Objective To investigate the global burden of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) from 1990 to 2021 and predict the trends in the burden of VL from 2022 to 2035, so as to provide insights into global VL prevention and control. Methods The global age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates of VL and their 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) were captured from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) data resources. The trends in the global burden of VL were evaluated with average annual percent change (AAPC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from 1990 to 2021, and gender-, age-, country-, geographical area- and socio-demographic index (SDI)-stratified burdens of VL were analyzed. The trends in the global burden of VL were projected with a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model from 2022 to 2035, and the associations of age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs rates of VL with SDI levels were examined with a smoothing spline model. Results The global age-standardized incidence [AAPC = -0.25%, 95% CI: (-0.25%, -0.24%)], prevalence [AAPC = -0.06%, 95% CI: (-0.06%, -0.06%)], mortality [AAPC = -0.25%, 95% CI: (-0.25%, -0.24%)] and DALYs rates of VL [AAPC = -2.38%, 95% CI: (-2.44%, -2.33%)] all appeared a tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021, and the highest age-standardized incidence [2.55/10⁵, 95% UI: (1.49/10⁵, 4.07/10⁵)], prevalence [0.64/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.37/10⁵, 1.02/10⁵)], mortality [0.51/10⁵, 95% UI: (0, 1.80/10⁵)] and DALYs rates of VL [33.81/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.06/10⁵, 124.09/10⁵)] were seen in tropical Latin America in 2021. The global age-standardized incidence and prevalence of VL were both higher among men [0.57/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.45/10⁵, 0.72/10⁵); 0.14/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.11/10⁵, 0.18/10⁵)] than among women [0.27/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.21/10⁵, 0.33/10⁵); 0.06/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.05/10⁵, 0.08/10⁵)], and the highest mortality of VL was found among children under 5 years of age [0.24/10⁵, 95% UI: (0.08/10⁵, 0.66/10⁵)]. The age-standardized incidence (r = -0.483, P < 0.001), prevalence (r = -0.483, P < 0.001), mortality (r = -0.511, P < 0.001) and DALYs rates of VL (r = -0.514, P < 0.001) correlated negatively with SDI levels from 1990 to 2021. In addition, the global burden of VL was projected with the BAPC model to appear a tendency towards a decline from 2022 to 2035, and the age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALYs rates were projected to be reduced to 0.11/10⁵, 0.03/10⁵, 0.02/10⁵ and 1.44/10⁵ in 2035, respectively. Conclusions Although the global burden of VL appeared an overall tendency towards a decline from 1990 to 2021, the burden of VL showed a tendency towards a rise in Central Asia and western sub-Saharan African areas. The age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates of VL were relatively higher among men, and the age-standardized mortality of VL was relatively higher among children under 5 years of age. The global burden of VL was projected to continue to decline from 2022 to 2035.

OBJECTIVE To construct the simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy based on virtual simulation technology， and assist in the development of the new mode of traditional Chinese medicine dispensing education training. METHODS The field research and questionnaire surveys were conducted to identify the needs of Chinese medicine students and practitioners for the content and presentation of knowledge on the construction of simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy. Taking the laws and regulations on the construction of traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy and the related teaching materials and literature on traditional Chinese medicine preparation as the knowledge source， the virtual simulation technology was applied to build a simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy so as to achieve the functions of browsing the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy， learning the knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine preparation and practical skills training. A multi-site simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy evaluation scale study was conducted based on platform operational testing. RESULTS A simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy was constructed， consisting of four core modules： video teaching， animation video， simulated pharmacy， and simulated experience. The overall score of evaluation scale was 93.31， with all entries scoring above 80； the ones with evaluation scales above 90 accounted for 92.31% （60/65）. CONCLUSIONS Simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy based on virtual simulation technology meets the learning needs of users and enhances the teaching effect of traditional Chinese medicine dispensing technology training.

177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)radio-ligand therapy has been approved abroad for advanced prostate cancer and has been in several clinical trials in China.Based on domestic clinical practice and experimental data and referred to international experience and viewpoints,the expert group forms a consensus on the clinical application of 177Lu-PSMA radio-ligand therapy in prostate cancer to guide clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the expression level and clinical application value of G-protein coupled receptor 15 ligand (GPR15L) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods In a retrospective cohort, real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of G-protein coupled receptor 15 (GPR15) mRNA and GPR15L mRNA in peripheral blood from 63 SLE patients (SLE group) and 57 healthy controls (control group). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum GPR15L protein expression levels in the SLE group, control group, and 50 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (disease control group). The relationship between serum GPR15L and laboratory indicators as well as therapeutic efficacy in SLE patients was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic efficacy of serum GPR15 alone and combination with common autoantibody indicators for SLE. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the independent risk factors for SLE onset. Results Compared with the control group, the SLE group exhibited increased levels of GPR15 mRNA and GPR15L mRNA in peripheral blood (P=0.016 4, P < 0.000 1, respectively). The serum GPR15L expression in the SLE group was higher than that in the disease control group (P < 0.000 1). The serum GPR15L protein expression level in SLE patients was positively correlated with GPR15L mRNA and disease activity (r=0.301 3, P=0.016 4; r=0.361 7, P=0.003 6) and negatively correlated with complement C3 and C4 levels (r=-0.341 2, P=0.006 2; r=-0.338 4, P=0.006 7). The ROC curves showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for serum GPR15L in distinguishing the SLE group from the control group was 0.870 8, and the AUC for distinguishing the SLE group from the control group was 0.765 5. The diagnostic efficacy of serum GPR15L combined with anti-SSA for SLE was significantly improved, with an AUC of 0.895 2. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated GPR15L protein and GPR15L mRNA were independent risk factors for SLE onset (P < 0.05). Conclusion The significant increase in serum GPR15L protein levels in SLE patients is closely related to SLE disease activity, and abnormal expression of GPR15L may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the effect of adjuvant to levofloxacin in the treatment of retreatment smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis, as well as its effect on respiratory function, immune function and inflammatory factors. Methods　One hundred cases of retreatment smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients admitted to Rudong County People's Hospital in Nantong city in Jiangsu province from 2017 to 2021 were randomly divided into a control group (n=50) and an observation group (n=50) according to random number table method. Both groups received conventional treatment (3 months of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide / 6 months of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol), with levofloxacin added to the control group, and thymopentin added to the observation group for the first three months in addition to routine treatment. The treatment effect of the two groups were compared. Results　The sputum smear conversion rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group after 3 months and 5 months of treatment (χ2=7.142, P<0.05; χ2=6.250, P<0.05). The cavity absorption time and lesion absorption time in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (t=4.006, P<0.05; t=5.165, P<0.05). The turning time of bacteriological culture in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (t=4.220,P<0.05). After 3 months of treatment, CD4+, CD3+, CD4+/CD8+ of the observation group were higher than those of the control group, the differences were statistically significant (t=8.885, P<0.05; t=6.274, P<0.05; t=4.357, P<0.05). After 3 months of treatment, the IFN-γ (interferon-γ) of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (t=8.892, P<0.05), whereas the , IL-10 (interleukin-10) was significantly lower than that in the control group (t=5.986, P<0.05). After 3 months of treatment, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV 1) and the one-second rate (forced expiratory volume in one second / forced vital capacity, FEV1/FVC) in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t=11.223, P<0.05; t=10.128, P<0.05; t=4.464, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (χ2=0.378, P>0.05). Conclusions　Thymopentin combined with levofloxacin had a significant application effect in the treatment of retreatment smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis, s, which led to improved inflammatory reaction, respiratory function and immune function. Additionally, it can increase sputum smear conversion rate and accelerate patient recovery, improving overall treatment efficacy, with a relatively high clinical application value.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the common causes of tumor-related death, and it has high morbidity and mortality rates in China. Recent studies have shown that platelets are closely associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Literature review shows that platelets not only participate in hemostasis, but also act on liver cells and tumor microenvironment, promote the formation of new blood vessels, and participate in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma as a cell mediator through immune response and other pathways. In addition, platelets and their derivatives can be used as potential therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, antiplatelet therapy is expected to become a new adjuvant strategy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, which has important clinical significance.

Objective:To explore the effect of Notch1 signaling on regulatory T cells and its roles in vascular damage in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD).Methods:A total of 42 children with KD were enrolled in the present study from March 2019 to June 2020, as 32 age-matched healthy children were recruited as control. The proportions of CD4 +CD25 hiFoxp 3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and expressions of transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3), cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA4), glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR), and Notch1 protein were evaluated by flow cytometry. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was conducted to detect acetylation level of histone H4 (H4Ac) associated with the promoter of Foxp3 gene and its binding abilities of Notch1 intracellular domain 1 (NICD1), recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region (RBP-J) and p300 in CD4 + T cells. Transcription levels of Foxp3, presenilin 1 (PSEN1), mastermind like transcriptional coactivator 1 (MAML1), and RBP-J in CD4 + T cells were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Concentrations of interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in plasma and culture supernatant stimulated with Jagged1 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Independent-sample t-test, Pearson correlation analysis was used as the statistical method in this study. Results:① The frequencies of Treg in acute KD patients decreased significantly [(4.3±1.5)% vs (7.9±2.9)%; t=6.41, P<0.001], as protein levels of Foxp3, CTLA4 and GITR and concentrations of IL-10 and TGF-β in plasma reduced remarkably in acute KD patients ( t=6.87, P<0.001; t=4.26, P<0.001; t=7.88, P<0.001; t=8.42, P<0.001; t=13.01, P<0.001). All parameters afore-mentioned in patients combined with coronary artery lesions (CAL) were lower than those of patients without coronary artery lesions (NCAL) ( t=5.83, P<0.001; t=3.83, P<0.001; t=3.28, P=0.002; t=5.05, P<0.001; t=5.96, P<0.001; t=5.17, P<0.001), and increased after therapy ( t=7.13, P<0.001; t=6.10, P<0.001; t=4.31, P<0.001; t=6.55, P<0.001; t=7.40, P<0.001; t=7.84, P<0.001). ② H4Ac associated with promoter of Foxp3 gene and the binding abilities of NICD1 and p300 in acute KD patients were lower than those of the controls ( t=10.25, P<0.001; t=6.93, P<0.001; t=6.75, P<0.001), and increased remarkably after therapy ( t=7.72, P<0.001; t=4.16, P<0.001; t=5.76, P<0.001). Meanwhile, the three items in CAL group were found to be less than those of NCAL group ( t=6.08, P<0.001; t=2.66, P=0.011; t=6.02, P<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between H4Ac associated with Foxp3 promoter and its mRNA level in acute KD patients ( r=0.47, P<0.001). No statistical significant difference about the binding ability of RBP-J with Foxp3 promoter were found among the groups ( t=0.57, P>0.05; t=0.61, P>0.05; t=1.20, P>0.05). ③ Protein level of Notch1 and the expressions of PSEN1, MAML1 and RBP-J mRNA in CD4 + T cells from acute KD patients were down-regulated remarkably ( t=5.28, P<0.001; t=6.31, P<0.001; t=11.78, P<0.001; t=8.06, P<0.001), and restored after therapy ( t=4.77, P<0.001; t=6.43, P<0.001; t=11.95, P<0.001; t=7.79, P<0.001). In parallel, the four indexes aforementioned of CAL group were lower than those of NCAL group ( t=3.16, P=0.003; t=4.13, P<0.001; t=5.42, P<0.001; t=4.05, P<0.001). Upon rhJagged1 stimulation for 48 hours, H4Ac level of Foxp3 promoter and its binding abilities with NICD1 and p300 in CD4 + T cells in KD patients and control group was significantly higher than those of untreated group [(KD: t=15.36, P<0.001; t=7.25, P<0.001; t=14.29, P<0.001), (Ctrl: t=7.87, P<0.001; t=5.71, P<0.001; t=8.74, P<0.001)], as the binding ability of RBP-J with Foxp3 promoter increased slightly without statistically significant difference (KD: t=1.11, P>0.05; Ctrl: t=1.37, P>0.05). Simultaneously, H4Ac level of Foxp3 promoter and its binding abilities with NICD1 and p300 in KD group were still lower than those of the control group after stimulation ( t=3.86, P<0.001; t=3.42, P=0.001; t=2.85, P=0.006). ④ After incubation of PBMC from heathy children with KD serum, the proportion of Treg cells, protein level of Foxp3 and expressions of Notch1 and RBP-J in CD4 + T cells in the group treated with IVIG increased significantly compared with the untreated group ( t=7.10, P<0.001; t=10.16, P<0.001; t=8.06, P<0.001; t=9.77, P<0.001), as well as H4Ac level of Foxp3 promoter and its binding abilities with NICD1 in the group treat with IVIG were also higher than the latter ( t=7.24, P<0.001; t=8.24, P<0.001). Conclusion:Insufficiency and impaired function of Treg caused by aberrant Notch1 signaling may be the important factor contributing to immune dysfunction and vascular damage in KD.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of serum monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) level in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods:A total of 127 patients who underwent coronary angiography in the cardiology department of the Third Hospital of Changsha were enrolled as subjects. Patients with coronary artery stenosis ≥50% were included in the CHD group ( n=97), and patients with coronary artery stenosis <50% were included in the control group ( n=30). According to the clinical classification of CHD, the patients were divided into stable angina group ( n=31), unstable angina group ( n=35) and acute myocardial infarction group ( n=31). The general clinical data of the selected cases were collected, and the serum MHR, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were detected. The degree of coronary artery lesions was scored by Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score system, and the number of coronary artery lesions was counted. The relationship between MHR level, MPO, hs-CRP and the degree of coronary artery stenosis in CHD group was analyzed. The MHR level of CHD was divided into three subgroups by triquartile: the differences of SYNTAX score and the number of coronary artery lesions were compared in the low MHR group (≤0.41, n=40), the middle MHR group (0.410.48, n=27). The value of serum MHR in diagnosing CHD was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The risk factors of CHD were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results:(1) The serum MHR level in CHD group was higher than that in non-CHD group ( P<0.001). In different clinical subgroups of CHD: the levels of serum MHR were significantly higher in acute myocardial infarction group than unstable angina group and stable angina group ( P<0.001). (2) There was a positive correlation between serum MHR, MPO level with SYNTAX score in CHD group ( r=0.878, 0.477, 0.285, all P<0.001). (3) The SYNTAX score in high MHR group was higher than those in middle MHR and low MHR group; the SYNTAX score in middle MHR group was higher than that of low MHR group ( P<0.001); There was no significant difference in the number of coronary artery lesions among the three MHR level subgroups ( P>0.05). (4) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LDL-C ( OR=1.107, 95% CI: 0.974-1.259), MHR ( OR=1.873, 95% CI: 1.352-2.496) were independent risk factors for CHD (all P<0.05). (5) ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of MHR in diagnosing CHD was 0.987, and the sensitivity was 82.8%. Conclusions:Serum MHR level is higher in patients with CHD, which is closely related to the severity of coronary artery disease and is an independent risk factor of CHD.

Objective:To investigate the changes and significance of granulocyte-like myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSC) in the acute phage of Kawasaki disease (KD).Methods:Forty-two children with acute KD were enrolled in the present study and 32 age-matched healthy children were selected as control group. The proportion of HLA-DR -CD11b + CD33 + CD14 -CD15 + G-MDSC, the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of arginase-1 (Arg-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA4), glycoprotein 130 (gp130) and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) at protein level were detected by flow cytometry. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF-8), IL-6 receptor α subunit (IL-6Rα), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ), suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) and SOCS3 at mRNA level in G-MDSC. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed to detect the acetylation of histone H3 at the promoters of SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes. Plasma concentrations of IL-6 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and protein levels of IL-10, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and nitric oxide (NO) in the culture supernatant of G-MDSC stimulated with LPS were measured by ELISA. Results:(1) Compared with the control group, the proportion of HLA-DR -CD11b + CD33 + CD14 -CD15 + G-MDSC as well as the concentration of ROS and the expression of inhibitory molecules (Arg-1, PD-L1 and CTLA4) in G-MDSC increased significantly in patients with acute KD ( P<0.05). Moreover, the concentrations of IL-10 and TGF-β in culture supernatant of G-MDSC were also higher than those of the control group after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide for 48 h ( P<0.05). All of the seven afore-mentioned indexes in KD patients with coronary artery lesion (CAL group ) were lower than those in patients without coronary artery lesion (NCAL group) ( P<0.05), and restored to some extent after IVIG therapy ( P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in iNOS expression or NO concentration in culture supernatant of G-MDSC among different groups ( P<0.05). (2) Plasma concentrations of IL-6 and G-CSF, and the expression of IL-6Rα, gp130, G-CSFR, pSTAT3 and C/EBPβ increased remarkably during acute phase of KD ( P<0.05). The expression of IRF-8 at transcription level in patients with acute KD was found to be lower than that of healthy controls ( P<0.05), and restored significantly after IVIG therapy ( P<0.05). Moreover, the plasma concentrations of IL-6 and G-CSF and the expression of IL-6Rα, gp130, G-CSFR and IRF-8 in the CAL group were higher than those in the NCAL group ( P<0.05), while the expression of pSTAT3 and C/EBPβ was lower in the CAL group ( P<0.05), which were restored by IVIG therapy ( P<0.05). (3) In patients with acute KD, the expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3 at mRNA level and histone acetylation at the promoters of SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes were reduced significantly in comparison with those in healthy controls ( P<0.05) , but were increased remarkably after IVIG treatment( P<0.05). The four indexes were higher in the CAL group than in the NCAL group ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed the expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3 was negatively correlated with the protein level of pSTAT3 in G-MDSC of patients with acute KD ( r=-0.46 and -0.32, P<0.05). Conclusions:Changes in the number and function of G-MDSC caused by aberrant histone acetylation at SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes might contribute to the immune dysfunction and vascular damage in patients with KD.

Objective:To investigate the changes of CD8 + CD28 - regulatory T cells (Treg) and its role in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods:A total of 48 children with KD were enrolled in the present study from June 2019 to December 2021. Blood samples were collected from them during acute phage of KD and after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Another 32 age-matched healthy children were recruited as control group. The proportions of CD8 + CD28 -Treg cells and the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), factor associated suicide ligand (FasL), inducible T-cell co-stimulator ligand (ICOSL), CD80 and CD86 protein were evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression of Helios, perforin, granzyme B, immunoglobulin-like transcript 3 (ILT3) and ILT4 at the transcription level was measured by real-time PCR. Concentrations of IL-10 and TGF-β in the culture supernatants of CD8 + CD28 -Treg cells stimulated with activated CD4 + T cells were measured by ELISA. Results:⑴ The proportions of CD8 + CD28 -Treg cells and the expression of Helios in patients with acute KD were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05), and reduced remarkably after IVIG therapy ( P<0.05). The two afore-mentioned indexes were lower in patients combined with coronary artery lesion (CAL) than in those without coronary artery lesion (NCAL) ( P<0.05). ⑵ Compared with the control group, the patients with acute KD showed increased expression of FasL, PD-1, ICOSL and perforin in CD8 + CD28 -Treg cells ( P<0.05). The concentrations of IL-10 and TGF-β1 in the culture supernatants of CD8 + CD28 -Treg cells from patients with acute KD were lower than those in the control group after stimulation with activated CD4 + T cells ( P<0.05), which restored to some extent after IVIG treatment ( P<0.05). All of the six above-mentioned indexes in the CAL group were found to be lower than those in the NCAL group ( P<0.05). There were slight differences in granzyme B expression between different groups ( P>0.05). (3) In comparison with the healthy controls, the patients with acute KD showed overexpressed co-stimulatory molecules such as CD80 and CD86 on CD14 + cells ( P<0.05) and up-regulated expression of inhibitory molecules ILT3 and ILT4 ( P<0.05), which were restored remarkably after IVIG treatment ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression of CD80 and CD86 at protein level increased in the CAL group than in the NCAL group ( P<0.05), while the expression of ILT3 and ILT4 at transcriptional level decreased in the CAL group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Relative insufficiency and impaired function of CD8 + CD28 -Treg cells might be one of the important factors resulting in immune dysfunction and vascular damage in KD patients.