Objective China is among the 30 countries with a high burden of tuberculosis(TB)worldwide,and TB remains a public health concern.Kashgar Prefecture in the southern Xinjiang Autonomous Region is considered as one of the highest TB burden regions in China.However,molecular epidemiological studies of Kashgar are lacking. Methods A population-based retrospective study was conducted using whole-genome sequencing(WGS)to determine the characteristics of drug resistance and the transmission patterns. Results A total of 1,668 isolates collected in 2020 were classified into lineages 2(46.0%),3(27.5%),and 4(26.5%).The drug resistance rates revealed by WGS showed that the top three drugs in terms of the resistance rate were isoniazid(7.4%,124/1,668),streptomycin(6.0%,100/1,668),and rifampicin(3.3%,55/1,668).The rate of rifampicin resistance was 1.8%(23/1,290)in the new cases and 9.4%(32/340)in the previously treated cases.Known resistance mutations were detected more frequently in lineage 2 strains than in lineage 3 or 4 strains,respectively:18.6%vs.8.7 or 9%,P<0.001.The estimated proportion of recent transmissions was 25.9%(432/1,668).Multivariate logistic analyses indicated that sex,age,occupation,lineage,and drug resistance were the risk factors for recent transmission.Despite the low rate of drug resistance,drug-resistant strains had a higher risk of recent transmission than the susceptible strains(adjusted odds ratio,1.414;95%CI,1.023-1.954;P = 0.036).Among all patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis(DR-TB),78.4%(171/218)were attributed to the transmission of DR-TB strains. Conclusion Our results suggest that drug-resistant strains are more transmissible than susceptible strains and that transmission is the major driving force of the current DR-TB epidemic in Kashgar.

Aim To investigate the effects of naringenin on atherosclerotic plaque extracellular matrix remodeling and plaque stability.Methods Murine vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated and treated with various doges of naringenin.ApoE-/-mice were fed with high-fat diet and received naringenin by lavage for 16 weeks.Intraplaque nec-rotic core,contents of collagen and fibrous cap thickness were measured by Sirius red-Haematoxylin staining.Elastin was detected by Van Gieson staining.Matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)activity was determined by gelatin zymography and fluorescence-gelatin staining.Results Naringenin(50 μmol/L)increased signal tansducer and activator of transciption 6(STAT6)phosphorylation and promoted tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3(TIMP-3)expression by 3.1-fold(P＜0.001).After naringenin(80 mg/kg)treatment,compared with the control group,the area of plaque necrotic core in aor-tic root decreased by 53％(P＜0.01),the thickness of fibrous caps increased by nearly 50％(P＜0.05),and the degree of elastic fiber degradation decreased.At the same time,naringenin promoted the expression of TIMP-3 in plaques,and corre-spondingly reduced the activity of MMP in plaques.Lentivirus mediated inhibition of TIMP-3 expression in vivo could reduce the protective effect of naringenin on plaque stability.Conclusion Naringin can increase the expression of TIMP-3 in smooth muscle cells,improve the composition of extracellular matrix,and promote the stability of atherosclerotic plaque.

Aim To study the effect of maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy on endothelial to mesenchymal transition of aortic vessels in adult offspring.Methods The pregnant mice were randomly divided into normal diet group and high-fat diet group,and the offspring mice were fed normally for 16 weeks after the mother gave birth.Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression and transcription of related proteins,and immunofluorescence and im-munohistochemical staining were used for pathological analysis.Results Compared with the offspring of maternal nor-mal diet during pregnancy,the expressions of vascular inflammatory factors,macrophage infiltration,monocyte-endothelium adhesion were significantly increased in the offspring of maternal high-fat diet(OHF)during pregnancy(P＜0.05).Vas-cular endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)activity,nitric oxide(NO)level were dramatically reduced(P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence results showed reduced endothelial cell marker CD31 and increased mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in OHF.Western blot analysis further confirmed the results,which showed that maternal high fat diet reduced vascular endothelial-cadherin(VE-cadherin)and CD31 and increased α-SMA and Vimentin in the offspring(P＜0.05).The maternal high fat diet increased the extracellular matrix protein disposition and transforming growth factor beta(TGF-β)/Smad signaling in endothelium(P＜0.05).Moreover,the maternal high fat diet reduced Kruppel-like factor 2(KLF2)expression by 76％in mRNA level and 59％in protein level(P＜0.05).Conclusion Maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy lead to a transition of endothelial to mesenchyme in the offspring aorta.The results provide a clue for prevention of vascular disease in early stage.

Objective To compare the safety and clinical efficacy of freehand and 3D printing navigation template assisted screw placement in patients with old odontoid fractures of type Ⅱ.Methods Total of 38 patients with old odontoid fractures of type Ⅱ were treated from November 2018 to December 2022,all of which presented as chronic neck pain.According to the dif-ferent methods of screw insertion into the pedicle,the patients were divided into a navigation template group and a freehand group.In the navigation template group,there were 17 patients including 9 males and 8 females with an average age of(51.30±13.20)years old,disease duration was(22.18±7.59)months.In the freehand group,there 21 patients including 7 males and 14 females with an average age of(49.46±11.92)years old,disease duration was(19.52±9.17)months.The intraoperative blood loss,operation time,and postoperative drainage output were recorded and compared between two groups.The accuracy of screw placement was evaluated by CT scan.Before operation and 1 year after operation,cervical pain was assessed by visual analogue scale(VAS),neurological changes were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score,and the de-gree of spinal cord injury was assessed by the American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)injury scale.Results All patients were followed up for(25.31±1.21)months.The operation time of template group(112.00±20.48)min had significantly shorter than that of the freehand group(124.29±15.24)min(P＜0.05),while there were no significant differences between two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage,and hospital stay(P＞0.05).At 1 year after operation,in template group and freehand group,the VAS[(2.88±0.86),(2.90±0.83)]and JOA[(14.94±1.82),(14.62±2.19)]improved with pre-operative[VAS(4.71±0.92),(4.86±0.79)and JOA(12.18±2.30),(11.95±2.31)](P＜0.05),with no significant difference between two groups(P＞0.05).No significant improvement was observed in ASIA grading in either group at 1 year after opera-tion(P＞0.05),and there was no significant difference between two groups(P＞0.05).The template group had significantly better accuracy of screw placement in the pedicle of the axis than the freehand group(P＜0.05),while no significant difference was observed between two groups in the accuracy of screw placement in the pedicle of the atlas(P＞0.05).Conclusion In the treat-ment of type Ⅱ old odontoid fractures with posterior pedicle screw fixation,3D printing navigation template screw placement can significantly shorten the operation time,achieve similar clinical efficacy as free-hand screw placement,and significantly im-prove the accuracy of screw placement in the pedicle of the axis.

Objective:To understand the current status of the use of aspirin in perioperative period of thoracic surgery in China and the awareness of thoracic surgeons on the prevention and treatment of arterial thromboembolic diseases during the perioperative period.Methods:A survey was conducted among thoracic surgeons nationwide using an electronic questionnaire through a software platform from January 20, 2024 to February 29, 2024. The questionnaire mainly included three parts: basic information, aspirin use, and awareness of arterial thromboembolic diseases, with a total of 27 questions.Results:A total of 1318 valid questionnaires were collected, covering all 33 provincial administrative regions except Taiwan. 69.7%(919/1 318) of thoracic surgeons stopped using aspirin for all patients before surgery; differences could be found in the timing of aspirin withdrawal before surgery and resumption after surgery. 65.1%(858/1 318) of surgeons made perioperative medication decisions based on domestic guidelines or consensus, while 20.9%(276/1 318) of surgeons based their decisions on departmental or personal experience. 87.9%(1 159/1 318) of surgeons believed that it is necessary to develop guidelines for the prevention of arterial thromboembolic diseases in the perioperative period of thoracic surgery.Conclusion:The current use strategy of aspirin in the perioperative period of thoracic surgery in China shows a high degree of inconsistency, and there are also significant differences in the awareness of arterial thromboembolic diseases. It is necessary to establish guidelines for the prevention and treatment of arterial thromboembolic diseases in the perioperative period.

Humans ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genetics* ; Microspheres ; Antitubercular Agents/pharmacology* ; Mutation ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Fluoroquinolones ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics* ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant/microbiology*

ObjectiveTo investigate the mental health of pediatricians in Guangzhou and its influencing factors， and to provide countermeasures for improving the mental health of pediatricians. MethodsA stratified random sampling method was used to randomly select 400 pediatricians in 11 districts of Guangzhou， and they were surveyed using the Symptom Check List（SCL-90） and the Job Stressor Scale. ResultsThe top three job stressors scored by pediatricians in Guangzhou were external environment （3.23±0.59）， workload （3.19±0.56）， and organizational management （2.74±0.55）. All factor scores were higher than those of the clinician group except for career interest， and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.01）. The number of pediatricians with mental health problems was 109， accounting for 27.25%. All factor scores were higher than the physician norm except for anxiety and paranoia. The correlations between each factor of work stressors and each factor of SCL-90 were positive and statistically significant （P<0.05）， except for two pairs of factors， workload and terror as well as external environment and terror. The results of univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences in the mental health scores of pediatricians with different health status， years of work experience， job satisfaction， job stress， and career prospects （P<0.05）. The results of multiple linear regression showed that health status， years of work experience， professional interest， interpersonal relationship， and doctor-patient relationship were influential factors in the mental health of pediatricians （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe mental health of pediatricians in Guangzhou is unsatisfactory， and the factors affecting them are mainly external objective factors such as workload and organizational management.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of CLEC5A expression level on cell proliferation, migration and invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore the role of CLEC5A in the tumorigenesis and progression of HCC. METHODS: The expression level of CLEC5A was detected in 50 pairs of HCC and adjacent tissues using immunohistochemical staining, and its association with clinicopathological parameters of HCC patients was analyzed. Cultured HCC cell line SK-HEP-1 was transfected with a lentiviral vector overexpressing CLEC5A, and the transfection efficiency was verified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The changes in proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of the transfected cells were analyzed using CCK-8, 5-ethynyl-29-deoxyuridine (EdU) and Transwell assays, and EMT of the cells was determined using Western blotting. RESULTS: The protein expression level of CLEC5A was significantly lower in HCC tissues than in the adjacent tissues (P < 0.001). The expression level of CLEC5A was significantly correlated with tumor size (P=0.008), tumor number (P=0.010), histological differentiation (P=0.016), microvascular invasion (P=0.024) and BCLC stage (P=0.040). In SK-HEP-1 cells, overexpression of CLEC5A obviously inhibited the cell proliferation, migration and invasion and reversed EMT phenotype of the cells. CONCLUSION CLEC5A is a potential HCC suppressor gene and may serve as a promising therapeutic target for HCC.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Differentiation ; Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics* ; Lectins, C-Type/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and long-term prognosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in patients with past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Methods: 353 cases with PBC who visited the Liver Disease Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2000 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and were divided into the past HBV infection group (156 cases) and the no HBV infection group (197 cases). The two groups' baseline clinical features were compared. Ursodeoxycholic acid response rate after one year, GLOBE score, UK-PBC score, and long-term liver transplantation-free survival rate were compared through outpatient and telephone follow-up. Results: PBC with past HBV infection had a significantly reduced female proportion compared to the no HBV infection group (91.9% vs. 79.5%, P = 0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in age, biochemical indices, immunological indicators, platelet count, cirrhosis proportion, and others. Ursodeoxycholic acid biochemical response rate was reduced in patients with past HBV infection at the end of one year of treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant (65.8% vs. 78.2%, P = 0.068). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between the GLOBE score (0.57 vs. 0.59, P = 0.26) and UK-PBC 5-year (2.87% vs. 2.87%, P = 0.38), 10-year (9.29% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.39) and 15-year liver transplantation rates (16.6% vs. 14.73%, P = 0.39). Lastly, the overall 5-year liver transplantation-free survival rate had no statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients (86.4% vs. 87.5%, P = 0.796). Conclusion: Primary biliary cholangitis had no discernible effect in terms of age at onset, biochemical indices, immunological indicators, cirrhosis proportion, ursodeoxycholic acid response rate after one year, GLOBE score, UK-PBC score, or overall liver transplantation-free survival rate in patients with past hepatitis B virus infections.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli（ETEC）infection can induce watery diarrhea，leading to dehydration，electrolyte disturbance，and even death in severe cases. Recombinant B subunit/inactivated whole-cell cholera（rBS/WC）vaccine is effective in preventing ETEC infectious diarrhea. On the basis of the latest evidence on etiology and epidemiology of ETEC，as well as the effectiveness，safety，and health economics of rBS/WC vaccine，National Clinical Research Center for Child Health（The Children’s Hospital，Zhejiang University School of Medicine）and Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention invited experts to develop expert consensus on rBS/WC vaccine in prevention of ETEC infectious diarrhea. It aims to provide the clinicians and vaccination professionals with guidelines on using rBS/WC vaccine to reduce the incidence of ETEC infectious diarrhea.