Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatial-temporal clustering trend of scarlet fever in Nantong from 2009 to 2023, and to provide a scientific basis for scarlet fever prevention and control. Methods The incidence data of scarlet fever in Nantong from 2009 to 2023 were analyzed. Descriptive analysis, seasonal index method and Joinpoint 5.2.0 software were used to analyze epidemiological characteristics. Spatial-temporal clustering was assessed with SaTScan 10.2.5 software. Results The average annual incidence of scarlet fever in Nantong from 2009 to 2023 was 6.54/100 000. The overall morbidity rate of scarlet fever in Nantong had an increasing trend from 2009 to 2019 with an average annual percentage change of 14.55% (t=3.36，P<0.05). The cases mainly occurred during late spring to early summer and late autumn to early winter. Students, preschool children and scattered children were the main scarlet fever population. The average annual incidence of males was significantly higher than that of females (χ²=7.00, P<0.05). Rugao City, Chongchuan District and Tongzhou District were identified as high-incidence areas, accounting for 76.51% of all reported cases. Spatial-temporal scan analysis indicated that Rugao City and Chongchuan District were primary cluster areas, spanning from 2015 to 2021 (RR=3.77, LLR=1 308.07, P<0.05). Conclusion The number of reported cases of scarlet fever in Nantong City from 2009 to 2023 shows epidemic and spatial clustering, mainly concentrated in the central urban area and adjacent counties (cities). It is necessary to strengthen health education and disease surveillance in high-incidence areas, as well as in key institutions and key populations before epidemic peaks.

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on the autophagy function in the hippocampus of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 （SAMP8） by regulating the expression of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B （GPNMB）. Furthermore， it is designed to explore the mechanism of the method of tonifying the kidneys and replenishing essence in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease （AD）. MethodsIn experiment 1， 24 5-month-old SAMP8 mice were randomly and equally divided into the model group， and the low-， middle- and high-dose（0.59，1.18，2.36 g·kg^-1） Liuwei Dihuangwan groups. At the same time， six 5-month-old senescence accelerated mouse resistant 1 （SAMR1） mice were used as the control group. The learning and memory ability was evaluated through novel object recognition experiment. Serum cortisol （Cort）， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH） and urine 17-hydroxycorticosteroid （17-OHCS） levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons was observed by transmission electron microscope （TEM）， and the expression levels of hippocampal GPNMB， a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 （ADAM10） and autophagy-related proteins were detected by Western blot. In experiment 2， 18 SAMP8 mice were randomly and equally divided into the model group， vector control group （Vector）， and GPNMB overexpression group （GPNMB^OE）. Lentiviral vectors were stereotactically injected into the brain （2 μL per side in the GPNMB^OE group）. Western blot was used to detect the expression of the above target proteins in the hippocampus； In Experiment 3， 24 SAMP8 mice were randomly and equally divided into the model group， Liuwei Dihuangwan group， Liuwei Dihuangwan+negative control （NC） group， and Liuwei Dihuangwan+GPNMB silencing group （shGPNMB）. Before drug treatment， the Liuwei Dihuangwan+NC group and the Liuwei Dihuangwan+shGPNMB group were injected with negative control and GPNMB silencing lentivirus， respectively. Western blot was used to detect the expression of the above target proteins in the hippocampus. ResultsThe novel object discrimination index of mice in the model group was significantly lower than that of mice in the control group （P<0.01）. The novel object discrimination index of mice in the medium- and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups was significantly higher than that of mice in the model group （P<0.01）. Aggregated autolysosomes were observed in the normal hippocampus tissue by TEM. In the model group， mitochondria were dominant， and no typical characteristic autophagosomes were observed. In the low- and medium-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups， a small number of autolysosomes and autophagosomes with double-membrane structures were observed. In the high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan group， the number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was greater than that in the low- and medium-dose groups. The results of ELISA and Western blot showed that compared with the control group， the levels of serum Cort， ACTH， and urine 17-OHCS in the model group were substantially increased， while the expression of hippocampal ADAM10， Beclin1， and microtubule associated-protein light chain 3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ （LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ） was significantly decreased. The expression of GPNMB and ubiquitin binding protein p62 was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the serum Cort and ACTH levels in the low-， medium-， and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups were significantly reduced， while only the urine 17-OHCS level in the high-dose group was significantly reduced. The hippocampal GPNMB， ADAM10， Beclin1， and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ expression levels in the medium-， and high-dose groups of Liuwei Dihuangwan were significantly increased compared to the model group， whereas the expression of p62 was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The above indicators showed a progressive trend among the three groups. Compared with the model group， the GPNMB^OE group showed a significant increase in GPNMB， ADAM10， Beclin1， LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ expression， and a significant decrease in p62 expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression of GPNMB， ADAM10， Beclin1， and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the hippocampus of the Liuwei Dihuangwan group significantly increased， while the expression of p62 significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the Liuwei Dihuangwan group， the Liuwei Dihuangwan+shGPNMB group showed a significant decrease in GPNMB， ADAM10， Beclin1， LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ， and a significant increase in p62 expression （P<0.01）. ConclusionLiuwei Dihuangwan can enhance hippocampal autophagy function and improve AD by upregulating GPNMB expression.

Objective: To validate the performance of the Procleix UltrioPlex E assay (Grifols, Spain) on the Procleix Panther automated nucleic acid detection platform, which employs the TMA method to simultaneously detect HIV-1/HIV-2/HCV/HBV/HEV viruses, and to evaluate its value for screening transfusion-associated infectious diseases. Methods: In accordance with the requirements of ISO15189"Application of the Guidelines for the Accreditation of Quality and Capabilities of Medical Laboratories in the Field of Molecular Diagnostics (CNAS-CL02-A009: 2018)", "Guidelines for Performance Validation of Molecular Diagnostic Testing Procedures (CNAS-GL039: 2019)", and the "Technical Operating Procedures for Blood Banks (2019 Edition)", this study validated the reagent's performance in terms of analytical sensitivity validation, performance consistency validation, interference resistance, and cross-contamination resistance. Results: Probit analysis revealed that the 95% detection limits (95% confidence interval) for HBV, HCV, HIV, and HEV were 2.0 IU/mL, 1.5 IU/mL, 18.0 IU/mL and 3.7 IU/mL, respectively, which were consistent with the minimum detection limits stated in the kit's package insert and were comparable to the Procleix Ultrio Elite kit. Both kits were used to test the performance validation serum plate simultaneously, yielding results consistent with the serum plate (Kappa=1), indicating stable performance. Detection of medium-and low-concentration lipemia and weakly positive hemolysis samples demonstrated good interference resistance. Cross-contamination performance validation showed that the kit exhibited excellent cross-contamination resistance. Conclusion: The Procleix UltrioPlex E nucleic acid detection kit enables combined detection of HIV-1, HIV-2, HCV, HBV, and HEV, allowing single-test screening for multiple viruses in donor blood. The kit's analytical performance is stable and meets basic laboratory requirements, making it suitable for screening transfusion-associated infectious diseases in blood banks.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of functional pelvic floor muscle training on pelvic floor muscle function, incontinence symptoms and quality of life in female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). MethodsFrom February, 2024 to July, 2025, 40 female patients with SUI were recruited from Beijing Bo'ai Hospital and advertisements. They were randomly divided into control group (n = 20) and experimental group (n = 20). The control group received conventional pelvic floor muscle contraction and relaxation training, and the experimental group received functional pelvic floor muscle contraction and relaxation training, for eight weeks. The data of pelvic floor muscle strength, pelvic floor muscle surface electromyography (sEMG), 1-hour urine pad test and Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (I-QOL) were collected before and after training. The compliance rate was counted after training. ResultsOne case dropped down in the control group and three cases dropped down in the experimental group. After treatment, the pelvic floor muscle strength increased in both groups (|Z| > 3.317, P < 0.01), the pre-resting average value, sustained contraction average value and durable contraction average value of sEMG improved in the control group (|t| > 2.731, P < 0.05), the mass of 1-hour urine pad significantly reduced (t > 9.215, P < 0.001) and the I-QOL score significantly increased (|t| > 13.229, P < 0.001) in both groups; compared with the control group, the pelvic floor muscle strength significantly increased (Z = -2.281, P = 0.023), the mass of 1-hour urine pad significantly reduced (t = 4.215, P < 0.001), the I-QOL score significantly increased (t = -4.501, P < 0.001), and the compliance rate significantly increased (Z = -2.798, P < 0.01) in the experimental group . ConclusionFunctional pelvic floor muscle training can significantly improve pelvic floor muscle strength, incontinence symptoms and quality of life in female patients with SUI.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic tracer technique for locating pulmonary nodules.Methods A tracer magnet and a matching puncture instrument were designed by ourselves for locating pulmonary nodules.After preliminarily verifying the feasibility of the operation in the isolated lung,four beagle dogs were used as animal models to perform puncture localization of the assumed lesions in the upper lobe of the right lung under the guidance of X-ray by using self-designed tracer magnets and puncture instruments,and the positioning effect was observed and evaluated after thorax opening.The operation time required for the tracer magnet implantation,whether there is bleeding at the puncture site,whether the tracer magnet is displaced,and the positioning time of pulmonary nodules after thorax opening were recorded.Results Two tracer magnets were successfully inserted into the upper lobe of the right lung under X-ray guidance in four beagle dogs,and the magnets were successfully attracted and fixed.The median insertion time of the tracer magnet was 5 minutes(4 to 7 minutes),and the insertion process was smooth without bleeding at the puncture site.After thorax opening,oval forceps were used to conveniently locate the location of the tracer magnet,achieving accurate positioning of pulmonary nodules with a median positioning time of 13 seconds(10 to 17 seconds),and the tracer magnet did not shift during the whole process.Conclusion The magnetic tracer technique is simple to operate and pricise for localization of pulmonary nodules.With further optimization of the operation process,this technique is expected to be applied in clinic.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of the miR-518a-5p/histone deacetylase 6(HDAC6)axis in DNA oxidative damage in ovarian cancer(OC)SKOV3 cells.Methods Expression levels of miR-518a-5p and HDAC6 mRNA in OC tissues and in various cancer cells(A2780,SKOV3,CAOV3)were detected by qRT-PCR.SKOV3 cells were separated into Control,miR-NC,miR-518a-5p mimics,miR-518a-5p mimics+pcDNA-NC,and miR-518a-5p mimics+pc-HDAC6 groups.Cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by colony-forming assay and Hoechst 33258 staining.Expression of phosphorylated histone H2AX(γ-H2AX)was detected by immunofluorescence assay and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by flow cytometry.HDAC6,Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)protein expression were analyzed by Western blot.The regulatory relationship between miR-518a-5p and HDAC6 was analyzed by dual luciferase assay.The effect and mechanism of miR-518a-5p on oxidative DNA damage in OC cells were studied in a xenotransplantation tumor model.Results miR-518a-5p expression was decreased and HDAC6 expression was increased in OC tissues and A2780,SKOV3,and CAOV3 cells(P＜0.001).Expression levels of miR-518a-5p were lowest and expression levels of HDAC6 were highest in SKOV3 cells,and SKOV3 cells were therefore selected for subsequent experiments.miR-518a-5p expression,apoptosis rate,number of γ-H2AX-positive cells,relative ROS fluorescence intensity,and expression of Bax were all higher in the miR-518a-5p mimics group compared with the miR-NC group,while HDAC6 mRNA and protein expression,Bcl-2 expression,and colony-formation number were all lower(P＜0.001).HDAC6 mRNA and protein expression,colony-formation number,and expression of Bcl-2 were higher in the miR-518a-5p mimics+pc-HDAC6 group compared with the miR-518a-5p mimics+pcDNA-NC group,and the apoptosis rate,number of γ-H2AX-positive cells,relative ROS fluorescence intensity,and expression of Bax were all lower(P＜0.001).HDAC6 had a targeted regulatory relationship with miR-518a-5p.Overexpression of miR-518a-5p decreased tumor volume,weight,and HDAC6 protein expression in tumor tissues,and increased γ-H2AX expression in vivo(P＜0.001).Upregulation of HDAC6 expression by overexpression of miR-518a-5p increased graft tumor volume,weight,and HDAC6 protein expression and decreased γ-H2AX-positive expression(P＜0.05).Conclusions miR-518a-5p expression is reduced and HDAC6 expression is increased in OC tissues and cells.Overexpression of miR-518a-5p can induce oxidative DNA damage in SKOV3 cells by inhibiting HDAC6 expression,thereby inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting cell apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of the miR-518a-5p/histone deacetylase 6(HDAC6)axis in DNA oxidative damage in ovarian cancer(OC)SKOV3 cells.Methods Expression levels of miR-518a-5p and HDAC6 mRNA in OC tissues and in various cancer cells(A2780,SKOV3,CAOV3)were detected by qRT-PCR.SKOV3 cells were separated into Control,miR-NC,miR-518a-5p mimics,miR-518a-5p mimics+pcDNA-NC,and miR-518a-5p mimics+pc-HDAC6 groups.Cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by colony-forming assay and Hoechst 33258 staining.Expression of phosphorylated histone H2AX(γ-H2AX)was detected by immunofluorescence assay and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by flow cytometry.HDAC6,Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)protein expression were analyzed by Western blot.The regulatory relationship between miR-518a-5p and HDAC6 was analyzed by dual luciferase assay.The effect and mechanism of miR-518a-5p on oxidative DNA damage in OC cells were studied in a xenotransplantation tumor model.Results miR-518a-5p expression was decreased and HDAC6 expression was increased in OC tissues and A2780,SKOV3,and CAOV3 cells(P＜0.001).Expression levels of miR-518a-5p were lowest and expression levels of HDAC6 were highest in SKOV3 cells,and SKOV3 cells were therefore selected for subsequent experiments.miR-518a-5p expression,apoptosis rate,number of γ-H2AX-positive cells,relative ROS fluorescence intensity,and expression of Bax were all higher in the miR-518a-5p mimics group compared with the miR-NC group,while HDAC6 mRNA and protein expression,Bcl-2 expression,and colony-formation number were all lower(P＜0.001).HDAC6 mRNA and protein expression,colony-formation number,and expression of Bcl-2 were higher in the miR-518a-5p mimics+pc-HDAC6 group compared with the miR-518a-5p mimics+pcDNA-NC group,and the apoptosis rate,number of γ-H2AX-positive cells,relative ROS fluorescence intensity,and expression of Bax were all lower(P＜0.001).HDAC6 had a targeted regulatory relationship with miR-518a-5p.Overexpression of miR-518a-5p decreased tumor volume,weight,and HDAC6 protein expression in tumor tissues,and increased γ-H2AX expression in vivo(P＜0.001).Upregulation of HDAC6 expression by overexpression of miR-518a-5p increased graft tumor volume,weight,and HDAC6 protein expression and decreased γ-H2AX-positive expression(P＜0.05).Conclusions miR-518a-5p expression is reduced and HDAC6 expression is increased in OC tissues and cells.Overexpression of miR-518a-5p can induce oxidative DNA damage in SKOV3 cells by inhibiting HDAC6 expression,thereby inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting cell apoptosis.

Objective To observe the mid-and long-term effects of Kegel training combined with Pilates training on urinary conti-nence recovery in different body mass index(BMI)male patients with urinary incontinence after prostatectomy.Methods From May,2023 to June,2024,48 patients in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were recruited and divided into group A(<25 kg/m2,n=15),group B(25 to 30 kg/m2,n=18)and group C(>30 kg/m2,n=15)according to their BMI.All the groups performed Kegel training combined with Pilates training for two months,and followed up at six months from baseline.They were evaluated with one hour pad test,the number of daily urinary incontinence,In-ternational Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form(ICIQ-SF)and modified Oxford Rating Scale before treatment,and four weeks,eight weeks and six months after treatment.Results The intra-group effect,the inter-group effect and interaction effect were significant in the results of one hour pad test and the daily number of urinary incontinence(F>2.955,P<0.05).Post Hoc test showed that they were worse in group C than in groups A and B(P<0.05),and the number of daily urinary incontinence was more in group B than in group A(P<0.05).There was significant difference in the scores of ICIQ-SF and modified Ox-ford Rating Scale among groups in different time points after treatment(Z>10.476,P<0.05)except the score of ICIQ-SF four weeks after treatment(P>0.05),and they were the worst in group C.BMI(group A=1,group B=2,group C=3)was correlated with the results of one hour pad test(r=0.79,P<0.001),the number of daily uri-nary incontinence(r=0.68,P<0.001),and the scores of ICIQ-SF(r=0.68,P<0.001)and modified Oxford Rating Scale(r=-0.47,P=0.001)six months after treatment.Conclusion Kegel training combined with Pilates training could improve the urinary control in patients with urinary in-continence after prostatectomy.The decrease of BMI can promote the recovery of urinary control,and improve the symptoms of later urinary incontinence in mid-and long-term.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic tracer technique for locating pulmonary nodules.Methods A tracer magnet and a matching puncture instrument were designed by ourselves for locating pulmonary nodules.After preliminarily verifying the feasibility of the operation in the isolated lung,four beagle dogs were used as animal models to perform puncture localization of the assumed lesions in the upper lobe of the right lung under the guidance of X-ray by using self-designed tracer magnets and puncture instruments,and the positioning effect was observed and evaluated after thorax opening.The operation time required for the tracer magnet implantation,whether there is bleeding at the puncture site,whether the tracer magnet is displaced,and the positioning time of pulmonary nodules after thorax opening were recorded.Results Two tracer magnets were successfully inserted into the upper lobe of the right lung under X-ray guidance in four beagle dogs,and the magnets were successfully attracted and fixed.The median insertion time of the tracer magnet was 5 minutes(4 to 7 minutes),and the insertion process was smooth without bleeding at the puncture site.After thorax opening,oval forceps were used to conveniently locate the location of the tracer magnet,achieving accurate positioning of pulmonary nodules with a median positioning time of 13 seconds(10 to 17 seconds),and the tracer magnet did not shift during the whole process.Conclusion The magnetic tracer technique is simple to operate and pricise for localization of pulmonary nodules.With further optimization of the operation process,this technique is expected to be applied in clinic.

Objective To explore the variable pressure matress and thermoplastic mold applied to cone beam CT-guided radiotherapy of abdominal and pelvic cancer in terms of translation error,rotation angle error and setup reproducibility of patients with different body mass indexes(BMIs),so as to provide references for the selection of body fixation mode.Methods Totally 70 patients with abdominal and pelvic tumors admitted to some hospital from April 2021 to March 2022 were retrospectively selected,and divided into a variable pressure mattress group and a thermoplastic mold group according to the fixation method,with 35 patients in each group.All the patients in the two groups underwent examinations with cone beam computed tomography(CBCT)at the first radiotherapy treatment and during the course of the treatment,and the image registration was carried out between validation images and planning images.The two groups were compared in terms of rotation angle error and thranlation error at the directoins of x axis(lateral directions),y axis(cranial-caudal)and z axis(ventral-dorsal).Taking the center point image of the initial positioning as the reference,the errors of the center points of the two groups at z and y axes(Δz and Δy)were compared.The setup reproducibility was set as Δz≤5 mm and Δy≤3 mm,and the setup reproducibility rates of the two groups were summarized.All the patients were categorized into non-overweight ones(BMI<25 kg/m2)and overweight ones(BMI≥25 kg/m2),and the setup reproducibility rates of the patients with different BMIs were counted.SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results The two groups had no significant differences in translation error at the directions of x and y axes(P>0.05).The variable pressure mattress group had the translation error at the direction of z axis statistically lower than that of the thermoplastic mold group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the two groups in rotation angle error(P=0.219 3).The two groups had significant differences in setup reproducibility(P=0.033 4).The non-overweight patients had the setup reproducibility rate being 40.00%in the variable pressure mattress group,and 77.14%in the thermoplastic mold group;the overweight patients had the setup reproducibility rate being 25.71%in the variable pressure mattress group and only 2.86%in the thermoplastic mold group,with the differences between the two groups being statistically significant(P=0.002 9).Conclusion The variable pressure mattress and thermoplastic mold both result in low setup errors when applied to fixation during the radiotherapy of abdominal and pelvic cancer,the thermoplastic mold fixation can be used for the patients with BMIs lower than 25 kg/m2 with decreased translation errors at the direction of z axis,and the variable pressure mattress fixation was suitable for the patients with BMIs not lower than 25 kg/m2.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(7):45-50]