Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies for elderly patients with ground-glass opacity (GGO). Methods The imaging features and postoperative pathological findings of the elderly patients with pulmonary GGO receiving surgery in our hospital from 2017 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into an elderly patient group and a non-elderly patient group based on their age. Results Finally 575 patients were included in the study. There were 281 elderly patients, including 83 males and 198 females, with an average age of (67.0±5.3) years. There were 294 non-elderly patients, including 88 males and 206 females, with an average age of (49.1±7.3) years. Compared with the non-elderly patients, elderly GGO patients showed the following distinct clinical features: long observation time for lesions (P=0.001), high proportion of rough edges of GGO (P<0.001), significant pleural signs (P＜0.001) and bronchial signs (P＜0.001), and high proportion of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ GGO (P<0.001), lobectomy type (P=0.013), and invasive lesions reported in postoperative pathology (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the average hospital stay between the two groups (P=0.106). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GGO diameter and GGO type were the main factors affecting the operation. Observation time, GGO diameter, GGO type and pleural signs were the main influencing factors for postoperative pathological infiltrative lesions. The cut-off value of GGO diameter in predicting infiltrating lesions was 10.5 mm in the elderly patients group. Conclusion The size and type of GGO are important factors in predicting invasive lesions and selecting surgical methods. Elderly patients with radiographic manifestations of type Ⅱ-Ⅳ GGO lesions with a diameter greater than 10.5 mm should be closely followed up.

To screen new antigens for novel tuberculosis(TB)vaccine research,we used bioinformatics to predict the B and T cell epitopes of Rv2318,and evaluated the immunogenicity of Rv2318 and its T/B epitope peptides(Rv2318p).The recombinant plas-mids pET32a-Rv2318 and pET32a-Rv2318p were constructed through gene synthesis methods.The recombinant proteins were ex-pressed in a prokaryotic system and purified with nickel affinity chromatography.Proteins were identified with SDS-PAGE and western blotting.BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with the recombinant proteins to evaluate immunogenicity.Sera were collected,and antigen specific antibody titers were evaluated with ELISA.Splenocytes were isolated,and cytokines and T cell proliferation were analyzed with ELISA and flow cytometry,respectively.Rv2318 included two epitope fragments,aa10-130 and 350-410.SDS-PAGE and western blotting indicated that the target proteins were expressed and purified correctly,and their relative molecular weights were-approximately 68 kD and 42 kD,respectively.Rv2318 and Rv2318p induced stronger humoral immune responses than observed in the control groups(P<0.000 1,n=6).Compared with Rv2318,Rv2318p showed significantly greater enhancement of specific IgG and IgG subclass antibodies(P<0.000 1,n=6).In addition,Rv2318p increased the ratio of IgG2a/IgG1,thus indicating that it primarily induced a cellular immune response biased toward the Th1 type.Cytokine experiments revealed that IFN-γ,IL-2,IL-6,and IL-4 significantly increased after immunization with Rv2318p(P all<0.01,n=6),particularly Th1 type cytokines(IFN-γ and IL-2).Furthermore,Rv2318 increased the expression of only IL-2 and IL-6,particularly IL-6(P all<0.01,n=6).Although Rv2318 in-duced more IFN-γ,we observed no significant difference between Rv2318 and PBS immunized mice.Importantly,Rv2318p stimu-lated mice to express IFN-γ at 842 pg/mL,approximately 3 times the level elicited by Rv2318.Whereas both proteins increased the proportions of CD4+and CD8+T cells,Rv2318p promoted greater proliferation of T lymphocytes.These data indicated that both Rv2318 and its epitope peptides enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses,whereas the epitope peptides notably triggered a stronger Th1 type cellular response.In conclusion,the recombinant protein Rv2318 and its epitope peptides showed favorable immunogenicity,and the immunogenicity of Rv2318p was superior to that of Rv2318.This study provides a theoretical basis for TB vaccine development.

This study was aimed at analyzing the epidemiological and drug resistance characteristics of tuberculosis at a desig-nated tuberculosis hospital in Hunan Province in 2024.Patients diagnosed with TB at the hospital between April and October 2024 were included in the study.Demographic data,clinical information,and drug sensitivity test results were collected from the hospital′s electronic medical record system.Descriptive statistics,the chi-square test,and logistic regression were used to analyze the epidemic characteristics,drug resistance characteristics,and factors influencing tuberculosis.Whole genome sequencing of isolates was per-formed,and lineage classification and drug resistance gene mutations were detected with TB-Profiler.The male-to-female ratio was 2.72∶1,and the median age was 56(IQR:43-66)years.Among the 391 patients,most were farmers(46.8%,183/391)and were pri-marily from Changsha(41.1%,162/391).Significant differences were observed in sex and occupation between pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB)and extrapulmonary tuberculosis(EPTB).The overall prevalence of any type of drug resistance of tuberculosis was 33.25%,and the multidrug resistance TB(MDR-TB)and poly-drug resistance(PR-TB)rates were 14.23%and 4.35%,respectively.The re-sistance rates to rifampicin(RIF),isoniazid(INH),ethambutol(EMB),and streptomycin(SM)were 17.90%,22.25%,6.39%,and 20.20%,respectively.Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that both diabetes(OR:2.295,95%CI:1.082-4.866)and retreatment(OR:17.822,95%CI:8.343-38.072)were risk factors for developing MDR-TB.Lineage 2(L2)strains accounted for 64.40%(136/191),whereas lineage 4(L4)accounted for 28.80%(55/191).The most common drug resistance mutations were katG Ser315Thr(62.50%,20/32)for INH,rpoB Ser450Leu(50.00%,12/24)for RIF,embB Met306Val(55.56%,5/9)for EMB,and rpsL Lys43Arg(80.95%,34/42)for SM.In conclusion,TB drug resistance was found to be a serious problem at a designated tu-berculosis hospital in Hunan in 2024.Strengthening the treatment and management of patients infected with L2 strains,those with co-morbid diabetes,and retreatment cases is crucial for preventing and controlling the emergence of drug-resistant TB.

Objective: To investigate the spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of influenza in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2023, so as to provide the basis for strengthening influenza prevention and control. Methods: Data pertaining to influenza cases reported in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2023 were retrieved from the Infectious Disease Surveillance System of the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System, including age, sex, current residence, onset date, and reporting date. The seasonal incidence of influenza was analyzed using seasonal index. The spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of influenza were identified using spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatio-temporal scan analysis. Results: A total of 20 377 influenza cases were reported in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2023, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.15∶1. The majority were children under 15 years, with 10 950 cases accounting for 53.74%. Influenza was highly prevalent in January, February, March, and December, with seasonal indices of 219.06%, 111.00%, 246.65%, and 366.24%, respectively. The average annual reported incidence was 29.55/100 000, among which Pengyang County, Jinfeng District, Dawukou District, Xiji County, and Litong District had higher average annual reported incidence, at 63.99/100 000, 55.71/100 000, 55.70/100 000, 49.49/100 000, and 49.04/100 000, respectively. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that in 2023, there was spatial clustering of influenza cases in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (Moran's I=0.333, P<0.05), with a high-high cluster in Jingyuan County, while in other years, the distribution of influenza cases was random (all P>0.05). Spatio-temporal scan analysis showed that from 2014 to 2023, there were four space-time clusters in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, including one type Ⅰ cluster in Hongsibao District of Wuzhong City, with the clustering period from January 20 to 26, 2014; and three type Ⅱ clusters, mainly in January, February, March and December, covering one area in Shizuishan City, five areas in Guyuan City, one area in Zhongwei City, three areas in Wuzhong City, and four areas in Yinchuan City. Conclusions From 2014 to 2023, children under 15 years were the primary population affected by influenza in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with distinct spatio-temporal distribution characteristics. The peak incidence occurred during the winter and spring seasons, and the main clustering areas were in the southern regions.

To screen new antigens for novel tuberculosis(TB)vaccine research,we used bioinformatics to predict the B and T cell epitopes of Rv2318,and evaluated the immunogenicity of Rv2318 and its T/B epitope peptides(Rv2318p).The recombinant plas-mids pET32a-Rv2318 and pET32a-Rv2318p were constructed through gene synthesis methods.The recombinant proteins were ex-pressed in a prokaryotic system and purified with nickel affinity chromatography.Proteins were identified with SDS-PAGE and western blotting.BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with the recombinant proteins to evaluate immunogenicity.Sera were collected,and antigen specific antibody titers were evaluated with ELISA.Splenocytes were isolated,and cytokines and T cell proliferation were analyzed with ELISA and flow cytometry,respectively.Rv2318 included two epitope fragments,aa10-130 and 350-410.SDS-PAGE and western blotting indicated that the target proteins were expressed and purified correctly,and their relative molecular weights were-approximately 68 kD and 42 kD,respectively.Rv2318 and Rv2318p induced stronger humoral immune responses than observed in the control groups(P<0.000 1,n=6).Compared with Rv2318,Rv2318p showed significantly greater enhancement of specific IgG and IgG subclass antibodies(P<0.000 1,n=6).In addition,Rv2318p increased the ratio of IgG2a/IgG1,thus indicating that it primarily induced a cellular immune response biased toward the Th1 type.Cytokine experiments revealed that IFN-γ,IL-2,IL-6,and IL-4 significantly increased after immunization with Rv2318p(P all<0.01,n=6),particularly Th1 type cytokines(IFN-γ and IL-2).Furthermore,Rv2318 increased the expression of only IL-2 and IL-6,particularly IL-6(P all<0.01,n=6).Although Rv2318 in-duced more IFN-γ,we observed no significant difference between Rv2318 and PBS immunized mice.Importantly,Rv2318p stimu-lated mice to express IFN-γ at 842 pg/mL,approximately 3 times the level elicited by Rv2318.Whereas both proteins increased the proportions of CD4+and CD8+T cells,Rv2318p promoted greater proliferation of T lymphocytes.These data indicated that both Rv2318 and its epitope peptides enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses,whereas the epitope peptides notably triggered a stronger Th1 type cellular response.In conclusion,the recombinant protein Rv2318 and its epitope peptides showed favorable immunogenicity,and the immunogenicity of Rv2318p was superior to that of Rv2318.This study provides a theoretical basis for TB vaccine development.

This study was aimed at analyzing the epidemiological and drug resistance characteristics of tuberculosis at a desig-nated tuberculosis hospital in Hunan Province in 2024.Patients diagnosed with TB at the hospital between April and October 2024 were included in the study.Demographic data,clinical information,and drug sensitivity test results were collected from the hospital′s electronic medical record system.Descriptive statistics,the chi-square test,and logistic regression were used to analyze the epidemic characteristics,drug resistance characteristics,and factors influencing tuberculosis.Whole genome sequencing of isolates was per-formed,and lineage classification and drug resistance gene mutations were detected with TB-Profiler.The male-to-female ratio was 2.72∶1,and the median age was 56(IQR:43-66)years.Among the 391 patients,most were farmers(46.8%,183/391)and were pri-marily from Changsha(41.1%,162/391).Significant differences were observed in sex and occupation between pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB)and extrapulmonary tuberculosis(EPTB).The overall prevalence of any type of drug resistance of tuberculosis was 33.25%,and the multidrug resistance TB(MDR-TB)and poly-drug resistance(PR-TB)rates were 14.23%and 4.35%,respectively.The re-sistance rates to rifampicin(RIF),isoniazid(INH),ethambutol(EMB),and streptomycin(SM)were 17.90%,22.25%,6.39%,and 20.20%,respectively.Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that both diabetes(OR:2.295,95%CI:1.082-4.866)and retreatment(OR:17.822,95%CI:8.343-38.072)were risk factors for developing MDR-TB.Lineage 2(L2)strains accounted for 64.40%(136/191),whereas lineage 4(L4)accounted for 28.80%(55/191).The most common drug resistance mutations were katG Ser315Thr(62.50%,20/32)for INH,rpoB Ser450Leu(50.00%,12/24)for RIF,embB Met306Val(55.56%,5/9)for EMB,and rpsL Lys43Arg(80.95%,34/42)for SM.In conclusion,TB drug resistance was found to be a serious problem at a designated tu-berculosis hospital in Hunan in 2024.Strengthening the treatment and management of patients infected with L2 strains,those with co-morbid diabetes,and retreatment cases is crucial for preventing and controlling the emergence of drug-resistant TB.

Objective To compare the effects of the left and right stellate ganglion resection on myocardial injury in rats with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods According to the random number table method,30 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the AMI group,left stellate ganglionectomy group,and right stellate ganglionectomy group,with 10 rats in each group.AMI models were prepared by ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery in all the three groups.In the AMI group,the stellate ganglion was isolated(randomly left or right)without excision.The rats in the left and right stellate ganglionectomy groups underwent the left and right stellate ganglionectomy,respectively.At 24 hours after modeling,2 mL of subclavian venous blood was extracted from the three groups of rats.The serum levels of cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ),noradrenaline(NE),interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),malondialdehyde(MDA),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and cardiac output(CO)of rats in the three groups were measured by echocardiography one week after modeling.Results The serum levels of NE,cTnⅠ and MDA in the left and right stellate ganglionectomy groups were significantly lower than those in the AMI group,and SOD level was significantly higher than that in the AMI group(P＜0.05);the serum levels of NE,cTnⅠ and MDA in the right stellate ganglionectomy group were significantly lower than those in the left stellate ganglionectomy group,and SOD level was significantly higher than that in the left stellate ganglionectomy group(P＜0.05).The levels of serum IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in the left and right stellate ganglionectomy groups were significantly lower than those in the AMI group(P＜0.05);the levels of serum IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-αin the right stellate ganglionectomy group were significantly lower than those in the left stellate ganglionectomy group(P＜0.05).LVEF,LVFS and CO in the left and right stellate ganglionectomy groups were significantly higher than those in the AMI group,and LVEF and LVFS in the right stellate ganglionectomy group were significantly higher than those in the left stellate ganglionectomy group(P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in CO between the left and right stellate ganglionectomy groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Stellate ganglionectomy has a protective effect on AMI induced by ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery,which may be related to reducing inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress damage.The right stellate ganglion resection has more protective effects on cardiac function than the left stellate ganglion resection.

Objective To investigate the effects of lumbar epidural block of renal sympathetic nerve on cardiac function and serum inflammatory factors in rats with myocardial infarction.Methods Thirty healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into asham operation group,myocardial infarction group and sympathetic nerve block group according to the random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.Lumbar epidural catheterization was applied in all rats in the 3 groups.After catheter insertion,myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery of rats in the myocardial infarction group and the sympathetic nerve block group,while the left anterior descending branch of rats in the sham operation group was not ligated.After myocardial infarction,the rats in the sympathetic nerve block group were injected with 50 μL of ropivacaine(volume fraction:0.2％)via a lumbar epidural catheteronce every 24 hours,and the injection lasted until 14 days after surgery.In the myocardial infarction group,50 μL of 9 g·L-1sodium chloride was injected into the rats through a lumbar epidural catheteronce every 24 hours,and the injection lasted until 14 days after surgery.Rats in the sham group did not receive the injection of any drugs.At 14 days after operation,echocardiography was performed on rats in the 3 groups to measure ejection fraction(EF),left ventricular short-axis shortening rate(FS)and cardiac output(CO).A total of 1 mL of cervical venous blood was extracted from each rat in the 3 groups at 24 h after surgery,and 5 mL of abdominal aortic blood was extracted from rats in the 3 groups at 14 days after surgery.Serum levels of norepinephrine(NE),cardiac troponin I(cTnl),interleukin-18(IL-18),interleukin-1β(IL-1 β)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.At 14 days after surgery,the rats in the 3 groups were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 100 g·L-1 chloral hydrate(300 mg·kg-1),and the thoracic cavity of the rats was opened to remove the heart.The myocardial infarction area of the rats was detected by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining,and the proportion of the myocardial infarction area was calculated.Results On the 14th day after surgery,EF,FS and CO of rats in the myocardial infarction group and sympathetic nerve block group were significantly lower than those in the sham operation group,while EF,FS and CO of rats in the sympathetic nerve block group were significantly higher than those in the myocardial infarction group(P＜0.05).The serum cTnI level of rats in the myocardial infarction group and sympathetic nerve block group was significantly higher than that in the sham operation group(t=68.260,15.110;P＜0.05),and the serum cTnI level of rats in the myocardial infarction group was significantly higher than that in the sympathetic nerve block group(t=27.920,P＜0.05).The proportion of the myocardial infarction area of rats in the sympathetic nerve block group was significantly lower than that in the myocardial infarction group(t=14.182,P＜0.001).There was no significant difference in the serum NE,IL-18,IL-1 β and TNF-α levels of rats between 24 hours and 14 days after surgery in the sham operation group(P＞0.05).The serum NE,IL-1 β and TNF-αlevels of rats at 14 days after surgery were significantly higher than those at 24 hours after surgery,and the IL-18 level of rats was significantly lower than that at 24 hours after surgery in the myocardial infarction group(P＜0.05).The serum NE,IL-18 and TNF-α levels of rats at 14 days after surgery were significantly lower than those at 24 hours after surgery,and the IL-1 βlevel of rats was significantly higher than that at 24 hours after surgery in the sympathetic nerve block group(P＜0.05).At 24 hours and 14 days after surgery,the serum NE,IL-18,1L-1 β and TNF-α levels of rats in the myocardial infarction group and sympathetic nerve block group were significantly higher than those in the sham operation group,while the serum NE,IL-18,IL-1 β and TNF-α levels of rats in the sympathetic nerve block group were significantly lower than those in the myocardial infarction group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Lumbar epidural block of renal sympathetic nerve in rats can significantly reduce the levels of serum inflammatory factors and NE,and improve cardiac function.

Objective: To investigate the awareness of air pollution protection knowledge and its influencing factors among primary school students in Shennongjia Forest District, Hubei Province, so as to provide insights into targeting implementation of health education on air pollution protection knowledge. Methods: Students in Grade 3 to 5 in Shennongjia Shiyan primary school were enrolled by stratified cluster sampling method, and students' demographic features and awareness of air pollution protection knowledge were investigated using the Investigation on the Effects of Air Pollution Health Protection of Pupils (Volume A). Factors affecting the awareness of air pollution protection knowledge among primary school students were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 897 questionnaires were allocated, and 877 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective rate of 97.77%. The respondents included 446 men (50.86%) and 431 women (49.14%), 301 third grade students (34.32%), 284 fourth grade students (32.38%), and 292 fifth grade students (33.30%), and had a mean age of (10.32±0.93) years. The overall awareness of air pollution protection was 55.76%, and the awareness rates of basic concepts, basic knowledge, and basic behaviors and skills were 42.99%, 53.48% and 57.24%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age (OR=1.453, 95%CI: 1.053-2.005), living with parents (OR=2.638, 95%CI: 1.571-4.429), mother's educational level (below primary school, OR=0.270, 95%CI: 0.084-0.862; primary school, OR=0.169, 95%CI: 0.069-0.416; junior high school, OR=0.309, 95%CI: 0.138-0.691; high school, OR=0.352, 95%CI: 0.160-0.773) and average annual family income (50 000 to 100 000 Yuan, OR=1.629, 95%CI: 1.162-2.282; 100 000 to 150 000 Yuan, OR=1.802, 95%CI: 1.101-2.948; ≥150 000 Yuan, OR=1.939, 95%CI: 1.065-3.529) as factors affecting the awareness of air pollution protection knowledge among primary school students. Conclusion The awareness of air pollution protection knowledge is 55.76% among primary school students in Shennongjia Forest District, and is affected by age, mother's educational level, average annual family income and living with parents.