXJYG. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of TF， TFPI， Akt， p-Akt， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 in each group of cells. ResultsThe animal experiment showed that compared with the normal control group， the model group showed an increase in carotid artery thrombus weight （P<0.05）， with unclear vascular structure and extensive thrombosis in the lumen. In addition， the plasma levels of vWF， PECAM-1， and PAI-1 were elevated， while the t-PA level became lowered （P<0.05） in the model group. Compared with the model group， the aspirin and QXJYG groups showed reductions in the weight of FeCl₃-induced carotid artery thrombi （P<0.05） and thrombosis in the lumen， declines in plasma levels of PECAM-1 and PAI-1， and an elevation in the t-PA level （P<0.05）. Moreover， the QXJYG groups showed reductions in the plasma level of vWF （P<0.05）， which， however， had no significant difference between the aspirin group and the model group. The cell experiments indicated that 31.25， 62.5， 125， 250， 500 mg·L^-1 QXJYG had no effect on the viability of EA.hy926 cells. Therefore， 250， 500 mg·L^-1 QXJYG were selected as the intervention concentrations for subsequent experiments. Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group， the TNF-α stimulation downregulated the expression of TFPI （P<0.05）， upregulated the expression of TF， and increased the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05） in EA.hy926 cells. Compared with the model group， the intervention with QXJYG upregulated the expression of TFPI （P<0.05）， inhibited the expression of TF， and decreased the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05）. ConclusionQXJYG has the effect of inhibiting thrombosis and regulating the expression of TF and TFPI in endothelial cells exposed to TNF-α by suppressing the abnormal activation of the Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors associated with early neurological deterioration(END)in patients with minor acute ischemic stroke(mAIS),develop a clinical prediction model for END,and identify independent risk factors for 90-day neurological functional outcomes after stroke.Methods mAIS patients admitted consecutively to the Department of Neurology,Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College(the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College),from July 2023 to July 2024 were retrospectively collected.A minor ischemic stroke was defined as acute ischemic stroke with a National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score≤5 on admission.Baseline,clinical,and imaging data of all mAIS patients were collected and recorded,including demographic information(age,sex),past medical history(hypertension,diabetes mellitus,hyperlipidemia,coronary heart disease,atrial fibrillation),smoking history,alcohol consumption,baseline blood pressure,pre-onset modified Rankin scale(mRS),NIHSS scores at admission and during hospitalization(24 hours,48 hours,72 hours after admission),motor component subscore of the NIHSS scores,NIHSS scores at discharge,trial of Org 10172 in acute stroke treatment(TOAST)classification,laboratory indicators(fasting blood glucose,hemoglobin A1c[HbA1c],total cholesterol,triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein,low-density lipoprotein),clinical treatment information(intravenous thrombolysis,mono antiplatelet therapy,dual antiplatelet therapy,anticoagulation therapy)and length of stay.The status of stenosis and occlusion in the culprit vessel were assessed based on imaging results.Mild-to-moderate stenosis was defined as a stenosis rate of 0％to 69％,severe stenosis as a stenosis rate of 70％to 99％,and occlusion as complete interruption of the supplying artery.END was defined as an increase in NIHSS score of ≥2 points from baseline within 72 hours after admission,combined with an increase of at least 1 point in the motor score compared to the score at admission.Prognosis was assessed via telephone follow-ups at 90-day after onset using mRS score,with an mRS score ≤ 2 indicating a favorable outcome and an mRS score＞2 indicating a poor outcome.Variables with P＜0.05 in the univariate analysis were incorporated into multivariate Logistic regression analysis to identify the independent risk factors for END in mAIS patients.A nomogram model was constructed,and calibration curves along with decision curve analysis were plotted to evaluate the model's goodness-of-fit and clinical utility.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with poor 90-day functional outcome after mAIS.Results(1)A total of 826 patients were included,aged 33-94 years,with a median age of 67(57,76)years.There were 571 males and 255 females.The NIHSS score at admission ranged from 0 to 5,with a median NIHSS score at admission of 3(2,4).The NIHSS motor subscore at admission ranged from 0 to 5,with a median baseline NIHSS motor score of 2(0,2).Among them,119 patients(14.4％)were in the END group and 707 patients(85.6％)were included in the non-END group.At 90days after stroke,744 patients(90.1％)had a favorable outcome,while 82 patients(9.9％)had a poor outcome.(2)Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences between the END group and the non-END group in terms of HbA1c,fasting blood glucose,baseline NIHSS score,baseline NIHSS motor subscore,history of alcohol consumption,diabetes mellitus,culprit vessel stenosis and occlusion,and TOAST classification(all P＜0.05).Statistically significant differences were observed between the favorable outcome group and the poor outcome group in HbA1c,fasting blood glucose,incidence of END,baseline NIHSS score,discharge NIHSS score,culprit vessel stenosis and occlusion,TOAST classification,and history of alcohol consumption(all P＜0.05).(3)Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that mAIS patients with severe stenosis of the culprit vessel(OR,5.88,95％CI2.32-14.91,P＜0.01),occlusion of the culprit vessel(OR,5.74,95％CI 2.25-14.62,P＜0.01),history of alcohol consumption(OR,5.59,95％CI3.41-9.17,P＜0.01),elevated HbA1c(OR,1.67,95％CI 1.35-2.08,P＜0.01),and higher baseline NIHSS motor score(OR,1.43,95％CI 1.08-1.89,P=0.012)had an increased risk of END.A higher discharge NIHSS score(OR,2.59,95％CI 1.89-3.57,P＜0.01)and the occurrence of END(OR,18.42,95％CI 5.13-66.18,P＜0.01)were associated with poor 90-day functional outcome after mAIS.(4)The nomogram model constructed based on independent risk factors of END in mAIS patients demonstrated an AUC of 0.78(95％CI 0.73-0.83)for predicting END,with a sensitivity of 0.8 and a specificity of 0.7.The model showed good calibration,and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated good agreement between predicted and observed values(P=0.333).Decision curve analysis revealed that the model provided a high net benefit across a range of high-risk thresholds(0.1-0.7),suggesting its potential clinical utility.Conclusions Severe stenosis of the culprit vessel,occlusion of the culprit vessel,glycated hemoglobin levels,baseline NIHSS motor subscale scores,and history of alcohol consumption are independent risk factors for END in patients with mAIS.The nomogram model constructed based on these factors demonstrated good predictive performance.END and NIHSS scores at discharge are independent predictors of poor 90-day outcomes in patients with mAIS.

Transfer-RNA derived small RNA(tsRNA),a re-cently discovered class of non-coding RNA,is produced by ma-ture tRNA or tRNA precursor through the mediation of specific endonucleases.By regulating gene expression at the transcrip-tional and post transcriptional levels and acting as an epigenetic regulator,tsRNA plays an important role in the physiological and pathological processes of many organisms.Therefore,it has gradually become a research hotspot in biomedicine and attracted widespread attention.Moreover,there is increasing evidence that tsRNA is involved in the occurrence and development of many neuropsychiatric diseases through participating in stress re-sponse,cell proliferation and apoptosis,neural development,synaptic plasticity,neuroinflammation and immune regulation,epigenetic regulation,RNA processing,and protein translation regulation.This article mainly discusses the generation,classifi-cation and biological functions of tsRNA,and elaborates on the role and possible mechanisms of tsRNA in neurodevelopment and neuropsychiatric disorders,thereby further revealing the poten-tial of tsRNA as a reliable biomarker and therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Objective To investigate the changes of serum cathepsin L(CTSL)in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure(CHF)and its relationship with lipid metabolism and severity of the disease.Methods A prospective study was conducted on 186 elderly patients with acute exacerbation of CHF admitted to our hospital from February 2021 to October 2024.Their serum levels of CTSL and lipid metabolism indicators were measured at admission.According to the quartile of CTSL,they were divided into groups A(CTSL≤3.31 μg/L,47 cases),B(3.31μg/L＜CTSL≤3.70 μg/L,46 cases),C(3.70 μg/L＜CTSL＜4.41 μg/L,47 cases),and D(CTSL≥4.41 μg/L,46 cases).The general clinical data,blood lipid metabolism and severity of disease were compared among the four groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between CTSL and blood lipid metabolism indicators,and ordinal regression model and restricted cubic spline analysis was employed to examine the relationship between serum CTSL and the se-verity of acute exacerbation of CHF.Results There were significant differences in total cholester-ol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)and low density lipopro-tein cholesterol(LDL-C)among the four groups of patients(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Pearson correla-tion analysis showed that serum CTSL level was positively correlated with TC,TG and LDL-C levels(r=0.203,P=0.005;r=0.178,P=0.015;r=0.184,P=0.012),and negatively with HDLC(r=—0.344,P=0.000).Ordinal regression analysis indicated that serum CTSL level was an inde-pendent risk factor affecting the severity of CHF in patients with acute exacerbation(P＜0.05).Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed that serum CTSL level was in a linear relationship with the severity of acute exacerbation of CHF(x2=3.140,P=0.371).When serum CTSL＞3.73μg/L,the severity of the condition was increased significantly.Conclusion Serum CTSL level is closely associated with lipid metabolism in elderly patients with acute exacerbation of CHF,and is an independent risk factor for the severity of disease.

This paper summarized the current status of infection and quality control of medical flexible endoscope (abbreviation:endoscope),which can identify that defect of the quality control of endoscopic forceps channels was a major cause of nosocomial infections of endoscopy. Based on this,a multifunctional quality control workstation with forceps channel of detecting flexible endoscope,and precision components included top ends for medical endoscopes has been developed,which can clearly display residual contaminants and damages in the forceps channels and precision components after the endoscope was reprocessed. It is contribute to enhance the quality control of reprocessing endoscope,and reduce cross-infection of endoscope.