Objective: To investigate the quality and influencing factors of direct drinking water in schools in Nanjing City, so as to provide basis for management of school drinking water. Methods: From April to July 2023, direct drinking water equipment from 146 primary and secondary schools were selected from Nanjing City using a stratified random sampling method and tested for colony forming units (CFU) and permanganate index. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences between groups, and multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors. Results: The CFU and permanganate levels of school direct drinking water in Nanjing City were 1.00(0.00,15.50)CFU/mL and 0.47(0.26, 0.75)mg/L, respectively. The CFU level increased when the filter replacement time exceeded 3 months and when the water source was piped, while the permanganate index increased when the filter replacement time exceeded 3 months and using activated carbon technology ( Z =-2.21, -3.92, -2.31, -8.45 , P <0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the replacement time of filter element exceeding 3 months was positively correlated with the CFU level, and the process type involving activated carbon, a laid pipe network and a filter replacement time exceeding 3 months were positively correlated with the permanganate index( β =167.08, 0.32, 0.35, 0.11, P ＜0.05). Conclusions There are certain problems with the water quality of primary and secondary school direct drinking water in Nanjing City. Schools should promptly replace the filter and maintain the drinking water equipment to ensure the hygiene and safety of campus water quality.

Objective To improve the efficiency of induced differentiation of primitive neural epithelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells(hiPSCs-NECs)into functional midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells(DAPs).Methods HiPSCs were cultured in mTeSRTM medium containing DMH1(10 μmol/L),SB431542(10 μmol/L),SHH(200 ng/mL),FGF8(100 ng/mL),purmorphamine(2 μmol/L),CHIR99021(3 μmol/L),and N2(1%)for 12 days to induce their differentiation into primitive neuroepithelial cells(NECs).The hiPSCs-NECs were digested with collagenase IV and then cultured in neurobasal medium supplemented with 1%N2,2%B27-A,BDNF(10 ng/mL),GDNF(10 ng/mL),AA,TGF-β,cAMP,and 1%GlutaMax in the presence of different concentrations of Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632,and the culture medium was changed the next day to remove Y27632.Continuous induction was performed until day 28 to obtain DAPs.Results Human iPSCs expressed the pluripotency markers OCT4,SOX2,Nanog,and SSEA1 and were positive for alkaline phosphatase staining.The hiPSCs-NECs were obtained on day 13 in the form of neural rosettes expressing neuroepithelial markers SOX2,nestin,and PAX6.In digested hiPSCs-NECs,the addition of 5 μmol/L Y27632 significantly promoted survival of the adherent cells,increased cell viability and the proportion of S-phase cells(P<0.01),and reduced the rate of apoptotic cells(P<0.05).On day 28 of induction,the obtained cells highly expressed the specific markers of DAPS(TH,FOXA2,NURR1,and Tuj1).Conclusion Treatment with Y27632(5 μmol/L)for 24 h significantly promotes the survival of human iPSCs-NECs during their differentiation into DPAs without affecting the cell differentiation,which indirectly enhances the efficiency of cell differentiation.

Background Drinking water contains a variety of chemicals that may pose certain health risks to the human body. Objective To evaluate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of chemical pollutants in drinking water in Nanjing from 2014 to 2022. Methods According to the Standard examination methods for drinking water (GB/T 5750-2006) and the Standards for drinking water quality (GB 5749-2006), the conventional water quality indexes of finished water, tap water, and secondary water supply in Nanjing from 2014 to 2022 were monitored. The health risk assessment model recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) was used to assess the health risks of 16 chemicals [arsenic, cadmium, chromium (hexavalent), lead, mercury, selenium, cyanide, fluoride, nitrate nitrogen, trichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, aluminum, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc] in drinking water through different routes (drinking water and skin contact) in different populations (adult males, adult females, and children). Region (urban and rural), water period (dry period and wet period), and water sample type (finished water, tap water, and secondary water supply) were stratified for analysis. Results From 2014 to 2022, a total of 4198 samples of drinking water were monitored in Nanjing, including 483 samples of finished water, 3313 samples of tap water, and 402 samples of secondary water supply. The pass rates of all indicators were above 99%. The health risk assessment results showed that the carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic risks of arsenic and lead presenting a trend of first increasing from 2015 and 2016 respectively, remaining relatively high for 3 and 4 consecutive years respectively, and then decreasing from 2018 and 2020 respectively before remaining stable; the carcinogenic risk of cadmium was much higher than that of other chemicals, and the risk was greater than 1.00×10⁻⁴ except for 2018 and 2019. The non-carcinogenic risks of drinking water in different populations (adult males, adult females, and children) under different exposure modes (intake of drinking water and skin contact) were less than 1. The values of carcinogenic risk via drinking water in total population and of cadmium intake via drinking water in all sub-groups (adult males, adult females, and children) were greater than 1.00×10⁻⁴. The carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic risk of drinking water was the highest in children, and the carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic risk via drinking water ingestion was higher than that via skin contact. The stratified analysis showed that the carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic risks of arsenic and cadmium in urban drinking water were higher than those in rural drinking water (P<0.05); the carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic risks of arsenic and trichloromethane in wet season were higher than those in dry season (P<0.05); the carcinogenic risks of cadmium in different types of water were all greater than 1.00×10⁻⁴; the health risks varied by chemicals and water sample types for the other chemicals, but all were within an acceptable level. Conclusion The non-carcinogenic risks and carcinogenic risks of selected chemical pollutants in drinking water in Nanjing City from 2014 to 2022 show decreasing or stable trends. Among the 16 chemicals, the carcinogenic risk of cadmium exceeds the acceptable range recommended by the US EPA, and the carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic risks of the remaining chemicals are within the acceptable ranges. Cadmium should be given priority attention in future risk management of drinking water.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection, share diagnosis and treatment experience, and establish a rapid diagnosis procedure for this disease. Methods:This study was a retrospective case series study. From January 2009 to November 2022, 11 patients with Vibrio vulnificus infection who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burns and Wound Repair of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University. The gender, age, time of onset of illness, time of admission, time of diagnosis, route of infection, underlying diseases, affected limbs, clinical manifestations and signs on admission, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine, procalcitonin, albumin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and blood sodium levels on admission, culture results and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) results of pathogenic bacteria and the Vibrio vulnificus drug susceptibility test results during hospitalization, treatment methods, length of hospital stay, and outcomes of all patients were recorded. Comparative analysis was conducted on the admission time and diagnosis time of patients with and without a history of exposure to seawater/marine products, as well as the fatality ratio and amputation of limbs/digits ratio of patients with and without early adequate antibiotic treatment. For the survived patients with hand involvement, the hand function was assessed using Brunnstrom staging at the last follow-up. Based on patients' clinical characteristics and treatment conditions, a rapid diagnosis procedure for Vibrio vulnificus infection was established. Results:There were 7 males and 4 females among the patients, aged (56±17) years. Most of the patients developed symptoms in summer and autumn. The admission time was 3.00 (1.00, 4.00) d after the onset of illness, and the diagnosis time was 4.00 (2.00, 8.00) d after the onset of illness. There were 7 and 4 patients with and without a history of contact with seawater/marine products, respectively, and the admission time of these two types of patients was similar ( P>0.05). The diagnosis time of patients with a history of contact with seawater/marine products was 2.00 (2.00, 5.00) d after the onset of illness, which was significantly shorter than 9.00 (4.25, 13.00) d after the onset of illness for patients without a history of contact with seawater/marine products ( Z=-2.01, P<0.05). Totally 10 patients had underlying diseases. The affected limbs were right-hand in 8 cases, left-hand in 1 case, and lower limb in 2 cases. On admission, a total of 9 patients had fever; 11 patients had pain at the infected site, and redness and swelling of the affected limb, and 9 patients each had ecchymosis/necrosis and blisters/blood blisters; 6 patients suffered from shock, and 2 patients developed multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. On admission, there were 8 patients with abnormal white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and albumin levels, 10 patients with abnormal CRP, procalcitonin, and NT-proBNP levels, 5 patients with abnormal creatinine and blood sodium levels, and fewer patients with abnormal platelet count, ALT, and AST levels. During hospitalization, 4 of the 11 wound tissue/exudation samples had positive pathogenic bacterial culture results, and the result reporting time was 5.00 (5.00, 5.00) d; 4 of the 9 blood specimens had positive pathogenic bacterial culture results, and the result reporting time was 3.50 (1.25, 5.00) d; the mNGS results of 7 wound tissue/exudation or blood samples were all positive, and the result reporting time was 1.00 (1.00, 2.00) d. The three strains of Vibrio vulnificus detected were sensitive to 10 commonly used clinical antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and amikacin, etc. A total of 10 patients received surgical treatment, 4 of whom had amputation of limbs/digits; all patients received anti-infection treatment. The length of hospital stay of 11 patients was (26±11) d, of whom 9 patients were cured and 2 patients died. Compared with that of the 6 patients who did not receive early adequate antibiotic treatment, the 5 patients who received early adequate antibiotic treatment had no significant changes in the fatality ratio or amputation of limbs/digits ratio ( P>0.05). In 3 months to 2 years after surgery, the hand function of 8 patients was assessed, with results showing 4 cases of disabled hands, 2 cases of incompletely disabled hands, and 2 cases of recovered hands. When a patient had clinical symptoms of limb redness and swelling and a history of contact with seawater/marine products or a pre-examination triage RiCH score of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis ≥1, the etiological testing should be initiated immediately to quickly diagnose Vibrio vulnificus infection. Conclusions:Vibrio vulnificus infection occurs most frequently in summer and autumn, with clinical manifestations and laboratory test results showing obvious infection characteristics, and may be accompanied by damage to multiple organ functions. Both the fatality and disability ratios are high and have a great impact on the function of the affected limbs. Early diagnosis is difficult and treatment is easily delayed, but mNGS could facilitate rapid detection. For patients with red and swollen limbs accompanied by a history of contact with seawater/marine products or with a pre-examination triage RiCH score of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis ≥1, the etiological testing should be initiated immediately to quickly diagnose Vibrio vulnificus infection.

Objective To improve the efficiency of induced differentiation of primitive neural epithelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells(hiPSCs-NECs)into functional midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells(DAPs).Methods HiPSCs were cultured in mTeSRTM medium containing DMH1(10 μmol/L),SB431542(10 μmol/L),SHH(200 ng/mL),FGF8(100 ng/mL),purmorphamine(2 μmol/L),CHIR99021(3 μmol/L),and N2(1%)for 12 days to induce their differentiation into primitive neuroepithelial cells(NECs).The hiPSCs-NECs were digested with collagenase IV and then cultured in neurobasal medium supplemented with 1%N2,2%B27-A,BDNF(10 ng/mL),GDNF(10 ng/mL),AA,TGF-β,cAMP,and 1%GlutaMax in the presence of different concentrations of Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632,and the culture medium was changed the next day to remove Y27632.Continuous induction was performed until day 28 to obtain DAPs.Results Human iPSCs expressed the pluripotency markers OCT4,SOX2,Nanog,and SSEA1 and were positive for alkaline phosphatase staining.The hiPSCs-NECs were obtained on day 13 in the form of neural rosettes expressing neuroepithelial markers SOX2,nestin,and PAX6.In digested hiPSCs-NECs,the addition of 5 μmol/L Y27632 significantly promoted survival of the adherent cells,increased cell viability and the proportion of S-phase cells(P<0.01),and reduced the rate of apoptotic cells(P<0.05).On day 28 of induction,the obtained cells highly expressed the specific markers of DAPS(TH,FOXA2,NURR1,and Tuj1).Conclusion Treatment with Y27632(5 μmol/L)for 24 h significantly promotes the survival of human iPSCs-NECs during their differentiation into DPAs without affecting the cell differentiation,which indirectly enhances the efficiency of cell differentiation.

Objective:To explore the risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) in children with thalassemia major (TM) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study.A total of 482 children with TM who underwent allo-HSCT at Shenzhen Children′s Hospital between January 2020 and December 2022 were selected and classified into the PTLD and non-PTLD groups according to the occurrence of PTLD.The risk factors for PTLD after allo-HSCT in children with TM were analyzed, and the diagnostic efficiency of relevant risk factors for PTLD was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:A total of 25 out of 482 patients (5.2%, 25/482) developed PTLD about 114 (54-271) days after allo-HSCT.Among them, 12 cases (12/25, 48.0%) occurred within 100 days, and 22 cases (22/25, 88.0%) occurred within 1 year after allo-HSCT.Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in gender composition, type of transplant donor, number of natural killer cells and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood at 30 days after allo-HSCT, positive rate of plasma Epstein-Barr virus deoxyribonucleic acid (EBV-DNA) and incidence rate of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) between the 2 groups (all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that female ( OR=3.196, 95% CI: 1.144-8.929), positive plasma EBV-DNA ( OR=17.523, 95% CI: 5.449-56.344) and aGVHD ( OR=3.156, 95% CI: 1.161-8.575) were independent risk factors for PTLD after allo-HSCT in TM children (all P<0.05).The ROC curve analysis showed that positive plasma EBV-DNA had an excellent accuracy in predicting the occurrence of PTLD after allo-HSCT (sensitivity was 0.796, specificity was 0.800, area under the curve was 0.803).If combined with aGVHD and gender, the area under the curve for the prediction of PTLD increased to 0.831. Conclusions:Female, positive plasma EBV-DNA and aGVHD are independent risk factors for PTLD after allo-HSCT in children with TM.It provides useful early warnings for the prediction and prevention of PTLD.

Objective:To establish an automated labeling method of 18F-AlF-1, 4, 7-triazocyclohexane-1, 4, 7-triacetic acid- D-Phe1-Tyr3-Thr8-octreotide (NOTATATE) and perform neuroendocrine tumor (NET) imaging. Methods:Based on the GE-FASTLab2 synthesis module, 18F-AlF-NOTATATE was automatically prepared by one-step chelation labeling with aluminum fluoride, and its labeling conditions were optimized. The product quality was analyzed. One patient (male, 47 years old) with lower rectal segment NET and one patient (female, 52 years old) with pancreatic NET underwent 18F-AlF-NOTATATE PET/CT imaging. Results:18F-AlF-NOTATATE was successfully prepared with a total synthesis time of 35 min. The optimized radiochemical yield was (23.8±3.1)% (without decay correction, n=3), the radioactivity was (4.63±0.68) GBq, and the radiochemical purity was >95%. The stability was good, and the product quality met the requirements. 18F-AlF-NOTATATE showed clear imaging in the patient with rectal segment NET, with SUV max of 13.3 and tumor/liver ratio of 3.3. Metastatic lesions in the liver, lymph nodes, and ribs showed high SUV max and tumor/liver ratios. The imaging of the pancreatic NET patient showed an abnormal increase in local radioactive uptake at the uncinate process of the pancreatic head, with SUV max of 5.6 and SUV max of 6.3 and the tumor/liver ratio of 2.3 after 2-hours imaging. Conclusions:Using the GE-FASTLab2 synthesis module, 18F-AlF-NOTATATE can be prepared with high activity. The preparation is simple, the method is stable, and the product has high radiochemical purity. 18F-AlF-NOTATATE exhibits good imaging performance in NET patients, providing valuable information for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis evaluation.

Objective:To investigate the effects of amoxicillin capsules combined with Fuke Qianjin Tablets on serum inflammatory factors in patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease. Methods:A total of 240 patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease who received treatment in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shizhu Branch of the First People's Hospital of Yongkang from January 2016 to June 2020 were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to receive either treatment with amoxicillin capsules and conventional drugs (control group, n = 120) or amoxicillin capsules, conventional drugs and Fuke Qianjin Tablets in combination (study group, n = 120). Serum inflammatory factors [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] were compared between before and after treatment in each group and between two groups after treatment. Results:After treatment, CRP, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the control group were (34.28 ± 7.19) mg/L, (103.52 ± 30.18) mg/L, (103.27 ± 37.18) ng/L, and (64.11 ± 13.28) ng/L, respectively and they were (15.26 ± 6.49) mg/L, (60.44 ± 17.64) mg/L, (62.15 ± 15.33) ng/L, (38.19 ± 9.46) ng/L, respectively in the study group. Before treatment, CRP, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the control group were (89.32 ± 17.36) mg/L, (193.27 ± 52.18) mg/L, (180.48 ± 49.25) ng/L, (81.27 ± 18.16) ng/L , respectively and they were (90.48 ± 19.73) mg/L, (192.55 ± 51.84) mg/L, (178.93 ± 50.11) ng/L, (79.83 ± 17.35) ng/L, respectively in the study group. CRP, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α levels post-treatment were significantly lower than the levels pre-treatment in each group (control group: tCRP = 11.28, P < 0.001; tIL-1 = 12.73, P < 0.001; tIL-6 = 9.48, P < 0.001; tTNF-α = 8.94, P < 0.001; study group: tCRP = 12.38, P < 0.001; tIL-1 = 18.44, P < 0.001; tIL-6 = 13.29, P < 0 .001; tTNF-α = 12.43, P < 0.001). CRP, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α levels post-treatment in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( tCRP = 9.37, P < 0.001; tIL-1 = 11.84, P < 0.001; tIL-6 = 8.33, P < 0.001; tTNF-α = 7.38, P = 0.002). Response rate in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (95.83% vs. 75.00%, χ2 = 27.29, P < 0.001). Before and after treatment, there were no significant differences in safety indicators between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion:Amoxicillin capsules combined with Fuke Qianjin Tablets is highly effective on acute pelvic inflammatory disease, greatly lower inflammatory factor levels, and is highly safe.

Objective:To evaluate the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis and treatment of primary breast lymphoma (PBL). Methods:Clinical data and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging data of 6 patients (all females, age 46-79 years) with pathologically diagnosed primary breast diffuse large B cell lymphoma (PB-DLBCL) in Xishan People′s Hospital of Wuxi City and Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from July 2015 to October 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 10 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were done for primary staging (6 scans of 6 patients), evaluation of treatment response (3 scans of 2 patients), and recurrence detection (1 scan of 1 patient). 18F-FDG PET/CT image analysis was performed qualitatively (visually) and semi-quantitatively (SUV max). Treatment response was evaluated by Deauville scores. Results:All 6 patients were diagnosed pathologically as PB-DLBCL (3 patients by core needle biopsy, 3 patients by biopsy after lumpectomy). All 6 patients were staged using baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT before chemotherapy. For 3 patients diagnosed by core needle biopsy, baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT showed unilateral breast lesion with high FDG uptake (SUV max: 23.0, 52.9, and 33.6). For 3 postoperative patients, baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT showed flocculent soft tissue density in the operative area with low FDG uptake (SUV max: 3.4, 2.2 and 2.0). Patient No.2 showed a large left breast mass with left axillary lymph node involvement by baseline PET/CT, and multiple nodular uptakes in bilateral breast (Deauville score of 4) after 4 courses of chemotherapy and negative result (Deauville score of 1) after 3 courses of new chemotherapy regimens by PET/CT. Patient No.4 showed right breast lesion and right axillary lymph nodes by routine preoperative imaging examination, but left breast lesion by postoperative PET/CT. According to the results of 18F-FDG PET/CT, patient No.4 was with complete response (Deauville score of 1) after treatment, but recurrence (Deauville score of 5) occurred after 7 months follow-up. Conclusion:18F-FDG PET/CT can play an important role in every step of management (diagnosis and staging, treatment response evaluation and detection of recurrence) in patients with PB-DLBCL.

Objective:To prepare specific molecular probe 18F-AlF-1, 4, 7-triazacylononane-1, 4, 7-triacetic acid-(polyethylene glycol) 4-ZD2 ( 18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2) for targeting extradomain-B fibronectin (EDB-FN), and evaluate its properties in vitro and in vivo. Methods:18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 was prepared by one-step chelation labeling with Al 18F. The radiochemical purity and in vitro stability were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The partition coefficient (logP) of 18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 was evaluated, and the cell uptake experiment was carried out (triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells (1×10 6/tube) were divided into 3 groups ( n=3 per group); positive group, inhibition group, control group). MicroPET imaging was performed on MDA-MB-231 bearing nude mice ( n=3) after 18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 injection (30, 60, 90, 120 min) and compared with blocking group ( n=3, NOTA-PEG 4-ZQ 2 was preinjected at 0.5 h before 18F-AIF-NOTA-PEG a-ZD2 injection). Independent-sample t test was used to analyze the data. Results:18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 was successfully prepared. The optimized radiochemical yield was (33.8±2.1)% (undecay corrected, n=8) and the radiochemical purity was >96%. After incubating 120 min at 37 ℃, the radiochemical purity of 18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 in human serum and PBS was >93%, indicating its good stability in vitro. The specific activity was (11.1±3.2) GBq/μmol, and logP was -1.43±0.05. The uptake value of tumor cells was (1.77±0.28) percentage applied activity (%AR)/10 6 cells at 120 min post-injection in positive group, and the total uptake value of the inhibition group was (0.76±0.07) %AR/10 6 cells ( t=4.30, P=0.032). MicroPET imaging in tumor bearing nude mice showed that 18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 was mainly metabolized by the liver and kidneys. The tumor uptake value was (1.94±0.21) percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) at 60 min post-injection and the tumor/muscle ratio was 3.80±0.25 at 90 min post-injection in the experimental group, while the tumor uptake value of tumor bearing nude mice in the blocking group was (0.43±0.09) %ID/g at 60 min post-injection ( t=3.18, P=0.006). Conclusions:18F-AlF-NOTA-PEG 4-ZD2 can be prepared simply with high labeling rate and good stability in vitro, with high tumor uptake and tumor/muscle ratio in microPET imaging, and good specificity and long tumor residence time. The probe has good application prospect in breast cancer with high expression of fibronectin subtype EDB-FN.