Objective:To analyze the transition patterns of anal sex and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), estimate the transition intensity and probability, and identify factors influencing the transition patterns in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shandong Province.Methods:In August 2019, MSM aged ≥18 years old were recruited as subjects from 11 cities in Shandong Province. The baseline survey were completed in December 2019, and followup surveys were conducted once every 3 mouths from June 2020 to March 2021. Time-continuous, state-discrete multi-state reversible Markov model was constructed based on the status of MSM's sexual behaviors with different types of sexual partners [anal sex occurred or not (S1=No, S2=Yes) and UAI occurred or not (S1=No,S2=Yes)] to analyze the transition patterns and the influencing factors.Results:A total of 735 MSM were included. The transition intensity of starting anal sex with stable and casual partners was 1.935 times and 0.595 times higher than that of discontinuing this behavior, respectively. While the transition intensity to start UAI with stable and casual partners was 0.430 times and 0.169 times higher than that of discontinuing it, respectively. During the follow-up, the transition probabilities of anal sex and UAI with both stable and casual partners increased first and then stabilized. For stable partners, the transition probability of starting anal sex was higher than that of discontinuing it at the same period, for casual partners, it was just the reverse. For both stable and casual partners, the transition probabilities of discontinuing UAI were higher than starting it at the same time. The results of multivariate analysis showed that participants who received intervention materials ( HR=1.47), had an associate degree ( HR=1.77) or a bachelor's degree and above ( HR=1.47) were at higher risk of starting anal sex with stable partners. Those who received intervention materials ( HR=1.39) were at higher risk of discontinuing anal sex with stable partners, while participants identified themselves as non-male gender ( HR=0.49) were at lower risk of discontinuing anal sex with stable partners. Participants received intervention materials ( HR=1.75) were at higher risk of starting UAI with stable partners. Those who lived apart, divorced, or widowed ( HR=3.22) were at higher risk of starting UAI with casual partners, whereas had a bachelor's degree and above ( HR=0.58) were at lower risk of starting UAI with casual partners. Participants identified themselves as non-male gender ( HR=0.45) at lower risk of discounting UAI with casual partners. Conclusions:The transition patterns of homosexual behavior in MSM are different. Marital status, gender identity, educational level and other factors are the influencing factors of sexual behavior status transitions. Future researches should develop targeted interventions for different types of sexual partners and characteristics of MSM.

AIM:This study aims to investigate distinct patterns in food reward behavior and neuroinflammato-ry responses within the ventral tegmental area(VTA)between obesity-prone(OP)and obesity-resistant(OR)rats,while elucidating their potential interplay.METHODS:Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats(5-week-old)were adminis-tered a high-fat diet(HFD)for 8 weeks.Based on body weight tertiles,rats were stratified into OP(highest tertile,n=8)and OR(lowest tertile,n=8)groups.Food reward function was evaluated through conditioned place preference(CPP)test and operant food-seeking task(OFST).Serum lipid profiles were quantified via colorimetric microplate assays,with 24-hour energy expenditure monitored using CLAMS.Western blot and immunofluorescence assays quantified ionized cal-cium-binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba1)and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)protein expression,while immunofluorescence lo-calized VTA-positive cell spatial distribution and density.RT-qPCR quantified mRNA expression of Iba1,TH,and proin-flammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6).ELISA quantified proinflammatory cytokine protein concentrations.RE-SULTS:Following 8-week HFD exposure,OP rats exhibited elevated body weight,total food and calories,adiposity,Lee index,and levels of TG,LDL-C,TC,and NEFA,while HLD-C levels and 24-hour energy metabolism significantly decreased(P<0.05).OP rats demonstrated enhanced CPP preference for HFD-paired cues,elevated lever pressing fre-quency,and increased breakpoints versus OR counterparts(P<0.05),positively correlating with body weight(r=0.766,0.561 and 0.606;P<0.05).OP rats demonstrated elevated Iba1 positive cell density,protein and mRNA expression,and inflammatory mediators in VTA versus OR counterparts,contrasting with diminished TH positive neurons showing re-duced protein and mRNA levels(P<0.05).VTA neuroinflammatory mediators(Iba1,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6)exhibited inverse correlations with TH protein expression(r=-0.953,-0.866,-0.881 and-0.886;P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The OP rats exhibit attenuated reward sensitivity,elevated HFD preference,and increased palatable food-seeking behavior.These behavioral modifications correlate with VTA neuroinflammation suppressing dopaminergic(DA)biosynthesis.

This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.

Objective:To analyze the transition patterns of anal sex and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), estimate the transition intensity and probability, and identify factors influencing the transition patterns in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shandong Province.Methods:In August 2019, MSM aged ≥18 years old were recruited as subjects from 11 cities in Shandong Province. The baseline survey were completed in December 2019, and followup surveys were conducted once every 3 mouths from June 2020 to March 2021. Time-continuous, state-discrete multi-state reversible Markov model was constructed based on the status of MSM's sexual behaviors with different types of sexual partners [anal sex occurred or not (S1=No, S2=Yes) and UAI occurred or not (S1=No,S2=Yes)] to analyze the transition patterns and the influencing factors.Results:A total of 735 MSM were included. The transition intensity of starting anal sex with stable and casual partners was 1.935 times and 0.595 times higher than that of discontinuing this behavior, respectively. While the transition intensity to start UAI with stable and casual partners was 0.430 times and 0.169 times higher than that of discontinuing it, respectively. During the follow-up, the transition probabilities of anal sex and UAI with both stable and casual partners increased first and then stabilized. For stable partners, the transition probability of starting anal sex was higher than that of discontinuing it at the same period, for casual partners, it was just the reverse. For both stable and casual partners, the transition probabilities of discontinuing UAI were higher than starting it at the same time. The results of multivariate analysis showed that participants who received intervention materials ( HR=1.47), had an associate degree ( HR=1.77) or a bachelor's degree and above ( HR=1.47) were at higher risk of starting anal sex with stable partners. Those who received intervention materials ( HR=1.39) were at higher risk of discontinuing anal sex with stable partners, while participants identified themselves as non-male gender ( HR=0.49) were at lower risk of discontinuing anal sex with stable partners. Participants received intervention materials ( HR=1.75) were at higher risk of starting UAI with stable partners. Those who lived apart, divorced, or widowed ( HR=3.22) were at higher risk of starting UAI with casual partners, whereas had a bachelor's degree and above ( HR=0.58) were at lower risk of starting UAI with casual partners. Participants identified themselves as non-male gender ( HR=0.45) at lower risk of discounting UAI with casual partners. Conclusions:The transition patterns of homosexual behavior in MSM are different. Marital status, gender identity, educational level and other factors are the influencing factors of sexual behavior status transitions. Future researches should develop targeted interventions for different types of sexual partners and characteristics of MSM.

This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.

Objective To explore practical pathways for the connotation quality control of Zhuang medical records by le-veraging the reform of DRG-based medical insurance payment systems as an opportunity,thereby enhancing record quality and fostering the coordinated development of ethnic medicine with modern medical insurance payment systems.Methods By analy-zing the requirements imposed by the DRG-based payment reform on the quality management of Zhuang medical records,a quality control management system focused on the connotation quality control of these records was established.A scoring standard for the connotation quality of Zhuang medical records,supplemented by DRG,was developed.Dynamic quality control was implemented through a combination of information-based intelligent review and expert manual review to ensure rectification.Results Key in-dicators,such as the qualification rate of the first page of medical records,the A-level rate of inpatient records,and the DRG en-rollment rate,showed significant improvements.The documentations of surgical and procedural records were standardized,and the records of ward rounds and case discussions by senior physicians were comprehensive and detailed,accurately reflecting the diagnostic and therapeutic methods and outcomes of Zhuang medicine.Conclusion The DRG-based quality control model for Zhuang medical records effectively aligns medical insurance payment with the unique characteristics of ethnic medicine,offering a replicable model for the quality management of medical records in ethnic medicine institutions under DRG-based reforms.

Objective:To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of Stat3 knockout in donor T cells on acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GI-aGVHD) .Methods:BALB/c mice were exposed to lethal irradiation and transplanted with bone marrow and spleen cells from BALB/c mice (syngeneic control group), C57BL/6 mice (wild-type T cell group, WT group), or C57BL/6J-Stat3 em1cyagen mice (Stat3 gene knockout T cell group, Stat3-KO group) via tail vein injection to establish the aGVHD model. The survival rate, body weight changes, and clinical scores of mice were monitored. Cytometric bead array (CBA) was used to detect the concentrations of serum cytokines. Lymphocytes were isolated from tissues for flow cytometric analysis. H&E staining was performed to observe intestinal pathological changes. FITC-dextran assay was conducted to assess intestinal permeability. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of Ki67 and Muc2. Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to analyze the gene expression levels of Olfm4, Lysozyme, and Muc2 in the small intestine. Metabolomics was conducted to detect metabolites in serum and intestinal tissues. An in vitro GI-aGVHD organoid model was established by coculturing intestinal organoids with allogeneic T cells, where the number and area of small intestinal organoids were recorded. The GVL effect was assessed using luciferase-transfected ALL cells (ALL/Luc) and bioluminescent imaging. Results:Compared with the WT group, Stat3 knockout T cells alleviated body weight loss, reduced symptoms—such as hunchback and diarrhea—in mice, improved survival rate ( P<0.05), and reduced serum interleukin (IL) -2, IL-6, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17A, and IL-10 levels (all P<0.05), intestinal inflammatory cell infiltration ( P<0.05), and intestinal mucosal permeability. Further, Muc2 and Ki67 expression levels in the small intestine of the Stat3 knockout group were markedly increased, and Olfm4, Lysozyme, and Muc2 gene expression levels were significantly increased (all P<0.05). In vitro, the Stat3 knockout group demonstrated better organoid development than the WT group. Metabolomic analyses indicated that Stat3 knockout in T cells may affect the pathways associated with bile acid secretion and unsaturated fatty acids. ALL/Luc cells in the GVL mouse model proliferated rapidly in the TCD-BM group; however, 80% of the mice in the Stat3-KO group survived tumor-free for >100 days ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Knocking out Stat3 in graft T cells reduces T cell damage to intestinal stem cells, thereby ultimately alleviating GI-aGVHD while maintaining a stable GVL effect.

Objective To identify key acoustic features associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease(AD)through voice analysis combined with machine learning and feature selection techniques,thereby constructing classification models that serve as candidate tools for the early screening of AD.Methods Voice samples from AD,mild cognitive impairment(MCI)and healthy(HC)elderly individuals were obtained from the NCMMSC2021 AD voice dataset.The voice samples underwent data preprocessing,followed by feature extraction from the eGeMAPS feature set via the OpenSmile toolkit.Classification models were obtained utilizing random forest and support vector machine(SVM)algorithms.Significance testing and feature importance ranking were conducted using Python,and the further selection of the optimal features was performed through sequential forward selection(SFS).The classification performance before and after feature selection was compared and evaluated using accuracy and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).Results The significant acoustic features in the classification models primarily derived from spectral slope,formant,fundamental frequency,and loudness.The optimal classification performance was achieved with the SVM model following SFS feature selection,with recognition accuracies of 0.926(AUC=0.974)for AD/MCI group,0.875(AUC=0.956)for AD/HC group,and 0.879(AUC=0.904)for MCI/HC group.Conclusion SVM model performs better than random forest model,and the use of SFS for feature selection can effectively enhance model performance.Voice analysis has the potential to serve as a valuable supplementary tool for the rapid AD assessment and screening.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used in the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammation-related diseases due to their potent immunomodulatory properties. Several studies have demonstrated that MSC-mediated immunomodulation is complex and bidirectional, with the in vivo microenvironment influencing the direction of this modulation. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an immunosuppressive factor, has been identified as a key "switch" in the immunomodulatory role of MSCs. In this review, we explore how IDO functions as a critical regulator of MSC immunoregulatory plasticity. We delve into the mechanisms by which changes in IDO expression affect the function of various immune cells, summarize relevant research and clinical advances regarding the role of IDO expression in MSC-based therapies for various diseases, and discuss potential therapeutic strategies that target IDO to enhance the stability of MSC therapeutic effects. This provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing MSCs as safer and more effective clinical therapeutic agents.

ObjectiveTo analyze the evolutionary characteristics and genetic variations of the HA (hemagglutinin) and NA (neuraminidase) genes of influenza A(H1N1) viruses in Shanghai during 2024, to investigate their transmission patterns, and to evaluate their potential impact on vaccine effectiveness. MethodsFrom January to October 2024, throat swab specimens were collected from influenza like illness (ILI) patients at 4 hospitals in Shanghai. Real-time fluorescence ploymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for virus detection and isolation of H1N1 influenza viruses. Forty influenza A(H1N1) virus strains were sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform, followed by phylogenetic analyses, genetic distance analysis, and amino acid variation analyses of HA and NA genes. ResultsPhylogenetic tree of the HA and NA genes revealed that the 40 influenza A(H1N1) virus strains circulating in Shanghai in 2024 exhibited no significant geographic clustering, with a broad origin of strains and complex transmission chains. Genetic distance analyses demonstrated that the average intra-group genetic distances of HA and NA genes among the Shanghai strains were 0.005 1±0.000 6 and 0.004 6±0.000 6, respectively, which were comparable to or higher than those observed in global surveillance strains. Both HA and NA genes displayed frequent mutations. Compared to the 2023‒2024 and 2024‒2025 Northern Hemisphere A(H1N1) vaccine strains (WHO-recommended), the HA proteins of 40 Shanghai strains exhibited amino acid substitutions at positions 120, 137, 142, 169, 216, 223, 260, 277, 356 and 451, with critical mutations at positions 137 and 142 located within the Ca2 antigenic determinant. Furthermore, mutations in the NA protein were observed at positions 13, 50, 200, 257, 264, 339 and 382. ConclusionThe genetic background of the 2024 Shanghai influenza A(H1N1) virus strains is complex and diverse, and antigenic variation may affect vaccine effectiveness. Therefore, it is recommended to enhance genomic surveillance of influenza viruses, evaluate vaccine suitability, and implement more targeted prevention and control strategies against imported influenza viruses.