ObjectiveTo investigate microbial contamination status and distribution characteristics in laboratory animal barrier facilities, so as to provide a scientific basis for environmental quality control in barrier facilities. MethodsIn accordance with the national standard "Laboratory Animals—Environment and Housing Facilities" and the "Standard Operating Procedures" of the barrier facility, bacterial monitoring was performed on samples of air-settling bacteria, materials, and personnel gloves in the single-corridor barrier facility of the Animal Core Facility, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CEMCS). The monitoring data from January 2020 to December 2024 were collected, organized and statistically analyzed, and partial samples were subjected to species identification using PCR and sequencing methods. ResultsA total of 7 898 samples were collected from 2020 to 2024, including 3 175 air-settling bacteria samples, 3 353 material samples, and 1 370 glove samples. The overall compliance rate was 95.7% (7 559/7 898), among which the compliance rate of air-settling bacteria was 97.1% (3 084/3 175), that of materials was 93.2% (3 125/3 353), and that of personnel gloves was 98.5% (1 350/1 370). Over the five years, the compliance rates of all three types of monitored samples were above 90%. There were statistically significant differences in the compliance rates of air-settling bacteria and material samples among different quarters (P<0.05). Further investigation was conducted on samples collected from January to March 2024, and 190 bacterial strains were obtained through isolation and culture, including 126 strains from air-settling bacteria, 52 strains from materials, and 12 strains from personnel gloves. The strains were identified by PCR amplification and sequencing, and the 190 bacterial strains belonged to 9 genera and 20 species. Gram-positive bacteria accounted for the majority, with Staphylococcus as the dominant genus, accounting for 77.9% (148/190). ConclusionMicroorganisms carried by air, materials, and personnel gloves in barrier facilities are mainly Gram-positive bacteria. Regular monitoring of air-settling bacteria, materials, and personnel gloves in barrier facilities enables timely detection and control of potential risks during husbandry management and facility operation, which is of great significance for maintaining the sound operation of the barrier facility system and ensuring the quality of animal experiments.

BACKGROUND:Rheumatoid arthritis is influenced by complex genetic and environmental factors.Although observational studies have found some correlation between plasma proteins and rheumatoid arthritis,the susceptibility to confounding and reverse causation makes it difficult to clarify whether these proteins are pathogenic factors of rheumatoid arthritis.OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential of plasma proteins as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis through Mendelian randomization analysis of plasma proteins in the onset and progression of rheumatoid arthritis.METHODS:A large-scale two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted to comprehensively assess the causal relationships between 1 553 circulating proteins and rheumatoid arthritis based on the Decode database(developed by Decode Genetics in Iceland,which contains genomic data from the Icelandic population),the MR-Base platform(developed by a team of researchers at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom,specifically designed to provide genetic and phenotypic data for Mendelian randomization analyses),and the GWAS Catalog platform(developed by the European Institute of Bioinformatics,which provides data for genome wide association studies worldwide).The causal effects were estimated using the Wald ratio and inverse variance weighting methods,with Bonferroni correction applied to control for false positives caused by multiple testing.To ensure the robustness of the results,sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the positive causal relationship between circulating proteins and rheumatoid arthritis,and Bayesian colocalization and phenome scanning were used to exclude confounding effects and horizontal pleiotropy.Additionally,external validation was carried out using new plasma protein datasets to reduce the likelihood of false discoveries.Finally,small-molecule compounds associated with candidate proteins were identified using the Drug Signatures Database(DsigDB),and molecular docking was performed to predict the binding patterns and energies between proteins and compounds,identifying the most stable and likely binding molecules and mechanisms.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Sensitivity analyses,including Bayesian colocalization and phenome scanning,identified four plasma proteins with reliable causal relationships with rheumatoid arthritis:FCRL3,IL6R,ICOSLG,and TNFAIP3.Their genetic effects were estimated as follows:FCRL3[odds ratio(OR)=1.12,95％confidence interval(CI):1.07-1.17],IL6R(OR=0.94,95％CI:0.91-0.96),ICOSLG(OR=2.42,95％CI:1.67-3.52),and TNFAIP3(OR=2.19,95％CI:1.88-2.56).Furthermore,molecular docking analysis revealed that the small-molecule compound benzo[a]pyrene exhibited favorable binding with these candidate proteins,suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.(2)This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the genetic causal relationships of FCRL3,IL6R,ICOSLG,and TNFAIP3 in rheumatoid arthritis.These proteins not only serve as potential molecular biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis risk screening and disease prevention,but also offer key candidate targets for further understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis and developing targeted therapies.Although the study is based on European populations,its findings offer important insights for biomedical research in China.By incorporating Mendelian randomization methods to analyze genetic causality,future research on rheumatoid arthritis in the Chinese population could provide more accurate causal inferences,offering theoretical support for localized risk assessment and treatment strategies.

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） is the main type of chronic liver disease in the world， with an increasingly higher incidence rate and a younger age of onset. At present， the treatment of MAFLD mainly depends on lifestyle intervention and comorbidity management， and there is still a lack of effective drugs for MAFLD itself. As a classic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the salicylic acid family， aspirin can intervene in the pathological process of MAFLD by regulating lipid metabolism， relieving insulin resistance， reducing liver inflammation and oxidative stress response， exerting an anti-liver fibrosis effect， and inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma， and therefore， it has the value of preventing disease onset， delaying disease progression， and reversing disease condition. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action and safety of aspirin in the treatment of MAFLD， in order to provide more drug treatment options for MAFLD patients.

BACKGROUND:Rheumatoid arthritis is influenced by complex genetic and environmental factors.Although observational studies have found some correlation between plasma proteins and rheumatoid arthritis,the susceptibility to confounding and reverse causation makes it difficult to clarify whether these proteins are pathogenic factors of rheumatoid arthritis.OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential of plasma proteins as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis through Mendelian randomization analysis of plasma proteins in the onset and progression of rheumatoid arthritis.METHODS:A large-scale two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted to comprehensively assess the causal relationships between 1 553 circulating proteins and rheumatoid arthritis based on the Decode database(developed by Decode Genetics in Iceland,which contains genomic data from the Icelandic population),the MR-Base platform(developed by a team of researchers at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom,specifically designed to provide genetic and phenotypic data for Mendelian randomization analyses),and the GWAS Catalog platform(developed by the European Institute of Bioinformatics,which provides data for genome wide association studies worldwide).The causal effects were estimated using the Wald ratio and inverse variance weighting methods,with Bonferroni correction applied to control for false positives caused by multiple testing.To ensure the robustness of the results,sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the positive causal relationship between circulating proteins and rheumatoid arthritis,and Bayesian colocalization and phenome scanning were used to exclude confounding effects and horizontal pleiotropy.Additionally,external validation was carried out using new plasma protein datasets to reduce the likelihood of false discoveries.Finally,small-molecule compounds associated with candidate proteins were identified using the Drug Signatures Database(DsigDB),and molecular docking was performed to predict the binding patterns and energies between proteins and compounds,identifying the most stable and likely binding molecules and mechanisms.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Sensitivity analyses,including Bayesian colocalization and phenome scanning,identified four plasma proteins with reliable causal relationships with rheumatoid arthritis:FCRL3,IL6R,ICOSLG,and TNFAIP3.Their genetic effects were estimated as follows:FCRL3[odds ratio(OR)=1.12,95％confidence interval(CI):1.07-1.17],IL6R(OR=0.94,95％CI:0.91-0.96),ICOSLG(OR=2.42,95％CI:1.67-3.52),and TNFAIP3(OR=2.19,95％CI:1.88-2.56).Furthermore,molecular docking analysis revealed that the small-molecule compound benzo[a]pyrene exhibited favorable binding with these candidate proteins,suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.(2)This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the genetic causal relationships of FCRL3,IL6R,ICOSLG,and TNFAIP3 in rheumatoid arthritis.These proteins not only serve as potential molecular biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis risk screening and disease prevention,but also offer key candidate targets for further understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis and developing targeted therapies.Although the study is based on European populations,its findings offer important insights for biomedical research in China.By incorporating Mendelian randomization methods to analyze genetic causality,future research on rheumatoid arthritis in the Chinese population could provide more accurate causal inferences,offering theoretical support for localized risk assessment and treatment strategies.

Turning to critical illness is a common stage of various diseases and injuries before death. Patients usually have complex health conditions, while the treatment process involves a wide range of content, along with high requirements for doctor′s professionalism and multi-specialty teamwork, as well as a great demand for time-sensitive treatments. However, this is not matched with critical care professionals and the current state of medical care in China. Telemedicine, which shortens the distance of medical professionals and the gap of disease diagnosis and treatments in various regions through electronic information, can effectively solve the current problem. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a standardized, high-quality visualization telemedicine round system .Therefore, experts have been organized to search domestic and foreign literature on telemedicine round for critically ill patients and to form this consensus based on clinical experiences so as to further improve the level of critical care treatments in regions.

Objective:To investigate the association between blood selenium levels and sex hormones in Chinese men aged 18-79 years.Methods:Data were derived from the China National Human Biomonitoring survey conducted in 2017-2018, with a final sample size of 5 414 men. General demographic characteristics, behavioral habits, and dietary frequency were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure blood lead, serum testosterone, and estradiol levels. Complex sampling linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between blood selenium levels and testosterone, estradiol, and the testosterone/estradiol ratio, adjusting for confounding factors including age, education level, marital status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, seafood intake, soy product intake, protein supplement intake, BMI, and diabetes status.Results:The mean age of the 5 414 participants was (46.85±27.91) years; 4 774 (91.65%) were of Han ethnicity and 4 505 (86.68%) were married. The median ( Q1, Q3) blood selenium concentration in men was 97.80 (80.64, 116.99) μg/L. After adjusting for confounding factors, the complex sampling linear regression model revealed negative associations between blood selenium levels and both testosterone levels and the testosterone/estradiol ratio, with a significant linear trend ( Ptrend<0.05). Compared with the Q1 group, the β (95% CI) values for testosterone in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were -0.02 (-0.06 to 0.02), -0.03 (-0.08 to 0.01), and -0.06 (-0.09 to -0.02), respectively. Similarly, the β (95% CI) values for the testosterone/estradiol ratio in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were -0.01 (-0.03 to 0.02), -0.01 (-0.04 to 0.04), and -0.03 (-0.06 to -0.01), respectively. Subgroup analysis indicated stronger associations between blood selenium levels and testosterone/estradiol levels in non-smoking and obese men (BMI≥28 kg/m2). Conclusion:Blood selenium levels are negatively associated with testosterone levels and the testosterone/estradiol ratio in Chinese adult males.

Objective:To understand the incidence rate of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in Beijing, and analyze the incidence trend of HZ and PHN from 2015 to 2022.Methods:Cases of HZ and PHN from 2015 to 2022 were retrieved from the Hospital Information Systems (HIS) of all primary and above hospitals/clinics in three districts representing the urban, inner suburban, and outer suburban areas of Beijing. After duplication screening, the first visit cases were screened, and the incidence characteristics were described. The incidence rate of HZ and PHN in each year by sex and age group and the age-standardized incidence rate were calculated. The annual percentage increase (APC) of incidence rate was calculated using the Joint regression model, and the change trend was analyzed.Results:The age-standardized incidence rate of HZ in Beijing from 2015 to 2022 ranged from 7.44‰ to 10.05‰, with an average annual incidence rate of 8.95 ‰, significantly increasing with age ( P<0.001). The Joinpoint regression model showed that the overall age-standardized incidence of HZ remained relatively stable, with no significant difference (APC=2.28%, t=1.56, P=0.170). However, the incidence rate among the 0-19-year-old group exhibited a trend of decrease (APC=-10.70%, t=-6.29, P<0.001). For PHN, the age-standardized incidence in Beijing ranged from 0.77‰ to 2.67‰, with an average annual incidence rate of 1.59‰ and a proportion of 9.48% to 26.86% among HZ cases. Both the incidence of PHN and its proportion among HZ cases increased with age ( P<0.001). The age-standardized incidence of PHN increased annually (APC=18.56%, t=9.02, P<0.001). Conclusion:The incidence rate of HZ and PHN in Beijing continues to be at a high level, and PHN shows an increasing trend over time.

Objective This study aimed to adapt the data-driven Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration(PCOC)model to the local context and evaluate its feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in a palliative care unit in China,with the goal of informing its broader integration into national palliative care practice.Methods Based on international experience,a localized implementation protocol for the PCOC model was developed through expert con-sultations and a pilot study.The protocol incorporated key elements including organizational and managerial sup-port,team training and capacity building,information system integration,supervision and feedback mechanisms,pro-cess optimization,and data-driven decision-making.From June to December 2023,the protocol was piloted in the palliative care unit of a tertiary cancer hospital in Changsha,China.Implementation outcomes were assessed by comparing patients' urgent care response rates,symptom stability rates,and symptom improvement rates between the first 1～3 months and 4～6 months after implementation.Results During the study period,a total of 355 inpatients were enrolled,with the PCOC assessment achieving full coverage(100％)and a completion rate of 97.78％.There was no statistically significant difference in the urgent needs response rate between the first 1～3 months and the 4～6 months after the implementation of the PCOC model(P=0.533).However,compared to the first 1～3 months af-ter implementation,patients in the 4～6 months period showed significantly higher symptom stability rates for pain,psychological/spiritual issues,and family/caregiver problems,as well as a higher improvement rate for pain(P＜0.05).Conclusion The localized PCOC implementation protocol facilitates standardized assessment and symptom manage-ment,and its application can enhance the quality of palliative care.

Objective:To analyze the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening status and the resulting residual risk (RR) among blood donors across 17 provincial blood centers in China.Methods:This study used a cross-sectional study. Data on HIV infection markers per 100 000 first-time donors (FD) and repeat donors (RD) from January 2015 to December 2024 were extracted from the National Blood Establishment Performance Comparison Information Management System. Questionnaires were used to collect each center′s HIV screening strategy, algorithm, serological test (ST) kit manufacturers, gray-zone setting for ST, and nucleic acid test (NAT) modality, method, and platform. The incidence-window-period model was used to calculate the residual risk for first-time donors (RR FD), repeat donors (RR RD), and total donors (RR TD) at each center. Horizontal and vertical analysis of RR FD, RR RD, and RR TD across centers and years were performed. Results:All 17 centers applied the same HIV screening strategy which was two rounds of ST followed by one round of NAT. Eight of them operated a single screening algorithm, six employed two algorithms and three used three. Eleven centers used both imported and domestic ST kits, five relied on domestic ST kits only, and one used imported ST kits only, while four centers never set a grey zone for ST throughout the decade. For NAT modalities, eight centers adopted both individual nucleic acid test (ID-NAT) and minipool nucleic acid test (MP-NAT), eight used MP-NAT only and one used ID-NAT only. Seven centers combined transcription mediated amplification (TMA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nine used PCR only and one used TMA only, and fourteen centers ran both imported and domestic NAT systems, two used imported systems only and one used a domestic system only. Over the ten-year period, the mean RR FD across the centers ranged from 2.22 to 12.33 per 10 6 person-years, RR RD from 0.83 to 3.29 per 10 6 person-years and RR TD from 1.59 to 9.29 per 10 6 person-years, with center Z4 consistently showing the lowest values for all three metrics and center U4 recording the highest RR FD and RR TD, while center D2 had the highest RR RD. In 2024 compared with 2015, eleven centers achieved a lower RR FD and ten centers achieved lower RR RD and RR TD. The RR FD and RR TD of centers W2 and U4 displayed pronounced fluctuations and an upward trend in recent years. Conclusions:The 17 provincial blood centers maintain consistent HIV screening strategies, while demonstrating variations in screening algorithm, ST kit manufacturers, NAT modalities, methods, and platform. And the RR FD, RR RD, and RR TD differ across centers. Although most centers show declining trend in RR over the ten-year period, some centers exhibite data fluctuations with a rising trend, suggesting potential for further optimization of HIV screening protocols.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of shortening the time of long exercise test (LET) from 120 to 60 minutes by analyzing the positive rate within 60 minutes among periodic paralysis (PP) patients who were positive in 120-minute test.Methods:The data of patients undergoing 120-minute LET from January 2015 to October 2021 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed, with 30%, 33%, and 40% as diagnostic cut-off values, respectively. PP patients with positive results within 120 minutes after exercise were enrolled in the study. The positive rate within 30 minutes and 60 minutes after exercise was calculated. The change rates of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude and the sensitivity and specificity of LET at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes after exercise were analyzed. The change rate of CMAP amplitude in PP patients who did not show positive results within 60 minutes was further calculated.Results:A total of 254 patients were examined, including 114 PP patients. With 30%, 33%, and 40% as diagnostic cut-off values, the results showed that there were 88, 88, and 82 positive PP patients, respectively. Under each diagnostic cut-off values, the age of positive PP patients was (32±10) years, with a male proportion of 98% (86/88), 98% (86/88), and 99% (81/82), respectively; the positive rate of PP patients within 30 minutes after exercise was 60% (53/88), 58% (51/88), and 41% (34/82), respectively; the positive rate of PP patients within 60 minutes after exercise was 91% (80/88), 86% (76/88), and 83% (68/82), respectively. At the cut-off values of 30%, 33% and 40%, the change rate of CMAP amplitude at 30 minutes [-36% (-49%, -23%), -36% (-49%, -23%), -37% (-51%, -24%)], 60 minutes [-51% (-66%, -40%), -51% (-66%, -40%), -53% (-66%, -42%)] and 120 minutes [-57% (-67%, -45%), -57% (-67%, -45%), -58% (-67%, -46%)] after exercise showed statistically significant difference among 3 time points ( H=57.764, 57.764, 59.616, respectively, all P<0.001); the further comparison between time points showed that there was statistically significant difference in the change rate of CMAP amplitude between 60 minutes ( Z=5.419, 5.419, 5.531, respectively, all P<0.001), 120 minutes ( Z=7.325, 7.325, 7.431, respectively, all P<0.001) and 30 minutes after exercise, but there was no statistically significant difference in the change rate of CMAP amplitude between 120 minutes and 60 minutes after exercise ( Z=1.906, 1.906, 1.899, respectively, all P>0.05); the sensitivity of LET for the diagnosis of PP at 60 minutes after exercise was 70.2% (80/114), 66.7% (76/114) and 59.6% (68/114), and the specificity of LET for the diagnosis of PP was 77.9% (109/140), 84.3% (118/140) and 91.4%(128/140), respectively. When 30%, 33% and 40% were used as the diagnostic cut-off values, and the change rate of CMAP amplitude at 60 minutes after exercise fell below these cut-off values but showed a decline of ≥20%, ≥22% and ≥24%, respectively, the detection time should be extended to 120 minutes. Conclusions:Whether using 30%, 33%, or 40% as diagnostic cut-off values, it is feasible to shorten the LET time from 120 minutes to 60 minutes. The 60-minute LET has good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of PP. It is recommended to extend the detection time to 120 minutes for patients with a ≥20%, ≥22%, or ≥24% decline in CMAP amplitude at 60 minutes after exercise while falling short of corresponding diagnostic cut-off values when 30%, 33%, and 40% are used as diagnostic cut-off values. This method can not only improve the examination efficiency of LET, but also minimize the missed diagnosis as much as possible.