Objective To analyze the genetic characteristics and variations of influenza A (H3N2) viruses in Ma'anshan from 2022 to 2024, and to provide a scientific basis for local influenza prevention and control. Methods From April 2022 to March 2024, influenza-like illness (ILI) specimens were collected from three national influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Ma’anshan. Samples positive for influenza by real-time PCR were subjected to virus culture and identification. A total of 40 representative A/H3N2 strains with hemagglutination titers ≥8 were selected for whole-genome sequencing. Genetic evolution, homology, amino acid variations, and glycosylation sites were analyzed. Results All H3N2 representative strains from the 2022–2023 influenza season belonged to clade 3C.2a1b.2a.1a.1, while those from the 2023–2024 season fell into clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2a.3a.1. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence similarities of HA and NA between the 40 representative strains and the vaccine strain A/Darwin/6/2021 were all above 97.35%. Compared with the vaccine strain, amino acid mutations were identified in antigenic sites A, B, C, and E, as well as in receptor-binding sites of the HA protein. An I222V substitution was detected in the NA protein. The HA protein contained four additional glycosylation sites compared to the vaccine strain, while the glycosylation pattern of the NA protein remained consistent. Conclusion No antigenic drift was observed in the influenza A/H3N2 viruses in Ma'anshan City from 2022 to 2024, but genetic changes such as branching variations, key amino acid substitutions, and an increase in HA glycosylation sites were observed. These findings underscore the importance of sustained molecular surveillance of local influenza viruses.

Objective To report a case of fungal keratitis caused by plant pathogens,evidenced by laboratory testing.Methods Specimens were collected by corneal scraping from a 52-year-old male patient for pathogen culture.The patient was treated at Qionghai People's Hospital for fungal keratitis.The isolates were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility.PubMed,CNKI,Wanfang,and VIP database were searched using keywords Diaporthe or Diaporthe phaseolorum in English and Chinese from the establishment of the database to December 10,2024.A retrospective literature review was conducted on the cases of human infection caused by Diaporthe.Results The specimens from corneal scraping were directly examined under a microscope.Septate fungal hyphae were observed.The isolate was identified as Diaporthe phaseolorum by targeted DNA sequencing.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by microdilution method showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC)of fluorocytosine,fluconazole,amphotericin B,voriconazole,itraconazole,posaconazole,micafungin,caspofungin,and anidulafungin against this strain were＞64,64,0.5,0.12,2,0.06,0.03,＜0.03,and 0.12 mg/L,respectively.Clinicians adjusted the antifungal treatment plan timely based on the antimicrobial susceptibility testing results.The patient's vision was restored.Literature review found that of the 12 reported cases of infection worldwide,6 were localized skin or soft tissue infections,3 were peritonitis,and the remaining 3 cases were keratitis.Overall,9 patients were immunocompromised and 3 had normal immune function.Human infections caused by Diaporthe often occur in immunocompromised individuals.Invasive infections often lead to patient mortality.There are no established breakpoints for common antifungal agents against Diaporthe.The MICs against the strain were higher for flucytosine and fluconazole,but lower for azoles,echinocandins,and polyenes.Conclusions Fungal keratitis caused by D.phaseolorum is an emerging infection.The information in this case,including clinical symptoms,the morphology of D.phaseolorum under microscope after corneal scraping,the growth characteristics and antifungal susceptibility testing,targeted DNA sequencing,can inform the microbiology laboratory staff and clinicians of D.phaseolorum infections in the future.

Objective To investigate the current situation of personnel training,material alloca-tion,process implementation and quality monitoring of gastrointestinal endoscopy cleaning and disin-fection in medical institutions at all levels in Yangzhou City,so as to provide reliable data for further improving the quality management of digestive endoscopy cleaning and disinfection in the city.Meth-ods According to the latest industry standards,a questionnaire was designed to carry out an online questionnaire survey on the status quo of digestive endoscopy cleaning and disinfection in 74 medical institutions of different levels in Yangzhou City,and the results were analyzed.Results 50％of the city's hospitals adopt the way of self-training within the department,and only 22 people have obtained the provincial or above professional cleaning and disinfection certificate.In 21.62％of hospitals,cleaning and disinfection personnel were not assessed before starting work.13.51％of the hospitals did not use purified water for terminal rinsing,and 44.59％of the hospitals did not have a cleaning and disinfection machine.79.73％of hospitals recorded by hand.71.62％of the hospitals failed to carry out standard cleaning quality monitoring,83.78％of the hospitals did not implement biofiltra-tion monitoring method.In addition,in the biological monitoring in 2023,14.86％of hospitals had the problem of excessive microorganisms.Conclusion The implementation of endoscope cleaning and disinfection standards varied significantly among medical institutions in Yangzhou,with level one and level two hospitals posing potential hospital infection risks.It is recommended to establish a pro-fessional entry system for endoscope cleaning and disinfection personnel citywide,increase investment in hardware facilities,and strictly enforce monitoring standards.

Objective To report the diagnosis and treatment processes of a fungal keratitis case caused by Lasio-diplodia theobromae(L.theobromae),and enhance the diagnosis and treatment experience on fungal keratitis caused by this rare pathogen.Methods Corneal scraping specimen from a patient with fungal keratitis was collec-ted.Gram-staining and fluorescence staining were conducted on specimen,followed with direct microscopic observa-tion and isolation culture.The strain was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS)technology and targeted DNA sequencing.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted.Literatures were summarized and clinical data on fungal keratitis caused by this pathogen were sorted out.Results Septal fungal hyphae could be seen on the corneal scraping specimen microscopically.The strain was identified as L.theobromae by both MALDI-TOF MS and targeted DNA sequencing after culture.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing(microdilution method)showed that the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs)of ampho-tericin B,vorionazole,itraconazole,posaconazole,fluconazole,5-fluorocytosine,micafungin,caspofungin,and anidulafungin against this strain were 1,0.25,＞8,0.25,＞256,8,16,2,and 0.25 μg/mL,respectively.Pa-tient recovered well after antifungal treatment plan was adjusted according to antimicrobial susceptibility testing re-sults.Conclusion L.theobromae is a rare pathogen that causes fungal keratitis.Laboratory tests provide rapid mi-croscopic examination results,and take MALDI-TOF MS and targeted DNA sequencing identification techniques as effective means to detect rare pathogen.In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing result can provide reference for clinicians to correctly use antifungal agents for treatment of infection due to this pathogen.

Objective To report a case of fungal keratitis caused by plant pathogens,evidenced by laboratory testing.Methods Specimens were collected by corneal scraping from a 52-year-old male patient for pathogen culture.The patient was treated at Qionghai People's Hospital for fungal keratitis.The isolates were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility.PubMed,CNKI,Wanfang,and VIP database were searched using keywords Diaporthe or Diaporthe phaseolorum in English and Chinese from the establishment of the database to December 10,2024.A retrospective literature review was conducted on the cases of human infection caused by Diaporthe.Results The specimens from corneal scraping were directly examined under a microscope.Septate fungal hyphae were observed.The isolate was identified as Diaporthe phaseolorum by targeted DNA sequencing.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by microdilution method showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC)of fluorocytosine,fluconazole,amphotericin B,voriconazole,itraconazole,posaconazole,micafungin,caspofungin,and anidulafungin against this strain were＞64,64,0.5,0.12,2,0.06,0.03,＜0.03,and 0.12 mg/L,respectively.Clinicians adjusted the antifungal treatment plan timely based on the antimicrobial susceptibility testing results.The patient's vision was restored.Literature review found that of the 12 reported cases of infection worldwide,6 were localized skin or soft tissue infections,3 were peritonitis,and the remaining 3 cases were keratitis.Overall,9 patients were immunocompromised and 3 had normal immune function.Human infections caused by Diaporthe often occur in immunocompromised individuals.Invasive infections often lead to patient mortality.There are no established breakpoints for common antifungal agents against Diaporthe.The MICs against the strain were higher for flucytosine and fluconazole,but lower for azoles,echinocandins,and polyenes.Conclusions Fungal keratitis caused by D.phaseolorum is an emerging infection.The information in this case,including clinical symptoms,the morphology of D.phaseolorum under microscope after corneal scraping,the growth characteristics and antifungal susceptibility testing,targeted DNA sequencing,can inform the microbiology laboratory staff and clinicians of D.phaseolorum infections in the future.

Objective:To investigate the effect of physical activity on mortality risk in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Sichuan Province.Methods:Based on baseline data from 2004 to 2008 from the China Kadoorie Biobank project site in Pengzhou City, Sichuan Province, a total of 8 501 COPD patients aged 30-79 years were enrolled and followed up for a long period to determine mortality outcomes. Quartiles were used to group physical activity levels. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the effect of physical activity level on mortality outcomes.Results:As of December 31, 2017, the cumulative follow-up of the participants totaled 85 600.58 person-years (mean follow-up duration: 10.07 years). During this period, a total of 2 000 deaths were recorded, yielding a cumulative mortality rate of 23.53%. Among these deaths, 665 were attributed to COPD, corresponding to a cumulative mortality rate of 7.82%; and 1 116 were attributed to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), corresponding to a cumulative mortality rate of 13.13%. The Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that, after adjusting for confounding factors, total physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of mortality from COPD, CVD, and all causes in patients with COPD. Compared with the low-level group of total physical activity, the medium-high-level group had the lowest risk of COPD mortality, with an HR of 0.39 (95% CI: 0.30-0.49). The high-level group had the lowest risk of CVD death and all-cause death, with HRs of 0.46 (95% CI: 0.37-0.56) and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.48-0.64), respectively. The lowest risk of COPD death and CVD death was found in the medium-high level of work-based physical activity group, with HRs of 0.36 (95% CI: 0.28-0.46) and 0.43 (95% CI: 0.36-0.51), respectively; the risk of all-cause mortality was lowest in the medium-high and high-level groups, with HRs values of 0.53 (95% CI: 0.46-0.61) and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.45-0.61). The risk of COPD death was lowest in the high-level transportation physical activity group, with an HR of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.53-0.83), and the risk of CVD and all-cause death was lowest in the medium-high level group, with HRs of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.53-0.76) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.64-0.84), respectively. The risk of COPD death and CVD death was the lowest in the high-level domestic physical activity group, with HRs of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.49-0.89) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.61-0.95), respectively, and the risk of all-cause death was the lowest in the medium-high level group, with an HR of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72-0.94). There is no statistical association between leisure physical activity and the risk of death from three types of diseases. Conclusions:Total physical activity, including work-based, transportation-based, and domestic physical activity, reduced the risk of COPD, CVD, and all-cause mortality in patients with COPD in Sichuan Province. The magnitude of mortality risk was influenced by the type and level of physical activity.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of stone needle thermocompression and massage compared to flurbiprofen gel patch in relieving chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back， and to explore the potential mediating mechanism through muscle elasticity. MethodsA total of 120 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back were randomly assigned to either stone needle group or flurbiprofen group， with 60 patients in each. The stone needle group received stone needle thermocompression and massage for 30 minutes， three times per week； the flurbiprofen group received flurbiprofen gel patch twice daily. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Pain improvement， as the primary outcome， was assessed using the Global Pain Scale （GPS） at baseline， after 2 weeks of treatment， and again 2 weeks post-treatment. To explore potential mechanisms， a mediator analysis was conducted by measuring changes in superficial and deep muscle elasticity using musculoskeletal ultrasound at baseline and after the 2-week treatment period. ResultsThe stone needle group showed significantly greater pain relief than the flurbiprofen group 2 weeks post-treatment. After adjusting for confounders related to pain duration， the between-group mean difference was -8.8 ［95% CI （-18.2， -0.7）， P＜0.05］. Part of the therapeutic effect was mediated by changes in deep muscle elasticity， with a mediation effect size of -1.5 ［95% CI （-2.0， -0.9）， P = 0.024］， accounting for 17.9% of the total effect. ConclusionStone needle thermocompression and massage can effectively relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back， partly through a mediating effect of improved deep muscle elasticity.

Objective:To investigate the effect of physical activity on mortality risk in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Sichuan Province.Methods:Based on baseline data from 2004 to 2008 from the China Kadoorie Biobank project site in Pengzhou City, Sichuan Province, a total of 8 501 COPD patients aged 30-79 years were enrolled and followed up for a long period to determine mortality outcomes. Quartiles were used to group physical activity levels. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the effect of physical activity level on mortality outcomes.Results:As of December 31, 2017, the cumulative follow-up of the participants totaled 85 600.58 person-years (mean follow-up duration: 10.07 years). During this period, a total of 2 000 deaths were recorded, yielding a cumulative mortality rate of 23.53%. Among these deaths, 665 were attributed to COPD, corresponding to a cumulative mortality rate of 7.82%; and 1 116 were attributed to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), corresponding to a cumulative mortality rate of 13.13%. The Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that, after adjusting for confounding factors, total physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of mortality from COPD, CVD, and all causes in patients with COPD. Compared with the low-level group of total physical activity, the medium-high-level group had the lowest risk of COPD mortality, with an HR of 0.39 (95% CI: 0.30-0.49). The high-level group had the lowest risk of CVD death and all-cause death, with HRs of 0.46 (95% CI: 0.37-0.56) and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.48-0.64), respectively. The lowest risk of COPD death and CVD death was found in the medium-high level of work-based physical activity group, with HRs of 0.36 (95% CI: 0.28-0.46) and 0.43 (95% CI: 0.36-0.51), respectively; the risk of all-cause mortality was lowest in the medium-high and high-level groups, with HRs values of 0.53 (95% CI: 0.46-0.61) and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.45-0.61). The risk of COPD death was lowest in the high-level transportation physical activity group, with an HR of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.53-0.83), and the risk of CVD and all-cause death was lowest in the medium-high level group, with HRs of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.53-0.76) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.64-0.84), respectively. The risk of COPD death and CVD death was the lowest in the high-level domestic physical activity group, with HRs of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.49-0.89) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.61-0.95), respectively, and the risk of all-cause death was the lowest in the medium-high level group, with an HR of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72-0.94). There is no statistical association between leisure physical activity and the risk of death from three types of diseases. Conclusions:Total physical activity, including work-based, transportation-based, and domestic physical activity, reduced the risk of COPD, CVD, and all-cause mortality in patients with COPD in Sichuan Province. The magnitude of mortality risk was influenced by the type and level of physical activity.

Objective To explore the value of the time to positivity(TTP)combined with inflammatory indicators for identifying coagulase-negative Staphylococcus(CoNS)bloodstream infection and contamination in tumor patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on totally 368 tumor patients with blood culture-positive admitted to the hospital from September 2022 to April 2023,and 47 patients with blood cul-ture-positive CoNS and complete clinical data were selected as research objects.The patients were divided into CoNS infection group(24 cases)and CoNS contamination group(23 cases)according to the diagnostic criteria of bloodstream infection and in combination with the clinical manifestations and laboratory examination re-sults.In addition,5 tumor patients with blood culture Staphylococcus aureus positive admitted to the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.The TTP,percentage of immature granulocytes(IG%),absolute value of immature granulocytes(IG#),white blood cell count(WBC),neutrophil percent-age(NE%),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),C-reactive protein(CRP)and procalcitonin(PCT)levels in all groups were compared.Results Among the 47 patient isolates of CoNS from blood cultures,Staphylo-coccus hominis was the most common,accounting for 42.55%.There were significant differences in TTP,NE%,NLR and CRP levels between CoNS infection group,CoNS contamination group and control group(P<0.05).The TTP in CoNS infection group was shorter than that in CoNS contamination group,and the levels of NE%,NLR,CRP and PCT were higher than those in CoNS contamination group,with statistical sig-nificance(P<0.05).TTP combined with NLR,CRP and PCT had the largest area under the curve,which was 0.971(P<0.000 1),with a sensitivity of 91.67%,specificity of 95.65%,likelihood ratio of 21.08,positive predictive value of 91.67%,negative predictive value of 95.65%,and an accuracy of 93.62%.Conclusion TTP combined with NLR,CRP and PCT have important clinical value in the differential diagnosis of CoNS blood-stream infection and contamination in tumor patients.

Objective To report the diagnosis and treatment processes of a fungal keratitis case caused by Lasio-diplodia theobromae(L.theobromae),and enhance the diagnosis and treatment experience on fungal keratitis caused by this rare pathogen.Methods Corneal scraping specimen from a patient with fungal keratitis was collec-ted.Gram-staining and fluorescence staining were conducted on specimen,followed with direct microscopic observa-tion and isolation culture.The strain was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS)technology and targeted DNA sequencing.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted.Literatures were summarized and clinical data on fungal keratitis caused by this pathogen were sorted out.Results Septal fungal hyphae could be seen on the corneal scraping specimen microscopically.The strain was identified as L.theobromae by both MALDI-TOF MS and targeted DNA sequencing after culture.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing(microdilution method)showed that the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs)of ampho-tericin B,vorionazole,itraconazole,posaconazole,fluconazole,5-fluorocytosine,micafungin,caspofungin,and anidulafungin against this strain were 1,0.25,＞8,0.25,＞256,8,16,2,and 0.25 μg/mL,respectively.Pa-tient recovered well after antifungal treatment plan was adjusted according to antimicrobial susceptibility testing re-sults.Conclusion L.theobromae is a rare pathogen that causes fungal keratitis.Laboratory tests provide rapid mi-croscopic examination results,and take MALDI-TOF MS and targeted DNA sequencing identification techniques as effective means to detect rare pathogen.In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing result can provide reference for clinicians to correctly use antifungal agents for treatment of infection due to this pathogen.