Objective:To investigate the association of monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) with the severity of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and its spatial distribution.Methods:Patients admitted to the Department of Neurology, Jiangning Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University due to various chronic diseases or physical examinations between January 2023 and December 2024 were included retrospectively. Past medical history, clinical and imaging data were collected. The Fazekas scale was used to assess the severity of WMHs. According to the scoring results of periventricular WMHs (PVWMHs) and deep WMHs (DWMHs), WMHs were divided into no/mild group (0-1 points) and moderate/severe group (2-3 points). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent correlation factors for the severity of WMHs, PVWMHs, and DWMHs. Results:A total of 357 patients were included, aged 65.42±9.95 years, with 198 males (55.5%). There were 193 patients (54.1%) in the no/mild group and 164 (45.9%) in the moderate/severe group. Univariate analysis showed that the proportion of patients with hypertension, diabetes, history of cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage, carotid plaque, and age, serum creatinine, monocyte count and MHR in the moderate/severe group were significantly higher than those in the no/mild group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant positive correlation between MHR and the severity of WMHs (odds ratio 3.138, 95% confidence interval 1.042-9.451; P=0.042). Further analysis showed a significant positive correlation between MHR and PVWMHs (odds ratio 3.384, 95% confidence interval 1.111-10.305; P=0.032), but no independent correlation with DWMHs. In addition, age and hypertension, diabetes, history of cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage were significantly positively correlated with the severity of WMHs, PVWMHs and DWMHs. Conclusion:MHR is correlated with the severity of WMHs, and higher MHR is significantly associated with PVWMHs, but not with DWMHs.

Objective To analyze the trends in the disease burden of schistosomiasis in China from 1992 to 2021, and to project the disease burden of schistosomiasis in China from 2022 to 2030, so as to provide insights into the elimination of schistosomiasis in China. Methods The prevalence, age-standardized prevalence, disability-adjusted life year (DALYs) rate and age-standardized DALYs rate of schistosomiasis, as well as the years lost due to disability (YLDs) rate and age-standardized YLDs rate of anemia attributable to Schistosoma infections in China, the world and different socio-demographic index (SDI) regions were captured from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) data resources, and the trends in the disease burden due to schistosomiasis were evaluated with estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). In addition, the age, period and cohort effects on the prevalence of schistosomiasis were examined in China using an age-period-cohort (APC) model, and the disease burden of schistosomiasis was predicted in China from 2022 to 2030 using a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model. Results The age-standardized prevalence and DALYs rate of schistosomiasis, and the age-standardized YLDs rate of anemia attributable to Schistosoma infections were 761.32/10⁵, 5.55/10⁵ and 0.38/10⁵ in China in 2021. These rates were all lower than the global levels (1 914.30/10⁵, 21.90/10⁵ and 3.36/10⁵, respectively), as well as those in the medium SDI regions (1 413.61/10⁵, 12.10/10⁵ and 1.93/10⁵, respectively), low-medium SDI regions (2 461.03/10⁵, 26.81/10⁵ and 4.48/10⁵, respectively), and low SDI regions (5 832.77/10⁵, 94.48/10⁵ and 10.65/10⁵, respectively), but higher than those in the high SDI regions (59.47/10⁵, 0.49/10⁵ and 0.05/10⁵, respectively) and high-medium SDI regions (123.11/10⁵, 1.20/10⁵ and 0.12/10⁵, respectively). The prevalence and DALYs rate of schistosomiasis were higher among men (820.79/10⁵ and 5.86/10⁵, respectively) than among women (697.96/10⁵ and 5.23/10⁵, respectively) in China in 2021, while the YLDs rate of anemia attributable to Schistosoma infections was higher among women (0.66/10⁵) than among men (0.12/10⁵). The prevalence of schistosomiasis peaked at ages of 30 to 34 years among both men and women, while the DALYs rate of schistosomiasis peaked among men at ages of 15 to 19 years and among women at ages of 20 to 24 years. The age-standardized prevalence of schistosomiasis showed a moderate decline in China from 1992 to 2021 relative to different SDI regions [EAPC = -1.51%, 95% CI: (-1.65%, -1.38%)], while the age-standardized DALYs rate [EAPC = -3.61%, 95% CI: (-3.90%, -3.33%)] and age-standardized YLDs rate of anemia attributable to Schistosoma infections [EAPC = -4.16%, 95% CI: (-4.38%, -3.94%)] appeared the fastest decline in China from1992 to 2021 relative to different SDI regions. APC modeling showed age, period, and cohort effects on the trends in the prevalence of schistosomiasis in China from 1992 to 2021, and the prevalence of schistosomiasis appeared a rise followed by decline with age, and reduced with period and cohort. BAPC modeling revealed that the age-standardized prevalence and age-standardized DALYs rate of schistosomiasis, and age-standardized YLDs rate of anemia attributable to Schistosoma infections all appeared a tendency towards a decline in China from 2022 to 2030, which reduced to 722.72/10⁵ [95% CI: (538.74/10⁵, 906.68/10⁵)], 5.19/10⁵ [95% CI: (3.54/10⁵, 6.84/10⁵)] and 0.30/10⁵ [95% CI: (0.21/10⁵, 0.39/10⁵)] in 2030, respectively. Conclusions The disease burden of schistosomiasis appeared a tendency towards a decline in China from 1992 to 2021, and is projected to appear a tendency towards a decline from 2022 to 2030. There are age, period and cohort effects on the prevalence of schistosomiasis in China. Precision schistosomiasis control is required with adaptations to current prevalence and elimination needs.

Objective To obtain the recombinant Argonaute protein(TtAgo)from Thermus thermophilus using gene cloning and pro-tein purification techniques and detect its endonuclease activity against the KRAS 12D mutation in vitro,thereby to provide experimental evidence for its subsequent application in the detection of gene mutations.Methods The TtAgo gene sequence was amplified from the genome of Thermus thermophilus by the PCR technology.Then,the amplified sequence was inserted into the prokaryotic expression vec-tor pET-28a to construct the recombinant vector pET-28a-TtAgo.After the recombinant TtAgo protein was induced to be expressed,it was purified sequentially by the nickel ion affinity chromatography(Ni-NTA),heparin affinity chromatography,and size-exclusion chromatography.The high-specificity nuclease activity of the recombinant TtAgo protein mediated by a short DNA guide strand(gDNA)was verified in vitro.Results The prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a-TtAgo was successfully constructed by the gene cloning tech-nique,and the soluble expression of the recombinant TtAgo protein was achieved.With the help of protein purification technology,the high-purity recombinant TtAgo protein was obtained.Under the mediation of gDNA,the recombinant TtAgo protein could specifically cleave wild-type single-stranded DNA(ssDNA),double-stranded DNA(dsDNA),and RNA molecules,while had no cleavage activi-ty for tumor KRAS 12D mutant molecules.Conclusion The high-purity recombinant TtAgo protein with nuclease activity is successful-ly obtained,and its targeted cleavage activity towards the KRAS 12D mutation site is detected in vitro.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and potential mechanisms of berberine on formation of biofilms of clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)isolates.METHODS Totally 95 clinical MRSA iso-lates were collected from Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital from Jan.2023 to Dec.2023.The 14 biofilm forma-tion-related genes in the strains were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and multiplex PCR,the mini-mum inhibitory concentration(MIC)of berberine was determined by microbroth dilution method,the effect of berberine on resistance of biofilm formation was evaluated by crustal violet staining,fluorescence microscope,Congo red agar plate and extracelluar DNA(eDNA).The transcription levels of 9 biofilm formation-related genes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR.RESULTS All of the 95 strains of MRSA carried eno,clfA,clfB and icaA genes,the most widespread gene profile was bbp-eno-ebpS-fnbA-fib-clfA-clfB-icaA-sasG,and 29 strains had the phenotypes with strong capability of biofilm formation.The MIC score of berberine ranged between 64 and 1 024 μg/ml.Berberine with the concentration of 1/2 MIC could inhibit the biofilm formation of MRSA(P＜0.001),and the inhibiting rate of biofilm formation of the MIC ≥512 μg/ml group was higher than that of the MIC≤128 μg/ml group and the MIC 256 μg/ml group(all P＜0.05).The re-sult under the fluorescence microscope showed that the fluorescence intensity of biofilms decreased with the rise of berberine concentration.Berberine could reduce the formation of amyloid fibrils and the release of eDNA,down-regulating the transcription levels of ica A,sasG,ebpS,fib,eno,clfA,clfB,bbp and fnbA genes(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Berberine may inhibit the biofilm formation of MRSA by downregulating expression levels of related genes,interfering the formation of amyloid fibrils and blocking the release of eDNA,which may provide experimental bases for development of drugs resisting to MRSA biofilms.

OBJECTIVE T o understand the resistance capability of berberine combined with levofloxacin in vitro to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA).METHODS Totally 100 strains of MRSA were isolated from Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital from Jul.2023 to Jun.2024,the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs)of berberine and levofloxacin against the strains were determined by microbroth dilution method.The anti-bacterial effect of the combined use of the two drugs on MRSA was observed.The effects of the single and com-bined use of berberine and levofloxacin on sterilization of MRSA standard strain USA 300-LAC and their influence on cellular morphology were observed.The influence of berberine on mRNA levels of drug resistance genes and ef-flux pump-related genes in the standard strain USA 300-LAC and clinical strains was determined by means of real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.RESULTS Among the 100 clinical isolates of MRSA,most of them were isola-ted from respiratory tract specimens of respiratory medicine department and geriatrics department,and 75.00％of the strains were resistant to levofloxacin.The MICs of both berberine and levofloxacin against the standard strain USA300-LAC were 128 μg/ml;the MICs against the clinical MRSA isolates were 64 to 1024 μg/ml and 0.125 to 256 μg/ml,respectively.Berberine combined with levofloxacin showed additive effect on 17(44.74％)strains of MRSA.The combined use of the two drugs showed the most remarkable in vitro antibacterial effect.The cellular structures of the strains were unclear and the contents of bacterial bodies increased when berberine and levofloxacin were used in combination.Berberine showed various degree of inhibitory effect on gyrA,gyrB,grlA and nor A genes.CONCLUSIONS Berberine is capable of resisting the MRSA and shows synergistic or additive effect with levofloxacin.The combined use of the two drugs may reduce the MIC against levofloxacin,destroy the morpholog-ical structure,and inhibit the expression of gyrA,gyrB,grlA and nor A genes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features and outcomes of recompensation in patients with autoimmune hepatitis （AIH）-related decompensated cirrhosis， to identify independent predictive factors， and to construct a nomogram prediction model for the probability of recompensation. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among the adult patients with AIH-related decompensated cirrhosis who were admitted to The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to August 2023 （n=211）. The primary endpoint was achievement of recompensation， and the secondary endpoint was liver-related death or liver transplantation. According to the outcome of the patients at the end of the follow-up， the patients were divided into the recompensation group （n=16） and the persistent decompensation group（n=150）.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data with homogeneity of variance， and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data with heterogeneity of variance； the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups； the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis； the Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to identify independent predictive factors， and a nomogram model was constructed and validated. ResultsA total of 211 patients were enrolled， with a median age of 55.0 years and a median follow-up time of 44.0 months， and female patients accounted for 87.2%. Among the 211 patients， 61 （with a cumulative proportion of 35.5%） achieved recompensation. Compared with the persistent decompensation group， the recompensation group had significantly higher white blood cell count， platelet count （PLT）， total bilirubin （TBil）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， total bile acid， prothrombin time， international normalized ratio （INR）， SMA positive rate， Model for End-Stage Liver Disease （MELD） score， Child-Pugh score， and rate of use of glucocorticoids （all P0.05）， as well as significantly lower age at baseline， number of complications， and death/liver transplantation rate （all P0.05）. At 3 and 12 months after treatment， the recompensation group had continuous improvements in AST， TBil， INR， IgG， MELD score， and Child-Pugh score， which were significantly lower than the values in the persistent decompensation group （all P0.05）， alongside with continuous increases in PLT and albumin， which were significantly higher than the values in the persistent decompensation group （P0.05）. The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that baseline ALT （hazard ratio ［HR］=1.067， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.010 — 1.127， P=0.021）， IgG （HR=0.463，95%CI：0.258 — 0.833， P=0.010）， SMA positivity （HR=3.122，95%CI：1.768 — 5.515， P0.001）， and glucocorticoid therapy （HR=20.651，95%CI：8.744 — 48.770， P0.001） were independent predictive factors for recompensation， and the nomogram model based on these predictive factors showed excellent predictive performance （C-index=0.87，95%CI：0.84 — 0.90）. ConclusionAchieving recompensation significantly improves clinical outcomes in patients with AIH-related decompensated cirrhosis. Baseline SMA positivity， a high level of ALT， a low level of IgG， and corticosteroid therapy are independent predictive factors for recompensation. The predictive model constructed based on these factors can provide a basis for decision-making in individualized clinical management.

Objective To obtain the recombinant Argonaute protein(TtAgo)from Thermus thermophilus using gene cloning and pro-tein purification techniques and detect its endonuclease activity against the KRAS 12D mutation in vitro,thereby to provide experimental evidence for its subsequent application in the detection of gene mutations.Methods The TtAgo gene sequence was amplified from the genome of Thermus thermophilus by the PCR technology.Then,the amplified sequence was inserted into the prokaryotic expression vec-tor pET-28a to construct the recombinant vector pET-28a-TtAgo.After the recombinant TtAgo protein was induced to be expressed,it was purified sequentially by the nickel ion affinity chromatography(Ni-NTA),heparin affinity chromatography,and size-exclusion chromatography.The high-specificity nuclease activity of the recombinant TtAgo protein mediated by a short DNA guide strand(gDNA)was verified in vitro.Results The prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a-TtAgo was successfully constructed by the gene cloning tech-nique,and the soluble expression of the recombinant TtAgo protein was achieved.With the help of protein purification technology,the high-purity recombinant TtAgo protein was obtained.Under the mediation of gDNA,the recombinant TtAgo protein could specifically cleave wild-type single-stranded DNA(ssDNA),double-stranded DNA(dsDNA),and RNA molecules,while had no cleavage activi-ty for tumor KRAS 12D mutant molecules.Conclusion The high-purity recombinant TtAgo protein with nuclease activity is successful-ly obtained,and its targeted cleavage activity towards the KRAS 12D mutation site is detected in vitro.

OBJECTIVE T o understand the resistance capability of berberine combined with levofloxacin in vitro to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA).METHODS Totally 100 strains of MRSA were isolated from Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital from Jul.2023 to Jun.2024,the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs)of berberine and levofloxacin against the strains were determined by microbroth dilution method.The anti-bacterial effect of the combined use of the two drugs on MRSA was observed.The effects of the single and com-bined use of berberine and levofloxacin on sterilization of MRSA standard strain USA 300-LAC and their influence on cellular morphology were observed.The influence of berberine on mRNA levels of drug resistance genes and ef-flux pump-related genes in the standard strain USA 300-LAC and clinical strains was determined by means of real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.RESULTS Among the 100 clinical isolates of MRSA,most of them were isola-ted from respiratory tract specimens of respiratory medicine department and geriatrics department,and 75.00％of the strains were resistant to levofloxacin.The MICs of both berberine and levofloxacin against the standard strain USA300-LAC were 128 μg/ml;the MICs against the clinical MRSA isolates were 64 to 1024 μg/ml and 0.125 to 256 μg/ml,respectively.Berberine combined with levofloxacin showed additive effect on 17(44.74％)strains of MRSA.The combined use of the two drugs showed the most remarkable in vitro antibacterial effect.The cellular structures of the strains were unclear and the contents of bacterial bodies increased when berberine and levofloxacin were used in combination.Berberine showed various degree of inhibitory effect on gyrA,gyrB,grlA and nor A genes.CONCLUSIONS Berberine is capable of resisting the MRSA and shows synergistic or additive effect with levofloxacin.The combined use of the two drugs may reduce the MIC against levofloxacin,destroy the morpholog-ical structure,and inhibit the expression of gyrA,gyrB,grlA and nor A genes.

Objective To understand the current status of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)systematic reviews/Meta-analysis over the past 10 years.Methods Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,PubMed,Web of Knowledge,CNKI,SinoMed,WanFang Data,VIP databases,as well as the Cochrane Register and PROSPERO registration platform were searched to collect TCM-related systematic reviews/Meta-analysis published between January 2015 and December 2024.Literature was screened,and standardization of institutions,countries,and journals was performed.Data cleaning was conducted,and trends in publication years,high-frequency diseases,journals,institutions,and highly cited papers were analyzed.Results A total of 11,174 papers were included,involving approximately 56,656 authors from 1,422 institutions across 44 countries,covering 1,300 journals and 1,070 diseases.The top five institutions in terms of publications were Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(954 papers),Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine(928 papers),China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(537 papers),Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine(460 papers),and Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine(393 papers).Foreign institutions with the highest publication volumes were concentrated in South Korea,Iran,and Australia.The most frequently published Chinese journal was Zhongyi Clinical Research with 332 papers,while the most published English journal was Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine with 311 papers.There were 282 single-author papers involving 271 authors,and the most cited paper was referenced 323 times,The three most frequently studied diseases were diabetes(267 papers,2.39％),angina pectoris(214 papers,1.92％),and osteoarthritis(210 papers,1.88％).Non-pharmacological interventions such as acupuncture(1,265 papers,11.32％),auricular therapy(101 papers,0.90％),and Tai Chi(98 papers,0.88％)were most frequently reported.In pharmacological interventions,studies on Tripterygium wilfordii tablets(76 papers,0.68％)and Danhong injection(54 papers,0.48％)were more common.Conclusion The systematic reviews/Meta-analysis method is widely used in the field of TCM,and the field continues to grow.Active academic teams,institutions,and journals have emerged.Over the past decade,there has been a considerable body of evidence in Chinese systematic reviews on TCM for chronic diseases such as diabetes,angina pectoris,and osteoarthritis.In English-language studies,non-pharmacological therapies like acupuncture have been more widely reported,and some high-impact studies have emerged.However,challenges remain,such as issues with research transparency and methodological standardization.Future efforts should focus on establishing transparent systems and quality control mechanisms to further enhance the reliability,accuracy,and dissemination of TCM evidence-based research.

Objective To understand the current status of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)systematic reviews/Meta-analysis over the past 10 years.Methods Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,PubMed,Web of Knowledge,CNKI,SinoMed,WanFang Data,VIP databases,as well as the Cochrane Register and PROSPERO registration platform were searched to collect TCM-related systematic reviews/Meta-analysis published between January 2015 and December 2024.Literature was screened,and standardization of institutions,countries,and journals was performed.Data cleaning was conducted,and trends in publication years,high-frequency diseases,journals,institutions,and highly cited papers were analyzed.Results A total of 11,174 papers were included,involving approximately 56,656 authors from 1,422 institutions across 44 countries,covering 1,300 journals and 1,070 diseases.The top five institutions in terms of publications were Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(954 papers),Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine(928 papers),China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(537 papers),Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine(460 papers),and Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine(393 papers).Foreign institutions with the highest publication volumes were concentrated in South Korea,Iran,and Australia.The most frequently published Chinese journal was Zhongyi Clinical Research with 332 papers,while the most published English journal was Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine with 311 papers.There were 282 single-author papers involving 271 authors,and the most cited paper was referenced 323 times,The three most frequently studied diseases were diabetes(267 papers,2.39％),angina pectoris(214 papers,1.92％),and osteoarthritis(210 papers,1.88％).Non-pharmacological interventions such as acupuncture(1,265 papers,11.32％),auricular therapy(101 papers,0.90％),and Tai Chi(98 papers,0.88％)were most frequently reported.In pharmacological interventions,studies on Tripterygium wilfordii tablets(76 papers,0.68％)and Danhong injection(54 papers,0.48％)were more common.Conclusion The systematic reviews/Meta-analysis method is widely used in the field of TCM,and the field continues to grow.Active academic teams,institutions,and journals have emerged.Over the past decade,there has been a considerable body of evidence in Chinese systematic reviews on TCM for chronic diseases such as diabetes,angina pectoris,and osteoarthritis.In English-language studies,non-pharmacological therapies like acupuncture have been more widely reported,and some high-impact studies have emerged.However,challenges remain,such as issues with research transparency and methodological standardization.Future efforts should focus on establishing transparent systems and quality control mechanisms to further enhance the reliability,accuracy,and dissemination of TCM evidence-based research.