Objective To understand the distribution, species composition, seasonal fluctuations, and presence of Dabie bandavirus in ticks in Tai'an City, providing a basis for assessing tick-borne disease risks and formulating prevention strategies. Methods Free-living ticks were monitored using the flagging method, whereas parasitic ticks were monitored through host surface examination. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the presence of Bandavirus dabieense in tick specimens. Results The density of free-living ticks in Tai'an City showed a continuous decreasing trend over the 3 years from 2021 to 2023, with an average tick density of 0.43 ticks/(flag·100 m). The dominant habitats were scenic areas and forests, and the seasonal fluctuations exhibited a bimodal pattern, peaking in March and August. The only free-living tick species captured was Haemaphysalis longicornis. Over the 3 years, the average tick index for parasitic ticks was 1.85, with sheep as the primary host. Seasonal fluctuations also followed a bimodal pattern, peaking in March and August. The primary parasitic tick species captured were H. longicornis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. No Dabie bandavirus was detected in the tick specimens. Conclusions Tick density in Tai'an City remains relatively high, necessitating continued efforts to enhance tick surveillance and implement targeted prevention measures in rural environments to further reduce the health risks posed by tick-borne diseases.

Lung cancer has the highest incidence and mortality among malignant tumors in China.Persistent subsolid nodules(SSNs)are closely associated with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.Artificial intelligence(AI),as an emerging technology,is capable of performing in-depth analysis of large-scale imaging data through autonomous learning and possesses the ability to predict outcomes from new data,demonstrating great potential and application prospects in the assessment of SSNs.AI can not only effectively assist radiologists in diagnosis and treatment,but also improve work efficiency while reducing misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis rates.This review summarizes the recent applications and research progress of AI in the assessment of SSNs,to provide new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of SSNs.

This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of total extracts from Anthriscus sylvestris on pulmonary hypertension in rats. Sixty male SD rats were divided into normal(NC) group, model(M) group, positive drug sildenafil(Y) group, low-dose A. sylvestris(ES-L) group, medium-dose A. sylvestris(ES-M) group, and high-dose A. sylvestris(ES-H) group. On day 1, rats were intraperitoneally injected with monocrotaline(60 mg·kg~(-1)) to induce pulmonary hypertension, and the rat model was established on day 28. From days 15 to 28, intragastric administration of the respective treatments was performed. After modeling and treatment, small animal echocardiography was used to detect the right heart function of the rats. Arterial blood gas was measured using a blood gas analyzer. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining were performed to observe cardiopulmonary pathological damage. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis in the lung and myocardial tissues and reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels. Western blot was applied to detect the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3(p-Smad3), Smad3, tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) in lung tissue. A blood routine analyzer was used to measure inflammatory immune cell levels in the blood. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of P-selectin and thromboxane A2(TXA2) in plasma. The results showed that, compared with the NC group, right heart hypertrophy index, right ventricular free wall thickness, right heart internal diameter, partial carbon dioxide pressure(PaCO_2), apoptosis in cardiopulmonary tissue, and ROS levels were significantly increased in the M group. In contrast, the ratio of pulmonary blood flow acceleration time(PAT)/ejection time(PET), right cardiac output, change rate of right ventricular systolic area, systolic displacement of the tricuspid ring, oxygen partial pressure(PaO_2), and blood oxygen saturation(SaO_2) were significantly decreased in the M group. After administration of the total extract of A. sylvestris, right heart function and blood gas levels were significantly improved, while apoptosis in cardiopulmonary tissue and ROS levels significantly decreased. Further testing revealed that the total extract of A. sylvestris significantly decreased the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and PAI-1 proteins in lung tissue, while increasing the expression of t-PA. Additionally, the extract reduced the levels of inflammatory cells such as leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, and monocytes in the blood, as well as the levels of P-selectin and TXA2 in plasma. Metabolomics results showed that the total extract of A. sylvestris significantly affected metabolic pathways, including arginine biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. In conclusion, the total extract of A. sylvestris may exert an anti-pulmonary hypertension effect by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating immune-inflammatory responses and thrombosis.
Animals ; Male ; Smad3 Protein/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/genetics* ; Thrombosis/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

AIM To investigate the effects of Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction on mouse ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS The mouse model of UC was established by 3％dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)induction.The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the low,medium and high dose Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction groups(3,6,12 g/kg),and sulfasalazine group(300 mg/kg),for 7 days gavage of the appropriate drugs,with 10 mice in each group.The mice had their disease activity index(DAI)and colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)calculated;their colonic length and unit colonic weight measured;their histopathologic changes of colon observed by HE;their colonic ROS,MDA levels and GSH-Px,SOD activities detected by superoxide anion fluorescent probes and kits;their colonic levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their colonic LC3 expression detected by immunofluorescence method;and their colonic AMPK,mTOR and p70S6K protein expressions detected by Western blot method.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group displayed significantly higher DAI score,CMDI score,unit colon weight,pathology score,ROS and MDA content,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β levels,and mTOR and p70S6K protein expression(P＜0.01);and significantly lower colon length,GSH-Px and SOD activity,LC3 level,and phosphorylated AMPK protein expression(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction or sulfasalazine shared decreased DAI score,CMDI score,unit colon mass,pathology score,ROS,MDA,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β levels,mTOR,p70S6K protein expressions(P＜0.01);and significantly improved symptomsin terms of the elevated colonic length,GSH-Px,SOD activities,LC3 level,AMPK protein expression(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction may attenuate inflammatory response and oxidative damage in UC mouse models via AMPK/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on functional connectivity (FC) of thalamic subregions in patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional investigation. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were retrospectively collected from 56 PMS patients (PMS group) and 66 healthy controls (control group) recruited from various universities and hospitals in Nanning between November 2021 and June 2024. Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data and fMRI data during taVNS immediate stimulation (2 Hz, 25 Hz) were acquired from subjects during their late luteal phase. Using thalamic subregions (anterior thalamic nucleus, lateral nucleus, ventral nucleus, medial nucleus, central nucleus, posterior nucleus) as seeds, two-sample t-tests or paired t-tests were employed to analyze alterations in thalamic subregion FC in PMS patients and the regulatory effects of taVNS on these changes. Independent samples t-test were used to compare the differences in clinical and laboratory indicators between the PMS group and the control group. The relationship between taVNS regulation of thalamic subregion FC in PMS patients and thalamic internal functional connectivity were analyzed using mediation effect analysis. Results:Compared to the control group, patients in the PMS group showed increased scores on the Daily Record of Severity of Problems, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale 17, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 14 during the late luteal phase ( P<0.05). At baseline, PMS patients exhibited higher FC between the left thalamic lateral nucleus and the left insula, and lower FC between the left medial nucleus, posterior nucleus, and ventral nucleus of the thalamus and the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) compared to the control group (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). During 2 Hz taVNS immediate stimulation in PMS group, FC between the left thalamic medial nucleus, posterior nucleus, ventral nucleus and the right MFG, as well as the FC between the left thalamic ventral nucleu and the left MFG increased compared to baseline levels; meanwhile, FC between the left thalamic posterior nucleus, ventral nucleus and the left insula decreased compared to baseline levels (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). During 25 Hz taVNS immediate stimulation, the FC between the left thalamic ventral nucleus and the right MFG decreased compared to the baseline level (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). Mediation effect analysis showed that the FC between the left thalamic posterior nucleus and the left lateral nucleus mediated part of the association between the FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-left insula and the FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-left putamen/insula; there were significant direct effects between the FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-the left posterior nucleus and FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-the left insula, as well as between the FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-the left MFG and FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-the right MFG. Conclusions:taVNS can modulate abnormal FC of the left thalamic subregions in PMS patients, restoring it toward normalization. The regulatory effects of 2 Hz stimulation are more pronounced than those of 25 Hz stimulation. This modulation primarily operates through two pathways: the left thalamic lateral nucleus-left insula-left thalamic ventral nucleus pathway and the left MFG-left thalamic ventral nucleus-right MFG.

Objective To verify the efficacy of a domestic human DNA quantification kit based on real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR in detecting the total human DNA concentration,male DNA concen-tration in mixed male/female DNA samples,the degree of DNA degradation and inhibitor tolerance.Methods Samples with different concentrations,different male/female ratios,different concentrations of inhibitors,and different degradation degrees were tested using the domestic human DNA quantification kit based on real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.This kit was compared with a similar product on the market and was applied to the detection of DNA from real cases.Results This human DNA quan-tification kit can effectively detect human DNA as low as 0.001 65 ng/μL,and 6.25 pg/μL of male DNA in mixed samples with a male-to-female ratio of 1∶15 000.Even when the sample contains as high as 400 ng/μL of humic acid or 1 000 μmol/L of hemin alone,the DNA concentration can still be accurately detected.The degradation index can effectively characterize the degradation degree of the sample.This kit has been successfully applied in forensic practice.Conclusion This human DNA quan-tification kit is accurate and reliable in detection.It can accurately reflect the degradation of DNA and inhibitor tolerance.It has good performance in quantitative accuracy,determination of the male/female ratio in mixed samples,and inhibitor tolerance.It has application potential in forensic case examination.

BACKGROUND: Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD. METHODS & RESULTS: The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology. CONCLUSION The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on functional connectivity (FC) of thalamic subregions in patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional investigation. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were retrospectively collected from 56 PMS patients (PMS group) and 66 healthy controls (control group) recruited from various universities and hospitals in Nanning between November 2021 and June 2024. Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data and fMRI data during taVNS immediate stimulation (2 Hz, 25 Hz) were acquired from subjects during their late luteal phase. Using thalamic subregions (anterior thalamic nucleus, lateral nucleus, ventral nucleus, medial nucleus, central nucleus, posterior nucleus) as seeds, two-sample t-tests or paired t-tests were employed to analyze alterations in thalamic subregion FC in PMS patients and the regulatory effects of taVNS on these changes. Independent samples t-test were used to compare the differences in clinical and laboratory indicators between the PMS group and the control group. The relationship between taVNS regulation of thalamic subregion FC in PMS patients and thalamic internal functional connectivity were analyzed using mediation effect analysis. Results:Compared to the control group, patients in the PMS group showed increased scores on the Daily Record of Severity of Problems, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale 17, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 14 during the late luteal phase ( P<0.05). At baseline, PMS patients exhibited higher FC between the left thalamic lateral nucleus and the left insula, and lower FC between the left medial nucleus, posterior nucleus, and ventral nucleus of the thalamus and the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) compared to the control group (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). During 2 Hz taVNS immediate stimulation in PMS group, FC between the left thalamic medial nucleus, posterior nucleus, ventral nucleus and the right MFG, as well as the FC between the left thalamic ventral nucleu and the left MFG increased compared to baseline levels; meanwhile, FC between the left thalamic posterior nucleus, ventral nucleus and the left insula decreased compared to baseline levels (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). During 25 Hz taVNS immediate stimulation, the FC between the left thalamic ventral nucleus and the right MFG decreased compared to the baseline level (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). Mediation effect analysis showed that the FC between the left thalamic posterior nucleus and the left lateral nucleus mediated part of the association between the FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-left insula and the FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-left putamen/insula; there were significant direct effects between the FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-the left posterior nucleus and FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-the left insula, as well as between the FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-the left MFG and FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-the right MFG. Conclusions:taVNS can modulate abnormal FC of the left thalamic subregions in PMS patients, restoring it toward normalization. The regulatory effects of 2 Hz stimulation are more pronounced than those of 25 Hz stimulation. This modulation primarily operates through two pathways: the left thalamic lateral nucleus-left insula-left thalamic ventral nucleus pathway and the left MFG-left thalamic ventral nucleus-right MFG.

AIM To investigate the effects of Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction on mouse ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS The mouse model of UC was established by 3％dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)induction.The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the low,medium and high dose Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction groups(3,6,12 g/kg),and sulfasalazine group(300 mg/kg),for 7 days gavage of the appropriate drugs,with 10 mice in each group.The mice had their disease activity index(DAI)and colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)calculated;their colonic length and unit colonic weight measured;their histopathologic changes of colon observed by HE;their colonic ROS,MDA levels and GSH-Px,SOD activities detected by superoxide anion fluorescent probes and kits;their colonic levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their colonic LC3 expression detected by immunofluorescence method;and their colonic AMPK,mTOR and p70S6K protein expressions detected by Western blot method.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group displayed significantly higher DAI score,CMDI score,unit colon weight,pathology score,ROS and MDA content,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β levels,and mTOR and p70S6K protein expression(P＜0.01);and significantly lower colon length,GSH-Px and SOD activity,LC3 level,and phosphorylated AMPK protein expression(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction or sulfasalazine shared decreased DAI score,CMDI score,unit colon mass,pathology score,ROS,MDA,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β levels,mTOR,p70S6K protein expressions(P＜0.01);and significantly improved symptomsin terms of the elevated colonic length,GSH-Px,SOD activities,LC3 level,AMPK protein expression(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction may attenuate inflammatory response and oxidative damage in UC mouse models via AMPK/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of a treatment regimen based on daratumumab in patients with high-risk relapsed refractory multiple myeloma(MM)with mSMART 3.0 score.Methods:Clinical data were collected from 16 patients with mSMART3.0 score high-risk relapsed refractory MM treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to May 2023,all of whom received daltezumab-based regimen(regimen drugs including dexamethasone,isazomib,bortezomib,lenalidomide).The efficacy and safety of the treatment were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The median age of 16 patients was 63.5(47-70)years old,including 10 cases of IgG type,2 cases of IgA type,and 4 cases of light chain type.The curative efficacy was judged in all 16 patients,with an overall response rate of 93.75％(15/16),including 4 cases of strict complete remission(sCR),1 case of complete remission(CR),2 case of very good partial remission(VGPR),partial remission(PR)in 5 cases,and minor remission(MR)in 3 cases.The median follow-up time was 11(2-30)months,and the median progression-free survival and median overall survival were not achieved in 16 patients at the median follow-up period.The hematologic adverse effects of the treatment regimen using daratumumab-based were mainly neutropenia,and the non-hematologic adverse effects were mainly infusion-related adverse reactions and infections.Conclusion:Daratumumab-based regimen for the treatment of relapsed refractory MM patients with high risk of mSMART3.0 score has better efficacy and safety.