ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis (hereinafter referred to as brucellosis) in Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, and to provide scientific evidence for adjusting prevention and control strategies. MethodsBased on the surveillance data of reported brucellosis cases in Baoshan City from 2020 to 2023 and the information collected through individual epidemiological questionnaire surveys, the epidemic status and clinical characteristics of brucellosis in Baoshan City were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. ResultsA total of 85 brucellosis cases were reported in Baoshan City from 2020 to 2023, and detailed individual information was obtained for 83 of them. Brucellosis in Baoshan City showed a clear seasonal pattern, with peak incidence from May to September. The average annual incidence rate was 0.80/100 000, with a male-to-female ratio of 7.5∶1. And 82.35% of the cases aged 30 to 60 years, with farmers being the predominant affected group. The main clinical manifestations of the cases were myalgia and arthralgia. Regarding transmission routes, 87.95% of the cases had a contact history with cattle, with livestock rearing and grazing being the main exposure modes. Most infections occurred at home. ConclusionFrom 2020 to 2023, the incidence of brucellosis in Baoshan City exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, with a peak period from May to September. Males and farmers were identified as the primary affected populations. It is recommended to strengthen livestock surveillance and control, and to enhance both awareness and self-protection capacity among high-risk groups.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism through which Gantou Fumu decoction （GDFMT）-containing serum inhibits the activation of hepatic stellate cells. MethodsSerum pharmacology techniques were employed to prepare GDFMT-containing serum samples. Rat hepatic stellate cells （HSCT6） were randomly allocated into three groups： Control， penicillamine （90 mg·kg^-1）， and GDFMT （6.8 g·kg^-1）. Cell viability was assessed by the cell counting kti-8 （CCK-8） assay， intracellular ROS levels were determined by flow cytometry using the DCFH‑DA fluorescent probe and while extracellular collagen Ⅰ （ColⅠ） levels were quantified via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Intracellular α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） expression was visualized through immunofluorescence staining. Real-time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） and Western blot were performed to evaluate alterations in the expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， glutamate cysteine ligase， catalytic （GCLC）， glutamate-cysteine ligase， modifier subunit （GCLM）， Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）， NAD（P）H：Quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）， and heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）. Genetic knockdown of Nrf2 was achieved through small interfering （siRNA） transfection to validate pathway specificity. ResultsCCK-8 data indicated that under the selected experimental conditions， culturing HSCT6 cells with 10% （volume fraction） GDFMT-containing serum for 48 h demonstrated equivalent effect in inhibiting HSCT6 cell proliferation compared with culturing HSCT6 cells with 10% （volume fraction） penicillamine-containing serum for 36 h， with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. After treatment of HSCT6 cells with siRNA-mediated Nrf2 gene transfection technique， the inhibitory effect of GDFMT on the activation process of HSCT6 cells was significantly weakened. After HSCT6 cells were cultured with GDFMT-containing serum for 48 h， the flow cytometry with a fluorescence probe showed that the content of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in the cells was significantly reduced. After the expression level of the Nrf2 gene in HSCT6 cells was knocked down by siRNA transfection， the content of ROS increased （P<0.01）， indicating that GDFMT significantly reduced the ROS level in activated HSCT6 cells， and this effect strictly depended on the integrity of the Nrf2 pathway. Quantitative analysis by ELISA showed that the synthesis of ColⅠ in the HSCT6 cell culture system treated with GDFMT-containing serum for 48 h was lower than that in the control group （P<0.01）. After the Nrf2 gene level of HSCT6 cells was knocked down by siRNA transfection， the ColⅠ concentration in the culture supernatant increased （P<0.01）. The results of α-SMA detection by IF method showed that compared with the normal group， GDFMT-containing serum reduced the expression of α-SMA （P<0.01） and the protein level of α-SMA in HSCT6 cells was increased （P<0.01） after siRNA-mediated Nrf2 silencing， suggesting that Nrf2 signaling pathway may be involved in regulating the phenotypic transformation process of the cells. Real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that GDFMT-containing serum reduced the protein level of α-SMA （P<0.01） and enhanced the gene and protein levels of Nrf2 in the nucleus and GCLC， HO-1， Keap1， GCLM， and NQO1 in the cytoplasm of HSCT6 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After the Nrf2 gene level of HSCT6 cells was knocked down by siRNA transfection， the protein level of α-SMA was increased （P<0.01）， and the levels of GCLC， GCLM， Keap1， NQO1， and HO-1 were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. These results indicated that GDFMT-containing serum successfully triggered the Nrf2 signaling pathway of HSCT6 cells. ConclusionThe anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of 10%GDFMT was equivalent to that of penicillamine. In addition， GDFMT can inhibit HSC activation and reduce oxidative stress damage by activating the Nrf2/antioxidant response element （ARE） pathway， as manifested by the up-regulated expression of Nrf2 and downstream antioxidant genes （GCLC， GCLM， HO-1， Keap1， and NQO1） and reduced secretion of ROS， α-SMA， and ColⅠ.

Objective To analyze the difference of CT features between hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP) and acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP). Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on 66 HLAP patients and 96 ABP patients admitted to East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University from January 2018 to December 2019. The clinical data and CT features of patients between the two groups were compared. Results There were statistically significant differences in the clinical data and CT grades (A-E) between the HLAP group and the ABP group (P＜0.01). ABP group showed more swelling and effusion in pancreatic body and tail (58.3%), 16.7% of swelling and effusion in whole pancreas, but rare swelling and effusion located in pancreatic head and neck alone (3.1%). The HLAP group showed more swelling and effusion in whole pancreas (48.5%), 39.4% of swelling and effusion in pancreatic head and neck, but rare swelling and effusion located in pancreatic body and tail alone (12.1%). Conclusions CT features of HLAP are significantly different from the ABP, which may be useful for early precise diagnosis and treatment for HLAP.

Objective To assess the clinical utility of single-molecule real-time technology(SMRT)in identifying triplicated α-globin genes and compound variant alleles.Methods A total of 36 samples with tripli-cated α-globin genes were collected.Among them,28 samples were confirmed by PCR flow-through hybridiza-tion and 8 samples were confirmed by Next Generation Sequencing(NGS).These 36 samples included tripli-cated α-globin genes compound variants with cis or trans arrangements unknown,such as αααanti4 2 compoundαcsα(2 cases),αααanti4.2 compound-α3.7(10 cases),and HKαα/--SEA pending confirmation(2 cases),SMRT technology was employed to detect thalassemia gene variants.Additionally,a pedigree with the genotype ofαααanti4.2 compound-α3.7 variant was recruited,including the proband(Ⅱ-1),its father(Ⅰ-1),and mother(Ⅰ-2).PCR flow-through hybridization and SMRT were employed to detect thalassemia gene variants.Results SMRT detected 35 out of 36 samples with triplicated α-globin genes,and 1 sample with quadrupllcated α-globin genes(ααααanti4.2).Among the 2 αααanti4 2 compound αCSα variant samples,both αααanti42 and αCSα were arranged in trans,with a genotype of αααanti4.2/αCSα.Among the 10 αααanti4.2 compound-α3.7 variant samples,9 samples hadαααanti4.2 and-α3.7 in a cis arrangement,with a genotype of HKαα/αα,and 1 sample had αααannti4.2 and-α3.7 in a trans arrangement,with a genotype of αααanti4.2/-α3.7.Compared with PCR flow-through hybridization,SMRT detected one case of a large segment deletion in the β-globin gene and two unknown variants,which led to an increase in the positive detection rate of approximately 10.71％(3/28).The pedigree analysis showed that the proband(Ⅱ-1)inherited αααanti4.2 and-α3.7 variants from his mother(Ⅰ-2),with a genotype of HKαα/αα,con-sistent with the SMRT detection results.Conclusion SMRT can accurately detect triplicated or quadrupllcat-ed α-globin genes,and compound variant alleles.It offers high accuracy,enables one-step identification of cis or trans arrangements,and provides comprehensive coverage of thalassemia gene variations,demonstrating its significant clinical value.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Ruanjian Sanjie Pills in the treatment of patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis in compensatory stage differentiated as blood stasis blocking collaterals syndrome.Methods A total of 80 cases of patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis in compensatory stage admitted to Bao'an Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to April 2024 were randomly divided into the trial group and the control group,40 cases in each group.The control group was treated with oral administration of Entecavir for hepatitis B virus(HBV),and the trial group was treated with Ruanjian Sanjie Pills on the basis of treatment for the control group,the course of treatment covering one year.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of routine blood test indicators of white blood cell count(WBC)and platelet count(PLT),liver function indicators[albumin(ALB),total bilirubin(TBIL),alanine transaminase(ALT)and aspartate transaminase(AST)],prothrombin time(PT),liver stiffness measurement(LSM),and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated.Results(1)There were three cases in the control group and four cases in the trial group fell off,and eventually 37 cases in the control group and 36 cases in the trial group were enrolled in the efficacy statistics.(2)After one year of treatment,the total effective rate of the trial group was 91.67%(33/36)and that of the control group was 67.57%(25/37),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the routine blood test indicators of WBC and PLT in the trial group were increased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),while the WBC and PLT in the control group did not change significantly(P>0.05).The post-treatment WBC and PLT in the trial group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the ALB of patients in the two groups was increased compared with that before treatment(P<0.05),and the PT value of patients in the two groups and the ALT of the trial group were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),but TBIL and AST of the two groups and ALT of the control group did not differ from those before treatment(P>0.05).The comparison between the two groups showed that the decrease of PT value in the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P>0.05),but no statistically significant differences of ALT,AST,TBIL and ALB were shown between the two groups(P>0.05).(5)After treatment,the LSM of patients in the two groups was decreased compared with that before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(6)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of the two groups of patients were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(7)There were no significant adverse reactions or adverse events occurring in the two groups during the treatment.Conclusion Ruanjian Sanjie Pills can improve the clinical symptoms of patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis in the compensatory stage,improve the coagulation function,reduce the hardness of the liver,and slow down the process of cirrhosis,with satisfactory efficacy and good safety.

Abdominal obesity represents the predominant obesity phenotype in China.Compared to peripheral obesity,individuals with abdominal obesity are more prone to metabolic disorders,cardiovascular diseases,and higher mortality rates.Catgut embedding therapy at acupoints has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in preventing and treating abdominal obesity.However,standardized clinical guidelines for its application in abdominal obesity management have not yet been established.This review comprehensively summarizes the clinical applications of catgut embedding therapy for simple abdominal obesity and abdominal obesity with various complications,aiming to provide clinical evidence and theoretical guidance for its use in preventing and treating abdominal obesity.

Objective To investigate the effect of APOE4 in regulating LRP1 and on β-amyloid protein Aβ25-35-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response in astrocytes.Methods Human astrocytes were transfected with sh-NC,sh-APOE4,pcDNA-NC,and pcDNA-LRP1,and then induced with 10 μM Aβ25-35 for 24 h to establish an AD cell model.The roles of APOE4 and LRP1 in Aβ25-35-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response were assessed using Western blot,flow cytometry,the detection kits of MDA,SOD,and GSH,as well as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)kits for TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β.The protein-protein interaction between APOE4 and LRP1 was detected through co-immunoprecipitation and western blot experiments.Results Aβ25-35 induction upregulated APOE4 expression(P<0.01),promoted the levels of ROS(P<0.001),MDA(P<0.001),and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β(P<0.001)in astrocytes,while inhibited the expression of SOD,GSH,and LRP1(P<0.001).Knockdown of APOE4 or overexpression of LRP1 suppressed the Aβ25-35-induced increase in ROS,oxidative stress markers,and inflammatory cytokines in cells(P<0.05).APOE4 negatively regulated LRP1 protein expression through protein-protein interactions.The levels of ROS,MDA,and inflammatory cytokines were higher(P<0.05),and the concentrations of SOD and GSH were lower(P<0.001),in cells with simultaneous knockdown of APOE4 and LRP1 compared to those with APOE4 knockdown alone.Conclusion Knockdown of APOE4 attenuates Aβ25-35-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response in astrocytes by upregulating LRP1.

Objective To analyze the current quality of treatment for hospitalized cancer patients in Bei-jing,identify major issues in treatment practices,and propose improvements.Methods Nine hospitals in Beijing were selected for examination.Expert on-site interviews and medical record sampling were conducted.The"Bei-jing Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Quality Control Checklist"was used to assess the hardware,management,anti-cancer drug therapy,radiation therapy,and surgical treatment during cancer treatment at these hospitals from January to October 2023.The relevant problems were analyzed.Results Among the nine hospitals,two(22.2％)were equipped with laminar flow rooms,and three(33.3％)had intravenous drug preparation centers.In terms of institutional management,seven hospitals(77.8％)had standardized anti-cancer drug prescription authority management,eight(88.9％)had complete emergency plans,and five(55.6％)had oncology specialist pharmacists.Regarding anti-cancer drug therapy,the areas with higher completion rates included pathology diag-nosis support(97.6％),routine pre-treatment examinations(96.3％),adverse reaction evaluation(92.7％),discharge summaries(95.1％),and admission records(91.5％).However,the accuracy of tumor staging before treatment(70.7％)and the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy after drug treatment(76.9％)needed improvement.The oncology specialty significantly outperformed the non-oncology specialty in terms of the accuracy rate of TNM staging(86.0％vs.46.9％,P＜0.001),the completeness of informed consent forms(100％vs.68.8％,P＜0.001),the completeness of drug indication evaluation(96.0％vs.78.1％,P=0.025),the completeness of admission medical history records(98.0％vs.81.3％,P=0.008),the rationality of drug dosage(96.0％vs.75.0％,P=0.005),the rationality of drug infusion time(100％vs.62.5％,P＜0.001),and the rationality of the order of drug infusion(100％vs.87.5％,P=0.010).Although the quality of radiation therapy was high,the subsequent evaluation of therapeutic efficacy(39.3％)requires enhancement.In surgical treatment,the preoper-ative pathology diagnosis support rate(78.1％)and the accuracy of tumor staging(37.5％)were relatively low,indicating issues with incomplete preoperative evaluation and the absence of multidisciplinary discussions.Conclusions There remains significant room for improvement in the quality of cancer treatment in China.It is recommended to standardize tumor staging assessment processes,strengthen entry assessments for non-oncology departments,promote the implementation of multidisciplinary treatment models,and establish a multi-department collaborative management model.Continuous monitoring of cancer diagnosis and treatment quality indicators is es-sential to promote ongoing improvements in cancer treatment quality.

Objective:To explore the clinical features, histopathological morphology, and differential diagnosis of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with abnormal expression of follicular dendritic cell markers.Methods:From 2020 to 2021, 4 cases of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with abnormal expression of follicular dendritic cell markers diagnosed in Fujian Cancer Hospital (2 cases) and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (2 cases) were collected. Different ancillary procedures such as HE, special stains, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization techniques were used to assess the histopathological features and immunophenotypes. The clinical data were collected and literature was reviewed.Results:All 4 cases of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with abnormal expression of follicular dendritic cell markers were male. They were 32, 45, 67 and 39 years old, respectively. The main clinical manifestations were bloody phlegm, abdominal pain, fatigue and anorexia. The clinical stages at diagnosis were stage Ⅳ (3 cases) and stage Ⅱ (1 case). Cases 2 and 3 had two pathological examinations at different sites, with a total of six pathological examinations. The histomorphology showed singly scattered or nests of tumor cells in a background of abundant small lymphocytes. The tumor cells were enlarged and pleomorphic, some appeared polygonal with inconspicuous cell borders, and they were arranged in a syncytial pattern. There were megakaryocytes, multinucleated tumor cells, and a few spindle-shaped cells seen. Atypical mitosis was commonly noted. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were positive for CKpan(5/6), CK8/18(4/4), CAM5.2(2/5), CK-H(0/4), CK-L(3/4), EMA(4/5), CK5/6(3/6), p63(1/6), p40(1/6), E-cadherin (4/6), SSTR2(6/6), PD-L1(5/5), LCA(0/6), vimentin(5/6), CD2 (6/6), CD23(6/6), CD35(5/6), CXCL-13(4/5) and D2-40(1/5). The Ki-67 proliferative index was 60%-95%. In situ hybridization for EBER were all positive (6/6). Special stain for reticulin showed positive staining surrounding nests of tumor cells.Conclusions:The expression of follicular dendritic cell markers in lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is very rare, which may be related to EBV infection. Occasionally, it can overlap with follicular dendritic cell sarcoma by morphology and immunophenotype, which can lead to misdiagnosis. Only by combining clinical information, morphological characteristics and immunophenotype can an appropriate diagnosis be made.

At present, the incidence and mortality rate of severe acute pancreatitis is 15%-20% and about 20%, respectively, which can lead to local and systemic complications of patients and huge medical costs. The occurrence of acute pancreatitis is closely related to inflammatory response. This article reviews the progress of anti-inflammation therapy and immunotherapy of acute pancreatitis, aiming to provide reference for treatment in patients with acute pancreatitis.