Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

Objective:To investigate the effect of nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 2(NR2F2)on the biological behaviors of human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells,and to clarify its molecular mechauism and provide the new idea for treatment of ovarian cancer.Methods:Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA)Database analyse the expression level of NR2F2 gene in ovarian tissue,and analyse its correlation with clinical prognosis of ovarian cancer patients.The human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells were divided into control group and NR2F2 over-expression(NR2F2 OE)group,which were transfected with mCherry control virus and NR2F2 OE over-expression virus,respectively,when the cell deusity reached 70％,and the stable transfection SKOV3 cell lines were screened with puromycin(puro)48h lafter.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting methods were used to detect the transfection efficiencies of the cells;RT-qPCR method was used to detect the expression levels of NR2F2 and sex-determining region Y-box 2(SOX2)mRNA in the cells in two groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of NR2F2,ATP-binding cassette superfamily G member 2(ABCG2),and programmed cell death 1-ligand 1(PD-L1)protcins in the cells in two groups.CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells in two groups;Wound assay was used to detect the migration rates of the cells in two groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the number of transmembrane cells;Spheroidization assay was used to detect the numbers of spheroids in the cells;peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)-mediated tumor cell killing assay was used to detect the relative densities of surviving tumor cells;CCK-8 assay was used to detect the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of paclitaxel(PTX)and carboplatin(CBP).Results:Compared with normal ovarian tissue,the expression level of NR2F2 gene in ovarian tumor tissue was decreased(P＜0.05),and decreased with the improvement of clinical pathological grading of ovarian tumor.The patients with higher expression level of NR2F2 gene had better clincal prognosis.The SKOV3 cells with NR2F2 over-expresson were successfully constructed,and the expression levels of NR2F2 mRNA and protein in the cells in NR2F2 OE group were increased compared with control group(P＜0.001).The CCK-8 assay results showed that compared with control group,the proliferation activities of the cells in NR2F2 OE group were decreased at different time points(1,2,3,and 4 d)(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The cell wound assay results showed that compared with control group,the migration rate of the cells in NR2F2 OE group was decreased(P＜0.001).The Transwell assay results showed that compared with control group,the number of transmembrane cells in NR2F2 OE group was decreased(P＜0.01).Compared with control group,the number of the spheroids in NR2F2 OE group was decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of SOX2 mRNA(P＜0.01)and protein(P＜0.001)were increased.Compared with control group,the relative density of surviving tumor cells in NR2F2 OE group was decreased,but the difference was not significant(P＜0.05),and the expression level of PD-L1 protein was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the proliferation activities of cells in NR2F2 OE group were decreased(P＜0.05),and the drug sensitivities of the cells to PTX and CBP were enhanced(P＜0.05);the IC50 of PTX was significantly reduced,while the IC50of CBP could not be calculated due to excessively high drug concentration;the expression level of ABCG2 protein was decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The over-expression of NR2F2 may inhibit the proliferation,migration,and invasion of the human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells,decrease the expression levels of SOX2,PD-L1 and ABCG2 proteins,suppress the stemness and immune evasion ability of the SKOV3 cells,and enhance the sensitivities of the SKOV3 cells to PTX and CBP.

Objective To investigate the clinical feasibility and safety of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)combined with modified endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR)in the treatment of rectal neuroendo-crine tumors(RNETs).Methods A total of 48 patients diagnosed with RNETs by colonoscopy in the depart-ment of gastroenterology in this hospital from December 2021 to June 2023 were selected as the study objects.Patients were randomly divided into the study group(EUS combined with modified EMR,n=16),the control 1 group(traditional EMR,n=16)and the control 2 group[endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD),n=16].The operation time,R0 resection rate and postoperative complications of each group were observed.Endoscop-ic ultrasonography was followed up 3 and 6 months after surgery to determine whether there was any recur-rence.Results The operative time of the study group[(17.813±0.379)min]was significantly shorter than that of the control 2 group[(36.250±3.296)min],the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05),but compared with the control 1 group[(16.375±1.996)min],there was no significant difference(P＞0.05).The incidence of complications in the study group(6.2％)was significantly lower than that in the control 2 group(37.5％),the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).while the incidence of complications in the study group was not significantly higher than that in the control 1 group(12.5％,P＞0.05).R0 removal rate in the study group(93.8％)was significantly higher than that in the control 1 group(62.5％)and the control 2 group(75.0％),the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion EUS combined with modified EMR has more advantages than EMR and ESD in the treatment of RNETs,and has certain fea-sibility and safety,which is convenient for clinical application.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Xiaomudan Granules on PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 pathway and lipid metabolism in NAFLD mice.Methods:Totally 60 mice were divided into a normal group of 10 mice and a high-fat diet group of 50 mice. The high-fat diet group was given a high-fat diet to establish a NAFLD mouse model. The high-fat feed group was divided into model group, metformin group, and Xiaomudan Granules low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups according to the random number table method. Xiaomudan Granules low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups were orally administered with concentrated Xiaomudan Granules at dosages of 11.7, 23.4, and 46.8 g/kg, respectively. The metformin group was orally administered with metformin solution at a dose of 0.2 g/kg, while the normal group and model group were orally administered with distilled water of equal volume once a day for 8 consecutive weeks. The liver oil red O staining of mice was observed in each group. The protein expressions of p-PERK, p-eIF2α, ATF4, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), C/EBPβ, and steroid regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) were detected by Western blot. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of ATF4, CHOP, C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and SREBP2.Results:The liver tissue structure and steatosis of mice were improved in Xiaomudan Granules groups. Compared with the model group, the expressions of p-PERK/PERK, ATF4, C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and SREBP2 proteins decreased in Xiaomudan Granules groups and the metformin group ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). The expressions of p-eIF2α/eIF2α and CHOP proteins decreased in the Xiaomudan Granules medium- and high-dosage groups and the metformin group ( P<0.01); compared with the model group, the levels of ATF4, CHOP, C/EBPα, and C/EBPβ mRNA in Xiaomudan Granules groups and the metformin group decreased ( P<0.01), while the levels of SREBP2 mRNA in the Xiaomudan Granules medium- and high-dosage groups and the metformin group decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Xiaomudan Granules may improve liver lipid metabolism and reduce liver fat deposition in NAFLD mice by regulating the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4 pathway.

Objective To screen differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum during the chronic pathogenic stage and identify their functions, so as to provide insights into unravelling the role of lncRNAs in S. japonicum infection-induced liver disorders. Methods Twenty 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups, of 10 animals each group. Each mouse in the experimental group was infected with (15 ± 2) S. japonicum cercariae via the abdomen for modeling chronic S. japonicum infection in mice, and distilled water served as controls. All mice were sacrificed 70 days post-infection, and mouse liver specimens were sampled for RNA extraction and library construction. All libraries were sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. Data cleaning was performed using the fastp software, and reference genome alignment and gene expression (FPKM) calculation were performed using the HISAT2 software. Potential lncRNA sequences were predicted using the software CNIC, CPC, Pfam, and PLEK, and potential lncRNAs were screened. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were screened with the DESeq2 software and subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses to identify biological processes and metabolic pathways involved in target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs. Results A total of 333 potential lncRNAs were screened, and 67 were identified as differentially expressed lncRNAs, including 49 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated lncRNAs. A total of 53 target genes were predicted for differentially expressed lncRNAs. GO enrichment analysis showed that these target genes were mainly enriched in biological process and molecular function, among which Sema7a, Arrb1, and Ccl21b genes may be hub target genes for positive regulation of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 cascades and may participate in the regulation of collagen expression. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs were mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors, chemokine signaling pathway, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Conclusions This study identifies differentially expressed lncRNAs and functional enrichment of their target genes in the liver of mice during the chronic pathogenic stage of S. japonicum infection. Up-regulated lncRNAs may affect biological processes of ERK1/2 cascades and chemokine signaling pathways via target genes Sema7a, Arrb1, and Ccl21b, thereby affecting collagen expression and inflammatory signal pathways, ultimately affecting the development of liver disorders.

5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)type 3 receptor(5-HT3R)is the only type of ligand-gated ion channel in the 5-HT receptor family.Through the high permeability of Na+,K+,and Ca2+ and activation of subsequent voltage-gated calcium channels(VGCCs),5-HT3R induces a rapid increase of neuronal excitability or the release of neurotransmitters from axon terminals in the central nervous system(CNS).5-HT3Rs are widely expressed in the medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC),amygdala(AMYG),hippocampus(HIP),periaqueductal gray(PAG),and other brain regions closely associated with anxiety reactions.They have a bidirectional regulatory effect on anxiety reactions by acting on different types of cells in different brain regions.5-HT3Rs mediate the activation of the cholecystokinin(CCK)system in the AMYG,and the γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)"disinhibition"mechanism in the prelimbic area of the mPFC promotes anxiety by the activation of GABAergic intermediate inhibitory neurons(IINs).In contrast,a 5-HT3R-induced GABA"disinhibition"mechanism in the infralimbic area of the mPFC and the ventral HIP produces anxiolytic effects.5-HT2R-mediated regulation of anxiety reactions are also activated by 5-HT3R-activated 5-HT release in the HIP and PAG.This provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of anxiety disorders or the production of anxiolytic drugs by targeting 5-HT3Rs.However,given the circuit specific modulation of 5-HT3Rs on emotion,systemic use of 5-HT3R agonism or antagonism alone seems unlikely to remedy anxiety,which deeply hinders the current clinical application of 5-HT3R drugs.Therefore,the exploitation of circuit targeting methods or a combined drug strategy might be a useful developmental approach in the future.

Objective: To understand the prevalence of school bullying and the comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms among middle school students and their association, so as to provide a basis for developing related intervention strategies. Methods: From September to December 2023, a multistage random cluster sampling was employed to select 107 851 middle school students across 104 counties in Anhui Province. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Scale were used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the correlations between experiences of school bullying and the comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Results: The findings revealed that 2.80% of middle school students had experienced school bullying in the past 30 days. Additionally, 27.03% exhibited potential symptoms of depression, 8.94% showed signs of anxiety symptom, and the comorbidity rate of anxiety and depressive symptoms was 8.04%. Logistic regression analysis showed that statistically significant correlations were identified between experiences of school bullying and increased risks of depressive symptoms (OR=6.42, 95%CI=5.93-6.94, P<0.01), anxiety symptoms (OR=5.94, 95%CI=5.47-6.44, P<0.01), and their comorbidity (OR=6.38, 95%CI=5.88-6.93, P<0.01). Compared with those who did not suffer from school bullying, junior high school students, ordinary senior high school students, vocational senior high school students, boys and girls who suffered from school bullying all had increased risks of comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms (OR=7.25, 5.55, 4.80, 6.42, 6.27, P＜0.01). Conclusions The study underscores the significant impact of school bullying on increasing the risk of comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms among middle school students. It is important to pay attention to the psychological health of bullied students and implement timely psychological intervention measures.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ruyi Zhenbaowan（RYZBW）in the treatment of initial and early knee osteoarthritis （KOA） through a prospective multicenter，randomized，double-blind，and placebo-parallel controlled trial. MethodFrom October 13^th， 2021 to December 25^th， 2021， 240 KOA subjects meeting the acceptance criteria were enrolled in 15 sub-centers including Wangjing Hospital， Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， and they were randomly divided into observation group and control group， with 120 cases in each group. The intervention measures for the observation group were RYZBW + health education， and the intervention measures for the control group were RYZBW placebo + health education. The intervention period in both groups was four weeks， and they were followed up for four weeks after the intervention. The primary outcome measure was the total score of Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index score （WOMAC score）， and the secondary outcome measures were the response rate of visual scale （VAS） pain score， WOMAC sub item scores （joint pain， joint stiffness， and joint function）， quality of life （SF-12） score， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score. Result（1） Efficacy evaluation. The marginal model results showed that the observation group was better than the control group in improving the WOMAC total score and WOMAC pain score in the treatment of KOA with RYZBW， and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference between the two groups in improving VAS score response rate， WOMAC function score， WOMAC stiffness score， SF12-PCS （quality of life-physical health） score， SF12-MCS （quality of life-mental health） score， and TCM syndrome score. （2） Subgroup analysis. ① In terms of VAS score response rate， the response rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group for subjects with baseline VAS score of （4， 5］， and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.05）. ② In terms of TCM syndrome score， for subjects aged ［56， 60］ and ［61， 65］， the decrease in total TCM syndrome score in the observation group was better than that in the control group， and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.05）. ConclusionTibetan medicine RYZBW has good clinical efficacy in improving WOMAC total score， VAS score response rate， WOMAC pain score， WOMAC function score， and TCM syndrome score for patients with initial and early KOA， which can fill the lack of Tibetan medicine RYZBW in the treatment of KOA and make a demonstration study for the inheritance and development of ethnic medicine.

Objective:To study the correlation between smoking and clinicopathology in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma(UTUC), and to evaluate the effect of smoking on the prognosis of patients with UTUC treated with adjuvant chemotherapy for Gemcitabine plus Cisplatin (GC).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to select 91 patients who underwent resection of the kidney and ureter, and sleeve cystectomy in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2013 to December 2021, all patient received GC adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery. Patients were divided into smoking group ( n=33) and non-smoking group ( n=58) according to their smoking history. The median follow-up time was 38 months (3-83 months). The age, gender, presence or absence of hydronephrosis, tumor stage, multifocality, lymphatic vascular invasion, lymphatic metastasis, tumor grade, overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were statistically analyzed. The measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and the t-test was used for comparison between groups; the count data were expressed as the number of cases and percentage, and the Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Kaplan-Meier curve was used for survival analysis and comparison, and Long-rank test was used for comparison between groups. Cox proportional risk regression model was introduced to explore the independent influencing factors of OS and CSS by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results:Among 91 patients, 41 were males and 50 were females, with a median age of 65 years, and 19 patients (20.9%) died, of which 17 patients (18.7%) died of UTUC. The comparison of clinical indicators between the two groups showed that smoking was associated with male, tumor stage, multifocality, lymphatic vascular invasion, lymphaitc metastasis, and tumor grade and hydronephrosis ( P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that smoking, male, higher tumor stage, and lymphatic vascular invasion were independent risk factors for OS and CSS. For the subgroup of patients who smoked, smoking duration significantly affected CSS, with each additional year of smoking duration increasing the risk of death by 0.065. Conclusion:Smoking is associated with adverse pathology in patients with UTUC, and smoking is an independent factor affecting the prognosis of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with GC in UTUC.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the risk factors for perioperative malnutrition in aged fracture patients.Methods:A comprehensive search of databases including CNKI, WanFang, VIP, SinoMed, Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and CINAHL was conducted to identify relevant studies on risk factors for perioperative malnutrition in aged fracture patients from inception to May 10, 2023. Additional grey literature was identified by snowball sampling and manual searches. Two postgraduate students trained in evidence-based nursing independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of the studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.Results:Fourteen original studies were included, covering 46 risk factors for malnutrition. Meta-analysis of factors reported in at least two studies indicated that age≥ 70 years, low body mass index, low hemoglobin, preoperative hypoalbuminemia, female, physical inactivity, non-home residence, low self-care ability, intertrochanteric fracture, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic gastritis, dementia/cognitive decline, cancer, stroke, chronic heart failure, multiple chronic diseases, high Charlson Comorbidity Index, weight loss, depression, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification≥Ⅲ, taking multiple medications≥ 4 types, and longer hospital stays all increased the incidence of perioperative malnutrition in aged fracture patients ( P< 0.05) . Conclusions:The incidence of perioperative malnutrition in the aged fracture population is high and influenced by multiple factors. This highlights the need for healthcare providers to conduct dynamic and precise nutritional screenings for high-risk patients and to implement personalized perioperative nutritional management to prevent malnutrition and promote rapid recovery in aged fracture patients.