ObjectiveTo investigate the features of serum HBV RNA in different stages of the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection without antiviral treatment， as well as its correlation with serum HBV DNA and HBsAg. MethodsA total of 306 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV infection who attended Department of Infections Diseases and Hepatoloty， the Second Hospital of Shandong University from January 2023 to June 2024 were divided into six groups based on the different stages of natural history， i.e.， HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection group with 29 patients， HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B （CHB） group with 107 patients， HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection group with 18 patients， HBeAg-negative CHB group with 60 patients， HBeAg-positive indeterminate-phase chronic HBV infection group with 7 patients， and HBeAg-negative indeterminate-phase chronic HBV infection group with 85 patients. Real-time isothermal RNA amplification was used to measure serum high-sensitivity HBV RNA. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups of continuous data， while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between two groups. The Spearman method was used to investigate the correlation of HBV RNA with HBV DNA and HBsAg. ResultsThe HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection group showed the highest level of serum HBV RNA ［7.5 （7.4‍ ‍—‍ ‍7.9） log₁₀ copies/mL］， followed by the HBeAg-positive CHB group ［7.4 （6.4‍ ‍—‍ ‍7.9） log₁₀ copies/mL］， the HBeAg-negative CHB group ［4.5 （3.0‍ ‍—‍ ‍5.7） log₁₀ copies/mL］， and the HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection group ［1.0 （1.0‍ ‍—‍ ‍2.0） log₁₀ copies/mL］； the HBeAg-positive indeterminate-phase chronic HBV infection group had a serum HBV RNA level of 3.9 （3.7‍ ‍—‍ ‍5.7） log₁₀ copies/mL， and the HBeAg-negative indeterminate-phase chronic HBV infection group had a serum HBV RNA level of 2.0 （1.0‍ ‍—‍ ‍3.0） log₁₀ copies/mL； there was a significant difference in serum HBV RNA level between the six groups （H=830.770， P<0.001）. There was a significant difference in HBV RNA level between the HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection group and all the other groups except the HBeAg-positive CHB group （all P<0.001）. In the 306 patients with HBV infection， HBV RNA was strongly correlated with HBV DNA （r=0.92， P<0.001） and was moderately correlated with HBsAg （r=0.67， P<0.001）. The correlation between serum HBV RNA and HBsAg in HBeAg-positive patients （r=0.61， P<0.001） was stronger than that in HBeAg-negative patients （r=0.31， P<0.001）. For the patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection， the male patients with ALT>30 U/L and the female patients with ALT>19 U/L had a significantly lower serum HBV RNA level than the male patients with ALT≤30 U/L and the female patients with ALT≤19 U/L （P<0.001）， and there was no significant difference in serum HBV RNA level between the latter group of patients and the HBeAg-positive CHB group （P>0.05）. ConclusionIn patients with chronic HBV infection who do not receive antiviral therapy， there is a difference in serum HBV RNA level in different stages of natural history， and serum HBV RNA level has the strongest correlation with HBV DNA and a relatively weak correlation with HBsAg. In patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection， serum HBV RNA level in male patients with ALT>30 U/L and female patients with ALT>19 U/L are in the transition stage between HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection and HBeAg-positive CHB.

Objective To analyze the levels of serum CTCs and ctDNA in NSCLC patients receiving first-line EGFR-TKI treatment, and to explore the clinical value of CTCs and ctDNA detection in assessing the efficacy of treatment for advanced lung cancer. Methods A total of 109 NSCLC patients receiving first-line EGFR-TKI treatment were enrolled. Serum tumor markers CEA, CTCs, and ctDNA were detected at baseline and after one month of treatment. Chest CT scans were performed, and treatment efficacy was evaluated based on RECIST1.1 criteria. CTCs were counted by enrichment-staining-computational algorithm to analyze malignant features, while ctDNA was assessed using digital PCR. Results Survival rate was low in patients with abnormal CEA and ctDNA tests at baseline and in patients with reduced serum CTCs after treatment. In the SD subgroup of patients with brain metastases and advanced stage, the PFS benefit was low. Conclusion Patients in the SD subgroup have significantly higher recurrence risks than those in the PR or CR subgroups. Therefore, CTC and ctDNA testing should be applied to patients in the SD subgroup to identify high-risk patients with poor response to EGFR-TKI treatment, intervene with additional treatment promptly, and obtain long progression-free survival.

Background: and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture. Results: The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.

Background: and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture. Results: The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.

Background: and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture. Results: The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.

Objective: To explore the mediating effect of life meaning and subjective well being during college students values influence depression, providing insights for reducing college students depression. Methods: Utilizing a longitudinal approach, the study employed four scales of assessing Chinese adolescent values, sense of life meaning, subjective wellbeing, and depression to conduct a twoyear followup survey of 576 university students (September 2021 T1; September 2023 T2). Three multiple chained mediation models were constructed and analyzed using PROCESS Model 6. Results: Across the two waves, students endorsement of collective responsibility [(3.74±0.67)(3.64±0.65)] and self improvement [(3.78±0.75)(3.54±0.73)] decreased, while personal happiness [(3.46±0.77)(3.70±0.71)] and depression levels [(0.92±0.43)(0.99±0.50)] increased. Personal happiness T1 negatively predicted depression T2 ( β =-0.21) by enhancing subjective well being T2 ( β =0.20), with a mediation effect of -0.04 (95% CI =-0.07 to -0.02)(all P <0.01). Self improvement T1 negatively predicted depression T2( β =-0.08,-0.20) by increasing sense of life meaning T2 ( β =0.49) and through a serial mediation (sense of life meaning T2 →subjective well being T2, β =0.29), with mediation effects of -0.04 (95% CI =-0.06 to -0.02) and -0.03 (95% CI =-0.04 to -0.02)(all P <0.01). Collective responsibility negatively T1 predicted depression T2 ( β =-0.08,-0.21) via separate pathways (sense of life meaning T2: β = 0.29 ; subjective well being T2: β =0.17) and a serial mediation (sense of life meaning T2→ subjective well being T2, β =0.28), with mediation effects of -0.02 (95% CI =-0.04 to -0.01), -0.04 (95% CI = -0.07 to -0.01) and -0.02 (95% CI =-0.03 to -0.01 )(all P <0.01). Conclusion The three values influence depression through distinct psychological mechanisms, providing a basis for mental health interventions and values education.

ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect and mechanism of Gegen Qianliantang （GQT） on intestinal mucosal barrier function in dextran sulfate sodium （DSS）-induced ulcerative colitis （UC） model mice. MethodsA UC model was established in C57BL/6 mice using a 2.5% DSS solution. Mice were randomly divided into five groups （n=8 per group）： blank group， model group， mesalazine sustained-release granule group （0.52 g·kg^-1）， high-dose GQT group （2.23 g·kg^-1）， and low-dose GQT group （1.12 g·kg^-1）. Fecal characteristics and body weight changes were observed before and after treatment. The body weight loss and disease activity index （DAI） of UC mice were calculated to evaluate symptom severity. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Alizarin blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining were used to detect histological changes in colon tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） and mucin 2 （MUC2）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon-γ （IFN-γ）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， IL-17A， and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Flow cytometry was used to detect the activation of helper T lymphocyte subsets （Th1， Th17）， regulatory T cells （Treg）， and regulatory B cells （Breg） in spleen and colon tissues. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of T-bet， forkhead box protein P3（FoxP3）， nuclear transcription factor（NF）-κB p65， phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65）， signal transducer and activator of transcription 3（STAT3）， and phosphorylated STAT3 （p-STAT3）. ResultsCompared with the model group， both high- and low-dose GQT groups significantly improved the body weight loss and DAI scores （P<0.05）， alleviated colonic inflammation， and showed optimal efficacy in the high-dose group. AB-PAS staining showed that compared with the model group， both the high- and low-dose GQT groups significantly increased goblet cell proliferation and mucin secretion， indicating improved mucosal barrier function. GQT upregulated the expression of ZO-1 and MUC2 in colon tissue （P<0.05）， suppressed IFN-γ， IL-6， and TNF-α secretion （P<0.05）， elevated IL-10 secretion （P<0.05）， but had no significant effect on IL-17A. At the same time， high- and low-dose GQT intervention increased the activation of CD4⁺ FoxP3⁺ Treg cells （P<0.05） and suppressed activation of CD4⁺ IFN-γ⁺ Th1 cells （P<0.05）. Western blot showed that GQT downregulated T-bet， NF-κB p65， and STAT3 protein expression （P<0.05）， upregulated FoxP3 （P<0.05）， and also reduced phosphorylation levels of p-NF-κB p65 and p-STAT3 （P<0.05）. ConclusionGQT can upregulate the activation of CD4⁺ FoxP3⁺ Treg cells， reduce the activation of CD4⁺ IFN-γ⁺ Th1 cells， inhibit the secretion of IFN-γ， IL-6， and TNF-α， and increase the secretion of IL-10. It enhances the expression of MUC2 and ZO-1 in colon tissue， thereby alleviating inflammatory damage to the intestinal mucosa and restoring mucosal barrier integrity. These effects may be related to its regulation of NF-κB p65 and STAT3 signaling pathways， ultimately regulating the activation of transcription factors T-bet and FoxP3.

Objective: To investigate the status of salt-restriction spoons use among residents in Zhejiang Province, so as to provide evidence for optimizing salt-reduction intervention strategies and preventing chronic disease. Methods: Residents aged 18-69 from five counties (cities/districts) in Zhejiang Province were selected using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. Demographic characteristics, dietary habits, and salt-restriction spoons use were collected using questionnaires. The rate of salt-restriction spoons use and correct rate of salt-restriction spoons use were analyzed. Factors affecting salt-restriction spoons use among residents were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Totally 7 601 questionnaires were allocated, and 7 509 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 98.79%. The respondents included 3 744 males (49.86%) and 3 765 females (50.14%). The mean age was (44.81±14.03) years. The rate of salt-restriction spoons use was 11.97%, the correct rate of salt-restriction spoon use was 52.73%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that rural (OR=0.851, 95%CI: 0.731-0.991), education level of primary school and below (illiterate or semi-literate, OR=0.269, 95%CI: 0.172-0.420; primary school, OR=0.595, 95%CI: 0.436-0.811), and excessive dietary salt intake (OR=0.718, 95%CI: 0.559-0.922) were inhibiting factors for salt-restriction spoons use among residents; physical exercise (OR=1.581, 95%CI: 1.362-1.836) and received health education on a low-salt diet (OR=2.082, 95%CI: 1.790-2.421) were promoting factors for salt-restriction spoons use among residents. Conclusions The rate of salt-restriction spoons use among residents in Zhejiang Province was relatively low, primarily influenced by region, educational level, physical activity, dietary salt intake, and health education on a low-salt diet. It is recommended that propose a multi-component intervention strategy centered on skill enhancement and health education, delivered through progressive staged implementation, to promote sustained adoption of salt-restriction spoons among residents.

Background::Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a fatal cardiovascular disease, the pathogenesis of which has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to identify and validate the diagnostic markers of TAA to provide a strong theoretical basis for developing new methods to prevent and treat this disease.Methods::Gene expression profiles of the GSE9106, GSE26155, and GSE155468 datasets were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the "limma" package in R. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), random forest, and binary logistic regression analyses were used to screen the diagnostic marker genes. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to estimate immune cell infiltration in TAA.Results::A total of 16 DEGs were identified. The enrichment and functional correlation analyses showed that DEGs were mainly associated with inflammatory response pathways and collagen-related diseases. Collagen type I alpha 1 chain ( COL1A1) and synaptotagmin like 2 ( SYTL2) were identified as diagnostic marker genes with a high diagnostic value for TAA. The expression of COL1A1 and SYTL2 was considerably higher in TAA vascular wall tissues than in the corresponding normal tissues, and there were significant differences in the infiltration of immune cells between TAA and normal vascular wall tissues. Additionally, COL1A1 and SYTL2 expression were associated with the infiltration of immune cells in the vascular wall tissue. Single-cell analysis showed that COL1A1 in TAA was mainly derived from fibroblasts and SYTL2 mainly from cluster of differentiation (CD)8 + T cells. In addition, single-cell analysis indicated that fibroblasts and CD8 + T cells in TAA were significantly higher than those in normal arterial wall tissue. Conclusions::COL1A1 and SYTL2 may serve as diagnostic marker genes for TAA. The upregulation of SYTL2 and COL1A1 may be involved in the inflammatory infiltration of the vessel wall and poor extracellular matrix remodeling, promoting the progression of TAA.

Objective:To summarize the HRCT and MRI appearances of stapical footplate fistula related to inner ear malformation (SFF-Re-IEM).Methods:The HRCT and MRI materials of 48 cases (53 ears) SFF-Re-IEM were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 25 SFF-Re-IEM ears were confirmed by surgery. Their CT and MRI findings including associated IEM type, internal auditory canal (IAC) malformation, tympanic fluid, its density and signal features, and accompanied labyrinthitis were recorded.Results:Among 48 cases (53 ears) with SFF-Re-IEM, 17 ears with incomplete partition type Ⅰ, accounting for 32.1%, 13 ears with common cavity for 24.5%, 13 ears with cochlear aplasia for 24.5%, 7 ears with cochlear dysplasia Ⅱ for 13.2%, and 3 ears with Mondini for 5.7%,were found respectively. 94.3% of them were associated with a defect or dysplasia in the found of the IAC. They were divided into 4 types according to the intact of the stapical footplate and accompanied CSF otorrhea: 22 ears were diagnosed as the stapical footplate leaking, of them, 2 ears might come from the stapical footplate bony defect, 6 ears were from the stapical footplate hernia. 1 ear belonged to the peristapical footplate leaking. 30 ears with the isolated the stapical footplate hernia were another found. The bony defect in 2 ears with the stapical footplate bony defect were not presented on CT and MRI.The focal bony defect of the affected stapical footplate of 36 ears with the stapical footplate hernia were demonstrated, which presented the hemispherical protruding into the tympana, the soft-tissue density on CT, and CSF-like signal on the MR heaved-T2WI images. Among 22 ears with the stapical footplate leaking, their imaging appearances varied from the different amount of the leaking CSF. Besides the focal bony defects of the affected stapical footplates, there were much more CSF-like density or signal in the ipsilateral tympanic cavity in 17 affected ears connecting with the vestibule through the defect area. In the CSF leaking ears with less CSF leaking in 5 ears, the CSF-like cysts like SFH were shown on the stapical footplate defect area, but their outer edges were irregular, and the CSF-like signal scattering in the tympanic cavity did not connect with the protruding cysts at the stapical area.Conclusion:The variable appearances of the SFF-Re-IEM ears based on the different subtypes are its characteristic HRCT and MRI appearances. This is helpful for the SFF-Re-IEM diagnosing to grasp its imaging features.