Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among college students in Yangzhou from 2020 to 2024, so as to provide a scientific basis for developing prevention and control strategies. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted among 162 college students with PTB, and 7 134 of their contacts were screened. Data were obtained from the tuberculosis information management system and on campus screening records. Using descriptive epidemiological methods, trends in incidence, seasonal distribution, and bacteriological characteristics were analyzed. Results: From 2020 to 2024, the annual average incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among college students in Yangzhou was 29.42 per 100 000, showing an overall fluctuating downward trend ( χ 2=12.36, P <0.01). Cases were mainly concentrated in summer and autumn, with the highest proportion in autumn (41.36%, 67/162), followed by summer (23.46%, 38/162). The proportion of etiologically positive cases increased from 37.21% in 2020 to 71.43% in 2024; among positive cases, the proportion of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) decreased from 66.67% (10/15) to 26.67% (4/15). The etiological positive rate was higher in females than in males ( χ 2= 11.76 , P <0.01). Comparison of screening methods showed that among index cases, the LTBI detection rate of the recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion protein skin test (C-TST) was higher than that of the tuberculin skin test (TST), but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ 2=0.65, P =0.42); among close contacts, the detection rate of TST was higher than that of C-TST (15.1%,10.1%; χ 2=5.23, P <0.05). Conclusion From 2020 to 2024, the annual average incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among college students in Yangzhou showed an overall fluctuating downward trend, with differences in TB infection screening methods and gender.

Autoimmune liver diseases （AILD） are a group of chronic liver diseases caused by abnormal activation of the immune system， mainly including autoimmune hepatitis， primary biliary cholangitis， primary sclerosing cholangitis， IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis， and overlap syndrome. Clinical studies have shown that patients with AILD are often comorbid with thyroid diseases， especially autoimmune thyroid diseases （AITD）， such as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This article systematically reviews the epidemiological association， potential shared pathogenesis， and overlapping features between AILD and thyroid diseases. A deeper understanding of the immunological links between AILD and AITD may provide a theoretical basis for precision medicine and future research.

BACKGROUND:Macrophages are an important part of innate immunity.When the internal environment of the body changes,macrophages can produce different polarization phenotypes and play the corresponding inflammatory immune function.Mesenchymal stem cells can secrete a large number of extracellular vesicles into the internal environment of the body,which have the functions of intercellular signaling and immune regulation.Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells-extracellular vesicles can affect the M1/M2 polarization balance of macrophages so as to treat immune inflammatory diseases.OBJECTIVE:To explore the signaling mechanism of how mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles interfere with autoimmune diseases by regulating the polarization of macrophages,as well as the related research progress of engineered extracellular vesicles in this field.METHODS:The first author searched the relevant literature published in PubMed,CNKI and other databases until June 2024.Chinese search terms were"mesenchymal stem cells,extracellular vesicles,exosomes,apoptotic bodies,apoptotic vesicles,macrophage polarization,M1 polarization,M2 polarization,autoimmune diseases,multiple sclerosis,rheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus,type 1 diabetes mellitus,inflammatory bowel disease,autoimmune dacryadenitis,engineered extracellular vesicles,engineering exosomes,drug delivery."English search terms were"macrophage polarization,M1 macrophage,M2 macrophage,autoimmune disease,type 1 diabetes,multiple sclerosis,rheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus,autoimmune dacryadenitis,inflammatory bowel disease,mesenchymal stem cells,extracellular vesicles,engineered extracellular vesicles,engineering exosomes,drug delivery."The title and abstract of each paper were read and initially screened.Finally,70 articles were selected for induction and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Mesenchymal stem cells can regulate M1/M2 polarization by releasing or indirectly acting on functional proteins.(2)Mesenchymal stem cells can regulate macrophage M2 polarization through inflammasome.(3)Mesenchymal stem cells can be combined with commonly used drugs to enhance drug efficacy.(4)Mesenchymal stem cells can regulate the release of mesenchymal stem cells-extracellular vesicles after inflammatory stimulation and affect the polarization of macrophages.(5)Mesenchymal stem cells-extracellular vesicles can regulate autoimmune diseases by targeting macrophage polarization through PTEN,NOTCH,nuclear factor κB,Toll-like receptors,PI3K/AKT and other pathways.(6)Engineered extracellular vesicles can achieve non-invasive targeted drug delivery,prolong the half-life of drugs,promote the oral administration of exosomes,reduce allograft reaction,improve the bioavailability of Chinese herbs and overcome the blood-brain barrier,opening up a new path for drug delivery.

BACKGROUND:Macrophages are an important part of innate immunity.When the internal environment of the body changes,macrophages can produce different polarization phenotypes and play the corresponding inflammatory immune function.Mesenchymal stem cells can secrete a large number of extracellular vesicles into the internal environment of the body,which have the functions of intercellular signaling and immune regulation.Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells-extracellular vesicles can affect the M1/M2 polarization balance of macrophages so as to treat immune inflammatory diseases.OBJECTIVE:To explore the signaling mechanism of how mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles interfere with autoimmune diseases by regulating the polarization of macrophages,as well as the related research progress of engineered extracellular vesicles in this field.METHODS:The first author searched the relevant literature published in PubMed,CNKI and other databases until June 2024.Chinese search terms were"mesenchymal stem cells,extracellular vesicles,exosomes,apoptotic bodies,apoptotic vesicles,macrophage polarization,M1 polarization,M2 polarization,autoimmune diseases,multiple sclerosis,rheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus,type 1 diabetes mellitus,inflammatory bowel disease,autoimmune dacryadenitis,engineered extracellular vesicles,engineering exosomes,drug delivery."English search terms were"macrophage polarization,M1 macrophage,M2 macrophage,autoimmune disease,type 1 diabetes,multiple sclerosis,rheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus,autoimmune dacryadenitis,inflammatory bowel disease,mesenchymal stem cells,extracellular vesicles,engineered extracellular vesicles,engineering exosomes,drug delivery."The title and abstract of each paper were read and initially screened.Finally,70 articles were selected for induction and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Mesenchymal stem cells can regulate M1/M2 polarization by releasing or indirectly acting on functional proteins.(2)Mesenchymal stem cells can regulate macrophage M2 polarization through inflammasome.(3)Mesenchymal stem cells can be combined with commonly used drugs to enhance drug efficacy.(4)Mesenchymal stem cells can regulate the release of mesenchymal stem cells-extracellular vesicles after inflammatory stimulation and affect the polarization of macrophages.(5)Mesenchymal stem cells-extracellular vesicles can regulate autoimmune diseases by targeting macrophage polarization through PTEN,NOTCH,nuclear factor κB,Toll-like receptors,PI3K/AKT and other pathways.(6)Engineered extracellular vesicles can achieve non-invasive targeted drug delivery,prolong the half-life of drugs,promote the oral administration of exosomes,reduce allograft reaction,improve the bioavailability of Chinese herbs and overcome the blood-brain barrier,opening up a new path for drug delivery.

Objective:To compare minimally invasive surgery with traditional open surgery, analyze the current application status of health economic evaluations in the treatment of digestive tract cancers, such as esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer by minimally invasive surgery and provide evidence for the rational selection of clinical treatment, alleviation of disease-related economic burdens, and rational allocation of healthcare resources.Methods:By using five databases, i.e. China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang data, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, and Embase, a database was established to retrieve all the papers about health economic studies of minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer published until December 31, 2023. Literature was analyzed by using software NoteExpress 3.8, and data were processed using Excel 2021. The quality of included papers was evaluated using the CHEERS 2022 checklist, and Meta-analysis was conducted by using software Stata 17.0.Results:A total of 10 919 relevant papers were retrieved, and 59 studies were included. Only 14 studies (23.7%) used standard health economic evaluation methods. Meta-analysis results revealed no significant differences in direct medical expenditure and total expenditure between minimally invasive surgery and open surgery. However, the expenditure for minimally invasive surgery exhibited a significant increase [mean difference ( MD)=5 973.12 yuan, P<0.001], while hospital stay and indirect expenditure significantly decreased ( MD: -4.85 days and -733.79 yuan, P<0.001). In China, for gastric cancer, the direct medical expenditure of endoscopic surgery was lower than that of open surgery ( MD=-33 000.00 yuan) with no significant difference ( P<0.001). In colorectal cancer cases, the direct medical and surgical expenditures for laparoscopic surgery were higher than those for open surgery ( MD: 4 277.94 yuan and 4 267.80 yuan, P<0.001), while the indirect and total medical expenditures decreased ( MD: -768.34 yuan and -159.10 yuan). Hospital stays in patients who had minimally invasive surgery for all three types of cancer were shorter than those who had open surgery ( P<0.001). Conclusions:In the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery shows higher expenditure, but has advantages, such as shorter hospital stay and lower indirect expenditure, and there were no significant differences in direct medical and total expenditures between the two approaches. When conducting health economic evaluation, factors such as postoperative complications, hospital stay, and patient's economic status should be considered for their impact on total medical expenditure. It is necessary to pay attention to the application of health economic evaluations in healthcare decision-making.

Objective:To study the association between subtypes of hypertension and risk for all-cause mortality and cardio-cerebrovascular mortalities in the elderly in communities of Beijing.Methods:The data were collected from the Beijing Healthy Aging Cohort Study. The elderly in 5 urban areas (former Xicheng, former Xuanwu, Fangshan, Haidian and Tongzhou) and 4 rural areas (Yanqing, Miyun, Huairou and Daxing) in Beijing were selected as the study subjects by multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling. The baseline survey was conducted from July 2009 to September 2015. The follow-up was conducted until March 31, 2021, and a total of 6 326 participants were enrolled. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the association of SBP, DBP, normal blood pressure, high normal blood pressure, simple systolic hypertension, simple diastolic hypertension and systolic diastolic hypertension with all-cause mortality and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality.Results:By March 31, 2021, the median follow-up time was 6.30 years, the all-cause mortality density was 201.67/10 000 person-years, and the cardio-cerebrovascular mortality density was 90.20/10 000 person-years. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the risk for all-cause mortality increased by 5.6% ( HR=1.056, 95% CI: 1.020-1.092), and the risk for cardio-cerebrovasculvar mortality increased by 12.5% ( HR=1.125, 95% CI: 1.071-1.182) for every 10 mmHg increase in SBP. The risk for all-cause mortality increased by 8.6% ( HR=1.086, 95% CI: 1.023-1.152), and the risk for cardio-cerebrovascular mortality increased by 19.9% ( HR=1.199, 95% CI: 1.101-1.306) for every 10 mmHg increase in DBP. Compared with the normal blood pressure group, the risk for all-cause mortality increased by 64.8% ( HR=1.648, 95% CI: 1.049-2.591) and the risk for cardio- cerebrovascular mortality increased by 112.8% ( HR=2.128, 95% CI: 1.069-4.233) in the simple diastolic hypertension group. The risk for all-cause mortality increased by 34.4% ( HR=1.344, 95% CI: 1.023-1.467) and the risk for cardio-cerebrovascular mortality increased by 111.3% ( HR=2.113, 95% CI: 1.384-3.225) in the systolic-diastolic hypertension group. Conclusions:In the elderly in communities of Beijing, beside systolic-diastolic hypertension. It is necessary to pay close attention to the simple diastolic hypertension, which has lower prevalence, and give targeted prevention and treatment.

Objective:To investigate the association of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) in normal range and cardiovascular health (CVH) score with cardio-cerebroascular and all-cause mortality in urban elderly residents in Beijing.Methods:Based on Beijing Healthy Aging Cohort Study, data from 1 817 elderly participants with normal UACR were analyzed, and UACR was used as both continuous and categorical variable. "Life's Essential 8" was used to develop a CVH score. Statistical analysis was performed by using software SPSS 26.0 and R 4.2.1, including two independent samples t-test, χ2 test and non-parametric test. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models stratified by CVH score and the restricted cubic spline were used to analyse the association of UACR with the risk for cardio-cerebrovascular and all-cause mortality. Results:By March 31, 2021, the median follow-up time M ( Q1, Q3) was 11.28 (10.84, 11.36) years, a total of 308 deaths were recorded during follow-up, and the mortality density was 163.87/10 000 person-years. The age of the participants was (71.4±6.6) years, and 1 070 participants were women. The results showed that the risk for both cardio-cerebrovascular disease and all-cause mortality decreased with the decrease of UACR in the low CVH score group ( HR=0.500, 95% CI: 0.341-0.734; HR=0.793, 95% CI: 0.647-0.971), and in the high CVH score group, there was a decreasing trend in the risk for cardio-cerebrovascular mortality with the decrease of UACR ( HR=0.665, 95% CI: 0.447-0.990). Compared with the participants with low CVH score and higher UACR, the risk for cardio-cerebrovascular and all-cause mortality decreased by 68.9% and 45.6%, respectively, in the participants with high CVH score and lower UACR ( HR=0.311, 95% CI: 0.131-0.739; HR=0.544, 95% CI: 0.360-0.822), and the risk for all-cause mortality decreased by 26.7% in the participants with high CVH score and higher UACR ( HR=0.733, 95% CI: 0.542-0.993). Conclusions:In urban elderly residents in Beijing, higher UACR were associated with a significantly increased risk for cardio-cerebrovascular and all-cause mortality, and in the low-CVH score group, decreased UACR was protective factor against cardio-cerebrovascular and all-cause mortality. The combined effect of cardiovascular health status and normal UACR had a greater protection against the risk for cardio-cerebrovascular and all-cause mortality.

Objective:To describe and analyze the distribution characteristics of a body shape index (ABSI) and its association with all-cause mortality in the elderly in communities of Beijing.Methods:The baseline and follow-up data of 10 423 subjects in Beijing Healthy Aging Cohort Study were used. The endpoint outcome was all-cause mortality in follow-up. The associations of ABSI, BMI and waist circumference with all-cause mortality were analyzed with a Cox proportional hazard regression model.Results:The mean follow-up time in this cohort was 6.36 years and the all-cause mortality was 15.27%. The restricted cubic spline results showed that ABSI showed a "U" association with all-cause mortality in the total population. After adjustment for confounding factors, compared with the normal ABSI group, the risk for all-cause mortality was higher in the low ABSI group ( HR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.32-2.17) and high ABSI group ( HR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.40-2.18). Compared with the normal BMI group, low BMI was associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality ( HR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.40-2.08). Compared with the normal waist circumference group, central obesity was associated with a decreased risk for all-cause mortality ( HR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.80-0.99). The results of gender specific analysis on ABSI association with all-cause mortality were similar to that in total population, but the strength of association varied among different age groups. Cross-grouping results showed that older people with normal BMI and waist circumference and abnormal ABSI had an increased risk of all-cause mortality ( HR=1.91, 95% CI: 1.22-2.99). Conclusions:In Beijing, ABSI is correlated with the risk for all-cause mortality in the elderly population, which is more sensitive and specific than the traditional indicators (BMI and waist circumference). They can be used as one of the physical measurement indicators for all-cause mortality risk prediction in the health risk assessment and management in the elderly.

Objective:To explore the association between physical activity (PA) level and all-cause mortality in the elderly with different obesity status in Beijing.Methods:The study subjects were from the Cardiovascular and Cognitive Healthy Study in Middle-Aged and Elderly Residents of Beijing, a total of 3 746 individuals aged ≥60 years in the baseline survey between 2013 and 2015 were included in the study. Questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted to collect the basic information of the individuals. The metabolic equivalent of the elderly was used to calculate the PA level, and an international PA questionnaire was used to determine the PA intensity. BMI, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and a body shape index (ABSI) were used to evaluate individuals' obesity status. The distribution of different PA levels under different obesity states was described by using bar chart and cumulative percentage bar chart. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the correlation between the level of PA and all-cause mortality risk in different types of obesity status.Results:By December 31, 2019, the median follow-up time was 5.46 years, and the mortality density was 244.55/10 000 person-years. Compared with the individuals in high-PA intensity group, the all-cause mortality risk increased by 41% ( HR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.14-1.76) and 122% ( HR=2.22, 95% CI: 1.76-2.81), respectively, in moderate and low PA intensity groups. Compared with the individuals in high-PA intensity-high-obesity group, based on the BMI, the all-cause mortality risk increased by 85% ( HR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.08-3.16) and 250% ( HR=3.50, 95% CI: 2.01-6.10) in those in moderate-PA intensity-high-obesity group and in low-intensity-high-obesity group. Based on the WHtR, the all-cause mortality risk increased by 53% ( HR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.02-2.29) and 218% ( HR=3.18, 95% CI: 2.09-4.86), respectively, in those with moderate-PA intensity-high-obesity and those with low-PA intensity-high-obesity. According to the ABSI, the all-cause mortality risk increased by 120% in those in low-PA intensity-high-obesity group ( HR=2.20, 95% CI: 1.53-3.18). Based on any one of the indicators BMI, WHtR, or ABSI, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality risk between high-intensity-moderate-obesity group and high-intensity-low-obesity group (all P>0.05). Conclusions:PA level is closely associated with the all-cause mortality risk in the elderly in communities of Beijing. Increasing PA level can not only reduce the all-cause mortality risk but also reduce even eliminate the excess all-cause mortality risk associated with obesity.

Objective:To analyze the association between different lipid indicators and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality in the elderly, identify a better lipid indicator for the risk for cardio-cerebrovascular mortality in the elderly in communities of Beijing.Methods:The elderly aged 60 years and above were selected from the Beijing Healthy Aging Cohort Study from July 2009 to September 2015. Remnant cholesterol (RC) was derived by calculation. The Cox proportional hazard regression models determined the HR and 95% CI incidating the associations of baseline different lipid indicators with cardio-cerebrovascular and all-cause mortality. Results:By March 31, 2021, with a mean follow-up duration of 6.88 years in the study population, a total of 492 cardio-cerebrovascular deaths and 1 056 all-cause deaths wre recorded. The HR values indicating the association between LDL-C, HDL-C, and RC were 0.87 (95% CI: 0.78-0.97), 0.46 (95% CI: 0.35-0.62), and 1.29 (95% CI: 1.14-1.45) for cardio-cerebrovascular mortality, respectively, and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.86-1.00), 0.66 (95% CI: 0.55-0.80) and 1.22 (95% CI: 1.12-1.33) for all-cause mortality. The associations of RC and HDL-C with cardio-cerebrovascular mortality were consistent regardless of hyperlipidemia in the elderly. Subgroup analyses showed that elevated RC was associated with increased risk for cardio-cerebrovascular mortality, and elevated HDL-C was associated with decreased risk for cardio-cerebrovascular mortality in the elderly in different gender, age, smoking status, drinking status, and diabetes status groups in communities of Beijing. Conclusion:RC might be a better potential lipid indicator for the risk for cardio-cerebrovascular mortality in the elderly in communities compared with traditional cholesterol indicator.