ObjectiveThe malaria parasites remodel the host erythrocyte structure by exporting parasite proteins that interact with the membrane skeleton proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), facilitating their intracellular survival and pathogenicity. Skeleton-binding protein 1 (SBP1) is a conserved exported protein across Plasmodium species. In Plasmodium falciparum, SBP1 has been reported to interact with erythrocyte membrane skeleton proteins 4.1R and spectrin, while its contribution to erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether PbSBP1 associates with the host cytoskeletal protein 4.1R and to investigate its role in the remodeling of host RBCs and the pathogenicity of Plasmodium berghei. MethodsIn Plasmodium berghei, the relationship between PbSBP1 and the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R was examined using co-immunoprecipitation. A Pbsbp1 gene knockout mutant of Plasmodium berghei (Pbsbp1∆) was generated based on the principle of double crossover homologous recombination. The deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was assessed using microfluidic methods. Microchannels with an array of cylindrical pillars were used to detect modifications in infected RBC deformability. The infected RBCs were squashed between the rows and recovered between the columns and the transit velocity (μm/s) of infected RBCs travelling through the microchannel was recorded. The component of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton junctional complex, tropomodulin (TMOD), was fluorescently labeled, and the cytoskeletal network of infected erythrocytes was imaged using super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) to analyze ultrastructural changes in the cytoskeleton of wild-type (WT) and Pbsbp1∆-infected erythrocytes. Actin-based junctional complexes were displayed as individual clusters by the labeled TMOD in the STORM images, and the cluster densities and distances between adjacent clusters of infected RBCs were calculated. Additionally, rodent malaria models (BALB/c mice) and experimental cerebral malaria models (C57BL/6 mice) were employed to monitor the growth of Pbsbp1∆ and WT parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage and their capacity to induce cerebral malaria in mice. ResultsPbSBP1 may participate in the remodeling of infected erythrocytes through direct or indirect interaction with the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R. Microfluidic assays revealed that the deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was significantly enhanced compared to those infected with WT parasites. STORM imaging further demonstrated that the ultrastructure of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton in Pbsbp1∆-infected cells was altered relative to that in WT-infected erythrocytes. The distances between nearest neighbors of clusters had a tendency to increase while the cluster densities were decreased in Pbsbp1∆-infected RBCs compared to WT-infected RBCs. Subsequent phenotypic analysis indicated that the growth rate of Pbsbp1∆ parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage was significantly slower than that of WT parasites, and their ability to induce cerebral malaria in mice was also attenuated. These findings suggest that PbSBP1 is involved in the remodeling of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, likely through its direct or indirect interaction with protein 4.1R, thereby regulating the deformability of infected erythrocytes and influencing the pathogenicity of the blood-stage parasites. ConclusionThis study establishes a role for PbSBP1 in host erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence, providing new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of malaria.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

Objective:To investigate the completion rate of tumor evaluation at initial assessment and after neoadjuvant therapy for mid and low rectal cancer patients in the national multicenter real-world database.Methods:The prospective real-world study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 1 074 patients who underwent surgical treatment for mid and low rectal cancer in 47 national medical institutions, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital et al, from May 12,2023 to May 11,2024 were collected. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (2) initial colonoscopy and pathologic evaluation of tumors in patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (3) initial imaging evaluation of patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (4) imaging evaluation after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3). Count data were described as absoluter numbers and/or percentages. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 713 males and 361 females, aged 63(56,70)years. The body mass index of 1 074 patients was 24(21,26)kg/m 2.For American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, there were 147 cases of stage Ⅰ, 641 cases of stage Ⅱ, 157 cases of stage Ⅲ, 2 cases of stage Ⅳ, and there were 127 cases missing data. (2) Initial colonoscopy and pathologic evaluation of tumors in patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 787 cases (73.28%) undergoing complete colonoscopy, and there were only 197 cases (18.34%) undergoing immunohistochemical evaluation of all four mismatch repair proteins. (3) Initial imaging evaluation of patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 842(78.40%) patients completing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound evaluation, and there were 914(85.10%) patients completing chest, abdomen, and pelvis enhanced computed tomography (CT) evaluation. In the 149 patients completing rectal ultrasound evaluation, there were 122 cases (81.88%) comple-ting T staging evaluation, and there were 81 cases (54.36%) completing N staging evaluation. In the 808 patients completing rectal MRI evaluation, there were 708 cases (87.62%) completing T staging evaluation, and there were 590 cases (73.02%) completing N staging evaluation. (4) Imaging evalua-tion after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 388 patients with neoadjuvant therapy, there were 332 patients (85.57%) completing MRI or ultrasound evaluation, and there were 327 patients (84.28%) completing chest, abdomen, and pelvis enhanced CT evalua-tion. In the 70 patients completing rectal ultrasound evaluation, there were 65 cases (92.86%) com-pleting T staging evaluation, and there were 49 cases (70.00%) completing N staging evaluation. In the 327 patients completing rectal MRI evaluation, there were 246 cases (75.23%) completing T staging, and there were 228 cases (69.72%) completing N staging evaluation. Conclusion:The com-pletion rate of tumor imaging evaluation at initial assessment and after neoadjuvant therapy for mid and low rectal cancer patients on a national scale is relatively good.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B), Beclin-1, and p62 in serum CD 4+ T lymphocytes of patients infected with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and viral replication. Methods:This study used a cross-sectional design. A total of 106 patients with VZV who received treatment at The First People's Hospital of Huzhou between October 2018 and October 2019 were included in the study group. Additionally, 50 healthy individuals who underwent health examinations during the same period were included in the control group. The expression levels of LC3B, Beclin-1, and p62 in serum CD 4+ T lymphocytes among patients with different VZV DNA copy numbers were compared. The effects of different levels of LC3B, Beclin-1, and p62 on disease severity were evaluated. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the expression of LC3B, Beclin-1, and p62 in the peripheral blood CD 4+ T lymphocytes of VZV-infected patients, viral replication, and disease duration. Results:The relative expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in peripheral blood CD 4+ T lymphocytes of the study group were (60.19 ± 7.59)% and (34.99 ± 4.34)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(37.71 ± 4.33)%, (16.18 ± 1.92)%, t = 19.48, 29.29, both P < 0.001]. The relative expression level of p62 in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group [(5.81 ± 0.58)% vs. (10.11 ± 1.24)%, t = -29.57, P < 0.001]. The peripheral blood VZV DNA copy number in the study group was (4.28 ± 0.47). In patients with a VZV DNA copy number ≥ 4.28, the expression levels of LC3B [(72.22 ± 8.83)%] and Beclin-1 [(40.09 ± 5.56)%] were significantly higher than those in patients with a VZV DNA copy number < 4.28 [LC3B: (51.23 ± 6.88)%, Beclin-1: (29.67 ± 3.12)%, t = 13.57, 11.77, both P < 0.001]. The expression level of p62 in patients with a VZV DNA copy number ≥ 4.28 [(4.77 ± 0.36)%] was significantly lower than that in patients with a VZV DNA copy number < 4.28 [(6.98 ± 0.79) %, t = -18.76, P < 0.001]. The expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in patients at moderate or advanced stages were significantly higher than those in patients with early-stage VZV ( P < 0.05), while the expression levels of p62 in patients with moderate- or advanced-stage VZV were significantly lower than those in patients with early-stage VZV (both P < 0.05). Additionally, the expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 were positively correlated with viral replication ( r = 0.817, 0.839) and disease duration ( r = 0.849, 0.822, all P < 0.001). The expression level of p62 was negatively correlated with viral replication and disease duration ( r = -0.850, -0.822, both P < 0.001). Conclusions:In patients infected with VZV, the autophagy levels in peripheral blood CD 4+ T lymphocytes were significantly upregulated, as evidenced by increased expression of LC3B and Beclin-1 and decreased expression of p62. Autophagy positively influences viral replication, with elevated autophagy levels promoting viral replication.

Objective To explore the effects of gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach on neck function and aesthetic effect in patients with early thyroid tumor.Methods A prospective study was conducted on 116 patients with early thyroid tumor admitted to our hospital from December 2020 to December 2023.They were divided into the observation group and the control group according to block random method,with 58 cases in each group.Patients in the control group underwent open thyroidectomy,while patients in the observation group underwent gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach.The surgical indicators,neck function,cosmetic effect,and complications of patients in the two groups were compared.Results Compared with the control group,the observation group had a longer surgical time(P<0.05),less intraoperative bleeding and postoperative drainage volume(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in terms of the time point,inter-group and interaction effects of the neck injury index and the time point and inter-group effects of swallowing disorder index of patients between the two groups(P<0.05).Compared with 3 days after surgery,the neck injury index and swallowing disorder index at 6 months and 12 months after surgery of patients in both groups decreased(P<0.05),and the neck injury index and swallowing disorder index at 6 months and 12 months after surgery of patients in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the observation group had better cosmetic effects(P<0.05).The total incidence of complications of patients in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach has better efficacy for early thyroid tumor,which can effectively improve neck function and aesthetic effect,promote the recovery of patients,and has high safety and patient satisfaction.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To examine the near-complete genomic analysis of norovirus (NoV) subtype GⅡ.17 [P17] outbreaks in Beijing Chaoyang District from 2014 to 2024.Methods:Data and specimens related to outbreaks of the NoV aggregation in Beijing′s Chaoyang District from 2014 to 2024 were collected. The NoV was identified using real-time fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Specimens with positive nucleic acid were amplified by standard PCR, whole genome sequencing and evolutionary analysis. Amino acid site variations were compared.Results:In Chaoyang District, from 2014 to 2024, a total of 637 aggregated outbreaks caused by the NoV infection were reported, of which 584 were successfully typed. The epidemic caused by the GⅡ.17 [P17] subtype accounted for 8.79% (56/637), which was the dominant epidemic gene subtype in 2014-2015, sporadic in 2016-2019, reappeared in 2022, and significantly increased in 2024 (27.27%, 24/88). Outbreaks caused by the GⅡ.17 [P17] subtype occurred mainly from October to December, with the main sites of occurrence in primary schools and kindergartens. This study yielded 53 near-complete genome sequences of the GⅡ.17 [P17] subtype from 46 incidents in Chaoyang District. The GⅡ.17 [P17] subtype sequences of Chaoyang District from 2014 to 2024 were segmented into three subgroups on the evolutionary tree, with sequences from 2014 to 2019, 2022 to April 2024, and May to December 2024 clustered into the d, e, and b subgroups, respectively. In the VP1 region′s P2 area, particularly at the HBGA binding site, subgroups b and e exhibited mutations in 22 and two sites, while subgroups b and e showed mutations in four and one sites, predominantly in the RdRp region.Conclusion:The outbreak caused by the NoV GⅡ.17 [P17] subtype in Chaoyang District from 2014 to 2024 continues, with a significant increase in 2024, and it becomes the dominant gene subtype from October to December. The sequence formation of the NoV GⅡ.17 [P17] subtype in Chaoyang District from January to April 2022 and from May to December 2024 shows two different evolutions, with specific mutation sites, requiring continuous monitoring of the NoV GⅡ.17 [P17] subtype.

Background:Optimizing cultivation techniques for traditional Chinese medicine has become a crucial means to improve the quality of medicinal materials.Microbial agents,as environmentally friendly and efficient plant growth promoters and soil conditioners,have increasingly attracted attention in eco-agriculture research.Objective:Our understanding remains limited regarding how the application of microbial agents,alone or in combination,affects changes in the rhizosphere microbiome and its association with the bioactive components of medicinal materials.Methods:In this study,Epimedium pubescens Maxim.was employed as a model plant to examine the effects of 2 microbial agents(Paenibacillus mucilaginosus and Bacillus subtilis)applied individually and in combination on plant growth and the accumulation of bioactive components.Additionally,this study explored the relationship between the rhizosphere microbiome and plant development.Results:The application of microbial agents increased the yield of E.pubescens leaves by 20.30％to 33.66％and enhanced the total flavonol glycosides content by 11.40％to 29.94％.Meanwhile,microbial treatments reshaped the rhizosphere microbiome,promoted the enrichment of beneficial microorganisms(e.g.,Frankia and Paenibacillus),suppressed phytopathogenic fungi such as Didymella and Scytalidium,and enhanced the stability of the soil microbial co-occurrence network.The partial least squares path model suggested that microbial agents not only directly impact the quality of medicinal herbs but also indirectly alter the accumula-tion of bioactive components by modulating the soil microbiome.Conclusion:These findings deepen our understanding of the relationship between medicinal plant quality and rhizosphere micro-biomes as mediated by microbial agents.They also provide a basis for designing and manipulating synthetic microbial communities to promote sustainable development in eco-agriculture.

Objective:To explore the structural relationship between WMSDs in the upper limbs and various risk factors in the occupational population in China, based on a large sample epidemiological survey and structural equation analysis, and to establish a structural equation model, so as to lay a foundation for the prevention and control of such diseases.Methods:The Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Electronic Questionnaire was used to conduct a nationwide survey on the prevalence of WMSDs in the upper extremity. Six factors related to WMSDs in the upper extremity were extracted by the classification standard of adverse ergonomic factors and their source and confirmatory factor analysis, including work organization, work type, upper extremity work posture, individual factors, upper extremity fatigue and upper extremity WMSDs. The structural equation analysis was carried out and the structural equation model was established.Results:The incidence of WMSDs and fatigue in the upper limbs was 24.44% and 43.76%, respectively. The adjusted structural equation model fitting indicators were generally up to the standard (GFI=1.000, AGFI=1.000, RMSEA=0.043, NFI=0.808, TLI=0.784) . The four exogenous latent variables of work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and individual factors were correlated. There was a strong positive correlation between job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.865) , a moderate positive correlation between work organization and job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.570, 0.490) , and a weak negative correlation between individual factors and the other three exogenous latent variables. Upper limb work posture and individual factors had direct effects on upper limb WMSDs, and the effect coefficients were 0.10 and 0.06, respectively. Upper limb fatigue played a mediating role between work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and upper limb WMSDs. The effect coefficient was 0.46, and the composition ratios of indirect effects were 100.0%, 100.0%, and 38.3%, respectively. The direct path effect of upper limb work posture, individual factors and upper limb WMSDs was weaker than the mediating path through upper limb fatigue. Conclusion:When carrying out the prevention and control of upper limbWMSDs, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the pathogenesis path of upper limb muscle fatigue and upper limb WMSDs caused by work organization, work type, and upper limb work posture, so as to provide theoretical reference for improving the prevention and control level of such diseases.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacterial strains isolated from pediatric intensive care units(PICU)in China for better antimicrobial therapy.Methods Clinical isolates were collected from 17 institutions,including tertiary care children's hospitals and pediatric department of tertiary general hospitals in China from January 1,2020 to December 31,2022.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to a unified protocol using Kirby-Bauer method or automated systems.Results were interpreted according to the breakpoints released by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)in 2020.Results A total of 10 688 isolates were collected,including gram-positive organisms(39.2％)and gram-negative organisms(60.8％).The top three organisms were S.aureus(13.6％,1 453/10 688),A.baumannii(10.0％,1 067/10 688),and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(9.9％,1 058/10 688).Multi-drug resistant organisms(MDROs)were very common in children.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA),carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales(CRE),carbapenem-resistant E.coli,carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae(CRKP),carbapenem-resistant A.baumannii(CRAB),and carbapenem-resistant P.aeruginosa(CRPA)was 41.1％,19.4％,8.8％,30.9％,67.4％,and 28.8％,respectively.Overall,more than 50％of Enterobacteriales isolates were resistant to cephalosporins,while nearly 25％of Enterobacteriales isolates were resistant to carbapenems.MDROs were highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics.More than 80％of CRE and CRAB strains were resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics.CRE and CRAB showed low resistance rates to tigecycline and polymyxin.CRPA showed lower resistance rates to piperacillin,beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations than the resistance rates to third and fourth generation cephalosporins.All of the Staphylococcus and Enterococcus isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and tigecycline.None of PRSP strains isolated from meningitis and nonmeningitis samples were resistant to rifampicin,vancomycin,or linezolid.The prevalence of β-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant(BLNAR)strains was 43.3％in Haemophilus influenzae.Conclusions MDROs were prevalent in PICU.It is necessary to establish an effective multidisciplinary team(MDT)to control the antimicrobial resistance.