OBJECTIVE: To assess the independent and combined effects of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and greenspace exposure on new tuberculosis (TB) cases. METHODS: TB case data from Shanghai (2013-2018) were obtained from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental data on air pollutants, meteorological variables, and greenspace exposure were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We employed a distributed-lag nonlinear model to assess the effects of these environmental factors on TB cases. RESULTS: Increased TB risk was linked to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall, whereas NO ₂, SO ₂, and air pressure were associated with a reduced risk. Specifically, the strongest cumulative effects occurred at various lags: PM _2.5 ( RR = 1.166, 95% CI: 1.026-1.325) at 0-19 weeks; PM ₁₀ ( RR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.028-1.324) at 0-18 weeks; NO ₂ ( RR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.938-0.999) at 0-1 weeks; SO ₂ ( RR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.894-0.999) at 0-2 weeks; air pressure ( RR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.447-0.816) at 0-8 weeks; and rainfall ( RR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.076-1.833) at 0-22 weeks. Green space exposure did not significantly impact TB cases. Additionally, low temperatures amplified the effect of PM _2.5 on TB. CONCLUSION Exposure to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall increased the risk of TB, highlighting the need to address air pollutants for the prevention of TB in Shanghai.
China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Tuberculosis/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Meteorological Concepts ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Environmental Exposure ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Air Pollution ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: Cigarette smoking exacerbates the progression of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The role of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in chronic lung diseases has gained attention; however, it remains unclear whether smoking-exacerbated lung damage in TB is associated with TLS. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of pulmonary TLS in smokers with TB and to explore the possible role of TLS in smoking-related lung injury in TB. METHODS: Lung tissues from 36 male patients (18 smokers and 18 non-smokers) who underwent surgical resection for pulmonary TB were included in this study. Pathological and immunohistological analyses were conducted to evaluate the quantity of TLS, and chest computed tomography (CT) was used to assess the severity of lung lesions. The correlation between the TLS quantity and TB lesion severity scores was analyzed. The immune cells and chemokines involved in TLS formation were also evaluated and compared between smokers and non-smokers. RESULTS: Smoker patients with TB had significantly higher TLS than non-smokers ( P < 0.001). The TLS quantity in both the lung parenchyma and peribronchial regions correlated with TB lesion severity on chest CT (parenchyma: r = 0.5767; peribronchial: r = 0.7373; both P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased B cells, T cells, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) expression in smoker patients with TB ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Smoker TB patients exhibited increased pulmonary TLS, which was associated with exacerbated lung lesions on chest CT, suggesting that cigarette smoking may exacerbate lung damage by promoting TLS formation.
Humans ; Male ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/immunology* ; Middle Aged ; Tertiary Lymphoid Structures/pathology* ; Adult ; Lung/pathology* ; Smoking/adverse effects* ; Smokers ; Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To investigate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection's effect on gestational liver function, pregnancy and delivery complications, and neonatal development. METHODS: A total of 157 HCV antibody-positive (anti-HCV[+]) and HCV RNA(+) patients (Group C) and 121 anti-HCV(+) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group B) were included as study participants, while 142 anti-HCV(-) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group A) were the control group. Data on biochemical indices during pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery-related information, and neonatal complications were also collected. RESULTS: Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rates in Group C during early, middle, and late pregnancy were 59.87%, 43.95%, and 42.04%, respectively-significantly higher than Groups B (26.45%, 15.70%, 10.74%) and A (23.94%, 19.01%, 6.34%) ( P < 0.05). Median ALT levels in Group C were significantly higher than in Groups A and B at all pregnancy stages ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in neonatal malformation rates across groups ( P > 0.05). However, neonatal jaundice incidence was significantly greater in Group C (75.16%) compared to Groups A (42.25%) and B (57.02%) ( χ ² = 33.552, P < 0.001). HCV RNA positivity during pregnancy was an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice ( OR = 2.111, 95% CI 1.242-3.588, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Chronic HCV infection can affect the liver function of pregnant women, but does not increase the pregnancy or delivery complication risks. HCV RNA(+) is an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Infant, Newborn ; Viremia/virology* ; Hepatitis C ; Hepacivirus/physiology* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology* ; Young Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

ObjectiveTo study the regulatory effect of the partial sequence within the 3’ untranslated region （3’UTR） of slit guidance ligand 1 （Slit1） （Slit1-3’UTR） on the fibrotic phenotypes of cardiac fibroblasts （CFs） and its potential mechanism. MethodsThe adenovirus vector was used to overexpress the 1526nt sequence of Slit1-3’UTR in ICR neonatal mouse CFs （mCFs）. The expression of fibrosis-related genes in mCFs， such as collagen type 1 alpha1（COL1A1）， collagen type 3 alpha3 （COL3A1） and alpha smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） were detected by Western blot assay. The effect of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt on the proliferation and migration of mCFs was assessed by EdU staining and Trans-well assays. Angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ） was used to treat mCFs， and the impact of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt on the fibrotic phenotypes of Ang Ⅱ-induced mCFs was evaluated. After overexpression of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt， miR-34a-5p mimic was transfected into mCFs， followed by actinomycin D treatment to detect the mRNA stability of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt， and the levels of miR-34a-5p and its target gene SIRT1（si-SIRT1） in mCFs were determined. The effects of miR-34a-5p and small interfering RNA targeting SIRT1 on the Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt-mediated regulation of fibrotic phenotypes were also determined. ResultsAdenovirus-mediated overexpression of Slit 1-3’UTR 1526nt was achieved in mCFs. Overexpression of Slit 1-3’UTR 1526nt markedly inhibited the expression of the fibrosis-related genes， proliferation and migration of mCFs and fibrotic phenotypes of Ang Ⅱ. The results of actinomycin D assay showed that miR-34a-5p inhibited the stability of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt in mCFs， while the level of miR-34a-5p was reduced in mCFs with overexpression of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt. Transfection of miR-34a-5p promoted the fibrotic phenotypes， and reversed the inhibitory effect of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt on the fibrotic phenotypes of mCFs. Overexpression of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt significantly increased the level of miR-34a-5p target gene SIRT1 in mCFs. Transfection of miR-34a-5p and si-SIRT1 consistently reversed the inhibitory effects of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt on the fibrotic phenotypes of mCFs. ConclusionSlit1-3’UTR1526nt inhibits the fibrotic phenotypes of mCFs by binding to miR-34a-5p and increasing the expression of its target gene of SIRT1.

Aim To investigate the interventional effects of polysaccharides from Dicliptera chinensis(L.)Juss.(DCP)on acute liver failure(ALF)in-duced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)combined with D-galactosamine(D-GalN)in mice,and on LPS-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells,based on the TLR-4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.Meth-ods Mice were randomly divided into the control,model,silymarin,DCP low,medium,and high dose groups,and toxicity test groups.After 10 consecutive days of treatment,ALF models were established by in-jecting mice with LPS+D-GalN.Additionally,an in-flammatory response model was established by stimula-ting RAW264.7 cells with LPS.Results Biochemical assays showed that compared with the model group,the medium-and high-dose DCP groups exhibited de-creased serum ALT,AST,ALP,TBIL,and γ-GT activi-ties(P＜0.05),reduced levels of ROS,MPO and MDA in liver(P＜0.05),increased activities of SOD,GSH-Px,CAT,and elevated T-AOC levels(P＜0.05).ELISA revealed lower levels of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α in liver(P＜0.05).HE staining indicated reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and improved hepatocyte necrosis in liv-er after DCP administration.The use of DCP alone showed no significant organ toxicity.qRT-PCR and Western blot results indicated that DCP inhibited the expression of key factors in TLR-4/MyD88/NF-κB sig-naling pathway(P＜0.05).Cell validation experi-ments also confirmed that this pathway was inhibited by DCP.Conclusion DCP alleviates ALF primarily by inhibiting oxidative stress and blocking the activation of the TLR-4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of ferritin combined with the COSSH-ACLF Ⅱ score for the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF).Methods:The clinical data of 419 cases with HBV-ACLF hospitalized at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospectively analyzed between January 1, 2013 and September 30, 2022, and were divided into the death ( n=127) and survival group ( n=292) according to the survival status of 28 days of follow-up. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare confirmation of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. The chi-square test was used for the comparison of numerical data between the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients. The predictive value of ferritin combined with the COSSH-ACLF Ⅱ score on the prognosis of HBV-ACLF was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) and area under the curve (AUC), net reclassification index (NRI), and comprehensive discriminant improvement index (IDI). Results:There were statistically significant differences in age, neutrophil count (NEUT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), serum creatinine (Scr), serum urea, prothrombin time (PT), prothrombin activity (PTA), international normalized ratio (INR), serum ferritin (SF), hepatic encephalopathy, and COSSH-ACLF Ⅱ scores between the two groups ( P<0.05). Ferritin ( OR=1.001, 95% CI:1.001-1.002, P<0.001) and COSSH-ACLF Ⅱ score ( OR=2.898, 95% CI:1.560-5.384, P<0.001) were independent factors for predicting short-term prognosis for patients with HBV-ACLF. Ferritin combined with COSSH-ACLF II score had a higher prognostic predictive value than ferritin (AUC=0.697, 95% CI: 0.651-0.741) and COSSH-ACLF II score (AUC=0.819, 95% CI: 0.779-0.855) for patients with HBV-ACLF (AUC=0.857, 95% CI: 0.819-0.889), with a statistically significant difference ( Z=6.287 and 2.666, respectively, P <0.05). The predictive effect was significantly improved following the addition of ferritin to the COSSH-ACLF Ⅱ score ( P<0.001), and the NRI and IDI were both >0 (NRI=0.144, 95% CI: 0.064-0.225; IDI=0.080, 95% CI: 0.052-0.108). Conclusion:Ferritin and COSSH-ACLF Ⅱ scores are independent factors that can predict short-term prognosis for patients with HBV-ACLF, and combing both has a higher predictive value.

AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Huoxue Qingre Formula combined with radiofrequency ablation on patients with thyroid nodules due to Phlegm Stagnation and Blood Stasis.METHODS Ninety patients were randomly assigned into control group(45 cases)for 3-month intervention of both Huoxue Qingre Formula placebo and radiofrequency ablation,and observation group(45 cases)for 3-month intervention of both Huoxue Qingre Formula and radiofrequency ablation.The changes in clinical effects,VRR,TCM syndrome score,cytokines(TNF-α,IFN-γ,IL-23,IL-1β),biochemical indices[Ca2+,25(OH)D,CRP],thyroid function indices(TSH,FT3,FT4)and safety indices were detected.RESULTS At postoperative 12 months,the observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P＜0.05).At postoperative 3-12 months,the two groups displayed increased VRR(P＜0.05),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).At the 7th,30th postoperative days,the two groups displayed decreased TCM syndrome score and cytokines(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).At the 30th postoperative day,the two groups displayed decreased Ca2+(P＜0.01)and increased 25(OH)D(P＜0.01),especially for the observation group(P＜0.01).At the 7th postoperative day,the two groups displayed increased CRP(P＜0.01),especially for the control group(P＜0.05),which were decreased at the 30th postoperative day(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),especially for the observation group(P＜0.01).No significant differences in thyroid function indices and safety indices were found between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with thyroid nodules due to Phlegm Stagnation and Blood Stasis,Huoxue Qingre Formula combined with radiofrequency ablation can safely and effectively enhance nodule VRR,alleviate discomfort symptoms,reduce TCM syndrome score,inflammatory factor levels,and accelerate recovery.

Paclitaxel(PTX)is a first-line chemotherapy drug for breast cancer,but its resistance issues significantly impact clinical treatment efficacy.Fucosylation,especially core fucosylation,is closely related to tumor chemoresistance,resulting in poor chemotherapy responses and poor prognosis in patients.In this study,we investigated the effect and mechanism of the fucosylation inhibitor 2-fluorofucose(2-F-Fuc)on the chemosensitivity of paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer MCF-7/PTX cells.The drug resistanceindex(RI)of MCF-7/PTX cells was 8.49 by MTT assays.Western blotting,real-time PCR,enzyme-linked immu-nosorbent assay(ELISA)and Lens Culinaris Agglutinin(LCA)lectin imprinting showed that compared with MCF-7 cells,the expression of FUT8,MDR1and core fucosylation in MCF-7/PTX cells was high.Western blotting showed that 2-F-Fuc had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of MCF-7/PTX cells,and the expression levels of FUT8 and MDR1 were significantly down-regulated after 2-F-Fuc treatment,and the down-regulation was more pronounced in the PTX and 2-F-Fuc combination group(P＜0.05).Compared to the control,expression of PCNA in MCF-7/PTX cells in the PTX and the 2-F-Fuc group were down-regulated,and the apoptosis-related proteins,such as cleaved caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 were in-creased.The level of p-PI3K and p-AKT were down-regulated,and the changes in the combination of 2-F-Fuc and PTX were more robust(P＜0.05).The above results showed that the core fucosylation level of MCF-7/PTX cells was significantly increased,and 2-F-Fuc could reduce the core fucosylation level of MCF-7/PTX cells by inhibiting the expression of FUT8,and enhance the sensitivity of drug-resistant cells to PTX,which may correlate with the downregulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway proteins.

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.