Objective:To investigate the pathogenetic characteristics of clinical isolates of Streptococcus suis in Henan Province from 2020 to 2023. Methods:Eight clinical isolates of S. suis in Henan Province from 2020 to 2023 were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serotype and virulence genes were detected by the serum agglutination test and PCR, and antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the microbroth dilution method. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), minimum core genome (MCG), identification of antibiotic resistance genes, and core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) analysis were conducted using whole genome sequencing. Results:The results showed that eight S. suis strains isolated from humans were mainly serotype 2 (75.0%), while the rest were serotype 14 (25.0%). ST353 (62.5%) was the predominant genotype, followed by ST1 (25.0%) and ST7 (12.5%). All isolates belonged to the MCG1 group. The virulence genotypes of these isolates were primarily mrp(NA2)/ sly+/ ef+/ gapdh+(75.0%), while the remaining were mrp(EU)/ sly+/ ef+/ gapdh+(25.0%). These isolates carried tetracycline, macrolide, lincosamide and aminoglycoside resistance genes, and their resistance rates to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin were 100.0%, 87.5% and 87.5%, respectively, and 62.5% strains were intermediate-resistant to penicillin. The cgSNP analysis indicated that these isolates were closer to the isolates from Guangdong, Zhejiang and Guangxi Provinces, with five ST353 strains and one ST7 strain belonging to Clade Ⅰ, and two ST1 strains belonging to Clade Ⅱ. Conclusion:The human isolates of S. suis in Henan Province are mainly ST353, harboring multiple virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.

Objective:To develop a laser-induced graphene (LIG)-based multimodal electrochemical sensor for monitoring the burn wound microenvironment and to evaluate its performance.Methods:This study was an experimental study. LIG three-electrode substrates were functionalized with L-lactate oxidase, polyaniline, and sortase A to fabricate lactate sensor, pH sensor, and bacterial sensor, respectively, thereby constituting the LIG-based multimodal electrochemical sensor. An electrochemical workstation was used to assess the electrochemical performance of the lactate sensor and bacterial sensor by cyclic voltammetry, with voltammetric response curves being plotted. An electrochemical workstation was used to assess the lactate sensor's response to lactate by chronoamperometry (with current-time curve being recorded and calibration curve being plotted during the test in the L-lactic acid solution with a molar concentration of 10-60 mmol/L), the pH sensor's response to pH by open-circuit potential measurement (with open-circuit potential-time curve being recorded and calibration curve being plotted during the test in the standard buffer solutions with pH values ranging from 3 to 8), and the bacterial sensor's response to bacteria by differential pulse voltammetry (with current-voltage curve being recorded and calibration curve being plotted during the test in gradient suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus ranging from 1×103-1×10? colony forming unit (CFU)/mL). The sample size for all the above experiments was 3. The correlation analysis was performed on the current value of the lactate sensor and the lactate concentration, the average value of steady-state open circuit potential of the pH sensor and the pH value, and the peak current value of the bacterial sensor and the bacterial concentration value. Each of the prepared standard test system solutions for lactate, pH value, and bacteria were all aliquoted into 30 samples. The lactate concentration, pH value, and bacterial concentration were determined by the lactate sensor and a L-lactate assay kit, the pH sensor and a precision pH meter, and the bacterial sensor and a microvolume spectrophotometer, respectively. Fifteen pairs of matched data were selected according to the random number table method for comparison, and the correlation analysis was performed on the measured values of each sensor and the reference values of the corresponding standard methods. Results:The voltammetric response curves showed that the lactate sensor and the bacterial sensor exhibited distinct oxidation peak currents at oxidation peak potentials of approximately 0.74 and 0.65 V, respectively. In the lactate sensor, the change in current after addition of phosphate buffered solution was (0.025±0.041) μA, which was significantly lower than that after addition of L-lactate solution (0.228±0.117) μA ( t=2.85, P<0.05). In the L-lactic acid solution with a molar concentration of 10-60 mmol/L, the current value of the lactate sensor was significantly linearly correlated with the lactate concentration ( r=0.98, P<0.05). In the standard buffer solutions with pH values ranging from 3 to 8, the average value of steady-state open circuit potential of the pH sensor was significantly linearly correlated with the corresponding pH values ( r=0.96, P<0.05). In gradient suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus ranging from 1×103 to 1×10? CFU/mL, the peak current value of the bacterial sensor was significantly linearly correlated with the logarithm of bacterial concentration ( r=0.95, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the lactate concentrations measured by the lactate sensor and by the L-lactate assay kit, pH values measured by the pH sensor and by the precision pH meter, and logarithmic bacterial concentrations measured by the bacterial sensor and by the microvolume spectrophotometer ( P>0.05), but there were significant positive correlations between the two (with r values of 0.97, 0.96, and 0.95, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusions:After functional modification, the developed LIG-based multimodal electrochemical sensor enables accurate monitoring of lactate concentration, pH value, and bacterial load in the burn wound microenvironment with the results being of high sensitivity and stability. This platform provides a reliable new approach for non-invasive monitoring of the critical indicators of burn wound microenvironment, which shows great prospects for clinical application.

Objective:To investigate the effect of a new method of utilizing frontalis sling with polypropylene non-absorbable sutures for the treatment of senile ptosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of senile patients with blepharoptosis who were treated with frontalis sling surgery with polypropylene non-absorbable sutures at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine between January 2022 and December 2023. The palpebral fissure height and margin reflex distance (MRD1) of the upper eyelid margin were measured and recorded before and after the operation, and the operation time and postoperative detumescence time were recorded. Postoperative complications and recurrence of ptosis were followed up. Patients’ satisfaction with the postoperative effect was investigated and divided into three levels: very satisfied, satisfied, and dissatisfied. Normal distribution measurement data were expressed as Mean±SD; counting data were expressed as frequency.Results:A total of 8 patients were enrolled, including 3 males and 5 females, with an age of (68.8±6.1) years. Six patients underwent bilateral ptosis correction surgery, and two underwent unilateral ptosis correction surgery. The ptosis was graded as follows: 1 case was mild, 2 cases were moderate, and 5 cases were severe. There were 2 cases of aponeurotic ptosis, 3 cases of congenital ptosis and 3 cases of traumatic ptosis (1 of which was prosthetic eye). The operative time of 8 patients (14 eyes) with unilateral ptosis was (43.9±4.9) min. The swelling resolved in (9.4±1.7) days. One patient still had symptoms of lagophthalmos and corneal irritation 7 days after the operation. The symptoms gradually relieved after wearing corneal protective goggles and applying eye ointment. The postoperative follow-up lasted from 2 to 15 months (mean 6.3 months). Palpebral cleft height [(9.8±0.6) mm vs. (3.3±1.2) mm] and MRD1[(4.1±0.5) mm vs. (-1.1±0.8) mm] in 8 patients (14 eyes) after surgery were significantly higher than those before the operation( P<0.01). There was no recurrence of ptosis after the operation. There were 2 cases of upper eyelid hysteresis, of which 1 case was mild upper eyelid hysteresis, and the other case had relatively obvious upper eyelid hysteresis on prosthetic side. Satisfaction survey showed that 7 patients were very satisfied with the result of the operation, and 1 patient was satisfied. Conclusion:Frontal muscle suspension with polypropylene non-absorbable suture is a feasible method for the treatment of ptosis in elderly patients with simple operation, little tissue damage, positive effect, rapid postoperative recovery and acceptable complications.

Objective To investigate effect of cassava RS3 resistant starch(Ce-RS3)on serum homocysteine(Hcy)level in patients with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction(ACI)during the recovery period.Methods A total of 55 patients with ACI at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2023 to October 2024 were selected as subjects.They were devieded into observation group(n=28)and control group(n=27)using a random number table.The control group received atorvastatin calcium,phospholipids,and aspirin,while the observation group received atorvastatin calcium,phospholipids,aspirin,and Ce-RS3.After 12 weeks of treatment,homocysteine(Hcy)levels,carotid plaque diameter,National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)scores,Barthel index(BI)scores,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores were compared between two groups.Results After treatment,the serum Hcy levels decreased and carotid plaque size reduced in both groups,with the NIHSS scores and TCM syndrome scores also decreased,and observation group was lower than control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the BI score increased,with observation group higher than control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The use of Ce-RS3 in the recovery phase of patients with ACI can effectively improve neurological function and enhance treatment efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the pathogenetic characteristics of clinical isolates of Streptococcus suis in Henan Province from 2020 to 2023. Methods:Eight clinical isolates of S. suis in Henan Province from 2020 to 2023 were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serotype and virulence genes were detected by the serum agglutination test and PCR, and antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the microbroth dilution method. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), minimum core genome (MCG), identification of antibiotic resistance genes, and core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) analysis were conducted using whole genome sequencing. Results:The results showed that eight S. suis strains isolated from humans were mainly serotype 2 (75.0%), while the rest were serotype 14 (25.0%). ST353 (62.5%) was the predominant genotype, followed by ST1 (25.0%) and ST7 (12.5%). All isolates belonged to the MCG1 group. The virulence genotypes of these isolates were primarily mrp(NA2)/ sly+/ ef+/ gapdh+(75.0%), while the remaining were mrp(EU)/ sly+/ ef+/ gapdh+(25.0%). These isolates carried tetracycline, macrolide, lincosamide and aminoglycoside resistance genes, and their resistance rates to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin were 100.0%, 87.5% and 87.5%, respectively, and 62.5% strains were intermediate-resistant to penicillin. The cgSNP analysis indicated that these isolates were closer to the isolates from Guangdong, Zhejiang and Guangxi Provinces, with five ST353 strains and one ST7 strain belonging to Clade Ⅰ, and two ST1 strains belonging to Clade Ⅱ. Conclusion:The human isolates of S. suis in Henan Province are mainly ST353, harboring multiple virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.

Objective:To investigate the effect of a new method of utilizing frontalis sling with polypropylene non-absorbable sutures for the treatment of senile ptosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of senile patients with blepharoptosis who were treated with frontalis sling surgery with polypropylene non-absorbable sutures at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine between January 2022 and December 2023. The palpebral fissure height and margin reflex distance (MRD1) of the upper eyelid margin were measured and recorded before and after the operation, and the operation time and postoperative detumescence time were recorded. Postoperative complications and recurrence of ptosis were followed up. Patients’ satisfaction with the postoperative effect was investigated and divided into three levels: very satisfied, satisfied, and dissatisfied. Normal distribution measurement data were expressed as Mean±SD; counting data were expressed as frequency.Results:A total of 8 patients were enrolled, including 3 males and 5 females, with an age of (68.8±6.1) years. Six patients underwent bilateral ptosis correction surgery, and two underwent unilateral ptosis correction surgery. The ptosis was graded as follows: 1 case was mild, 2 cases were moderate, and 5 cases were severe. There were 2 cases of aponeurotic ptosis, 3 cases of congenital ptosis and 3 cases of traumatic ptosis (1 of which was prosthetic eye). The operative time of 8 patients (14 eyes) with unilateral ptosis was (43.9±4.9) min. The swelling resolved in (9.4±1.7) days. One patient still had symptoms of lagophthalmos and corneal irritation 7 days after the operation. The symptoms gradually relieved after wearing corneal protective goggles and applying eye ointment. The postoperative follow-up lasted from 2 to 15 months (mean 6.3 months). Palpebral cleft height [(9.8±0.6) mm vs. (3.3±1.2) mm] and MRD1[(4.1±0.5) mm vs. (-1.1±0.8) mm] in 8 patients (14 eyes) after surgery were significantly higher than those before the operation( P<0.01). There was no recurrence of ptosis after the operation. There were 2 cases of upper eyelid hysteresis, of which 1 case was mild upper eyelid hysteresis, and the other case had relatively obvious upper eyelid hysteresis on prosthetic side. Satisfaction survey showed that 7 patients were very satisfied with the result of the operation, and 1 patient was satisfied. Conclusion:Frontal muscle suspension with polypropylene non-absorbable suture is a feasible method for the treatment of ptosis in elderly patients with simple operation, little tissue damage, positive effect, rapid postoperative recovery and acceptable complications.

Objective To investigate effect of cassava RS3 resistant starch(Ce-RS3)on serum homocysteine(Hcy)level in patients with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction(ACI)during the recovery period.Methods A total of 55 patients with ACI at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2023 to October 2024 were selected as subjects.They were devieded into observation group(n=28)and control group(n=27)using a random number table.The control group received atorvastatin calcium,phospholipids,and aspirin,while the observation group received atorvastatin calcium,phospholipids,aspirin,and Ce-RS3.After 12 weeks of treatment,homocysteine(Hcy)levels,carotid plaque diameter,National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)scores,Barthel index(BI)scores,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores were compared between two groups.Results After treatment,the serum Hcy levels decreased and carotid plaque size reduced in both groups,with the NIHSS scores and TCM syndrome scores also decreased,and observation group was lower than control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the BI score increased,with observation group higher than control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The use of Ce-RS3 in the recovery phase of patients with ACI can effectively improve neurological function and enhance treatment efficacy.

Objective:To develop a laser-induced graphene (LIG)-based multimodal electrochemical sensor for monitoring the burn wound microenvironment and to evaluate its performance.Methods:This study was an experimental study. LIG three-electrode substrates were functionalized with L-lactate oxidase, polyaniline, and sortase A to fabricate lactate sensor, pH sensor, and bacterial sensor, respectively, thereby constituting the LIG-based multimodal electrochemical sensor. An electrochemical workstation was used to assess the electrochemical performance of the lactate sensor and bacterial sensor by cyclic voltammetry, with voltammetric response curves being plotted. An electrochemical workstation was used to assess the lactate sensor's response to lactate by chronoamperometry (with current-time curve being recorded and calibration curve being plotted during the test in the L-lactic acid solution with a molar concentration of 10-60 mmol/L), the pH sensor's response to pH by open-circuit potential measurement (with open-circuit potential-time curve being recorded and calibration curve being plotted during the test in the standard buffer solutions with pH values ranging from 3 to 8), and the bacterial sensor's response to bacteria by differential pulse voltammetry (with current-voltage curve being recorded and calibration curve being plotted during the test in gradient suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus ranging from 1×103-1×10? colony forming unit (CFU)/mL). The sample size for all the above experiments was 3. The correlation analysis was performed on the current value of the lactate sensor and the lactate concentration, the average value of steady-state open circuit potential of the pH sensor and the pH value, and the peak current value of the bacterial sensor and the bacterial concentration value. Each of the prepared standard test system solutions for lactate, pH value, and bacteria were all aliquoted into 30 samples. The lactate concentration, pH value, and bacterial concentration were determined by the lactate sensor and a L-lactate assay kit, the pH sensor and a precision pH meter, and the bacterial sensor and a microvolume spectrophotometer, respectively. Fifteen pairs of matched data were selected according to the random number table method for comparison, and the correlation analysis was performed on the measured values of each sensor and the reference values of the corresponding standard methods. Results:The voltammetric response curves showed that the lactate sensor and the bacterial sensor exhibited distinct oxidation peak currents at oxidation peak potentials of approximately 0.74 and 0.65 V, respectively. In the lactate sensor, the change in current after addition of phosphate buffered solution was (0.025±0.041) μA, which was significantly lower than that after addition of L-lactate solution (0.228±0.117) μA ( t=2.85, P<0.05). In the L-lactic acid solution with a molar concentration of 10-60 mmol/L, the current value of the lactate sensor was significantly linearly correlated with the lactate concentration ( r=0.98, P<0.05). In the standard buffer solutions with pH values ranging from 3 to 8, the average value of steady-state open circuit potential of the pH sensor was significantly linearly correlated with the corresponding pH values ( r=0.96, P<0.05). In gradient suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus ranging from 1×103 to 1×10? CFU/mL, the peak current value of the bacterial sensor was significantly linearly correlated with the logarithm of bacterial concentration ( r=0.95, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the lactate concentrations measured by the lactate sensor and by the L-lactate assay kit, pH values measured by the pH sensor and by the precision pH meter, and logarithmic bacterial concentrations measured by the bacterial sensor and by the microvolume spectrophotometer ( P>0.05), but there were significant positive correlations between the two (with r values of 0.97, 0.96, and 0.95, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusions:After functional modification, the developed LIG-based multimodal electrochemical sensor enables accurate monitoring of lactate concentration, pH value, and bacterial load in the burn wound microenvironment with the results being of high sensitivity and stability. This platform provides a reliable new approach for non-invasive monitoring of the critical indicators of burn wound microenvironment, which shows great prospects for clinical application.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological and spatial distribution characteristics of scrub typhus in Henan Province, and to identify its epidemic trends in order to provide a basis for developing prevention and control measures.Methods:Data of reported cases with scrub typhus from January 2006 to December 2022 in Henan Province were collected from the Chinese disease control and prevention information system subsystem infectious disease monitoring system. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to statistically analyze the distribution of cases by time, region, and population distributions. Spatial clustering analysis was conducted at the county level. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test.Results:A total of 1 580 cases of scrub typhus were reported in Henan Province. The incidence of the disease showed obvious seasonality, with peaks in October and November, during which a cumulative total of 1 409 cases were reported, accounting for 89.18% of all cases. There were 682 male cases and 898 female cases, with a lower incidence rate in males (1.37 per 100 000 population) compared to females (1.81 per 100 000 population), the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=30.84, P<0.001). The majority of cases were individuals aged 40 years and above, accounting for 84.75% (1 339/1 580) of all cases. The incidence rates among age groups (0 to 19 years, 20 to 39 years, 40 to 59 years, and ≥60 years) were statistically significant different ( χ2=1 114.44, P<0.001). Among the top 10 counties with the highest cumulative reported cases, six were in Zhumadian City. Global spatial autocorrelation analysis from 2014 and 2016 to 2022 showed that the global Moran′s I were all >0, Z values were all >1.96, and P values were all <0.001, indicating a clustered distribution of scrub typhus at the county level in Henan Province. Conclusions:From 2006 to 2022, scrub typhus in Henan Province exhibits a significant spatiotemporal clustering, predominantly affecting individuals aged 40 and above. Targeted prevention and control measures should be implemented in high-incidence areas.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics and spatial distribution of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Henan Province, and to provide a basis for the development of prevention and control measures.Methods:Data of reported cases with HFRS in Henan Province from January 2012 to December 2022 were obtained from the Chinese disease control and prevention information system subsystem infectious disease monitoring system. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the temporal, regional, population distributions, and the type of clinical diagnoses of HFRS. The spatial clustering analyses were carried out at county level. Correlation analysis between different clinical diagnostic types and mortality rate was conducted using Pearson method.Results:A total of 2 843 HFRS cases were reported, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.26/100 000, and 49 cases died with a case-fatality rate of 1.72%. There were two peaks of incidence each year, which were fall and winter (from October to the next January) and late spring and summer peak (from May to July). Among the patients, 2 174(76.47%) were male and 2 294(80.69%) were farmers. The average ages of reported cases from 2012 to 2022 were 43.70 years, 45.44 years, 45.91 years, 48.33 years, 45.41 years, 48.53 years, 48.93 years, 48.87 years, 45.90 years, 51.27 years, and 50.89 years, respectively. There was a strong negative correlation between laboratory-confirmed cases and case fatality ( r=-0.652, P<0.001) , and a strong positive correlation between suspected cases, clinical-diagnosed cases and case fatality ( r=0.304, P=0.035 and r=0.623, P<0.001, respectively). A higher rate of case-fatality was found in areas with a lower number of reported cases. Case-fatality rate ranking among the top five counties were Weidong District (five cases of disease with two deaths), Muye District (three cases of disease with one death), Xinhua District (three cases of disease with one death), Shunhe Hui District (six cases of disease with one death), and Anyang County (53 cases of disease with six (11.32%) death). Global spatial autocorrelation analysis from 2012 to 2022 showed that the Moran′s I coefficients ranged from 0.138 to 0.326, and all of them had a correlation (all P<0.01). The high-high aggregation area was mainly concentrated in the confluence of Zhumadian City and Xinyang City in the south of Henan Province. Conclusions:In Henan Province, the reported cases of HFRS have been distributed throughout the province, with obvious spatio-temporal aggregation in some areas. The average age of reported cases shows a fluctuating upward trend. The rate of laboratory-confirmed diagnosis should be further improved in the high incidence areas.