Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis snails in Yunnan Province fol-lowing interruption of schistosomiasis transmission, so as to provide the evidence for assessing the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and scientifically formulating the schistosomiasis surveillance program. Methods According to the requirements of the National Schistosomiasis Surveillance Scheme (2020 Edition), O. hupensis snail surveillance data were collected from 18 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (cities, districts) in Yunnan Province from 2020 to 2024, including area of snail survey, area of snail habitats, area of re-emerging snail habitats, number of frames surveyed, number of frames with O. hupensis snails, number of O. hupensis snails captured, and number of living snails, and the occurrence of frames with snails and mean density of living snails were calculated. Changes in snail status over the 5-year period from 2020 to 2024 and the differences in snail distributions specified by epidemic intensity, environmental type, and vegetation type were analyzed. Results The areas of snail survey increased from 1 727.96 hm² in 2020 to 3 894.45 hm² in 2024 (peak) across 18 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (cities, districts) in Yunnan Province during the period from 2020 through 2024. The areas of snail habitats increased from 70.36 hm² in 2020 to a peak in 2023 (172.04 hm²), followed by a reduction to 132.36 hm² in 2024, and the areas of re-emerging snail habitats increased from 42.71 hm² in 2020 to a peak in 2022 (78.43 hm²), followed by a reduction to 40.21 hm² in 2024. The occurrence of frames with snails and mean density of living snails increased from 1.24% (3 025/244 404) and (0.033 2 ± 0.038 7) snails/0.1 m² in 2020 to peaks at 2.03% (6 231/307 563) and (0.066 9 ± 0.068 4) snails/0.1 m² in 2023, followed by reductions to 1.04% (5 829/559 941) and (0.032 6 ± 0.057 7) snails/0.1 m² in 2024, respectively. There was a significant difference in the occurrence of frames with snails over the 5-year study period (χ² = 1 962.95, P < 0.05), and the occurrence of frames with snails reduced by 48.71% in 2024 relative to in 2023 (χ² = 1 411.05, P < 0.005); however, there was no significant difference in the mean density of living snails over the 5 years (H = 5.310, P > 0.05). There were significant differences in the occurrence of frames with snails (χ² = 481.27, P < 0.05) and mean density of living snails (H = 6.872, P < 0.05) in schistosomiasis-endemic areas with different epidemic intensities. The occurrence of frames with snails (χ² = 25.32 and 38.70, both P values < 0.017) and mean density of living snails (Z = 28.55 and 49.96, both P values < 0.017) were higher in schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted and eliminated areas with snails than in schistosomiasis-eliminated areas without snails, and the occurrence of frames with snails (χ² = 453.54, P < 0.017) and mean density of living snails (Z = −56.97, P < 0.017) were higher in schistosomiasis-eliminated areas with snails than in schistosomiasis transmission-interrupted areas with snails. O. hupensis snails were mainly distributed in paddy fields, dry farmlands and ditches; however, the occurrence of frames with snails (13.40%, 424/3 164) and mean density of living snails [(0.252 8 ± 0.158 7) snails/0.1 m²] were higher in ponds/weirs than in other types of environments (both P values < 0.05). Rice, dry farmland crops and weeds were main vegetations in which O. hupensis snails were distributed, and the occurrence of frames with snails (2.29%, 7 111/310 140) and mean density of living snails [(0.072 3 ± 0.018 9) snails/0.1 m²] were higher in weeds than in other types of environments (both P values < 0.05). Conclusions O. hupensis snails have been effectively controlled in Yunnan Province following implementation of integrated schistosomiasis control measures; however, there are still risk factors for schistosomiasis transmission, including reduced attention to schistosomiasis control and snail re-emergence. Improved control efforts and surveillance system construction and timely identification of risk factors of snail status and timely management are recommended to ensure the achievement of the target of schistosomiasis elimination as scheduled.

Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Objective To evaluate the skeletal effect,dental effect,soft tissue and airway changes of a digital 3D printed maxillary protraction combined with alternate maxillary rapid expansion and constriction in the treatment of skeletal Class Ⅲ patients during mixed dentition.Methods Twenty-two mixed dentition patients(mean age of(11.33±0.88)years,9 males and 13 females)of skele-tal Class Ⅲ malocclusion with maxillary hypoplasia were collected from 2018 to 2023.Treatment was performed using a digital 3D prin-ted protraction device combined with maxillary rapid expansion and constriction.Cone-beam CT were obtained before and after treatment to assess the orthopedic treatment of hard tissue,dentition,soft tissue and airway in three dimensional direction.Results After treat-ment,hard tissue measurements of SNA,ANB,Wits,Co-A,and Co-Gn distance increased significantly with a statistical difference,whereas there were no statistically significant changes in SNB,FMA,Occ plane to FH and Y-axis angle.There was a statistically sig-nificant increase in U1-SN,whereas there was no significant change in U1-NA.Soft tissue measurements of upper lip distance from the E line improved with a statistically significant difference while no significant changes in nasolabial angle were detected.The volume of the posterior palatal region of the upper airway increased significantly.Conclusion The digital 3D printed maxillary protraction com-bined with alternate rapid maxillary expansion and constriction promotes maxillary development,inhibits mandibular development,es-sentially maintains vertical dimension and improves skeletal Class Ⅲ patients'deformity and profile.The volume of the posterior palatal region of the upper airway is also significantly improved.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH) D], insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) , and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) for osteoporosis (OP) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during early pregnancy.Methods:A total of 201 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) from the Department of Obstetrics at Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital between May. 2021 and May. 2024 were enrolled. According to the occurrence of osteoporosis (OP) , they were divided into the OP group (23 patients) and the non-OP group (178 patients) . Data on IGFBP3, BALP, osteocalcin (OC) , 25 (OH) D, interleukin-6 (IL-6) , calcium (Ca) , phosphorus (P) , β-collagen specific sequence (β-CTX) , type I collagen amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) , N-terminal osteocalcin (N-MID) , and bone mineral density (BMD) were collected. Pearson correlation analysis was performed for the triple relationship among 25 (OH) D3, IGFBP-3, and BALP. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified risk factors for OP in GDM patients. Locally-weighted scatter plot smoothing (Lowess) curves analyzed the relationship between these markers and OP occurrence, while ROC curves evaluated their predictive efficacy.Results:The OP incidence was 11.44%. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in family history, milk intake, calcium supplementation, 25 (OH) D3, IGFBP-3, BALP, BAP, OC, and IL-6 ( χ2=0.64, 9.74, 6.61, t=13.29, 18.22, 10.02, 4.21, 5.00, 6.67, P<0.001) . There was a significant positive correlation between 25 (OH) D3, IGFBP-3, and BALP levels. Univariate analysis revealed that family history, milk intake, calcium supplementation, BALP, BAP, OC, IGFBP3, 25 (OH) D3, and IL-6 were closely related to OP occurrence. Multivariate analysis showed decreased levels of 25 (OH) D3, IGFBP-3, and BALP increased OP risk. Combined ROC analysis indicated higher predictive efficacy for OP development compared to individual tests. Conclusions:Serum levels of 25 (OH) D3, IGFBP-3, and BALP are significantly and negatively correlated with OP incidence in GDM patients, acting as independent protective factors. Additionally, pairwise positive correlations exist among these markers.

A mounting body of research suggests that circRNAs significantly contribute to the develop-ment of myocardial fibrosis.The microarray results of human circular RNA expression profile indicated that circHERC4_041 expression increased in the myocardium of patients with heart failure,RT-qPCR a-nalysis confirmed that the myocardial expression level of circHERC4_041 in individuals with heart failure were considerably elevated compared to that in healthy organ donors.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)confirmed that circHERC4_041 was abundant in the cytoplasm of human cardiomyocyte AC16.Overexpression of circHERC4_041 in mouse myocardial fibroblasts(mCFs)mediated by adenovirus in-hibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in mCFs.Experiments involving cell proliferation,wound healing,and Transwell assays demonstrated that overexpression of circHERC4_041 suppressed the growth and mobility of mCFs(P＜0.001).Sequence analysis results suggested that circHERC4_041 con-tains potential ribosome entry sequence(IRES)and open reading frame(ORF).Western blot confirmed that circHERC4_041 could translate the 516 amino acid HERC4-516aa protein,which was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the cell.Cell functional experiments confirmed that circHERC4_041 inhibited the fi-brotic phenotype of mCFs by specifically translating HERC4-516aa(P＜0.05).The specific interaction between HERC4-516aa and transglutaminase 2(TGM2)was confirmed by IP-MS screening and Co-IP i-dentification.Further results found that the degradation of TGM2 was promoted through proteasome path-way.The overexpression of TGM2 in mCFs facilitated by adenoviral vectors could counteract the suppres-sive effects of HERC4-516aa on the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs.Therefore,this study confirmed that the HERC4-516aa protein translated by circHERC4_041 can specifically bind to TGM2 to inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of myocardial fibroblasts.

Objective This study focuses on a tertiary public hospital in Ningxia to explore the practical application of discipline-specific research performance evaluation.To establish a performance evaluation index system tailored to the characteris-tics of tertiary public hospitals in underdeveloped regions and propose strategies for improving research performance evaluation through empirical research,thereby promoting high-quality hospital development.Methods Guided by the performance evalua-tion indicators for tertiary public hospitals and the accreditation standards for tertiary hospitals,and aligned with the hospital's o-verall work plan,a multi-dimensional and multi-level evaluation method was adopted.Following the SMART principles(Specific,Measurable,Achievable,Relevant,Time-bound)and differentiated scoring principles,research performance evaluation indica-tors were summarized,screened,and weighted.An empirical analysis of the research status of 20 disciplines from 2021 to 2024 was conducted to establish and continuously optimize a research performance evaluation index system suited to the hospital's needs.Results A research performance evaluation index system for public hospital disciplines was finalized,comprising 5 first-level indicators,14 second-level indicators,and 40 third-level indicators(22 quantitative and 18 qualitative).This system standardized the management of discipline-specific research and effectively promoted steady growth,structural adjustment,and development in hospital research.Conclusion Constructing a scientific,standardized,and operable research performance eval-uation index system is of significant importance for enhancing the research level of disciplines in public hospitals and strengthening discipline construction.

Objective To observe the predictability of the corneal stromal reduction with smart pulse technology-as-sisted transperitoneal photorefractive keratomileusis(SPT-TPRK)and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK).Methods Patients undergoing laser surgery in the Department of Ophthalmology of the First Affiliated Hos-pital of Xinxiang Medical College from February to September 2023 were selected and divided by surgical modalities into an SPT-TPRK group(21 cases,37 eyes)and an FS-LASIK group(18 cases,32 eyes).The uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA),intraocular pressure,corneal thickness,and corneal epithelial thickness were measured before surgery,1 week,1 month and 3 months after surgery.The cutting deviation was calculated,and the change of corneal stromal thickness was ob-served.The correlation between the predicted corneal stromal reduction and the cutting deviation was analyzed.Results There were significant differences in UCVA among different time points in both SPT-TPRK and FS-LASIK groups(all P＜0.001).The UCVA of patients in the FS-LASIK group was significantly higher than that in the SPT-TPRK group 1 week after surgery(P＜0.001).The difference in UCVA was not statistically significant between the two groups 1 month and 3 months after surgery(all P＞0.05).There were significant differences in intraocular pressure among different time points in both SPT-TPRK and FS-LASIK groups(all P＜0.001).The FS-LASIK group had a lower intraocular pressure than the SPT-TPRK group 1 week after surgery(P＜0.05),but the difference in intraocular pressure was not statistically significant between the two groups 1 month and 3 months after surgery(all P＞0.05).There was significant difference between predicted cor-neal stromal reductions and actual corneal stromal reductions measured at different time points postoperatively in both SPT-TPRK and FS-LASIK groups(all P＜0.001).The actual corneal stromal reductions were higher than the predicted ones in the SPT-TPRK group at all postoperative time points(all P＜0.05).In the FS-LASIK group,the actual corneal stromal re-ductions were higher than the predicted ones 1 week and 1 month after surgery(all P＜0.05),but the actual and predicted corneal stromal reductions were not significantly different 3 months after surgery(P＞0.05).The cutting deviations were not significantly different between SPT-TPRK and FS-LASIK groups 1 month after surgery(P＞0.05),while the cutting de-viations were significantly different between the two groups 1 week and 3 months after surgery(all P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the change of the stromal thickness among different time points in both SPT-TPRK and FS-LASIK groups(all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the change of the stromal thickness among different time points in the SPT-TPRK group(all P＞0.05).The stromal thickness showed greater changes 1 month after surgery than that 1 week after surgery in the FS-LASIK group(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the change of the stromal thickness between 1 month and 3 months after surgery in the FS-LASIK group(P＞0.05).Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the predicted corneal stromal reduction and the cutting deviation in the SPT-TPRK group 1 week after surgery(P＜0.05),but they had no correlation 1 month and 3 months after surgery(all P＞0.05).There was no correlation between the predicted corneal stromal reduction and the cutting deviation in the FS-LASIK group at all post-operative time points(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Patients who receive SPT-TPRK or FS-LASIK can both achieve good visual acuity and a reduction in intraocular pressure.FS-LASIK has better predictability in refractive error correction than SPT-TPRK.