Babesiosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by tick-borne Babesia species. Currently, more than 100 species of Babesia have been characterized, including at least 4 species that may infect humans. Babesiosis is prevalent across the world, and humans are commonly susceptible to babesiosis. The incidence of babesiosis appears an obvious seasonal distribution, and peaks in summer and autumn. Recently, the number of reported babesiosis cases has increased year by year with the improvement of diagnostic and monitoring capabilities, and the range of animal hosts has continued to expand. However, effective prevention and control of babesiosis remain challenging because of the lack of highly effective specific drugs and available vaccines. This review summarizes the pathogenic characteristics, epidemiological characteristics, epidemic process of babesiosis, and influencing factors of its epidemic, with an emphasis on natural and social factors, so as to provide the scientific evidence for risk assessment of babesiosis and formulation of babesiosis control strategy.

[摘 要] 目的：探讨蟾毒灵（BU）对肿瘤相关巨噬细胞（TAM）介导的结直肠癌（CRC）细胞程序性死亡蛋白-配体1（PD-L1）表达的调控作用及其分子机制。方法：采用HCT116细胞与THP-1来源巨噬细胞构建体外共培养体系。佛波酯（PMA）诱导THP-1细胞分化为M0型巨噬细胞，进一步以HCT116细胞条件培养基（CM）刺激形成TAM样细胞。流式细胞术检测CD11b、CD206表达，以评价巨噬细胞极化水平；RT-qPCR及WB法检测TGF-β、IL-10、STAT3/p-STAT3及PD-L1表达变化；慢病毒转染构建STAT3敲低细胞系HCT116sh-STAT3，结合BU干预验证STAT3/PD-L1信号通路作用。结果：HCT116细胞CM可诱导巨噬细胞向M2表型极化，表现为CD11b⁺CD206⁺细胞比例升高（P < 0.01）及TGF-β、IL-10表达增加（均P < 0.001）。TAM条件培养基可显著促进HCT116细胞STAT3磷酸化（P < 0.001）并上调PD-L1 mRNA及蛋白表达水平（P < 0.001或P < 0.01）。BU干预后，TAM介导的STAT3磷酸化水平明显下降，PD-L1表达同步下调（均P < 0.01）。STAT3敲低可降低PD-L1表达，其作用趋势与BU一致。结论：BU可通过抑制TAM介导的STAT3信号激活，下调CRC细胞PD-L1表达，提示其在肿瘤免疫微环境调控中具有潜在的应用价值。

In 2022， Hainan provincial government launched the project for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis with the goals of a hepatitis B screening rate of 90%， a diagnostic rate of 90%， and a treatment rate of 80% among people aged 18 years and above by the year 2025， and the main intervention measures include population-based prevention， case screening， antiviral therapy， and health management. As of December 31， 2024， a total of 6.875 million individuals in the general population had been screened for hepatitis B， with a screening rate of 95.6%. A total of 184 710 individuals with positive HBsAg were identified， among whom 156 772 were diagnosed through serological reexamination， resulting in a diagnostic rate of 84.9%. A total of 50 742 patients with chronic hepatitis B were identified， among whom 42 921 had hepatitis B-specific health records established for health management， with a file establishment rate of 84.6%. A total of 31 553 individuals received antiviral therapy， with a treatment rate of 62.2%. A total of 2.503 million individuals at a high risk of hepatitis C were screened， among whom 4 870 tested positive for HCV antibody and 3 858 underwent HCV RNA testing， resulting in a diagnostic rate of 79.2%， and 1 824 individuals with positive HCV RNA were identified， among whom 1 194 received antiviral therapy， with a treatment rate of 65.5%. In addition， 159 301 individuals with negative HBsAg and anti-HBs and an age of 20 — 40 years were inoculated with hepatitis B vaccine free of charge. Through the implementation of the project for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis， a large number of hepatitis patients have been identified， treated， and managed in the province within a short period of time， which significantly accelerates the efforts to eliminate the crisis of viral hepatitis.

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the clinical manifestations and genetic characteristics of creatine deficiency syndrome (CDS) caused by GAMT gene mutations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and genetic data of two children diagnosed with GAMT deficiency-type CDS at the Children's Medical Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, from December 2020 to December 2024. RESULTS: The two patients presented with symptoms in infancy, and both had compound heterozygous mutations in the GAMT gene. Case 1 exhibited seizures and intellectual disability, while Case 2 had intellectual disability and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of cranial MRI in both patients indicated reduced creatine peaks. After creatine treatment, seizures in Case 1 were controlled, but both patients continued to experience intellectual disabilities and behavioral issues. As of December 2024, a total of 21 cases have been reported in China (including this study), and 115 cases have been reported abroad. All patients exhibited developmental delay or intellectual disabilities, with 66.9% (91/136) experiencing seizures, 33.8% (46/136) presenting with motor disorders, and 36.8% (50/136) having behavioral problems. Seventy-five percent (102/136) of patients received creatine treatment, leading to significant improvements in seizures and motor disorders, although cognitive improvement was not substantial. CONCLUSIONS GAMT deficiency-type CDS is rare and presents with nonspecific clinical features. Timely diagnosis facilitates targeted treatment, which can partially improve prognosis.
Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Creatine/deficiency* ; Guanidinoacetate N-Methyltransferase/deficiency* ; Intellectual Disability/genetics* ; Mutation ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhabdomyolysis/genetics* ; Language Development Disorders ; Movement Disorders/congenital*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of COVID-19 infection on the mobilization and collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells in patients with multiple myeloma. METHODS: The general baseline data, treatment factors before mobilization collection, collection status, and treatment overview after collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from January 1, 2020 to July 15, 2023 were analyzed. RESULTS: 269 patients underwent mobilization and collection of autologous peripheral blood stem cells. Among them, 32 cases with COVID-19 infection history (COVID-19 group) and 237 cases without COVID-19 infection history (non-COVID-19 group). In the COVID-19 group, 17 cases were treated with chemotherapy (etoposide)+G-CSF, and 15 cases were treated with plerixafor +G-CSF. In the non-COVID-19 group, 214 cases were treated with chemotherapy +G-CSF, 17 cases were treated with plerixafor +G-CSF, and 6 cases were treated with chemotherapy + plerixafor +G-CSF. The number of CD34⁺ cells, collection success rate, and excellence rate in the COVID-19 group and the non-COVID-19 group were ［5.52 (0.94-26.87) vs 4.80 (0.53-37.20)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.610), (93.8% vs 85.2%) (P =0.275), (62.5% vs 49.4%) (P =0.190), respectively. Among 113 patients mobilized with etoposide +G-CSF, the number of CD34⁺ cells, success rate, and excellence rate collected from COVID-19 infection (17 cases) and non-COVID-19 infection (96 cases) were ［7.54 (2.66-26.87) vs 7.78 (2.26-37.20)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.847), (100.0% vs 100.0%) (no P value), (82.4% vs 86.5%) (P =0.655), respectively. Among 32 patients mobilized by plerixafor +G-CSF, the number of CD34⁺ cells, success rate and excellence rate of COVID-19 infection (15 cases) and non-COVID-19 infection (17 cases) were ［3.82 (0.94-7.27) vs 4.11 (0.53-9.05)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.821), (86.7% vs 88.2%) (P =0.893), (40.0% vs 35.3%) (P =0.784), respectively. In 32 patients with COVID-19 infection, the number of CD34⁺ cells collected by etoposide +G-CSF (17 cases) and plerixafor +G-CSF (15 cases), as well as the success rate and excellence rate were ［7.54 (2.66-26.87) vs 3.82(0.94-7.27)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.004), (100.0% vs 86.7%) (P =0.120), (82.4% vs 40.0%) (P =0.014), respectively. By 2023.7.31, 232 patients (86.2%, 232/269) had received transplantation, including 24 patients in the COVID-19 group and 208 patients in the non-COVID-19 group. The median number of CD34⁺ cells infused in the two groups was ［3.67 (2.50-13.44) vs 3.11(1.12-19.89)］×10⁶/kg (P =0.058), the median days of neutrophil engraftment ［11(9-13) vs 11(9-17)］ (P =0.674), the median days of platelet engraftment ［11(0-23), 12(0-43)］ (P =0.279), respectively. CONCLUSION The history of COVID-19 infection did not affect the PBSC mobilization, collection and transplantation of patients with myeloma. In patients with COVID-19 infection, the results of chemotherapy mobilization with etoposide seems to be better than that of plerixafor mobilization, but further research is needed to clarify.
Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Multiple Myeloma/complications* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/therapeutic use* ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cells ; Male ; Female ; Cyclams ; Benzylamines

Patients with periodontal disease often require combined periodontal-orthodontic interventions to restore periodontal health, function, and aesthetics, ensuring both patient satisfaction and long-term stability. Managing these patients involving orthodontic tooth movement can be particularly challenging due to compromised periodontal soft and hard tissues, especially in severe cases. Therefore, close collaboration between orthodontists and periodontists for comprehensive diagnosis and sequential treatment, along with diligent patient compliance throughout the entire process, is crucial for achieving favorable treatment outcomes. Moreover, long-term orthodontic retention and periodontal follow-up are essential to sustain treatment success. This expert consensus, informed by the latest clinical research and practical experience, addresses clinical considerations for orthodontic treatment of periodontal patients, delineating indications, objectives, procedures, and principles with the aim of providing clear and practical guidance for clinical practitioners.
Humans ; Consensus ; Orthodontics, Corrective/standards* ; Periodontal Diseases/complications* ; Tooth Movement Techniques/methods* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

BACKGROUND: The use of inserted sham acupuncture as a placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is controversial, because it may produce specific effects that cause an underestimation of the effect of acupuncture treatment. OBJECTIVE: This systematic survey investigates the magnitude of insert-specific effects of sham acupuncture and whether they affect the estimation of acupuncture treatment effects. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify acupuncture RCTs from their inception until December 2022. INCLUSION CRITERIA: RCTs that evaluated the effects of acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture and no treatment. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: The total effect measured for an acupuncture treatment group in RCTs were divided into three components, including the natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (controlled for no-treatment group), the placebo effect, and the specific effect of acupuncture. The first two constituted the contextual effect of acupuncture, which is mimicked by a sham acupuncture treatment group. The proportion of acupuncture total effect size was considered to be 1. The proportion of natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (PNE) and proportional contextual effect (PCE) of included RCTs were pooled using meta-analyses with a random-effect model. The proportion of acupuncture placebo effect was the difference between PCE and PNE in RCTs with non-inserted sham acupuncture. The proportion of insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture (PIES) was obtained by subtracting the proportion of acupuncture placebo effect and PNE from PCE in RCTs with inserted sham acupuncture. The impact of PIES on the estimation of acupuncture's treatment effect was evaluated by quantifying the percentage of RCTs that the effect of outcome changed from no statistical difference to statistical difference after removing PIES in the included studies, and the impact of PIES was externally validated in other acupuncture RCTs with an inserted sham acupuncture group that were not used to calculate PIES. RESULTS: This analysis included 32 studies with 5492 patients. The overall PNE was 0.335 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.255-0.415) and the PCE of acupuncture was 0.639 (95% CI, 0.567-0.710) of acupuncture's total effect. The proportional contribution of the placebo effect to acupuncture's total effect was 0.191, and the PIES was 0.189. When we modeled the exclusion of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, the acupuncture treatment effect changed from no difference to a significant difference in 45.45% of the included RCTs, and in 40.91% of the external validated RCTs. CONCLUSION The insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture in RCTs represents 18.90% of acupuncture's total effect and significantly affects the evaluation of the acupuncture treatment effect. More than 40% of RCTs that used inserted sham acupuncture would draw different conclusions if the PIES had been controlled for. Considering the impact of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, caution should be taken when using inserted sham acupuncture placebos in RCTs. Please cite this article as: Luo XC, Liu JL, Yao MH, Chen YM, Fan AY, Liang FR, Zhao JP, Zhao L, Zhou X, Zhong XY, Yang JH, Li B, Zhang Y, Sun X, Li L. Specific effect of inserted sham acupuncture and its impact on the estimation of acupuncture treatment effect in randomized controlled trials: A systematic survey. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):630-640.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Placebo Effect ; Placebos ; Treatment Outcome

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.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nebulized inhalation of recombinant human interferon (IFN) α1b injection in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia and bronchiolitis) in children.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled add-on design was used.Children with pneumonia or bronchiolitis aged 2 months to 5 years who tested positive for RSV antigen within 72 hours of onset from 30 clinical trial sites including Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University between February 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study and randomly divided into 2 groups at a ratio of 1∶1 based on a stratified-block method.Both groups received basic treatments such as cough control, asthma relieving, expectorant treatment, fever reduction, oxygen therapy, etc.The experimental group received additional nebulized inhalation of IFN α1b injection at a dose of 2.0 μg/(kg·time), twice a day.The control group received nebulized inhalation of placebo twice a day.Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on indicators such as the duration of clinical symptoms and signs, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the median and 95% CI of the duration of clinical symptoms and signs.The Log-rank test was used to compared data between groups.Safety was assessed through the incidence of adverse reactions and laboratory tests, and the Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference between groups. Results:There were 123 children in the experimental group and 122 children in the control group.The median durations of all the 5 clinical symptoms and signs [including shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea (visible retractions), decreased transcutaneous oxygen saturation, and abnormal mental state] in the experimental group after treatment were slightly shortened than those in the control group [2.7 d(95% CI: 1.9-3.0 d)] vs.[2.9 d(95% CI: 2.6-3.6 d), P=0.027].The improvement in dyspnea (retractions) was especially pronounced in the experimental group, with a relief rate of 50.0% (0, 100%) on the first day of administration[compared with 0 (0, 50.0%) in the control group ( Z=2.002, P=0.025)].The median duration of dyspnea in the experimental group was nearly 1 day shorter than that in the control group [1.0 d(95% CI: 0.7-1.7 d) vs.1.8 d(95% CI: 1.0-2.5 d), P=0.046].There were no significant difference in hospital stay [6.0(5.0, 8.0) d vs.6.5(5.0, 8.0) d, Z=0.675, P=0.500], oxygen therapy duration [32.0(14.0, 96.3) h vs.39.0 (24.0, 83.2) h, Z=0.094, P=0.925], the recovery rate from clinical symptoms during treatment [(105/106, 99.1%) vs.(96/101, 95.0%)], and recurrence rate [(0/106, 0) vs.(2/101, 2.0%)] between the 2 groups (all P>0.05).However, the above-mentioned four indicators in the experimental group showed a trend of clinical benefits.The quantitative virus detection results showed that the RSV viral load in both groups decreased after treatment compared to before treatment.After 2 days of treatment, the decline rate of RSV viral load from the baseline was 0.90 lg copies/(mL·d) in the experimental group and 0.25 lg copies/(mL·d)in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05).Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups ( P>0.05).Importantly, no drug-related serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups. Conclusions:The nebulized inhalation therapy of IFN α1b demonstrates efficacy and safety in treating pediatric RSV associated lower respiratory tract infections.It particularly offers outstanding clinical therapeutic value for severe children.

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,immunophenotypic profile,differential diag-noses,and prognostic implications of liver metastatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasm(LMSPN).Methods A retro-spective analysis was conducted on the clinicopathological features,immunohistochemical profile,and clinical outcomes of of 15 cases of LMSPN cases,supplemented by a literature review.Results Of the 15 patients,12 were female and 3 were male,with a mean age of 43 years(range 25-67 years).Multiple hepatic lesions were observed in 9 cases,some of which were accompanied by abdominal or omental metastasis.The tumors exhibited a cystic-solid appearence on gross examination,ranging from 0.5 to 15 cm in diameter.Histologically,the tumors showed typical cystic-solid and pseudopapillary areas,with tumor cells arranged around small blood vessels forming characteristic pseudopapillary structures.Tumor cells exhibited relatively uniform morphology,however,some cases presented with tumor necrosis(5/15),cytologic/nuclear atypia(4/15),mitotic figures(5/15),lymphovascular invasion(6/15),perineural inva-sion(3/15),and lymph node metastasis(2/15).Immunohistochemically,tumor cells showed variable expression ofβ-catenin,LEF1,vimentin,CD10,α1-ACT,PR,E-cadherin,NSE,CD56,Syn and Ki67.Notably,the nuclear ex-pression level of Ki67 and PR were significantly associated with prognosis(P＜0.05).β-catenin,LEF1,PR,and Ki67 were predominantly expressed in the nuclei,while markers such as CKpan,CgA,Hep Par-1,Arginase-1,CK7,and CK19 were negative or only weakly expressed.Follow-up data were available for 11 patients(range 10-157 months).Four patients died of widespread hepatic and abdominal metastases,while 7 remained alive.Conclusion The liver is the most most frequent site of distant metastasis for solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas.High expression of Ki67 and PR is associated with unfavorable prognosis in LMSPN.