Objective To describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2024 and explore the long-term incidence trend and distribution of high-risk areas, and to formulate targeted prevention and control strategies. Methods The scrub typhus case report data of Huai'an from 2006 to 2024 in the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System were extracted for descriptive analysis. Results A total of 898 cases of scrub typhus were reported in Huai'an, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.96 per 100 000 from 2006 to 2024. There was a turning point in the incidence trend of scrub typhus in 2011. From 2006 to 2011, the annual percentage change (APC) was 47.09% (95% CI: 7.53 - 859.39), and the upward trend was statistically significant (P < 0.05). From 2012 to 2024, the APC was -2.12% (95% CI: -29.09 - 3.75), and the downward trend was not statistically significant. October and November were the high-incidence months, and the total concentration from 2006 to 2024 was 0.93, indicating that scrub typhus had strict seasonality. The circular distribution method estimated that the peak period of the epidemic was from October 11th to November 25th, and the peak day of incidence was November 3rd. Jinhu County was a high-incidence area. The ratio of male to female cases was 1.03. The age group with the highest reported incidence was 40 to < 80 years old. The occupation with the highest proportion was farmers, accounting for 78.03%. Conclusion From 2006 to 2024, scrub typhus in Huai'an shows a peak every 3 - 4 years. Middle-aged and elderly farmers are the key population at risk, and Jinhu County is a key area. In the future, targeted health education should be carried out to effectively control the prevalence of scrub typhus.

Objective:Through comprehensive analysis of symptoms and signs, biochemistry, imaging, and dynamic tests, to explore the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma(TSH adenoma) and syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone(RTH).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 14 patients who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2016 to September 2022, exhibiting elevated levels of free thyroxine(FT4) and free triiodothyronine(FT3) in the presence of increased TSH.Results:There were 7 cases of TSH adenoma and 7 cases of RTH, with the average age of diagnosis at 40.0 years and 26.6 years, respectively. Thirteen patients showed thyrotoxicosis or occasional palpitation, some with pituitary occupancy manifestations or abnormal growth and development; One patient presented with neck thickening. Sex hormone binding globulin was elevated in 3 cases of TSH adenoma. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging showed that all 7 cases of TSH adenoma were macroadenomas and 1 case of RTH was microadenoma. The octreotide suppression test in 13 patients was inhibited, but there was a significant difference in the inhibition rate of 24 h/2 h TSH inhibition rate of TSH adenoma and RTH, ranging from 46.6% to 83.9% and 4.6% to 28.8% respectively. Six cases of RTH had thyroid hormone receptor β mutation.Conclusion:Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of thyrotropin is a rare condition, mainly including TSH adenoma and RTH. The diagnosis and differentiation of the two conditions require comprehensive assessment incorporating family history, symptoms and signs, laboratory tests, dynamic test, and genetic test. Among these, the 24 h/2 h TSH inhibition rate of octreotide suppression test can effectively distinguish TSH adenoma from RTH.

Background A large body of cross-sectional studies have indicated a correlation between exposure to benzene series and increased rates of menstrual abnormalities in female workers, but these findings are confusing as evidence in the field of preventive medicine. Objective To provide a more rigorous scientific basis for early prevention of reproductive function impairment through systematic review of independent studies. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted for scientific articles published between January 1987 and July 2022, encompassing databases such as PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and CQVIP. A meta-analysis was conducted on literature that met the stringent criteria for case-control studies, featuring well-defined and consistent datasets. A meticulous investigation was executed to ascertain the collective odds ratio (OR) linked to menstrual abnormalities, encompassing diverse categories such as component, dosage, cumulative exposure dosage, and age groups. The prevalence and corresponding risk fractions were estimated by calculating frequency distributions and attributing risk percentages (AR). Results A total of 53 papers of case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis, involving 27068 benzene series-exposed female workers and 22857 control female workers. During inhalation exposure to benzene series, benzene, toluene, and xylene all increased the risk of female menstrual abnormalities (OR=3.46, 95%CI: 2.79, 4.30, AR=29.37%). The OR value elevated with the increase of joint exposure concentration (OR=2.57-4.33), the OR value of the low cumulative exposure group was lower than that of the high cumulative exposure group (OR=2.81 vs 3.86, P < 0.01), and the OR value of the group aged 18 to 36 years old was higher than that of the group aged 18 to 45 years old (OR=5.83 vs 2.93, P < 0.01). The OR value discrepancy was apparent among the groups with single and multi-components of benzene, toluene, and xylene at different concentrations (OR=2.39-6.42, 95%CI: 1.26, 9.06). The symptom dimensions of menstrual abnormalities with a higher AR were abnormal menstrual volume (AR=47.12%), followed by abnormal menstrual cycle (AR=38.68%). The symptoms that were greatly influenced by the exposures were: irregular menstrual cycle (OR=3.33, 95%CI: 2.94, 3.79, AR=51.25%, n=1103), menorrhagia (OR=3.02, 95%CI: 2.76, 3.30, AR=46.73%, n=2262), dysmenorrhea (OR=3.22, 95%CI: 2.69, 3.84, AR=44.18%, n=3183), and prolonged menstrual duration (OR=2.20, 95%CI: 1.99, 2.43, AR=37.02%, n=1452). Conclusion Through inhalation exposure to benzene series, a higher concentration of combined benzene, toluene, and xylenes may increase the risk of menstrual abnormalities in female workers of childbearing age. The OR value of menstrual abnormalities is varied by chemical composition, exposure dose, cumulative exposure dose, and age. Volume and cycle of menstruation are affected by the exposure, and the most common symptoms are dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, irregular cycle.

Objective:To explore the independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality of patients with multiple trauma, and to construct a prediction model of risk of death and validate its efficacy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was performed to analyze the clinical data of 1 028 patients with multiple trauma admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from January 2011 to December 2021. There were 765 males and 263 females, aged 18-91 years[(53.8±12.4)years]. The injury severity score (ISS) was 16-57 points [(26.3±7.6)points]. There were 153 deaths and 875 survivals. A total of 777 patients were enrolled as the training set from January 2011 to December 2018 for building the prediction model, while another 251 patients were enrolled as validation set from January 2019 to December 2021. According to the outcomes, the training set was divided into the non-survival group (115 patients) and survival group (662 patients). The two groups were compared in terms of the gender, age, underlying disease, injury mechanism, head and neck injury, maxillofacial injury, chest injury, abdominal injury, extremity and pelvis injury, body surface injury, damage control surgery, pre-hospital time, number of injury sites, Glasgow coma score (GCS), ISS, shock index, and laboratory test results within 6 hours on admission, including blood lactate acid, white blood cell counts, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet counts, hemoglobin, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, D-dimer and blood glucose. Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with multiple trauma. The R software was used to establish a nomogram prediction model based on the above risk factors. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), calibration curve and clinical decision curve analysis (DCA) were plotted in the training set and the validation set, and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was performed.Results:Univariate analysis showed that abdominal injury, extremity and pelvis injury, damage control surgery, GCS, ISS, shock index, blood lactic acid, white blood cell counts, NLR, platelet counts, hemoglobin, APTT, fibrinogen, D-dimer and blood glucose were correlated with in-hospital mortality in patients with multiple trauma ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that GCS≤8 points ( OR=1.99, 95% CI 1.12,3.53), ISS>25 points ( OR=7.39, 95% CI 3.50, 15.61), shock index>1.0 ( OR=3.43, 95% CI 1.94,6.08), blood lactic acid>2 mmol/L ( OR=9.84, 95% CI 4.97, 19.51), fibrinogen≤1.5 g/L ( OR=2.57, 95% CI 1.39,4.74) and blood glucose>10 mmol/L ( OR=3.49, 95% CI 2.03, 5.99) were significantly correlated with their in-hospital mortality ( P<0.05 or 0.01). The ROC of the nomogram prediction model indicated that AUC of the training set was 0.91 (95% CI 0.87, 0.93) and AUC of the validation set was 0.90 (95% CI 0.84, 0.95). The calibration curve showed that the predicted probability was consistent with the actual situation in both the training set and validation set. DCA showed that the nomogram prediction model presented excellent performance in predicting in-hospital mortality. In Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, χ2 value of the training set was 9.69 ( P>0.05), with validation set of 9.16 ( P>0.05). Conclusions:GCS≤8 points, ISS>25 points, shock index>1.0, blood lactic acid>2 mmol/L, fibrinogen≤1.5 g/L and blood glucose>10 mmol/L are independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with multiple trauma. The nomogram prediction model based on these 6 predictive variables shows a good predictive performance, which can help clinicians comprehensively assess the patient′s condition and identify the high-risk population.

Objective Network pharmacology and molecular docking and molecular dynamics techniques were used to investigate the mechanism of action of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap.in the treatment of sepsis and to perform animal experimental verification.Methods First,we screened the effective ingredients and their action targets of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap.,meanwhile,screened relevant action targets for the treatment of sepsis,constructed a protein interaction(PPI)network,and performed topology analysis to draw a TCM disease target network diagram.Second,Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis was performed for core targets in the network diagram,along with gene ontology functional enrichment analysis.This was followed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation experiment validation of the core targets.Finally,mice were used for the verification of animal experiments.Results Thirty active components of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap.were screened out,and the top 5 ranked by degree value were quercetin,(-)-epigallocatechin,(-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate,genistein,kaempferol and epigallocatechin with 196 action targets;2144 disease-related targets for sepsis,105 targets for Alhagi sparsifolia Shap.-sepsis intersection,and the core targets were TNF,IL-6,AKT1,VEGFA,CASP3,IL-1β Et al.PI3K-Akt,TNF,HIF-1,AGE-RAGE,IL-17 and other signaling pathways are involved to mediate inflammatory responses,apoptosis and other biological processes to exert therapeutic effects on sepsis.Molecular docking results showed that camelina flavanoids bound equally well to each key target,among which the conformations with the lowest binding energy were(-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate-IL-6 and quercetin-IL-6.Molecular dynamics simulations were performed on the two pairs of complexes,and the results indicated that the stable binding could be achieved through a combination of electrostatic,van der Waals potential,and hydrogen bonding interactions.Animal experiments confirmed that Alhagi sparsifolia Shap.could inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,decrease the protein expression of Caspase-3,VEGF and reduced peripheral blood inflammatory factors secretion of TNF-α、IL-1βand IL-6,alleviating inflammatory injury in tissues and organs.Conclusion The therapeutic effect of Alhagi sparsifolia Shap.on sepsis is achieved through multi biological processes,multi targets,and multi pathways.It provides a certain theoretical basis for the clinical application of camel spines as well as sepsis treatment.

Abstract: Objective To observe the phenotypic characteristics of 3 wild-type plague phages under different experimental environments, providing scientific evidence for the identification of phage biological characteristics and the study of their interaction with host bacteria in the future. Methods The sensitivity of 3 wild-type plague phages were detected by using liquid culture method, emisolid medium method and micro-liquid culture method based on OmniLog TM microbial identification system. Results The growth result based on LB liquid medium showed that the growth of plague phage 476 for 20-24 hours at both 28 ℃ and 37 ℃was better than that of plague phages 087 and 072204 at 37 ℃, and the growth of plague phages 087 was better than that of plague phages 072204 at 37 ℃. With the attenuated plague bacterium EV76 as the host bacterium, phage 476 was able to form visible plaque on double-layer agar medium for 20-20 hours at both 28 ℃ and 37 ℃, phages 087 and 072204 were only able to form opaque plaque on double-layer agar medium for 20-24 hours at 37 ℃. The growth results based on OmniLogTM system showed that when plague phage was lysed in EV76 strain at 33 ℃, the first row appeared as a straight line with a peak of no more than 100 in the 96-well microplate curve chart. As the phage quantity decreased, the dilution plate appeared with growth curve similar to EV76 strain in turn, and the color of tetrazolium dyes in the experimental wells gradually deepened as the phage number decreased and the host bacteria number increased. Therefore, it indicates that phage 476 was sensitively at both 28 ℃ and 37 ℃, while phage 087 and 072204 were temperature-dependent only at 37 ℃ to attenuated plague bacterium EV76. Conclusions The lysing ability of 3 wild-type plague phages are temperature-dependent, and the growth results are consistent under the three experimental conditions.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of Huanglian Jiedutang as an adjunctive treatment for acute cerebral infarction complicated with gastric motility disorder. MethodSixty patients with acute cerebral infarction complicated with gastric motility disorder with fire toxin syndrome were randomly divided into a western medicine control group （control group） and a traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） combined treatment group （observation group）， with 30 cases in each group. The control group received basic treatment for cerebral infarction and relevant western medical symptomatic treatment based on the patients' gastrointestinal symptoms. The observation group received Huanglian Jiedutang in addition to the treatment provided to the control group. The treatment course was 7 days. Neurological deficit scores and gastrointestinal dysfunction scores were assessed in both groups before treatment and on the 4^th and 7^th days of treatment. Gastrointestinal electrographic parameters， serum citrulline （CIT）， and motilin （MTL） levels were measured in both groups before treatment and on the 7^th day of treatment. Clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups. ResultCompared with the baseline in both groups， the neurological deficit scores and gastrointestinal dysfunction scores were significantly reduced on the 4th and 7^th days of treatment （P<0.05）. The reductions in these scores were more significant on the 7^th day compared with those on the 4^th day of treatment （P<0.05）. On the 4^th and 7^th days of treatment， the observation group showed a significantly greater reduction in neurological deficit scores and gastrointestinal dysfunction scores compared with the control group （P<0.05）. On the 7th day of treatment， compared with the baseline， both groups showed a significant increase in gastric antral and gastric body electric wave amplitudes as well as serum CIT and MTL levels （P<0.05）， and there were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of gastric antral and gastric body electric waves. On the 7th day of treatment， compared with the control group， the observation group had a significant increase in gastric antral and gastric body electric wave amplitudes as well as serum CIT and MTL levels （P<0.05）， and there were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of gastric antral and gastric body electric waves. After 7 days of treatment， the total effective rate in the observation group was 90.00% （27/30）， higher than 76.67% （23/30） in the control group， but the difference was not statistically significant. ConclusionAdjunctive treatment with Huanglian Jiedutang can effectively improve the symptoms of neurological function impairment and gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with acute cerebral infarction complicated with gastric motility disorder， increase gastric antral and gastric body electric wave amplitudes， improve gastric motility disorder， and increase serum CIT and MTL levels， thereby improving the imbalanced secretion function of the gastrointestinal tract.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of different options of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) on perioperative complications of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).Methods:The clinical data of patients undergoing PD for periampullary carcinoma from January 2016 to November 2021 at Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital) were retrospectively analyzed. The 303 patients including 199 males and 104 females, aged (64.2±8.8) years. According to PBD, the patients were divided into two groups: percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) group ( n=228) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) group ( n=75). PBD operation-related complications (including bleeding, biliary leakage, etc.), postoperative complications of PD (including pancreatic fistula, biliary leakage, surgical site infection, etc.) and perioperative complications (PBD operation-related complications + postoperative complications of PD) were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze factors influencing perioperative complications of PD. Results:The incidence of PBD operation-related complications in PTBD group was 10.1% (23/228), lower than that in ERCP group 25.3%(19/228), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=10.99, P=0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications of PD in PTBD group was 38.2%(87/228), lower than that in ERCP group 69.3%(52/75), the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=22.09, P<0.001). The incidence of total perioperative complications in PTBD group was 44.3% (101/228), lower than that in ERCP group 73.3%(55/75), the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=19.05, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with periampullary carcinoma undergoing ERCP biliary drainage and PD had increased risk of surgical site infection ( OR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.59-5.16, P<0.001) and pancreatic fistula ( OR=3.06, 95% CI: 1.21-7.74, P=0.018). Conclusion:ERCP biliary drainage is a risk factor for postoperative pancreatic fistula and surgical site infection in patients with periampullary carcinoma undergoing PD. PTBD should be recommended as the first choice for the patients underwent PD.

Objective:To study the risk factors of lymph node metastases in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and to establish a risk prediction model of lymph node metastases in ICC.Methods:The clinicopathological data of 587 ICC patients who underwent radical hepatectomy and lymph node dissection at Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital) from January 2007 to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 395 males and 192 females with ages which ranged from 20 to 82 (54.7±10.8) years. Independent risk factors of lymph node metastases were studied using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, and a risk prediction model was established. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the accuracy of this model.Results:Of 587 patients, 158 (26.9%) had lymph node metastases. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that platelet count >300×10 9/L ( OR=1.985, 95% CI: 1.030-3.824, P=0.041), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 >37 U/ml ( OR=2.978, 95% CI: 1.994-4.448, P<0.001), tumor situated in left hemiliver ( OR=1.579, 95% CI: 1.065-2.341, P=0.023), multiple tumors ( OR=1.846, 95% CI: 1.225-2.783, P=0.003), and absence of cirrhosis ( OR=2.125, 95% CI: 1.192-3.783, P=0.011) were independent risk factors for lymph node metastases in ICC. The area under the ROC curve was 0.714, with a cutoff value of 0.215, and the sensitivity and specificity being 75.9% and 58.3%, respectively. Conclusions:The risk prediction model of ICC lymph node metastases was established using readily available clinical data obtained before operation. This model has good predictive values and can provide a reference for treatment decision on patients with ICC.

The data of 10 patients with pituitary metastases were retrospectively analyzed, including tumor origin, clinical features, imaging characteristics, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. The results showed that the average age of 10 patients at the time of consultation was 62.0 years. Nine metastases were originated from lung cancer and one from breast cancer. All patients started with central diabetes insipidus, and some of them accompanied with hypopituitarism, as well as occupancy manifestations such as headache, blurred vision, etc. MRI showed abnormalities in the pituitary stalk and posterior pituitary, four of which showed characteristic " dumbbell-shaped" changes. Three patients with epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)-mutated lung adenocarcinoma revealed improvement in both primary lesion and pituitary metastases after targeted therapy.