Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among college students in Yangzhou from 2020 to 2024, so as to provide a scientific basis for developing prevention and control strategies. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted among 162 college students with PTB, and 7 134 of their contacts were screened. Data were obtained from the tuberculosis information management system and on campus screening records. Using descriptive epidemiological methods, trends in incidence, seasonal distribution, and bacteriological characteristics were analyzed. Results: From 2020 to 2024, the annual average incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among college students in Yangzhou was 29.42 per 100 000, showing an overall fluctuating downward trend ( χ 2=12.36, P <0.01). Cases were mainly concentrated in summer and autumn, with the highest proportion in autumn (41.36%, 67/162), followed by summer (23.46%, 38/162). The proportion of etiologically positive cases increased from 37.21% in 2020 to 71.43% in 2024; among positive cases, the proportion of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) decreased from 66.67% (10/15) to 26.67% (4/15). The etiological positive rate was higher in females than in males ( χ 2= 11.76 , P <0.01). Comparison of screening methods showed that among index cases, the LTBI detection rate of the recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion protein skin test (C-TST) was higher than that of the tuberculin skin test (TST), but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ 2=0.65, P =0.42); among close contacts, the detection rate of TST was higher than that of C-TST (15.1%,10.1%; χ 2=5.23, P <0.05). Conclusion From 2020 to 2024, the annual average incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among college students in Yangzhou showed an overall fluctuating downward trend, with differences in TB infection screening methods and gender.

Objective: To analyze the process of handling a pulmonary tuberculosis(TB) outbreak among senior high school students in a boarding school in Chongqing, as well as to investigate the underlying causes of the outbreak, so as to provide evidence to inform TB prevention and control strategies in school settings. Methods: From November 2023 to April 2024, an epidemiological investigation was conducted into the TB outbreak in a grade 12 class from a boarding high school. Suspected cases were screened using symptom screening, tuberculin skin test (TST), and chest X-ray examinations. Confirmed cases underwent individual epidemiological interviews and sputum culture; Cultured positive mycobacterial strains were subjected to whole genome sequencing after identification as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results: A total of 10 active pulmonary TB cases were identified, all from the same class, yielding a student attack rate of 16.67%. Three isolates were culture positive, as well as all strains were of L2 type，and the WGS analysis of the strains suggested a common transmission chain. Excluding the index case, four additional cases were detected through symptom driven health care visits. Notably, 70% of patients presented with "chest tightness and chest pain" symptoms, and 50% had "cough" symptoms,but none were detected during morning health checks or tracking of absences due to illness. A total of 326 contacts were identified and underwent three rounds of screening and one follow up examination. In the initial screening, 35 close contacts from the same class showed strong TST positivity, corresponding to a strong positivity rate of 55.56%, significantly higher than the 20.76% observed among casual contacts ( χ 2=29.80, P <0.01). Among the 35 strongly TST positivvity close contacts and five individuals with moderate TST positivity whose induration had increased by ≥10 mm over two years, none received timely preventive treatment initially; five of them were subsequently diagnosed with active TB within three months. Following this, 25 individuals initiated preventive therapy, resulting in a preventive treatment initiation rate of 62.50%. Among TST negative classmates who converted to strong positivity on repeat TST testing at three months, 75.00% started preventive treatment, but only 22.22% completed the full course. Conclusion Inadequate implementation of morning health checks and cause tracking for absenteeism due to illness, poorly standardized screening procedures, and delayed preventive treatment may have been key factors contributing to the spread of the outbreak.

This article reports 2 cases of urinary retention in Alzheimer's disease with agitation treated by acupuncture. Based on patients' clinical symptoms, the etiology and pathogenesis were determined, and acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Shenting (GV24), and bilateral Ciliao (BL32), Zhongliao (BL33), Fengchi (GB20), Taiyang (EX-HN5), etc. to regulate the mind and promote water metabolism. The positive and negative electrodes of the SDZ-Ⅴ type electroacupuncture device were attached to ipsilateral Ciliao (BL32), Zhongliao (BL33) respectively, with continuous wave, at the frequency of 15 Hz, and the current of 3 to 10 mA, depending on patients' tolerance. The needles were retained for 20 min. The treatment was delivered once every other day, 3 interventions a week and 12 interventions as 1 course. Both patients reported the micturition desire after 1 intervention with acupuncture and the catheter was removed on the same day. The urination was ameliorated without dysuresia after 1-2 courses of treatment, and the agitated behavior was alleviated. It can be the reference for the clinical treatment of urinary retention in patients with Alzheimer's disease with agitation.
Humans ; Alzheimer Disease/psychology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Urinary Retention/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Psychomotor Agitation/complications*

Somatostatin receptor 1 (SSTR1) is a crucial therapeutic target for various neuroendocrine and oncological disorders. Current SSTR1-targeted treatments, including the first-generation somatostatin analog lanreotide (Lan) and the second-generation analog pasireotide (Pas), show promise but encounter challenges related to selectivity and efficacy. This study presents high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of SSTR1 complexed with Lan or Pas, revealing the distinct mechanisms of ligand-binding and activation. These structures illustrate unique conformational changes in the SSTR1 orthosteric pocket induced by each ligand, which are critical for receptor activation and ligand selectivity. Combined with the biochemical assays and molecular dynamics simulations, our results provide a comparative analysis of binding characteristics within the SSTR family, highlighting subtle differences in SSTR1 activation by Lan and Pas. These insights pave the way for designing next-generation therapies with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects through improved receptor subtype selectivity.

In recent decades, the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout has increased dramatically due to lifestyle changes. The drugs currently recommended for hyperuricemia are associated with adverse reactions that limit their clinical use. In this study, we report that berberine (BBR) is an effective drug candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia, with its mechanism potentially involving the modulation of gut microbiota and its metabolite, succinic acid. BBR has demonstrated good therapeutic effects in both acute and chronic animal models of hyperuricemia. In a clinical trial, oral administration of BBR for 6 months reduced blood uric acid levels in 22 participants by modulating the gut microbiota, which led to an increase in the abundance of Bacteroides and a decrease in Clostridium sensu stricto_1. Furthermore, Bacteroides fragilis was transplanted into ICR mice, and the results showed that Bacteroides fragilis exerted a therapeutic effect on uric acid similar to that of BBR. Notably, succinic acid, a metabolite of Bacteroides, significantly reduced uric acid levels. Subsequent cell and animal experiments revealed that the intestinal metabolite, succinic acid, regulated the upstream uric acid synthesis pathway in the liver by inhibiting adenosine monophosphate deaminase 2 (AMPD2), an enzyme responsible for converting adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to inosine monophosphate (IMP). This inhibition resulted in a decrease in IMP levels and an increase in phosphate levels. The reduction in IMP led to a decreased downstream production of hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid. BBR also demonstrated excellent renoprotective effects, improving nephropathy associated with hyperuricemia. In summary, BBR has the potential to be an effective treatment for hyperuricemia through the gut-liver axis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations in patients with temporomandibular disorder syndrome (TMD), who are sensitive to sudden temperature drop. METHODS: One hundred and nineteen patients with TMD who attended the Department of Stomatology of the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from December 2022 to December 2023 were included, including 44 males and 75 females, with a mean age of 32.4±13.7 years.The questionnaire was used to determine whether they were sensitive to temperature drop, and the TMD patients were divided into a temperature plunge-sensitive group and a temperature drop insensitive group. The clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations of patients in the two groups were observed. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the gender and age of patients in the temperature plunge-sensitive group (50 patients) and the insensitivity group (69 patients) (P>0.05). The percentage of patients with pain was slightly higher in the temperature plunge-sensitive group [86.0% (43/50)] than in the insensitive group [68.1% (47/69)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=5.031, P=0.025), while the differences in joint murmur and mouth opening limitation between the two groups were not statistically significant. A total of 238 lateral joints were detected in both groups, the percentage of osteoarthropathic imaging changes was significantly higher in the temperature plunge-sensitive group [82.0% (82/100)] than in the insensitive group [53.6% (74/138)] (χ²=20.675, P<0.001). Magnetic imaging showed that the percentage of joint effusion was higher in patients in the temperature plunge-sensitive group [66.0% (33/50)] than in the insensitive group [42.0% (29/69)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=5.602, P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS TMD patients with maxillofacial pain symptoms, joint effusions, and abnormal imaging of osteoarticular structures are more likely to be sensitive to sudden temperature drops.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/diagnosis* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Temperature ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between clinical symptoms and unilateral chewing habits in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) accompanied by tinnitus. METHODS: A total of 285 patients diagnosed with TMD at the Department of Stomatology of the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between December 2020 and May 2024 were included and divided into two groups: tinnitus group and non-tinnitus group. Analysis was conducted on the proportion of patients with unilateral chewing habits in both groups, the correlation between the side of tinnitus and the side of unilateral chewing, and the correlation of tinnitus with TMD clinical symptoms (joint clicking, joint pain, and limited mouth opening) and unilateral chewing habits. The correlation of the type of disc displacement with unilateral chewing and tinnitus was also examined. RESULTS: In the tinnitus group, the proportions of patients with and without unilateral chewing habits were 90.70% (39/43) and 9.30% (4/43), respectively. In the non-tinnitus group, the proportions of patients with and without unilateral chewing habits were 76.03% (184/242) and 23.97% (58/242), respectively. The proportion of patients with unilateral chewing habits in the tinnitus group was significantly higher than in the non-tinnitus group (χ²=4.613, P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between tinnitus and unilateral chewing habits (P<0.05). In the left-sided tinnitus group, the proportion of left-sided unilateral chewers [54.55% (12/22)] was higher than that of right-sided unilateral chewers [45.45% (10/22)]. In the right-sided tinnitus group, the proportion of right-sided unilateral chewers [81.82% (9/11)] was higher than that of left-sided unilateral chewers [18.18% (2/11)]. The difference was statistically significant (χ²=7.282, P<0.05). A positive correlation was also found between the side of tinnitus and the side of unilateral chewing habits (P<0.05). The proportion of patients with pain was significantly higher in the tinnitus group than in the non-tinnitus group (P<0.05). No significant difference in the proportion of joint clicking or limited mouth opening and disc displacement (no disc displacement, unilateral disc displacement, bilateral disc displacement, reducible disc displacement, or irreducible disc displacement) was found between the tinnitus and non-tinnitus groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS TMD with unilateral chewing habits may be a contributing factor to unexplained tinnitus. Unexplained tinnitus is correlated with joint pain in patients with TMD.
Humans ; Tinnitus/physiopathology* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/physiopathology* ; Mastication ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Habits

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between cumulative atherogenic index of plasma （cumAIP） and the risk of new-onset nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） in young and middle-aged individuals. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted among the young and middle-aged individuals （aged 18 to <60 years） in the Kailuan study cohort who underwent physical examination in Kailuan General Hospital and its 10 affiliated hospitals in June 2006 to October 2010， and after screening based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria， 33 987 individuals were included in the observation cohort. The individuals were divided into Q1， Q2， Q3， and Q4 groups based on the quantiles of cumAIP. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative incidence rate of new-onset NAFLD in the four groups， while the log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to obtain the hazard ratio （HR） and 95% confidence interval （CI） of the risk of new-onset NAFLD in the four groups. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical variables between groups. ResultsThe mean follow-up was 10.89±2.54 years， and there were 6 011 cases of new-onset NAFLD， including 995 cases in the Q1 group， 1 366 in the Q2 group， 1661 in the Q3 group， and 1 989 in the Q4 group， with an incidence density of 11.37， 16.02， 19.97， and 24.91 per thousand person-years. The log-rank test showed that there was a significant difference in cumulative incidence rate between the four groups （P<0.001）. With the presence or absence of NAFLD as the dependent variable and the quantiles of different exposure levels to cumAIP as the independent variable， the multivariate Cox regression model analysis showed that compared with the Q1 group， the Q2， Q3， and Q4 groups had an HR of 1.30 （95%CI： 1.20 — 1.41）， 1.52 （95%CI： 1.41 — 1.65）， and 1.79 （95%CI： 1.64 — 1.95）， respectively， for new-onset NAFLD， with a P_trend value of <0.001. With the presence or absence of new-onset NAFLD as the dependent variable and the cumulative exposure to AIP for 0， 2， 4， and 6 years as the independent variable， the Cox regression analysis showed that compared with cumulative exposure to AIP for 0 years， cumulative exposure to AIP for 2， 4， and 6 years had an HR of 1.24 （95%CI： 1.15 — 1.35）， 1.51 （95%CI： 1.40 — 1.64）， and 1.70 （95%CI： 1.56 — 1.84）， respectively， with a P_trend value of <0.001. A sensitivity analysis was performed after exclusion of the individuals with new-onset NAFLD within 2 years， the individuals who experienced atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events during follow-up， and the individuals taking antihypertensive， hypoglycemic， and lipid-lowering drugs， and the results were similar to those of the main analysis. Considering the competitive relationship between all-cause death and outcome events， a competing risk analysis of death was performed， which showed that the results of risk analysis were similar to those of the main analysis. ConclusionA high level of cumAIP exposure can increase the risk of new-onset NAFLD in young and middle-aged individuals.

OBJECTIVE To study the difference of Huangqin decoction combined with Paeoniae Radix Alba(BS) and Paeoniae Radix Rubra(CS)'s effect on ulcerative colitis(UC) based on network pharmacological analysis and animal experiment. METHODS The active constituents of BS and CS were retrieved from TCMSP database and literature, and the potential target was predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. Ulcerative Colitis was used as key words to search disease targets in DisGenet, OMIM, and Genecard databases. The intersection target was obtained by Venny 2.1.0. Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct network of drug-consumption targets. The STRING platform was used for protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis, and Metascape database was applied for GO/WIKI analysis. A dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) induced UC mouse model was established to compare the anti-UC effects of Huangqing decoction combined with BS(HQT-BS) and CS(HQT-CS), respectively. RESULTS There were 7 active components of HQT-BS and 11 active components of HQT-CS in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, respectively, 5 of which were the same. There were 146 and 157 targets respectively, 106 of which were the same. The core targets of HQT-BS were SRC, HSP90AA1, and PIK3R1, while the core targets of HQT-CS were SRC, HSP90AA1, and STAT3. WIKI enrichment analysis showed that several signaling pathways were shared by both BS and CS, such as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, Notch signaling pathway. EGF/EGFR signaling pathway was the specific pathway related to BS, while Nuclear receptors meta-pathway and Kit receptor signaling pathway were the specific pathways related to CS, respectively. Animal experiments showed that both HQT-BS and HQT-CS could significantly improve colon shortening and tissue pathological alternation induced by DSS. However, HQT-CS was more effective in reducing the expression of interleukin-6 and neurogenic locus notch homolog protein1. CONCLUSION Both HQT-BS and HQT-CS have anti-UC effect, and HQT-CS is the better one.