Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of malaria and provide a basis for developing improved prevention and control measures. Methods Data were obtained from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Malaria surveillance data for Nanning City from January 1,2023, to December 31,2024, were exported from the Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management Subsystem. The characteristics of the two groups of malaria cases were compared. Results A total of 103 imported malaria cases were reported in Nanning City in 2024, representing a 38.32% decrease compared with the same period of the previous year. No statistically significant difference were observed between cases reported in 2023 and 2024 in terms of average age, gender ratio, proportion of parasite species, and monthly reporting distribution;however, statistically significant differences were found in the proportion of reporting areas and current residence areas(χ2= 13.572 and 10.355, respectively; P = 0.001 and 0.035, respectively). The proportion of cases reported in Shanglin County and the proportion of cases residing in Shanglin County were both lower than those during the same period of the previous year. Conclusions The high aggregation of imported malaria cases in Nanning City has decreased. Medical institutions in areas other than Shanglin County should strengthen their vigilance against malaria.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for postoperative recurrence and metastasis in patients with T1 stageⅢ/Ⅳ clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC), and to analyze the influence of surgical methods on prognosis, so as to provide prognostic evaluation and treatment guidance for clinical practice. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 398 patients diagnosed with T1 stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ ccRCC who underwent either partial nephrectomy(PN)or radical nephrectomy(RN)at Jiangsu Province Hospital during Jan. 2008 and Sep. 2022. The patients were divided into recurrence group(n=49)and non-recurrence group(n=349)according to whether the tumor recurred during the follow-up period. The general, clinical data and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to explore the factors influencing disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)after surgery. Subgroup analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves was performed for T1a and T1b patients. Results During the median follow-up of 67(42, 98)months, the recurrence group was characterized by older age, larger tumor diameter, higher proportion of T1b stage, and more complex tumor anatomy. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that age ≥55 years and R.E.N.A.L. score ≥7 were independent risk factors for poorer DFS and OS(P＜0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that PN or RN did not significantly affect DFS or OS in T1a patients and OS in T1b patients, while RN significantly improved DFS in T1b patients(P＜0.05). Conclusion Age ≥55 years and R.E.N.A.L. score ≥7 are independent risk factors for poor DFS and OS in highgrade T1 ccRCC patients. For T1b patients, RN may improve DFS.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Qifu Lizhong decoction restores intestinal mucosal barrier function in ulcerative colitis （UC） by regulating the myosin light chain kinase （MLCK）/phosphorylated myosin light chain （p-MLC） signaling pathway. MethodsA rat model of UC with spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome and an in vitro intestinal barrier injury model were established. In vivo experiments were conducted to evaluate the body weight， disease activity index （DAI） scores， and changes in colonic pathological morphology in each group of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and myeloperoxidase （MPO）. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was employed to observe the morphology and structure of tight junctions （TJ） in rat colonic epithelium. In vitro experiments were conducted to observe the morphology of F-actin in human colon adenocarcinoma cell line-2（Caco-2） cells by phalloidin staining. Combining both in vivo and in vitro approaches， immunohistochemistry （IHC）， immunofluorescence （IF）， and Western blot were applied to detect the expression and phosphorylation levels of TJ proteins ［zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）， Occludin， Claudin-1］ as well as key proteins in the MLCK/p-MLC signaling pathway. ResultsIn vivo experiments demonstrated that， compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited significant body weight loss， elevated DAI scores and histopathological scores （P<0.01）， increased colonic TNF-α， IL-1β， and MPO levels （P<0.01）. TJ structures were disrupted， and the expression of ZO-1， Occludin， and Claudin-1 was significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of myosin light chain （MLC）， MLCK， phosphorylated （p）-MLC， and p-MLCK significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all Qifu Lizhong decoction dose groups exhibited increased body weight， as well as significantly decreased DAI scores and histopathological scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The colonic levels of MPO， TNF-α， and IL-1β were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the Qifu Lizhong decoction + inhibitor group， the expression of TJ proteins ZO-1， Occludin， and Claudin-1 significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the protein expression levels of MLC， MLCK， p-MLC， and p-MLCK were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. In vitro experiment results showed that， compared with the normal group， the TNF-α group exhibited disordered cytoskeletal architecture， weakened fluorescence signals of ZO-1， Occludin， and Claudin-1， and significantly elevated protein expression levels of MLC， MLCK， p-MLC， and p-MLCK （P<0.01）. Compared with the TNF-α group， the Qifu Lizhong decoction + inhibitor group restored the ordered arrangement of the F-actin cytoskeleton， normalized the expression and localization of TJ proteins ZO-1， Occludin， and Claudin-1， and significantly decreased the protein expression levels of MLC， MLCK， p-MLC， and p-MLCK （P<0.01）. ConclusionQifu Lizhong decoction may exert its therapeutic effects on UC by inhibiting the MLCK/p-MLC signaling pathway， thereby stabilizing TJ structure and repairing intestinal barrier integrity.

As a complex autoimmune disease， rheumatoid arthritis （RA） involves immune microenvironment dysregulation resulting from excessive activation of pyroptosis， which is a crucial factor in disease progression. Based on the theory of ying-wei in traditional Chinese medicine， "ying decline and wei attack" is considered the fundamental pathogenesis of RA. Pyroptosis serves as a microscopic manifestation of this concept， suggesting a potential correlation between "ying decline and wei attack" and pyroptosis nd immune microenvironment dysregulation in RA. Accordingly， treatment principles based on this theory are proposed： in the early stage of the disease， boosting wei to consolidate the exterior， and regulating ying to dispel pathogens； in the middle and late stages， harmonizing ying to remove stagnation， and nourishing its transformational source.

Objective:To evaluate the radiological and functional outcomes of moderate to severe hallux valgus patients with enlarged distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) underwent modified Chevron osteotomy.Methods:The clinical data of patients with moderate and severe hallux valgus with increased distal metatarsal joint angle who accepted surgery operation in the Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery of Yantaishan Hospital from October 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent modified Chevron osteotomy. Taking the proximal end of the metatarsal head centre as the osteotomy apex, the vertical arm osteotomy line in the sagittal plane made an angle of ≤80° with the metatarsal stem, the horizontal plane was inclined to the lateral distal end of the metatarsal head by about 10°, and the sagittal plane metatarsal arm osteotomy line made an angle of ≥90° with the vertical arm osteotomy line; at the proximal osteotomy surface, another cuneiform bone with its base on the medial and its apex on the lateral was resected. The deformity correction was insufficient and Akin osteotomy was performed in combination. Weil osteotomy was performed in combination with metatarsalgia. Radiological assessment including the hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), DMAA, the joint congruity angle (JCA), forefoot bone width and soft tissue width was performed preoperatively and at last follow-up postoperatively. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society/hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale (AOFAS/HMIS) was used for clinical and functional evaluation, total score from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better function.Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain valuation, total score from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more pain. A questionnaire survey on patient satisfaction was conducted at the last follow-up. Shapiro-Wilk test was used for normal distribution test, and measurement data following normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD. Paired t-test was used for comparison before and after operation. Other indicators conformed to non-normal distribution were denoted by M( Q1, Q3) and were tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Fifty-two feet of 48 patients (5 males, 43 females; mean age (52.4±14.9) years; range, 24 to 78 years) were enrolled. Before the operation, 8 feet combined with metatarsalgia, among them, 7 feet underwent modified Chevron+ Akin+ Weil osteotomy, and 1 foot underwent modified Chevron+ Weil osteotomy. Among the 44 feet without metatarsalgia, 11 feet underwent modified Chevron osteotomy and 33 feet underwent modified Chevron+ Akin osteotomy. The mean follow-up time was 17.8 months (12-24 months). The HVA angle decreased from 38.30°±7.59° before surgery to 10.00°±5.73° at the last follow-up; the IMA angle decreased from 16.08°(12.89°, 18.24°) to 4.81°(3.62°, 7.57°); the DMAA angle decreased from 18.35°(13.03°, 27.47°) to 4.52°(2.68°, 7.09°); JCA decreased significantly from 15.93°(10.25°, 23.06°) to 3.56°(1.71°, 6.98°); forefoot bone width decreased from (90.05±6.12) mm to (82.75±5.01) mm; forefoot soft tissue width decrease from 102.25(96.77, 107.15) mm to 98.08(91.01, 100.60) mm; the VAS decreased from 6(5.5, 7) points to 0(0, 0) points; the score according to the AOFAS/HMIS forefoot was increased from 49(42, 52.5) points to 90(83.5, 95) points; which were statistically significant compared with that before the operation (all P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the first metatarsal length before the operation and at the last follow-up [54.60(52.86, 56.42) mm vs. 54.29(51.85, 56.35) mm, P>0.05]. In the post-operative period, there were 8 feet had limited metatarsophalangeal joint movement, 3 feet had limited interphalangeal joint movement, 5 feet had limited movement in both joints, which did not affect walking and function; 3 feet of partial recurrence of hallux valgus, 2 feet of screw irritation pain, 1 foot of cystic degeneration of the first metatarsal head, and no complications such as metastatic metatarsalgia. The satisfaction survey showed that the satisfaction rate of patients with the orthopedic effect was 90.4% (47/52). Conclusion:The modified Chevron osteotomy is effective in the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus with enlarged DMAA. Careful intraoperative operation and standardized postoperative rehabilitation training can reduce complications.

ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi， so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-SPME-GC-MS） combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology（NIST） database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi， and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor（RRF） and three internal standards， and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection（VIP） value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose， and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data， and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis（PCA）， discriminant factor alysis（DFA）， soft independent modeling of class analogies（SIMCA） and statistical quality control analysis（SQCA）. ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi， of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components， the contents of five components（ethyl isovalerate， 2-pentylfuran， benzyl alcohol， nonanal and glacial acetic acid，） in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part（P<0.01）， the contents of β-ionone， patchouli alcohol， α-caryophyllene， linalyl butyrate， valencene， 1，8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part（P<0.01）. Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82， and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted， respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%， the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99， and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose（PCA， DFA， SIMCA and SQCA） can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results， it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.

Objective:To study the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of tsutsugamushi disease in Ankang City, Shaanxi Province.Methods:From 2018 to 2023, data on tsutsugamushi disease cases reported by various medical institutions at all levels in Ankang City were collected through the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. At the same time, individual epidemiological investigation of reported cases was carried out, and electronic medical records of patients were retrieved to verify their diagnosis. In 2023, the rodents and chigger mites were monitored in 3 townships with high incidence of tsutsugamushi disease in Ankang City by night clamping method, and the chigger mites rate and chigger mites index were calculated. Blood, liver, spleen and kidney samples of rodents were collected, DNA of blood and organ mixture was extracted, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect Orientia tsutsugamushi. Results:A total of 330 cases of tsutsugamushi disease were reported in Ankang City from 2018 to 2023, and the reported incidence rate increased from 0.56/100 000 in 2018 to 5.02/100 000 in 2023. Among them, 139 were males and 191 were females, with a sex ratio of 0.73∶1.00. The age was mainly 45 - 70 years old, accounting for 81.52% (269/330). The occupation was mainly farmers, accounting for 86.97% (287/330). The onset time was mainly concentrated from April to October, with a total of 317 cases, accounting for 96.06% (317/330). The main clinical manifestations were fever (93.20%, 274/294), ulcer or eschar (75.85%, 223/294), headache (44.56%, 131/294), and lymph node enlargement (44.22%, 130/294). The misdiagnosis rate at the first diagnosis was 73.81% (217/294). A total of 452 rodents were captured, of which 91 rodents carried chigger mites, and chigger mites rate was 20.13% (91/452). A total of 1 463 chigger mites were captured, and the chigger mites index was 3.24 (1 463/452). Quantitative real-time PCR was performed on blood and organ mixture samples collected from 452 rodents, and one of the organ mixture samples tested positive for Orientia tsutsugamushi. Conclusions:The incidence of tsutsugamushi disease in Ankang City is relatively high, and the overall incidence is on the rise. The cases are mainly female, middle-aged and elderly, and farmers, with a high misdiagnosis rate at the first diagnosis. There are chigger mites in rodents in townships with high incidence of tsutsugamushi disease.

Objective To identify the pathogen causing bloodstream infection(BSI)in an elderly patient and to de-scribe its pathogenic characteristics.This study also reviews recent relevant literatures on Trichoderma longibra-chiatum(T.longibrachiatum)infections.Methods Blood specimens from central and peripheral veins were co-llected for blood culture.The morphological characteristics and drug susceptibility of the isolated filamentous fungus were analyzed.The sequences of the isolated strains were detected using the internal transcribed spacer(ITS)re-gion,and then analyzed using MEGA software.Results Both morphological observation and ITS sequencing su-ggested that the pathogen was T.longibrachiatum.The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)against the strain detected in accordance with the M38-A2 Guideline for the Drug Susceptibility of Filamentous Fungi issued by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)of the United States showed that the MICs of micafungin,caspofungin,5-fluorocytosine,posaconazole,voriconazole,itraconazole,fluconazole,anidulafungin and amphoteri-cin were 8,8,64,2,0.5,2,64,8 and 4 μg/mL respectively.The patient recovered well after anti-fungal treat-ment with voriconazole.A total of 15 cases of T.longibrachiatum infection were reported in the literature.The main underlying disease was transplantation(n=5),and the main clinical manifestation was pulmonary infection(n=5).Of these,9 cases survived,3 died,and 3 had an unknown prognosis.Conclusion T.longibrachiatum in-fection is more common in patients with low immunity and more underlying diseases,with a high fatality rate,lack standardized clinical treatment guidelines,lack break points in drug sensitivity results,and is resistant to common antifungal drugs.It is of guiding significance to isolate and identify pathogens in time and provide corresponding drug sensitivity testing results for clinical drug use.

BACKGROUND:Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth are widely used in the field of tissue repair and regeneration,but the tissue regeneration effect has limitations in practical applications.Using miRNA to intervene in the directional differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth is an important development direction fortissue repair and regeneration in the future.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of miR-26b on the neurogenic and angiogenic differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth.METHODS:Dental pulp stem cells were isolated and extracted from human exfoliated deciduous teeth,and induced to differentiate into nerves and blood vessels.The expressions of neurogenic markers Nestin,NSE,βⅢ-Tubu lin,and angiogenic markers CD31,VEGFR2,ANG-1 and miR-26b were detected.Dental pulp stem cells were divided into blank control group,miR-26 overexpression group,and negative control group.RT-qPCR,cell immunofluorescence staining,and western blot assay were used to detect the expression changes of related markers of neurogenic and angiogenic induction of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth in each group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth had multi-directional differentiation potential and could differentiate into osteogenesis,adipogenesis,neurogenesis,and vasculogenesis.(2)The expression level of miR-26b increased during the neurogenic and angiogenic differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth.(3)Compared with the blank control group and negative control group,the mRNA expression of neuroblast-related genes βⅢ-Tubulin,Nestin,NSE and angiogenesis-related genes CD31,VEGFR2,and ANG-1 in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth in the miR-26b overexpression group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),βⅢ-Tubulin,Nestin,CD31,and VEGFR2 protein expression was significantly increased(P＜0.01).The above results show that overexpression of miR-26b can promote the neurogenic and angiogenic differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth.

Objective To study the expression levels and clinical significance of histone H3 trimethylation at lysine 4(H3K4me3),histone H3 trimethylation at lysine 27(H3K27me3)and modifying enzyme in placental tissue of patients with premature rupture of membranes(PROM)with chorioamnionitis.Methods Clinical data of 95 pregnant women treated in the Xi'an Gaoxin Hospital due to PROM from June 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected,and they were divided into infected group and a non-infected group according to whether they were complicated with histological chorioamnionitis(HCA).Another 30 normal pregnant women were selected as the control group.Placental tissues of all subjects were collected and H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 levels were detected,and the expression levels of H3K4me3,H3K27me3 specific methyltransferase[mixed lineage leukemia protein-1(MLL1),Zeste enhancer homolog 2(EZH2)]and demethyltransferase[lysine-specific demethylase 5B(KDM5B),Jumonji domain-containing protein 3(JMJD3)]were detected by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR).The expression differences of H3K4me3,H3K27me3 and specific modifiers among the three groups and the correlation with the histological stage of HCA were analyzed.The Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was plotted,the Area under curve(AUC)value was calculated,and H3K4me3 was evaluated.Predictive value of H3K27me3 for concurrent HCA infection.Result Compared with the control group,the levels of H3K4me3(0.08%±0.02%,0.12%±0.03%vs 0.25%±0.06%),MLL1 mRNA(1.32±0.16,1.44±0.23 vs 2.02±0.31),and JMJD3 mRNA(0.78±0.13,0.91±0.15 vs 1.53±0.23)in the infected and non-infected groups were significantly decreased(t=10.939～19.062),while the levels of H3K27me39(0.23%±0.05%,0.15%±0.03%vs 0.10%±0.02%),EZH2 mRNA(1.96±0.26,1.85±0.25 vs 1.15±0.29)and KDM5B(1.46±0.15,1.35±0.18 vs 0.94±0.12)were significantly increased(t=6.077～14.974),and the levels in the infected group were lower/higher than those in the non-infected group(t=2.017～10.688),with statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).There was a significant negatively correlation between H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 levels in placenta tissue of PROM(r=-0.604,P<0.05).The levels of H3K4me3,MLL1 and JMJD3 were negatively correlated with the histological stages of HCA(r=-0.646,-0.489,-0.503,all P<0.05).The levels of H3K27me3,EZH2 and KDM5B were positively correlated with the histological stages of HCA(r=0.632,0.515,0.520,all P<0.05).The cutoffvalues of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 were 0.10%and 0.19%,respectively.The AUC(95%CI)value of the combined prediction of PROM combined with HCA infection was 0.896(0.882～0.947),and the sensitivity and specificity were 92.14%and 86.23%respectively,which was significantly higher than the diagnosis of a single index.Conclusion The levels of H3K4me3,H3K27me3 and modifying enzymes in the placenta tissue of PROM are closely related to HCA infection and histological stage,which has high clinical prediction value for HCA infection and is expected to be a new biomarker for clinical diagnosis.