ObjectiveTo establish a regional risk assessment system for hospital-acquired infections in neurosurgery department of general hospital, and to evaluate its prevention and control effectiveness. MethodsFailure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) was used to identify the core risk factors for infections in neurosurgery department. The risk priority number (RPN) of each risk factor was calculated to determine the priority intervention targets. Targeted interventions were developed and continuously refined through the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycles. Data from January to June 2023 (control group) and July to December 2023 (intervention group) were collected to compare the differences in environmental hygiene monitoring qualification rate, incidence rate of hospital-acquired infections among inpatients, and detection rate of bacterial antimicrobial resistance. ResultsHigh-risk factors for hospital-acquired infections in neurosurgery department included patient-related risk factors, inadequate implementation of isolation measures for special infections, and poor compliance with surgical site infection (SSI) prevention protocols. After intervention, the environmental hygiene qualification rate significantly increased from 81.55% to 100.00% (χ²=120.49, P<0.001). The overall hospital-acquired infection rate among inpatients decreased from 2.62% to 2.45%, the infection rate of per case declined from 3.12% to 2.84%, and the detection rate of multidrug-resistant organism infections reduced from 43.72% to 36.79%. Additionally, antimicrobial utilization rate decreased from 48.75% to 42.53% (χ²=34.09, P<0.001). ConclusionThe FMEA-based risk assessment system can effectively identify critical infection risks in neurosurgery department, and targeted interventions can significantly improve infection prevention and control performance.

Triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) are widely used synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial agents that can enter the human body through the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and other pathways. More and more studies have found that exposure to TCS and TCC can affect human health, but currently, review reports on the health effects of human exposure to TCS and TCC are limited. Therefore, this study reviewed population studies on the relationship between TCS and TCC exposure and health effects by searching the PubMed database, summarized the associated health outcomes, and elucidated the biological mechanisms. A total of 56 studies were retrieved, among which cross-sectional studies (25 studies, 44.64%) and cohort studies (25 studies, 44.64%) accounted for a relatively large proportion, while case-control studies (6 studies, 10.72%) were relatively few. Studies on TCS exposure (48 studies, 85.71%) were far more prevalent than those on TCC exposure (2 studies, 3.57%). The remaining 6 studies involved both TCS and TCC exposure. The research results revealed that TCS exposure was associated with male and female abnormal reproductive functions, fetal growth restriction, abnormal behavior development in children, obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and immune-related diseases. Although the results of different studies show significant differences, they have indicated that exposure to TCS is a potential risk factor for these health problems. Due to the limited number of studies, the evidence for the relationship between TCC exposure and most of the aforementioned health effects is insufficient. Population studies and in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that exposure to TCS and TCC can interfere with the microbial homeostasis, the endocrine system, oxidative stress and immune function of the body, which are potential mechanisms causing adverse health effects. In the future, large-scale prospective cohort studies, as well as in vivo and in vitro studies, are still needed to further clarify the associations between TCS and TCC exposure and health effects, and to deeply explore its mechanism of action. These efforts will provide references for clarifying the human health hazards of TCS and TCC exposure and formulating targeted prevention and control strategies.

ObjectiveTo retrospectively analyze the association between novel coronavirus (“SARS-CoV-2”) infection and clinical symptoms in inpatients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, so as to provide evidence for improving clinical diagnostic ability. MethodsFrom January 13 to March 2, 2023, respiratory tract specimens of 456 inpatients with SARI were collected from 8 sentinel institutions, SARS-CoV-2 was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Whole genome sequencing and sequence analyses were performed to samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) value of <35. At the same time, demographic information, clinical characteristics and underlying disease condition of the cases were collected, and the association between age, symptoms and nucleic acid positive rates was evaluated by χ² test and Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsA total of 456 cases were included, the median (P₂₅, P₇₅) age was 70 (69, 85) years old, of which 200 cases were novel coronavirus nucleic acid positive for SARS-CoV-2, with a positive rate of 43.86%. The positive rate was the highest in the 80-year-old group (56.82%), and the positive rate increased significantly with age (r=0.15, P=0.002). The proportion of oppression in chest, sore throat and expectoration in novel coronavirus nucleic acid positive cases was significantly higher than that in negative cases (all P<0.05). The 33 viruses sequenced successfully were all Omicron subvariants, with BF.7 (51.52%) and BA.5.2 (42.42%) being the predominant ones. ConclusionA positive correlation was observed between advanced age and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in patients with SARI. The symptoms of expectoration, oppression in chest and sore throat are more common in positive cases, which can be used as a prompt indicator for key screening and clinical identification of elderly SARI cases.

ObjectiveTo investigate the infection characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children with acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, from 2013 to 2023, so as to provide an evidence for the prevention and control of RSV in Shanghai. MethodsChildren who sought medical care at sentinel healthcare facilities in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, between January 2013 and December 2023 and met the case definition of ARI were included in the study. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected and tested for viral pathogens using real-time fluorescene PCR, and the clinical information of whom was collected simultaneously. ResultsA total of 4 980 children were included in the ARI surveillance, among whom 231 tested positive for RSV, with an overall detection rate of 4.64%. Of these, 106 cases were type A and 125 were type B. From 2013 to 2023, the detection rate of RSV in children showed an overall trend of initial increase followed by a decline, with higher detection rates in autumn and winter and lower rates in spring and summer. The RSV detection rate gradually decreased with age, with the highest rate observed in children <1 year old, accounting for 16.33% (80/490) of RSV-detection cases. Cough was the most common clinical symptom. Among the RSV-positive cases, 36 involved co-infection with another virus, 6 co-infected with three viruses, and 1 with mixed infection of four viruses. The most frequent co-infection was RSV and human coronavirus. ConclusionChildren under 1 year of age are more susceptible to RSV infection, with cough being the predominant symptom. RSV infection in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, mainly occurs in winter. Targeted prevention and control measures should be taken for children under 1 year old during the winter season to reduce the risk of both RSV infection and co-infection with human coronavirus and influenza virus.

Objective To analyze the current status of dietary quality in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), and to explore the influencing factors of dietary quality. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 550 patients with CAG admitted to the hospital from April 2021 to April 2024. Self-made basic data questionnaire, dietary balance index (DBI), and hospital anxiety and depression scale-anxiety subscale (HADS-A) were used for investigation. Multivariate linear regression analysis was applied to analyze the influencing factors of DBI-lower bound score (LBS). Results The average score of DBI-LBS in 550 patients with CAG was (31.45±8.53) points. There were significant differences in DBI-LBS scores among CAG patients in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, marital status, drinking history, smoking history, CAG severity, HADS-A score and concurrent gastrointestinal diseases (P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis of the above influencing factors indicated that BMI, smoking history, HADS-A score and CAG severity were independent influencing factors of DBI-LBS score in CAG patients (P<0.05). Conclusion The general dietary quality is not optimistic in CAG patients, showing a moderate deficiency in dietary intake. BMI, disease severity and psychological status of patients are independent factors affecting dietary quality.

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae(KP),hyperviru-lent Klebsiella pneumoniae(hvKP),carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP),and hypervirulent car-bapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(hv-CRKP/CR-hvKP)in the environment of general intensive care unit(ICU)at medical institutions,and provide reference for environment assessment as well as healthcare-associated in-fection(HAI)prevention and control in ICU.Methods A total of 3 336 environmental specimens were collected from general ICUs of medical institutions in Shanghai in 2019 and 2023.After strain isolation,antimicrobial suscep-tibility testing and whole genome sequencing were conducted.Results The detection rate of KP was 1.59％(n=53),among which hvKP,CRKP,and hv-CRKP/CR-hvKP accounted for 37.74％(20/53),52.83％(28/53),and 24.53％(13/53)of the total detected strains,respectively.The main types of hvKP were ST11-KL64 and ST11-KL25,CRKP were ST15-KL19 and ST11-KL25,hv-CRKP/CR-hvKP were ST11-KL25 and ST11-KL64.The main carried resistance genes included fosA,oqx AB,tet(A),blaTEM-1B,blaKPC-2,qnrS11,etc.All strains carried viru-lence genes fimH,iutA,ent A,entB,entC,entD,entE,and entF,with only one strain carrying rmp A gene.Conclusion KP contamination is widespread in general ICU environment of medical institutions,predominantly ST11 and ST15,presenting a polymorphic distribution.CRKP and hvKP account for a relatively high proportion,and multidrug resistance is serious.Co-evolution of drug resistance and virulence presents in KP,and poses signifi-cant infection and pathogenic risks to patients,necessitating enhanced clinical vigilance and preparedness for poten-tial outbreaks.

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae(KP),hyperviru-lent Klebsiella pneumoniae(hvKP),carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP),and hypervirulent car-bapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(hv-CRKP/CR-hvKP)in the environment of general intensive care unit(ICU)at medical institutions,and provide reference for environment assessment as well as healthcare-associated in-fection(HAI)prevention and control in ICU.Methods A total of 3 336 environmental specimens were collected from general ICUs of medical institutions in Shanghai in 2019 and 2023.After strain isolation,antimicrobial suscep-tibility testing and whole genome sequencing were conducted.Results The detection rate of KP was 1.59％(n=53),among which hvKP,CRKP,and hv-CRKP/CR-hvKP accounted for 37.74％(20/53),52.83％(28/53),and 24.53％(13/53)of the total detected strains,respectively.The main types of hvKP were ST11-KL64 and ST11-KL25,CRKP were ST15-KL19 and ST11-KL25,hv-CRKP/CR-hvKP were ST11-KL25 and ST11-KL64.The main carried resistance genes included fosA,oqx AB,tet(A),blaTEM-1B,blaKPC-2,qnrS11,etc.All strains carried viru-lence genes fimH,iutA,ent A,entB,entC,entD,entE,and entF,with only one strain carrying rmp A gene.Conclusion KP contamination is widespread in general ICU environment of medical institutions,predominantly ST11 and ST15,presenting a polymorphic distribution.CRKP and hvKP account for a relatively high proportion,and multidrug resistance is serious.Co-evolution of drug resistance and virulence presents in KP,and poses signifi-cant infection and pathogenic risks to patients,necessitating enhanced clinical vigilance and preparedness for poten-tial outbreaks.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Buzhong Yiqitang in ameliorating inflammatory injury in autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) mice based on the Toll-like receptor 4（TLR4）/nuclear transcription factor-kappa B（NF-κB）/absent in melanoma 2（AIM2）inflammasome signaling pathway. MethodThe 120 genetically susceptible 8-week-old NOD.H-2^h4 mice were selected and randomly divided into control group， model group， low， medium and high dose groups of Buzhong Yiqitang （4.78， 9.56， 19.12 g·kg^-1）， and western medicine group （selenium yeast tablets， 3.033×10^-5 g·kg^-1）. The AIT model mice in each group drank ad libitum 0.05% sodium iodide aqueous solution for 8 weeks to establish the AIT model， and the control group drank ad libitum distilled water. Eight weeks later， the mice in each dosing group were divided into groups and gavage. The swelling of thyroid tissue was observed with the naked eye， and the weight of spleen was weighed. The content of serum inflammatory factors interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of HMGB1， TLR4， AIM2， NF-κB p65，apoptosis-associated speck-like protein（ASC），cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1（Caspase-1）， IL-1β mRNA. Western blot was used to detect the expression of high motility group protein 1 （HMGB1）， TLR4， AIM2， NF-κB p65， phosphorylation（p）-NF-κB p65， ASC， Caspase-1， and IL-1β proteins in thyroid tissue， and immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the protein expression of HMGB1， AIM2， and NF-κB p65 in thyroid tissue of mice. ResultCompared with the control group， the thyroid tissue of mice in the model group was significantly swollen， the spleen quality was significantly increased， and the expression of HMGB1， TLR4， NF-κB p65， AIM2， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β in thyroid tissue was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the swelling of thyroid tissue in mice in each dose group of Buzhong Yiqitang was improved， the quality of spleen was significantly reduced， and the expression of HMGB1， TLR4， AIM2， NF-κB p65， p-NF-κB p65， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β in thyroid tissue was significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can effectively improve the inflammatory injury of AIT， and regulating the abnormal activation of the TLR4/NF-κB/AIM2 inflammasome signal pathway may be one of its intervention mechanisms.

BACKGROUND:Root canal preparation is a key step in root canal therapy.In recent years,with the rapid development of new nickel-titanium instruments,the results of root canal shaping ability have been significantly improved.However,the shaping abilities of different nickel-titanium instruments are also different.At present,there are few reports about the influence of the shaping ability of R-phase heat treatment NIC X-FILE and DENCO Pre-Shaper in simulated curved canals. OBJECTIVE:To compare the shaping effect of NIC X-FILE and DENCO Pre-Shaper nickel-titanium instruments in preparation for simulated curved canals. METHODS:Fifty simulated resin-curved canals were selected and randomly divided into two groups(n=25).NIC X-FILE and DENCO Pre-Shaper nickel-titanium files were used for root canal preparation.The root canal preparation time was recorded.Images of pre-and post-root canal preparation were taken.Image processing and analysis software were used to measure the amount of resin removed from the inner and outer walls of the root canal at each observation point.Statistical software was used to compare the root canal preparation time and centering ability of two kinds of mechanical nickel-titanium files. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The average root canal preparation time was(1.58±0.02)minutes in the DENCO Pre-Shaper group and(2.22±0.03)minutes in the NIC X-FILE group.There was a significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).(2)The amount of resin removed from the inner walls of the root canal of the DENCO Pre-Shaper group at 4,5,7,8,9,and 10 mm from the apical foramen was higher than that of the NIC X-FILE group(P<0.05).The amount of resin removed from the outer walls of the root canal of the DENCO Pre-Shaper group at 3,5,6,7,and 8 mm from the apical foramen was lower than that of the NIC X-FILE group(P<0.05).(3)At 2,4,5,6,7,8,and 9 mm away from apical foramen,the centering ability of the NIC X-FILE group was better than that of the DENCO Pre-Shaper group(P<0.05),and the centering ability of the NIC X-FILE group was the best at 4 mm away from apical foramen.(4)The results show that DENCO Pre-Shaper has higher mechanical efficiency than NIC X-FILE nickel-titanium root canal files.However,the centering ability of DENCO Pre-Shaper is inferior to NIC X-FILE nickel-titanium root canal files.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on the immune imbalance of helper T cell 17 （Th17）/regulatory T cell （Treg） and Notch1 signaling pathway in mice with autoimmune thyroiditis （AIT）. MethodA total of 60 8-week-old NOD.H-2^h4 mice were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， western medicine group （selenium yeast tablet， 32.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low-dose （4.78 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， middle-dose （9.56 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose （19 g·kg^-1·d^-1） Buzhong Yiqitang groups， with 10 mice in each group. The normal group was fed with distilled water， and the other groups were fed with water containing 0.05% sodium iodide for eight weeks. After the animal model of AIT was formed spontaneously， the mice were killed under anesthesia after intragastric administration for eight weeks. Serum anti-thyroglobulin antibodies （TGAb）， thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）， free triiodothyronine （FT3）， and free thyroid hormone （FT4） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and thyroid tissue changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of retinoid-related orphan receptor-γt （RORγt）， interleukin （IL）-17， forkhead box P3 （FoxP3）， IL-10， Notch1， and hair division-related enhancer 1 （Hes1） in thyroid tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group， the thyroid structure of the model group was severely damaged， and lymphocytes were infiltrated obviously. The levels of serum TGAb， FT3， and FT4 contents were significantly increased， and TSH content was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt， IL-17， Notch1， and Hes1 were significantly increased， while those of FoxP3 and IL10 were significantly decreased in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， thyroid structural damage and lymphocyte infiltration were improved in the treatment groups， and serum TGAb， FT3， and FT4 contents were significantly decreased. TSH content was increased， and mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt， IL-17， Notch1， and Hes1 were decreased. mRNA and protein expression levels of FoxP3 and IL-10 were increased to different degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the middle-dose Buzhong Yiqitang group had the most significant intervention effect. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can alleviate the thyroid structural damage in AIT mice， and its mechanism may be related to improving the abnormal differentiation of Th17/Treg immune cells and inhibiting the activation of the Notch1 signaling pathway.