Objective To investigate the status of population dynamics and distribution changes of Aedes aegypti in Guangdong Province.Methods Continuous monitoring was conducted from May 2018 to July 2024 in Wushi Town and Qishui Town,Leizhou City,Zhanjiang City,Guangdong Province.Additionally,a survey of the distribution of Ae.aegypti along the Leizhou Peninsula coast was carried out.Results The density of Ae.aegypti in Zhanjiang showed a gradual decline from 2018 to 2024.The last detection of adult Ae.aegypti in Wushi Town was in September 2021,and the last larva was found in October 2023.No Ae.aegypti was detected in Qishui Town during surveys from 2021 to 2024.A survey of 18 coastal villages in the Leizhou Peninsula revealed no detections of Ae.aegypti.Conclusions This study provides a basis for understanding the distribution and population density fluctuations of Ae.aegypti,assessing its invasion risk,and scientifically conducting relevant prevention and control efforts.

As a high-quality moxibustion material, Artemisia stolonifera has high economic value and research prospects. However, due to difficulties in seed germination, its wild germplasm resources are sparsely distributed in China. This study used young stem segments grown in the current year to investigate the effects of explant sterilization, different combinations and concentrations of plant growth regulators on the proliferation and rooting of adventitious shoots, with the aim of constructing an in vitro rapid propagation technology system for A. stolonifera. The results showed that the lowest contamination rate of 25.83% was achieved when sterilizing the stem segments by rinsing with running water for 30 min, soaking in 75% ethanol for 30 s, followed by a 5 min treatment with 0.1% HgCl_2, 10 min with 8% NaClO, and 10 min with 0.6% phytosaniline. There was no browning of the stem segments, and surface sterilization of the A. stolonifera stem segments was successfully achieved. In the induction culture phase, when the concentration of kinetin(KT) was 0.05 mg·L~(-1) and 6-benzylaminopurine(6-BA) was 0.05 mg·L~(-1), the adventitious shoot proliferation coefficient was 2.02, effectively promoting the proliferation and growth of A. stolonifera. In the rooting culture phase, 0.1 mg·L~(-1) 1-naphthaleneacetic acid(NAA) effectively induced A. stolonifera test-tube seedlings to root within a short period, achieving a rooting rate of 100%. The addition of a small amount of activated charcoal also promoted rooting and strengthened seedling growth. The survival rate of A. stolonifera seedlings transplanted into a substrate consisting of 90% nutrient soil and 10% perlite was 100%. This study established an efficient in vitro rapid propagation system for A. stolonifera, overcoming difficulties with seed germination, shortening the breeding cycle, and reducing production and planting costs. It provides technical support for the introduction, domestication, seedling propagation, germplasm conservation, and industrial development of A. stolonifera.
Artemisia/drug effects* ; Tissue Culture Techniques/methods* ; Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology* ; Plant Stems/drug effects* ; Plant Shoots/drug effects*

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have shown that drivers with type 2 diabetes are more likely to be involved in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) compared to the general population. Certain meteorological factors have been increasingly recognized as contributors to MVC risk. This study aims to examine the association of MVCs with temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and sunshine duration among drivers with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance data (2019-2021), we identified individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and linked their records to the Police-Reported Traffic Accident Registry to obtain daily MVC counts. Meteorological data were sourced from the Central Weather Administration. Associations between daily weather conditions and MVCs were assessed using a Distributed Lag Non-Linear Model. RESULTS: Over the 1,096-day study period, 170,468 MVC events involving drivers with type 2 diabetes were recorded. A U-shaped association was observed between same-day temperature and MVC rates. Compared with the reference temperature of 17.5 °C, both lower temperatures (≤15 °C; rate ratio [RR] = 1.014-1.053) and higher temperatures (≥30 °C; RR = 1.062) were associated with increased MVC risk. Rainfall showed an inverse relationship with MVCs. Compared with 70 mm of rainfall, the lowest MVC rate occurred at 129 mm (RR = 0.873), while the highest was on rain-free days (0 mm; RR = 1.068). Stronger effects were observed when lag periods up to 14 days were considered. Wind speed and sunshine duration were not significantly associated with MVC risk. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that drivers with type 2 diabetes should exercise greater caution on days with extreme temperatures or in days with lesser rainfall, as these conditions may elevate MVC risk.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology* ; Taiwan/epidemiology* ; Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Weather ; Aged ; Adult ; Temperature ; Risk Factors

Aim To investigate the effect of high-fat diet on the tight junction function injury of Sertoli cells through the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in mice and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-fat or normal diet for five months.The body and gonadal organ weight of mice were measured,and their indices were calculated.The sperm concentration,the sperm viabili-ty,the testicular histomorphology and the expression levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-11 were measured.TM4 cells were treated with palmitic acid(PA)for 24 h.Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method.Then,TM4 cells were di-vided into different groups treated with PA(0,50,100,200 and 300 μmnol·L-1),and the expression lev-els of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin and Clau-din-11 were detected by Western blot.The tight junc-tion permeability of TM4 cells were detected by transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER)and FITC-dextran.The expression levels of mRNA and proteins for the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway-related factors were de-tected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results The results from animal experiments showed that high-fat diet increased body weight and seminal vesicle weight of mice,and decreased testicular index,epididymal in-dex,sperm concentration and sperm motility of mice.High-fat diet also caused testicular tissue structure damage and down-regulated the expression levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin,without af-fecting the expression of Claudin-11.In vitro,PA sig-nificantly down-regulated the expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-11 in TM4 cells,increased the cell permeability,as well as up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3/NF-κB signa-ling pathway-related factors in TM4 cells.Conclusions High-fat diet can impair the function of tight junction of testicualr Sertoli cells,and the machanism may be related to the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway,resulting in Sertoli cell inflammation in mice.

Aim To investigate the effect of high-fat diet on the tight junction function injury of Sertoli cells through the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in mice and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-fat or normal diet for five months.The body and gonadal organ weight of mice were measured,and their indices were calculated.The sperm concentration,the sperm viabili-ty,the testicular histomorphology and the expression levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-11 were measured.TM4 cells were treated with palmitic acid(PA)for 24 h.Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method.Then,TM4 cells were di-vided into different groups treated with PA(0,50,100,200 and 300 μmnol·L-1),and the expression lev-els of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin and Clau-din-11 were detected by Western blot.The tight junc-tion permeability of TM4 cells were detected by transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER)and FITC-dextran.The expression levels of mRNA and proteins for the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway-related factors were de-tected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results The results from animal experiments showed that high-fat diet increased body weight and seminal vesicle weight of mice,and decreased testicular index,epididymal in-dex,sperm concentration and sperm motility of mice.High-fat diet also caused testicular tissue structure damage and down-regulated the expression levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin,without af-fecting the expression of Claudin-11.In vitro,PA sig-nificantly down-regulated the expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-11 in TM4 cells,increased the cell permeability,as well as up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3/NF-κB signa-ling pathway-related factors in TM4 cells.Conclusions High-fat diet can impair the function of tight junction of testicualr Sertoli cells,and the machanism may be related to the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway,resulting in Sertoli cell inflammation in mice.

Objective:To evaluate the gene mutation profile and prognostic significance of adult cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) with CEBPA-bZIP mutation. Methods:Targeted sequencing was implemented on the diagnostic bone marrow DNA samples of 141 adult CN-AML subjects with CEBPA-bZIP mutation. The nomogram model for leukemia-free survival (LFS) rate was generated by combining genetic abnormalities and clinical data. Risk stratification was conducted based on prognostic variables and the effect of risk-adjusted consolidation therapy was investigated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results:Four variables were finally included in our nomogram model after multivariate Cox analysis,and an equation for risk score calculation was obtained,risk score=1.3002×white blood cell (WBC) (≥18.77×109/L)+1.4065×CSF3R mutation positive+2.6489×KMT2A mutation positive+1.0128×DNA methylation-related genes mutation positive. According to the nomogram model,patients were further divided into low-risk group (score=0,n=46) and high-risk group (score>0,n=95). Prognostic analysis showed that the 5-year LFS rate,5-year overall survival (OS) rate,and 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) of patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the high-risk group were 93.5％,97.1％,and 3.5％,while those in patients who received maintenance chemotherapy were 32.9％,70.5％,and 63.4％,respectively. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Allo-HSCT could significantly improve the prognosis of patients in high-risk group. However,no corresponding benefit was observed in the low-risk group. Conclusion:Adult CN-AML with CEBPA-bZIP mutation has a complex co-mutation pattern. The nomogram model based on mutations of CFS3R,KMT2A and DNA methylation-related genes together with WBC count can further divide this subset of patients into a relatively low-risk group and a relatively high-risk group. For individuals in the high-risk group,allo-HSCT is proposed as post-remission therapy. The above data will benefit the prognosis estimation and treatment decision for adult CN-AML with CEBPA-bZIP mutation.

Objective To predict the mechanism of Danhong injection in acute myocardial infarction based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.Methods The chemical ingredients of Danhong injection were collected by traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform(TCMSP),while Swiss Target Prediction was used to predict the corresponding targets of ingredients.The targets of acute myocardial infarction were retrieved in human gene database(GeneCards),online Mendelian inheritance in man(OMIM)and gene-disease association database(DisGeNET).Venny 2.1 online software was used to obtain the common targets of drugs-disease,and then the"drug-compound-target-disease"network diagram was constructed by using the software Cytoscape 3.8.2.The STRING database was used to draw the protein-protein ineraction network,and the perform gene ontology(GO)function and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were carried out through the database for annotation,visualization,and integrated discovery(DAVID),and the AutoDock platform was applied in verifying the molecular docking of active components and protein targets.Results The 63 active components of Danhong injection could regulate 137 targets and 132 pathways to treat acute myocardial infarction.Przewaquinone C,luteolin,baicalein,sclareol,kaempferol,quercetagetin and other active compounds,which could mediate C-type lectin receptor,tumor necrosis factor,endocrine resistance,prolactin,phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases-serine/threonine protein kinase,Janus-activated kinase singal transducers and activators of transcriprion and other signaling pathways through tumor necrosis factor,RAC-alpha serine/threo-nine protein kinase,interleukin-1 beta,steroid receptor coactivator,mitogen-activated protein kinase 3,signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and other key target proteins.The result of molecular docking showed that the targets and the components had a certain degree of binding.Conclusion Danhong injection can participate in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction through multiple components,targets and pathways,which provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Danhong injection and the mechanism of its treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy(SCIT)using dust mites in children with allergic asthma.Methods In a prospective randomized controlled study,98 children with dust mite-induced allergic asthma were randomly divided into a control group(n=49)and an SCIT group(n=49).The control group received inhaled corticosteroid treatment,while the SCIT group additionally received a standardized three-year SCIT regimen.The two groups were compared based on peripheral blood eosinophil percentage,visual analogue score(VAS),total medication score,Asthma Control Test/Childhood Asthma Control Test scores,fractional exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO),and lung function before treatment,and at 6 months,1 year,2 years,and 3 years after treatment.Adverse reactions were recorded post-injection to evaluate the safety of SCIT.Results Compared with pre-treatment levels,the SCIT group showed a significant reduction in the percentage of peripheral blood eosinophils,VAS,total medication score,and FeNO,while lung function significantly improved,and asthma control levels were better 3 years after treatment(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the SCIT group showed more significant improvement in all evaluated indicators 3 years after treatment(P<0.05).A total of 2 744 injections were administered,resulting in 157 cases(5.72%)of local adverse reactions and 4 cases(0.15%)of systemic adverse reactions,with no severe systemic adverse events.Conclusions SCIT is an effective and safe treatment for allergic asthma in children.

Objective: Anxious depression is a prevalent characteristic observed in Asian psychiatric patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aims to investigate the prevalence and clinical presentation of anxious depression in Taiwanese individuals diagnosed with MDD. Methods: We recruited psychiatric outpatients aged over 18 who had been diagnosed with MDD through clinical interviews. This recruitment took place at five hospitals located in northern Taiwan. We gathered baseline clinical and demographic information from the participants. Anxious depression was identified using a threshold of an anxiety/somatization factor score ≥7 on the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Results: In our study of 399 patients (84.21% female), 64.16% met the criteria for anxious depression. They tended to be older, married, less educated, with more children, and an older age of onset. Anxious depression patients had higher HAM-D and Clinical Global Impression–Severity scale score, more panic disorder (without agoraphobia), and exhibited symptoms like agitation, irritability, concentration difficulties, psychological and somatic anxiety, somatic complaints, hypochondriasis, weight loss, and increased insight. Surprisingly, their suicide rates did not significantly differ from non-anxious depression patients. This highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing these unique characteristics. Conclusion Our study findings unveiled that the prevalence of anxious depression among Taiwanese outpatients diagnosed with MDD was lower compared to inpatients but substantially higher than the reported rates in European countries and the United States. Furthermore, patients with anxious depression exhibited a greater occurrence of somatic symptoms.

Background/Aims: Cholestatic liver diseases including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are associated with active hepatic fibrogenesis, which ultimately progresses to cirrhosis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main fibrogenic effectors in response to cholangiocyte damage. JCAD regulates cell proliferation and malignant transformation in nonalcoholic steatoheaptitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). However, its participation in cholestatic fibrosis has not been explored yet. Methods: Serial sections of liver tissue of PBC patients were stained with immunofluorescence. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in wild-type (WT), global JCAD knockout mice (JCAD-KO) and HSC-specific JCAD knockout mice (HSC-JCAD-KO), and evaluated by histopathology and biochemical tests. In situ-activated HSCs isolated from BDL mice were used to determine effects of JCAD on HSC activation. Results: In consistence with staining of liver sections from PBC patients, immunofluorescent staining revealed that JCAD expression was identified in smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA)-positive fibroblast-like cells and was significantly up-regulated in WT mice with BDL. JCAD deficiency remarkably ameliorated BDL-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis, as documented by liver hydroxyproline content, when compared to WT mice with BDL. Histopathologically, collagen deposition was dramatically reduced in both JCAD-KO and HSC-JCAD-KO mice compared to WT mice, as visualized by Trichrome staining and semi-quantitative scores. Moreover, JCAD deprivation significantly attenuated in situ HSC activation and reduced expression of fibrotic genes after BDL. Conclusions JCAD deficiency effectively suppressed hepatic fibrosis induced by BDL in mice, and the underlying mechanisms are largely through suppressed Hippo-YAP signaling activity in HSCs.