Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of plasma exchange (PE) in thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (MG), thereby to provide theoretical support for its application in the treatment of thymoma-associated MG. Methods: A total of 133 patients with thymoma-associated MG admitted from January 2018 to September 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were matched using propensity score to reduce selection bias, yielding 22 matched pairs for both PE group (n=22) and non-PE group (n=22). Patient characteristics including gender, age of disease onset, course of disease, history of thymoma resection, clinical absolute scores [clinical absolute scores (CAS) and clinical relative scores (CRS)], and synchronized immunotherapy regimen of the two groups were analyzed. The CAS scores before and after treatment were compared between the two groups, and the CRS was used to assess the treatment efficiency. Safety of the two treatment regimens were also compared. Continuous variables were compared using the t-test or ANOVA, while categorical data were compared by the chi-square test. Results: A total of 133 patients were included and divided into two groups according to whether they underwent plasma exchange treatment: the PE group (n=22) and the non-PE group (n=111). To exclude bias caused by large difference in the number of cases between the two groups, we performed propensity score matching. After matching, the number of cases in both groups was 22. There was no significant difference in baseline clinical characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05), including gender, age of onset, duration of disease course, history of thymectomy and baseline CAS score before treatment. Compared to the non-PE group, patients in the PE group showed more significant improvement in CAS score (5.09±1.95 vs 3.59±1.50, P<0.05) and a higher CRS score (75.00% vs 50.00%, P<0.001). Compared to the non-PE group, PE group had significantly longer ICU stay, longer hospital stay and higher hospitalization cost (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse events between the two groups during treatment (P>0.05). During long-term follow-up, both the PE and non-PE groups showed relatively low 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence rate, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that plasma exchange has clear value in the treatment of patients with thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis. It can not only significantly improve patients' muscle strength to alleviate motor dysfunction and enhance quality of life, but also does not significantly increase the incidence of adverse reactions. Therefore, it can be regarded as one of the preferred treatment options that achieve a "balance between efficacy and safety" for such patients, and provides an important basis for optimizing treatment strategies, improving prognosis, and promoting the application of subsequent treatment regimens.

Objective:To understand the incidence of diabetes and influencing factors, the trend of FPG change and risk for mortality in HIV-infected individuals after antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (Dehong).Methods:The HIV/AIDS treatment database was collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in HIV-infected individuals with access to ART in Dehong during 2004-2020.The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the incidence density of diabetes, the influencing factors and risk for mortality in HIV-infected individuals with access to ART, mixed linear effects model was used to analyze the trend of FPG change and predict FPG in those with different glucose metabolic status at baseline survey. Statistical analysis was performed using software SAS 9.4.Results:A total of 8 763 HIV-infected individuals were included, in whom 8 432 (96.2%) had no diabetes, 331 had diabetes. The incidence density of diabetes was 2.31/1 000 person years. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that 30- 59 years old, BMI ≥24.0 kg/m 2, Efavirenz (EFV) based initial treatment regimen and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) at baseline survey were significantly and positively associated with incidence of diabetes. Mixed effect model revealed that FPG was positively correlated with the duration of ART, age and baseline FPG. Suffering from diabetes was a risk factor for mortality in HIV-infected individuals both at baseline survey and during follow-up. Conclusions:The risk for diabetes increased in HIV-infected individuals who were 30-59 years old, baseline BMI ≥24.0 kg/m 2, received EFV based initial treatment, and IFG in HIV-infected individuals after antiretroviral therapy in Dehong, 2004-2020. It is important to pay close attention to their blood glucose, and patients with high blood glucose should receive treatment as early as possible.

Objective To explore the genetic polymorphism and mutation rate of 36 Y-STR loci in Sichuan Han population and provide basic data for their forensic applications.Methods Blood samples were collected from 307 unrelated male individuals and 367 father-son pairs in Sichuan Han population using FTA blood sampling cards.The Y41SE-v1.2 kit was used to type 36 Y-STR loci,and the population genetic parameters and mutation rates of each locus were calculated.The genetic relationship between Sichuan Han population and other ethnic populations was analyzed in combination with 19 other populations in China.Results A total of 79 mutations were observed in 36 Y-STR loci in 367 father-son pairs of Sichuan Han population,with an average mutation rate of 6.00×10-3.There were 74(93.67%)one-step mutations and 5(6.33%)multi-step mutations.A total of 383 alleles were found at 36 Y-STR loci in 307 Sichuan Han males.The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 5(0.016 29)to 56(0.182 41),GD ranged from 0.100 02(DYS645)to 0.959 99(DYS385),and 306 haplotypes were found.The HD,DC and HMP values were 0.999 973,99.67%and 0.003 284,respectively.The results of genetic distance(Fst)analysis showed that the Sichuan Han population had the closest genetic distance with the Chongqing Han population(0.000 9)and the furthest genetic distance with the Xinjiang Mongolian group(0.032 0).The MDS based on genetic distance was basically consistent with the results of cluster analysis.Conclusion The 36 Y-STR loci have high genetic polymorphism in the Sichuan Han population.The study data can provide data support for the construction of the Y-STR database in this region,and also provide basic genetic information for forensic investigation and population genetics research.

Objective This study established a model of invasive Aspergillus niger lung disease in immunosuppressed rats to provide theoretical support for the pharmacodynamic evaluation of anti-invasive pulmonary aspergillosis drugs and mechanism studies.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group;cyclophosphamide control group,and cyclophosphamide+fungal infection low,medium,and high dose groups,with 12 animals in each group.General clinical observations were performed daily,and the serum levels of immunoglobulin(Ig)G and IgM and galactomannan(GM)were detected by ELISA on the 3rd and 7th days of modeling.Simultaneously,the ratio of CD4+and CD8+cells,content of white blood cells(WBCs)and neutrophils(Neu)in peripheral blood,the Aspergillus niger load in alveolar lavage,and morphological changes to rat lung tissue were observed.Results Rats in the cyclophosphamide control and cyclophosphamide+fungal infection groups showed reduced voluntary activity and erect hair after modeling,and rats in the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection group also had shortness of breath and audible wet rhonchi in the lungs.Compared with the normal control group,rats in the cyclophosphamide control group showed significant reductions in the levels of CD4+,WBC,Neu,IgG,and IgM in the blood,and their proportion of CD8+cells was significantly higher(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the cyclophosphamide control group,rats in the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection medium-and high-dose groups had significantly reduced blood levels of IgG,IgM,and CD4+cells(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);while the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection low-,medium-,and high-dose groups had significantly reduced blood levels of WBC and Neu(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Additionally,rats in the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection medium-and high-dose groups had significantly increased blood CD8+cells(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),Blood GM levels and the alveolar lavage Aspergillus niger load were significantly increased in rats in the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection low-,medium-,and high-dose groups compared with the cyclophosphamide control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The lung tissues of the cyclophosphamide+fungal infection low-,medium-,and high-dose groups showed mycelial distribution and destruction of alveolar epithelium,increase of bronchial epithelial cup cells in the alveoli,and infiltration of inflammatory cells,and the degree of lesions was positively correlated with the modeling dose.Conclusions In this study,we used Aspergillus niger combined with cyclophosphamide immunosuppressant to construct a model of invasive Aspergillus niger lung disease.The duration of the disease was positively correlated with the concentration of bacterial fluid and modeling time,confirming that cellular immunity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.At the same time,Ig can also affect the development of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis,and it is speculated that the pathogenesis may be related to the level of Ig produced by humoral immunity.

Objective To demonstrate the feasibility of oblique lumbar interbody fusion(OLIF)com-bined with 4-screw fixation for treating two-level lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods An intact finite element model of L3-S1(MO)was constructed and validated.Then,we constructed the M1 model by simulating OLIF surgery at L3/4 and L4/5 segments on the MO model.By attachment of posterior 4-screw or 6-screw fixation to the M1 model,three 4-screw fixation models(M2-M4)and one 6-screw fixation model(M5)were established.The segmental and overall range of motion(ROM)and the peak von Mises stresses of superior endplate,cage,and posterior screw-rod were investigated under each implanted condition.Results Under the motion modes of forward flexion,backward extension,bilateral(left and right)flexion,and left and right rotation,the L3/4 ROM of M2 model and L4/5 ROM of M3 model increased,while the L3/4 and L4/5 ROM of M4 and M5 models significantly decreased compared with those of M1 model.Under all motion modes,the L4 superior endplate in M2 model and the L5 superior endplate in M3 model showed the maximum peak von Mises stress,and the peak von Mises stresses of L4 and L5 superior endplates in M4 and M5 models were close.The L3/4 cage in M2 model and the L4/5 cage in M3 model showcased the largest peak von Mises stress,and the peak von Mises stresses of cages in M4 and M5 models were close.The peak stresses of internal fixation in M2-M5 models were close.Conclusion Four-screw fixa-tion can replace 6-screw fixation in the OLIF surgery for treating two-level degenerative lumbar diseases.

【Objective】 To explore the timing of surgical drainage for ureteral calculi with upper urinary tract infection. 【Methods】 Clinical data of 117 cases of ureteral calculi with upper urinary tract infection treated in our hospital during Jan.2018 and Jan.2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different treatment methods, the patients were divided into surgical drainage group and non-surgical drainage group. The patients’ age, gender, side of calculi, peak body temperature, time of onset, white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and other clinical indicators were compared between the two groups. The cutoff value of surgical drainage was determined with receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. 【Results】 The patients’ age, peak body temperature, WBC count and CRP level were the influencing factors of surgical drainage (P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that CRP (P<0.001), age (P=0.003) and WBC count (P=0.014) were independent risk factors for surgical drainage. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of CRP, age, and WBC count were 0.923, 0.601, and 0.796, respectively. The cutoff value of CRP was 29.87 mg/L (sensitivity 79.4%, specificity 90.0%). Logistic regression model showed CRP was a significant clinical predictor. 【Conclusion】 Ureteral calculi with upper urinary tract infection need to be diagnosed and treated in time. Positive anti-infection should be performed during emergency treatment, and surgical drainage could be selected according to the value of CRP.

Objective:To establish an animal model of pneumonia for research on clinical prevention and treatment of bacterial pneumonia by infecting immunocompromised rats with drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ( Ab) strains. Methods:Drug-resistant Ab strains were selected. Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, cyclophosphamide control group (intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg cyclophosphamide), bacterial infection group (intratracheal instillation of 1.5×10 8 CFU Ab suspension), and bacterial infection+ immunosuppression group (intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg cyclophosphamide+ intratracheal instillation of 1.5×10 8 CFU Ab suspension). Flow cytometry analysis was used to detect the proportion of CD4 + , CD8 + and NK cells in rat peripheral blood before as well as 3 d and 7 d after infection. A lung function meter was used to detect peak inspiratory flow (PIF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), tidal volume (Vt ) and forced expiratory volume in the second second/forced vital capacity (FEV 200/FVC) at 3 d and 7 d after modeling. ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 in the alveolar lavage fluid. HE staining was used to observe the morphology of rat lung tissues in each group. Bacterial loads in rat lung tissues were counted by bacterial culturing. Results:A decrease in voluntary activity was observed in rats in the cyclophosphamide control group, bacterial infection group and bacterial infection+ immunosuppression group after modeling. Lung rales could be heard in the bacterial infection group and bacterial infection+ immunosuppression group. Compared with the normal group, the cyclophosphamide control group showed decreased proportion of CD4 + and CD11b + NK cells and increased CD8 + cells in peripheral blood; the bacterial infection group showed decreased PIF, PEF, Vt and FEV 200/FVC, increased IL-6 and TNF-α levels and decreased IL-10 level in the alveolar lavage fluid, and higher bacterial load in lung tissues with mild widening of alveolar walls and inflammatory cell infiltration ( P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the cyclophosphamide control group and the bacterial infection group, the bacterial infection+ immunosuppression group showed a lower proportion of CD4 + cells and a higher proportion of CD8 + cells in rat peripheral blood, decreased PIF, PEF, Vt and FEV 200/FVC, increased IL-6 and TNF-α levels and decreased IL-10 level in alveolar lavage fluid, higher bacterial load in lung tissues, and aggravated widening of alveolar walls and inflammatory cell infiltration ( P<0.05, P<0.01). The proportion of CD11b + NK cells in peripheral blood of rats in the bacterial infection+ immunosuppression group was significantly lower than that in the bacterial infection group ( P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusions:A bacterial pneumonia model was successfully constructed by infecting rats with Ab alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide immunosuppression. In the model constructed with Ab and cyclophosphamide immunosuppression, the rats had more severe pneumonia, which might be related to the reduced cellular immune function and the aggravated bacterial infection in rat lung tissues by cyclophosphamide.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Shenbai Jiedu prescription （SBJDF） inhibits the proliferation of colorectal cancer （CRC） HCT116 cells. MethodAfter 48 h treatment of HCT116 cells with SBJDF （0， 0.25， 0.5， 1， 2， 4 g·L^-1）， the viability of HCT116 cells were determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） colorimetry. Following the classification of cells into blank control group and SBJDF （1， 2， 4 g·L^-1） groups， the effect of SBJDF on HCT116 cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. The effects of SBJDF on the proliferation of HCT116 cells and mitochondrial membrane potential （Δψm） were detected by colony formation assay and JC-1 probe， respectively. The flow cytometry was then performed for determining cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The effects of SBJDF on cell cycle-， apoptosis-， and nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway-related proteins were determined by Western blot. ResultSBJDF effectively inhibited the vitality of HCT116 cells and changed their morphology in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with the blank control group， SBJDF at 1， 2， 4 g·L^-1 significantly reduced cell colony formation （P<0.05， P<0.01），and SBJDF at 2 and 4 g·L^-1 arrested the HCT116 cell cycle at G₀/G₁ phase （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank control group， SBJDF at 1， 2， 4 g·L^-1 remarkably down-regulated the protein expression of CyclinD₁ （P<0.05， P<0.01）. SBJDF at 2 and 4 g·L^-1 lowered the CyclinA₂ and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 （CDK4） （P<0.05， P<0.01）. SBJDF at 4 g·L^-1 reduced the cyclin-dependent kinase 1 （CDK1） （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank control group， SBJDF at 2 and 4 g·L^-1 induced HCT116 cell apoptosis， down-regulated the protein expression of anti-apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl as well as the NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins IκB kinase α （IKKα），inhibitor α of NF-κB （IκBα），and phospho-NF-κB p65 （p-p65） （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and diminished the mitochondrial membrane potential of HCT116 cells. ConclusionSBJDF inhibits the proliferation of HCT116 cells， which may be related to its inhibition of the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of Shenbai Jiedu prescription inhibiting the proliferation of HCT116 colorectal cancer （CRC） cells by regulating the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten （PTEN）/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/ protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway. MethodShenbai Jiedu prescription was extracted by water extraction and alcohol precipitation to prepare freeze-dried powder. HCT116 cells were cultured in vitro， and treated with different concentrations of Shenbai Jiedu prescription （2， 4， 8， 16 g·L^-1）. The inhibitory effect of Shenbai Jiedu prescription on the proliferation of HCT116 cells was tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT）. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of PTEN， PI3K， Akt， glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β）， c-Myc， survivin and Cyclin D₁. Western blot was employed to measure the protein expression levels of PTEN， phosphorylated PTEN （p-PTEN）， PI3K， Akt， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， GSK-3β， phosphorylated GSK-3β （p-GSK-3β）， c-Myc， survivin and Cyclin D₁， β-catenin nuclear import was explored by immunofluorescence assay. ResultCompared with the control group， Shenbai Jiedu prescription inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the mRNA expression levels of PTEN and GSK-3β were up-regulated whereas those of PI3K， Akt， c-Myc， survivin and CyclinD₁ were down-regulated after treatment with Shenbai Jiedu prescription （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of PTEN， p-PTEN and GSK-3β were up-regulated whereas those of PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， GSK-3β， p-GSK-3β， c-Myc， survivin and CyclinD₁ were down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence assay showed that Shenbai Jiedu prescription suppressed β-catenin nuclear import in HCT116 cells. ConclusionShenbai Jiedu prescription inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells via the mechanism of regulating the PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the changing trends and influencing factors of AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related deaths after receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive individuals in Dehong Dai Jingpo autonomous prefecture (Dehong) from 2010 to 2019.Methods:Based on the Chinese National treatment database, HIV patients who initiated ART from 2010 to 2019 were included in the analysis. The cumulative incidence function was used to estimate the cumulative incidence of AIDS-related death and non-AIDS-related death, respectively. The Fine-Grey model was used to compare the differences between AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related deaths and analyze its influencing factors.Results:A total of 7 068 HIV-positive individuals were included, of which 388 were AIDS-related deaths and 570 were non-AIDS-related deaths. The cumulative mortality rate at years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9 after receiving ART were 2.27%, 3.46%, 4.47%, 5.03%, 5.84%, 6.61%, 7.40% for AIDS-related deaths, and 1.63%, 3.11%, 4.68%, 6.02%, 7.42%, 10.49%, 12.75% for non-AIDS-related deaths, respectively. In the Fine-Grey model, older age at ART initiation, male, unmarried, injection drug use as the transmission route, lower baseline BMI, lower baseline CD4 + T cell counts, baseline FIB-4 score >3.25, and baseline anemia were risk factors for AIDS-related death. In contrast, age at ART initiation ≥45 years, male, Dai, and Jingpo minority ethnicities, unmarried, injection drug use as the transmission route, lower baseline BMI, baseline FIB-4 score >3.25, baseline eGFR <60 ml·min -1·1.73 m -2, and baseline anemia were risk factors for non-AIDS-related deaths. Conclusions:The cumulative mortality rate was low among HIV-positive individuals after receiving ART in Dehong during 2010-2019. The mortality of non-AIDS-related deaths was higher than that of AIDS-related deaths. There were also differences in the factors influencing AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related deaths and interventions should be intensified to target the influencing factors for non-AIDS-related deaths.