Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among college students in Yangzhou from 2020 to 2024, so as to provide a scientific basis for developing prevention and control strategies. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted among 162 college students with PTB, and 7 134 of their contacts were screened. Data were obtained from the tuberculosis information management system and on campus screening records. Using descriptive epidemiological methods, trends in incidence, seasonal distribution, and bacteriological characteristics were analyzed. Results: From 2020 to 2024, the annual average incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among college students in Yangzhou was 29.42 per 100 000, showing an overall fluctuating downward trend ( χ 2=12.36, P <0.01). Cases were mainly concentrated in summer and autumn, with the highest proportion in autumn (41.36%, 67/162), followed by summer (23.46%, 38/162). The proportion of etiologically positive cases increased from 37.21% in 2020 to 71.43% in 2024; among positive cases, the proportion of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) decreased from 66.67% (10/15) to 26.67% (4/15). The etiological positive rate was higher in females than in males ( χ 2= 11.76 , P <0.01). Comparison of screening methods showed that among index cases, the LTBI detection rate of the recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion protein skin test (C-TST) was higher than that of the tuberculin skin test (TST), but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ 2=0.65, P =0.42); among close contacts, the detection rate of TST was higher than that of C-TST (15.1%,10.1%; χ 2=5.23, P <0.05). Conclusion From 2020 to 2024, the annual average incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among college students in Yangzhou showed an overall fluctuating downward trend, with differences in TB infection screening methods and gender.

Autoimmune liver diseases （AILD） are a group of chronic liver diseases caused by abnormal activation of the immune system， mainly including autoimmune hepatitis， primary biliary cholangitis， primary sclerosing cholangitis， IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis， and overlap syndrome. Clinical studies have shown that patients with AILD are often comorbid with thyroid diseases， especially autoimmune thyroid diseases （AITD）， such as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This article systematically reviews the epidemiological association， potential shared pathogenesis， and overlapping features between AILD and thyroid diseases. A deeper understanding of the immunological links between AILD and AITD may provide a theoretical basis for precision medicine and future research.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsules on the kidneys in the mouse model of diabetic kidney disease. MethodsThirty male C57BL/6J mice were selected as experimental objects. The model of diabetic kidney disease was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ） at 40 mg·kg^-1 for 5 days combined with a high-fat diet （HFD）. Fasting blood glucose （FBG） ≥ 11.1 mmol·L^-1， increased urine volume， and continuous appearance of proteinuria indicated successful modeling. Mice were grouped as follows： Blank， model， low- and high-dose （0.98 and 1.96 g·kg^-1， respectively） Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsules， and losartan potassium （30 mg·kg^-1）， with six mice in each group. After 12 weeks of continuous gavage， urine and kidney specimens were collected， and the 24-h urinary protein and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio （UACR） in mice were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and Masson staining were performed for observation of histopathological changes in kidneys. Immunofluorescence assay was employed to detect the positive expression of the podocyte marker protein nephrin. Oil red O staining was used to detect renal lipid deposition. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the renal tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein （SCAP）， sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c （SREBP-1c）， and NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed increases in 24-h urinary protein and UACR （P<0.05）， glomeruli exhibiting capsule adhesion， collagen fiber deposition， mesangial proliferation， and inflammatory cell infiltration， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.05）， reduced positive expression of nephrin （P<0.05）， increased lipid deposition （P<0.05）， and up-regulated expression of SCAP， SREBP-1c， and NLRP3 （P<0.05） in the renal tissue. Compared with the model group， the treatment with losartan potassium or high-dose Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsules for 12 weeks decreased 24-h urinary protein and UACR （P<0.05）， and the treatment with low-dose Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsules for 12 weeks reduced the 24-h urinary protein （P<0.05）. Pathological staining results revealed that kidney damage in mice from all treatment groups was alleviated， with reduced inflammatory infiltration， collagen fiber deposition， and mesangial proliferation， and increased positive expression of nephrin in the renal tissue （P<0.05）. In addition， all the treatment groups showed reduced lipid droplets （P<0.05）， lowered levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.05）， and down-regulated expression of SCAP， SREBP-1c， and NLRP3 （P<0.05） in the renal tissue. ConclusionZhenzhu Tiaozhi capsules can ameliorate kidney damage in the mouse model of diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting the activation of the SCAP-SREBP-1c/NLRP3 signaling pathway， which reduces renal lipid deposition and inflammation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsules on the kidneys in the mouse model of diabetic kidney disease. MethodsThirty male C57BL/6J mice were selected as experimental objects. The model of diabetic kidney disease was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ） at 40 mg·kg^-1 for 5 days combined with a high-fat diet （HFD）. Fasting blood glucose （FBG） ≥ 11.1 mmol·L^-1， increased urine volume， and continuous appearance of proteinuria indicated successful modeling. Mice were grouped as follows： Blank， model， low- and high-dose （0.98 and 1.96 g·kg^-1， respectively） Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsules， and losartan potassium （30 mg·kg^-1）， with six mice in each group. After 12 weeks of continuous gavage， urine and kidney specimens were collected， and the 24-h urinary protein and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio （UACR） in mice were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and Masson staining were performed for observation of histopathological changes in kidneys. Immunofluorescence assay was employed to detect the positive expression of the podocyte marker protein nephrin. Oil red O staining was used to detect renal lipid deposition. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the renal tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein （SCAP）， sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c （SREBP-1c）， and NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed increases in 24-h urinary protein and UACR （P<0.05）， glomeruli exhibiting capsule adhesion， collagen fiber deposition， mesangial proliferation， and inflammatory cell infiltration， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.05）， reduced positive expression of nephrin （P<0.05）， increased lipid deposition （P<0.05）， and up-regulated expression of SCAP， SREBP-1c， and NLRP3 （P<0.05） in the renal tissue. Compared with the model group， the treatment with losartan potassium or high-dose Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsules for 12 weeks decreased 24-h urinary protein and UACR （P<0.05）， and the treatment with low-dose Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsules for 12 weeks reduced the 24-h urinary protein （P<0.05）. Pathological staining results revealed that kidney damage in mice from all treatment groups was alleviated， with reduced inflammatory infiltration， collagen fiber deposition， and mesangial proliferation， and increased positive expression of nephrin in the renal tissue （P<0.05）. In addition， all the treatment groups showed reduced lipid droplets （P<0.05）， lowered levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.05）， and down-regulated expression of SCAP， SREBP-1c， and NLRP3 （P<0.05） in the renal tissue. ConclusionZhenzhu Tiaozhi capsules can ameliorate kidney damage in the mouse model of diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting the activation of the SCAP-SREBP-1c/NLRP3 signaling pathway， which reduces renal lipid deposition and inflammation.

Objective To investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of oxoglutarate dehydrogenase-L(OGDHL)in renal fibrosis.Methods Twelve male wild-type C57BL/6J mice(8 weeks old,weighting about 25 g)were randomly divided into control group and model group(n=6).A mouse model of renal fibrosis was established by unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO).HE staining,immunofluorescence assay,and immunohistochemical and Masson staining were applied to assess the extent of renal fibrosis.Human kidney-2 proximal tubule cell line(HK-2)were randomly divided into blank plasmid group(Vector),OGDHL overexpression group(OGDHL OE),blank plasmid+TGF-β1 treatment group(TGF-β1+Vector),TGF-β1 treatment and OGDHL overexpression group(TGF-β1+OGDHL OE).Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology.RT-qPCR,Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the expression levels of OGDHL and mitochondrial metabolism-related genes.Adenosine triphosphate(ATP)level,oxygen consumption rate(OCR),extracellular acidification rate(ECAR)and other mitochondrial metabolism-related indicators were detected with corresponding reagent kits and Agilent Seahorse.Results UUO operation resulted in obvious thinning of the renal cortex,significant hydronephrosis.HE staining revealed that tubular atrophy accompanied by dilated tubular lumens in the kidneys.Immunofluorescence,immunohistochemical and Masson staining showed obvious renal fibrosis after UUO operation.In the mouse model of renal fibrosis,the expression of OGDHL was decreased by 82.9%at mRNA level(P<0.001)and 81.9%at protein level(P<0.001),the production of mitochondrial ATP was reduced by 0.970±0.151 μmol/L(P<0.01),and notable damaged mitochondrial structure was observed,with maximum breathing capacity decreased by 25.260±1.920 pmol/min(P<0.001),expression levels of fatty acid oxidation-related genes were declined by 50.2%(P<0.05),while glycolysis was enhanced,with the genes related to glycolysis increased by 2.5 times when compared with those in the control group(P<0.05).After OGDHL overexpression,mitochondrial morphological damage was significantly improved,ATP production was increased by 0.980±0.090 μmol/L(P<0.05),with significantly alleviated energy metabolism disorder and renal fibrosis(P<0.05).Conclusion OGDHL regulates mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming of renal tubular epithelial cells to alleviate fibrosis,suggesting that OGDHL may be a new therapeutic target for renal fibrosis.

Objective Fasting hypometabolism regulation technology has broad application potential in long-term space flight and survival in extreme extraterrestrial environments.In-depth research on the substrate conversion of energy metabolism and the formation of new steady states under fasting hypometabolism will provide theoretical basis and experimental data support for formulating effective prolonged fasting application mode.Methods 30 SD rats were randomly divided into control group and fasting group(fasting for 1,2,3,and 5 days).Blood biochemical examination,qRT-PCR,and western blotting were performed to analyze the body weight,blood biochemistry,and expression changes of genes and proteins related to glucose and lipid metabolism during different fasting periods.Results Prolonged fasting significantly reduced the body weight,blood glucose,and triglyceride levels of rats;increased the blood ketone level,and replaced glucose as the main energy substance in the body.There are temporal and tissue-specific changes as a whole.Hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis play major roles respectively during different fasting periods.As the fasting time prolongs,the level of hepatic gluconeogenesis gradually decreases,the content of FFA in the blood increases,the expression level of genes related to fat synthesis decreases,fatty acid oxidation is enhanced,and the expression level of the key gene HMGCS2 for ketone body generation increases.Conclusion During prolonged fasting,there is a significant conversion of glucose-ketone energy supply substrates,and a new steady state of energy metabolism mainly supplied by ketone bodies is formed within 2-5 days of fasting.The body maintains a low metabolic state by regulating changes in key genes in pathways such as glucose and lipid metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of GJB2 gene c.109G>A (p.V37I) variant among infants with congenital hearing loss and analyze the initial audiological characteristics of children harboring the variant, compare the audiometric difference among individuals with various genotypes, and explore genetic and audiological manifestations of the affected families. METHODS: One hundred twenty six infants diagnosed with congenital hearing loss at the Neonate Screening Center of Ningbo City from June 2021 to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. The neonates, in addition with members from 16 of their families, had undergone genetic screening for variants of 208 hotspot sites within 24 deafness-associated genes. For cases identified with monoallelic variants and concurrent hearing loss, the full GJB2 gene was sequenced. Meanwhile, a retrospective analysis was carried out on 23 children whom were confirmed to have hearing loss and the c.109G>A variant by whole exome sequencing from March 2022 to December 2024. And 102 children who were excluded to have hearing loss and pathogenic variants by whole exome sequencing were selected as normal controls. Audiological features of individuals harboring the c.109G>A variant were compared. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2023-009). RESULTS: For the 126 infants with congenital hearing loss, prospective screening has identified 58 (46.03%) to harbor the c.109G>A variant. These included 38 homozygotes and 16 compound heterozygotes. Retrospective review of the 23 c.109G>A positive children has identified 15 as homozygotes and 8 as compound heterozygotes. Genetic testing of the 16 pedigrees has identified 7 homozygotes and 1 compound heterozygote. For the homozygotes combined (n = 53), 96.2% exhibited bilateral symmetric hearing loss, with 78.3% showing high-frequency sloping patterns, and 98.1% having a hearing threshold ranging from 20 to 65 dB. For the compound heterozygotes combined (n = 24), 95.8% showed symmetric loss, with 59.4% having high-frequency sloping, and 97.9% had a hearing threshold ranging from 20 to 65 dB. Both groups showed significantly elevated ABR/PTA thresholds compared with the normal controls (P = 0.000). The compound heterozygous group had higher ABR thresholds (43.3 ± 15.0 dB nHL) compared with the homozygous group (39.1 ± 12.0 dB nHL, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION Infants harboring the GJB2 c.109G>A variant primarily manifest as mild-to-moderate, symmetric, high-frequency sloping hearing loss. Nearly one-third of affected children have thresholds between 20 to 35 dB nHL, suggesting that ABR > 35 dB nHL alone may underestimate the hearing impairment in this population. Compared with homozygotes, compound heterozygotes with the the GJB2 c.109G>A variant can confer a more severe hearing loss.
Humans ; Connexin 26/genetics* ; Female ; Male ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; Hearing Loss/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Genotype ; Connexins/genetics* ; Mutation

Objective:To explore the RH genotype for a female with RhD(-) blood type and its molecular basis. Methods:A 26-year-old female who had attended the outpatient clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in August 2019 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the proband and her parents for Rh phenotyping with gel card method. PCR-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) and DNA sequencing were used to determine the RHD zygosity and RH genotype of the proband and her parents. Homology modeling of Rh proteins was performed with bioinformatic software, and protein structural alterations caused by the variant was simulated by molecular dynamics. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2023-KY-0870-003). Results:Serological tests showed that the proband and her father both had weakened e antigen of the Rh phenotype. PCR-SBT and DNA sequencing showed that the genotypes of the proband and her parents were dce/ dCE, dce/ DcE and dCE/ DcE, respectively. And the genotypes of the RHD and RHCE of the proband were RHD*01N.01/ RHD*01N.16, RHCE*01.01/RHCE*04, respectively. Protein simulation and molecular dynamics analysis revealed that the ce_16C variant resulted from RHCE* ce (c.48G>C) may alter the structure of intracellular and extracellular loops, mainly affecting the mobility of extracellular loops 2, 6 and intracellular loops 3, 4. Conclusion:Variant of the RHCE* ce allele c. 48G>C probably underlay the weakened e antigen in this proband.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between metformin and sarcopenia-related traits. METHODS Based on the data from publicly genome-wide association study-related databases， using single nucleotide polymorphisms strongly associated with metformin as instrumental variables， the two-sample Mendelian randomization （MR） analysis methods [inverse variance weighting （IVW） method， MR-Egger regression method and weighted median estimator method] were employed to investigate the relationship between metformin and three sarcopenia-related traits （low grip strength， muscle mass and walking speed）. Cochran’s Q test was used to assess heterogeneity， MR-Egger intercept test was used to detect horizontal pleiotropy， and leave-one-out analysis was performed for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS The results of IVW method showed that metformin use was significantly associated with an increased risk of low grip strength （β＝1.550， 95%CI was 0.389-2.711， P＝0.009） and reduced limb muscle mass （right leg lean body mass： β＝－0.665， 95%CI was －1.018-－0.312， P＜0.001； left leg lean body mass： β＝－0.710， 95%CI was －1.049-－0.371，P＜0.001； right arm lean body mass： β＝－0.471， 95%CI was －0.890-－0.053， P＝0.027； left arm lean body mass： β＝－0.463， 95%CI was －0.865-－0.061， P＝0.024），but was not associated with walking speed. The results or causal effects of the other two methods are consistent with it. The Cochran’s Q test indicated some degree of heterogeneity in the result of this study. No horizontal pleiotropy was detected by the MR-Egger intercept test. The sensitivity analysis suggested that the results of this study were stable. CONCLUSIONS Metformin may increase the risk of sarcopenia.

Performance appraisal of public hospitals have given a guidance for the development of public hospitals at all levels.A Class A tertiary hospital reviewed the problems in the development of the hospital at the present stage and focused on the following four aspects:①insufficient fine management;②No clear orientation of discipline development;③The bottleneck of the improvement of medical operation efficiency;④New challenges in the reform of payment mode.The tertiary hospital launched a fine management practice in May 2022,in order to solve the problems by taking the Department of Surgery as a pilot area,laying the foundation for fine management through information system construction,improving the efficiency of medical operation through management process optimization,improving the overall competitiveness of disciplines through the construction of sub-specialty and Discipline Alliance and adjusting the performance appraisal index system to play the role of performance incentives.The measures effectively improve the overall capacity and efficiency of hospital medical services and help the hospital to achieve high-quality development.