Objective: To investigate the effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation(CES) with varying parameter configurations on sleep quality in patients diagnosed with chronic insomnia disorder. Methods: Seventy-two participants meeting diagnostic criteria for chronic insomnia disorder were randomly allocated to a four-arm parallel study design.The intervention protocol comprised:Group 1(G1) received CES at 0.5 Hz,300 μA;Group 2(G2) underwent CES treatment at 1.5 Hz,300 μA;Group 3(G3) administered 100 Hz,300 μA stimulation;and Group4(G4) received sham stimulation with identical device placement but no current delivery.Primary outcomes were quantified through polysomnography(PSG) recordings conducted at baseline and post-intervention,whereas secondary outcomes were assessed via standardized sleep questionnaires including the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index(ISI). Results: Following a 10-day intervention protocol,significant clinical improvements were observed across all active treatment groups(G1-G3) as evidenced by reductions in PSQI.Insomnia severity index(ISI) scores quantitative polysomnographic analysis revealed that both G2(1.5 Hz) and G3(100 Hz) cohorts demonstrated statistically significant enhancements in Flinders Fatigue Scale(FFS) scores,total sleep time(TST),and sleep efficiency(SE),accompanied by reduced sleep onset latency(SOL) compared to baseline measurements.However,no statistically significant differences were detected between the G2 and G3 intervention arms across all measured parameters.CES exerted no significant effect on sleep architecture. Conclusion CES can effectively improve the sleep of patients with chronic insomnia.Within a certain range,a higher frequency of CES leads to better sleep improvement effects.

OBJECTIVE To understand the current status of antimicrobial agent usage intensity(AUD)of antibiot-ics,carbapenems(CB)and isolation rates of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria(CRGNB)and explore the effect of CB on hospital-associated CRGNB infections.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on antimicrobial agent usage and clinical data of the patients who were hospitalized in Nantong University Affiliated Hospital from 2023 to 2024.The antimicrobial usage patterns,CB-AUD and isolation rates of CRGNB were sta-tistically analyzed.Additionally,the clinical data from 1933 confirmed hospital-acquired infection cases from 2023 to 2024 were retrospectively analyzed,and the patients were classified into two groups based on CRGNB resist-ance:the CRGNB-infected group with 376 cases and the non-CRGNB-infected group with 1557 cases.The risk factors for CRGNB infections were identified.RESULTS In the two years,the overall utilization rate of antimicro-bial drug and AUD fluctuated every six months(P＜0.05).The overall define daily dose system(DDDs)and AUD of the three CBs(meropenem,imipenem/cilastatin and biapenem)increased every six months(P＜0.05).The o-verall drug resistance rate of gram-negative bacilli to CB decreased every six months(P＜0.05).The logistic re-gression analysis showed that the duration of use of CB and combined use of antibiotics were the risk factors for the CRGNB infections(with the OR values,1.445,2.479,1.958,respectively,all P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS The overall use of CB is on the rise.The use of CB,especially the duration of CB,increases the probability of CRGNB infection.Therefore,it is necessary for the hospital to strengthen the monitoring of CB-AUD and supervi-sion of CB.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence, trends in disease burden, and risk factors of esophageal cancer in various provinces of China from 1990 to 2019.Methods:Utilizing data from the 2019 global burden of disease study, the disease burden of esophageal cancer of 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, as well as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region of China from 1990 to 2019 were analyzed. The disease burden of esophageal cancer in China was described with the number (and incidence) of cases, the number (and mortality) of death, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and their age-standardized rates. Joinpoint regression analysis and t-test were used to evaluate the annual percent change and the average annual percent change (AAPC). Scatter plots and Spearman correlation coefficients were performed to analyze the correlation between the disease burden of esophageal cancer and the socio-demographic index (SDI), as well as DALY in each province. Results:In 2019, there were 278 121 new cases of esophageal cancer and 257 316 deaths in China, increased by 60.13% and 45.70% respectively compared with 1990. The top 3 provinces with the highest age-standardized incidence of esophageal cancer were Sichuan Province (25.96/100 000), Jiangsu Province (23.80/100 000), and Fujian Province (21.98/100 000). From 1990 to 2019, except for Jiangsu Province and Sichuan Province, the age-standardized incidence in other provinces showed a declining trend. The age-standardized mortality and DALYs of esophageal cancer decreased in all provinces as well as in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions of China. The attributable risk factors of esophageal cancer caused deaths in China mainly included smoking, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, and low fruit intake, accounting for 91.38% of all the cases. With the increase of the SDI, the age-standardized rates of DALY in high incidence areas of esophageal cancer (Sichuan Province, Jiangsu Province, Fujian Province, Henan Province, Chongqing City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shanxi Province, and Anhui Province) demonstrated a trend of initially decline and then an upward. In contrast, the age-standardized rates of DALY of esophageal cancer in other provinces, as well as in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions of China, showed a trend of initially upward and then decline. The age-standardized rate of DALY of esophageal cancer showed a negative correlation with SDI ( r=-0.315, P<0.001). From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer generally demonstrated a downward trend. The AAPC was -1.43% ( t=-19.16, P<0.001) for incidence and -1.83% ( t=-29.63, P<0.001) for mortality, respectively. It is projected that by 2044, the actual number of new esophageal cancer cases in China will increase from 278 121 in 2019 to 291 206 in 2044, and the actual number of deaths will increase from 257 316 to 275 856. Conclusions:In recent years, the disease burden of esophageal cancer in China remains a serious status, with significant differences in geography and gender. It is projected that by 2044, the number of new esophageal cancer cases and deaths in China will continue to increase. Effective strategies and policies are urgently needed to reduce the disease burden.

OBJECTIVE To understand the current status of antimicrobial agent usage intensity(AUD)of antibiot-ics,carbapenems(CB)and isolation rates of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria(CRGNB)and explore the effect of CB on hospital-associated CRGNB infections.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on antimicrobial agent usage and clinical data of the patients who were hospitalized in Nantong University Affiliated Hospital from 2023 to 2024.The antimicrobial usage patterns,CB-AUD and isolation rates of CRGNB were sta-tistically analyzed.Additionally,the clinical data from 1933 confirmed hospital-acquired infection cases from 2023 to 2024 were retrospectively analyzed,and the patients were classified into two groups based on CRGNB resist-ance:the CRGNB-infected group with 376 cases and the non-CRGNB-infected group with 1557 cases.The risk factors for CRGNB infections were identified.RESULTS In the two years,the overall utilization rate of antimicro-bial drug and AUD fluctuated every six months(P＜0.05).The overall define daily dose system(DDDs)and AUD of the three CBs(meropenem,imipenem/cilastatin and biapenem)increased every six months(P＜0.05).The o-verall drug resistance rate of gram-negative bacilli to CB decreased every six months(P＜0.05).The logistic re-gression analysis showed that the duration of use of CB and combined use of antibiotics were the risk factors for the CRGNB infections(with the OR values,1.445,2.479,1.958,respectively,all P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS The overall use of CB is on the rise.The use of CB,especially the duration of CB,increases the probability of CRGNB infection.Therefore,it is necessary for the hospital to strengthen the monitoring of CB-AUD and supervi-sion of CB.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence, trends in disease burden, and risk factors of esophageal cancer in various provinces of China from 1990 to 2019.Methods:Utilizing data from the 2019 global burden of disease study, the disease burden of esophageal cancer of 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, as well as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region of China from 1990 to 2019 were analyzed. The disease burden of esophageal cancer in China was described with the number (and incidence) of cases, the number (and mortality) of death, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and their age-standardized rates. Joinpoint regression analysis and t-test were used to evaluate the annual percent change and the average annual percent change (AAPC). Scatter plots and Spearman correlation coefficients were performed to analyze the correlation between the disease burden of esophageal cancer and the socio-demographic index (SDI), as well as DALY in each province. Results:In 2019, there were 278 121 new cases of esophageal cancer and 257 316 deaths in China, increased by 60.13% and 45.70% respectively compared with 1990. The top 3 provinces with the highest age-standardized incidence of esophageal cancer were Sichuan Province (25.96/100 000), Jiangsu Province (23.80/100 000), and Fujian Province (21.98/100 000). From 1990 to 2019, except for Jiangsu Province and Sichuan Province, the age-standardized incidence in other provinces showed a declining trend. The age-standardized mortality and DALYs of esophageal cancer decreased in all provinces as well as in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions of China. The attributable risk factors of esophageal cancer caused deaths in China mainly included smoking, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, and low fruit intake, accounting for 91.38% of all the cases. With the increase of the SDI, the age-standardized rates of DALY in high incidence areas of esophageal cancer (Sichuan Province, Jiangsu Province, Fujian Province, Henan Province, Chongqing City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shanxi Province, and Anhui Province) demonstrated a trend of initially decline and then an upward. In contrast, the age-standardized rates of DALY of esophageal cancer in other provinces, as well as in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions of China, showed a trend of initially upward and then decline. The age-standardized rate of DALY of esophageal cancer showed a negative correlation with SDI ( r=-0.315, P<0.001). From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer generally demonstrated a downward trend. The AAPC was -1.43% ( t=-19.16, P<0.001) for incidence and -1.83% ( t=-29.63, P<0.001) for mortality, respectively. It is projected that by 2044, the actual number of new esophageal cancer cases in China will increase from 278 121 in 2019 to 291 206 in 2044, and the actual number of deaths will increase from 257 316 to 275 856. Conclusions:In recent years, the disease burden of esophageal cancer in China remains a serious status, with significant differences in geography and gender. It is projected that by 2044, the number of new esophageal cancer cases and deaths in China will continue to increase. Effective strategies and policies are urgently needed to reduce the disease burden.

Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular degradation pathway that degrades lipid droplets through a process called"lipophagy".Lipophagy can selectively recognize lipid substances and degrade them,promoting β oxidation and thereby maintaining the balance of intracellular lipid metabolism.The liver regulates lipid droplet metabolism through lipophagy signaling pathways or key molecules,thereby alleviating hepatic steatosis and improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).This article reviews the latest advances in the degradation of hepatic lipid droplets through the three autophagic pathways of macroautophagy,molecular chaperone-mediated autophagy,and microautophagy.The major signaling pathways of AMPK/mTOR-ULK1,ATGL-SIRT1,FGF21-JMJD3,and Akt are involved in the regulation of the lipophagy process and help to maintain the homeostasis of lipid metabolism in the liver,so as to provide new ideas for clinical prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Background::Evaluating the impact of digestive system diseases is vital for devising effective prevention strategies. However, comprehensive reports on the burden of digestive system diseases in China are lacking. Our study aimed to provide an overview of the burden and trends of digestive system diseases from 1990 to 2019 in China and its provinces.Methods::This cross-sectional study utilized the Global Disease Burden Study 2019 to estimate the incidence, mortality rate, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life disability, years of life lost, and changes in the burden of digestive diseases across Chinese provinces from 1990 to 2019. The analysis of disease burden primarily examines the characteristics of sub-disease distribution, time trends, age distribution, and sex distribution. Additionally, we compared provincial age-standardized DALYs for digestive diseases with the expected rates based on the socio-demographic index (SDI).Results::In 2019, there were 499.2 million cases of digestive system diseases in China, resulting in 1,557,310 deaths. Stomach cancer, colon and rectal cancer, and esophageal cancer are the top three diseases associated with mortality and DALY related to digestive system diseases. Meanwhile, cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and gallbladder and biliary diseases are the top three kinds of diseases with the highest prevalence among digestive system diseases. The risk of gastric cancer sharply increases among men after the age of 40 years, leading to a significant disparity in burden between men and women. As the SDI increased, the DALYs associated with digestive system diseases in China and its provinces showed a downward trend.Conclusion::Our study highlights the inverse correlation between DALYs associated with digestive system diseases and the SDI.

Objective To analyze the burden and trends of esophageal cancer in China from 1990 to 2021,and compare them with Japan and South Korea.Methods Based on the global burden of disease 2021 database,the incidence,mortality,and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)of esophageal cancer and the corresponding age-standardized rates in China from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed and descriptively studied according to different ages and genders,and compared with Japan and South Korea.The estimated annual percentage change and relative variation were used to evaluate the trend of the burden of esophageal cancer.Four risk factors,including smoking,alcohol consumption,low-vegetable diet,and chewing tobacco,were included and the proportions of esophageal cancer DALYs and death burden attributable to each risk factor were analyzed.Breakdown analysis method was used to analyze the contribution of population growth,population aging,and epidemiological changes to the incidence of esophageal cancer.The age-period-cohort model was used to analyze the effect trends of age,period,and birth cohort on the incidence of esophageal cancer.Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between age-standardized DALYs rate and socio-demographic index(SDI).The number of incident cases and age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR)of esophageal cancer in China over the subsequent 20 years were predicted by autoregressive integrated moving average model.Results In 2021,the number of incident cases,number of deaths,and DALYs of esophageal cancer in China were 320 805,296 443 and 6 898 666,respectively,with increases of 54.61%,40.61%,and 17.88%over 1990.In 2021,the ASIR,age-standardized mortality(ASMR),and age-standardized DALYs rate of esophageal cancer in China were 15.04/100 000,14.13/100 000,and 317.18/100 000,respectively,which were higher than those in Japan(6.22/100 000,3.81/100 000,and 84.34/100 000,respectively)and South Korea(3.52/100 000,2.29/100 000,and 50.15/100 000,respectively).The burden of esophageal cancer in males was higher than that in females in the 3 countries.In 2021,smoking and alcohol consumption were the 2 major risk factors for esophageal cancer death in China;the increase in the number of incident cases was mainly caused by population growth and population aging.In addition,the ASIR of esophageal cancer in China increased with age,peaking at 85-89 years old.From 1990 to 2021,SDI was negatively correlated with age-standardized DALYs rate of esophageal cancer in China,Japan,and South Korea.It was predicted that by 2041,the ASIR of esophageal cancer in China would continue to decrease to 9.14/100 000,but the number of incident cases would increase to 398 200.Conclusion The burden of esophageal cancer in China remains substantial.In the future,it will be crucial to strengthen the prevention and control of risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.Additionally,efforts should be made to promote early screening,diagnosis,and treatment,particularly among high-risk populations.

Nearly a quarter of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and remains long-term asymptomatic infection. Rv2626c is a latent infection-related protein regulated by DosR of M. tuberculosis. In this study, the Rv2626c protein was prokaryotically expressed and purified, and its immunobiological characteristics were analyzed using RAW264.7 cells and mice as infection models. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis showed that the Rv2626c-His fusion protein was mainly expressed in soluble form and specifically reacted with the rabbit anti-H37RV polyclonal serum. In addition, we found that the Rv2626c protein bound to the surface of RAW264.7 macrophages and up-regulated the production of NO. Moreover, the Rv2626c protein significantly induced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1, and induced strong Th1-tendency immune response. These results may help to reveal the pathogenic mechanism of M. tuberculosis and facilitate the development of new tuberculosis vaccine.
Animals ; Mice ; Rabbits ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genetics* ; Tuberculosis ; Antigens, Bacterial ; Cytokines ; Immunity, Cellular

PURPOSE: The incidence and mortality of breast cancer is increasing worldwide. There is a constant quest to understand the underlying molecular biology of breast cancer so as to plan better treatment options. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the expression of histone deacetylases-3 (HDAC3), a member of class I HDACs, and assess the clinical significance of HDAC3 in breast cancer. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis were used to examine messenger RNA and protein expression levels. The relationships between HDAC3 expression and clinicopathological variables were analyzed. MTT assays were used to detect cell proliferation. Glucose-uptake, lactate, adenosine triphosphate, and lactate dehydrogenase assays were employed to detect aerobic glycolysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to detect microRNA-31 (miR-31) promoter binding. RESULTS: Our data revealed that HDAC3 was upregulated in breast cancer tissue compared with matched para-carcinoma tissues, and high levels of HDAC3 were positively correlated with advanced TNM stage and N stage of cancer. Furthermore, overexpression of HDAC3 promoted breast cancer cell-proliferation and aerobic glycolysis. The functional involvement of HDAC3 was related in part to the repression of miR-31 transcription via decreased histone H3 acetylation at lysine K9 levels of the miR-31 promoter. Survival analysis revealed that the level of HDAC3 was an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that HDAC3 served as an oncogene that could promote cell proliferation and aerobic glycolysis and was predictive of a poor prognosis in breast cancer. HDAC3 participated in the cell proliferation of breast cancer, which may prove to be a pivotal epigenetic target against this devastating disease.
Acetylation ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Proliferation* ; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ; Epigenomics ; Glycolysis* ; Histone Code ; Histones* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Incidence ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Lactic Acid ; Lysine ; Molecular Biology ; Mortality ; Oncogenes ; Prognosis* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Repression, Psychology ; RNA, Messenger