AIM: To investigate the role of pyroptosis in the development of diabetic retinopathy(DR)and to explore the regulatory mechanism by which circular RNA(circRNA)and its targeted microRNA(miRNA)mediate pyroptosis in DR, providing new therapeutic targets and strategies for the prevention and treatment of DR.METHODS: A streptozotocin(STZ)-induced model of type 1 diabetes in SD rats was established. The expression of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related factors were measured in retinal tissues. CCK-8 and tube formation assays were used to detect the effect of different concentration of glucose on cell proliferation and angiogenic abilities of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs). The expression levels of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related markers were evaluated through qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, with additional experiments conducted following circRNA_0076631 knockdown to assess its effect on pyroptosis markers. Previous bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays identified a shared binding site among circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and caspase-1. To clarify the interaction between these molecules, co-transfection experiments using circRNA_0076631 inhibitors(ASO-circRNA_0076631), miR-214 overexpression transfection reagent, and miR-214 inhibitors(AMO-miR-214)were conducted to elucidate the regulatory pathway involved in DR.RESULTS: Both the diabetic rat model and D-glucose-treated HRMECs showed significantly elevated expression of circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis-related factors(NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β), while miR-214 expression was reduced(all P<0.05). The mRNA expression of pyroptosis-related factors caspase-1 was reduced after the overexpression of miR-214, and it was upregulated after the inhibition of miR-214(all P<0.05). Knockdown of circRNA_0076631 reduced the mRNA expression of pyroptosis markers caspase-1(P<0.05). Co-transfection experiments revealed that the inhibition circRNA_0076631 suppressed pyroptosis(all P<0.05), but this suppression was reversed upon co-transfection with miR-214 inhibitors, leading to increased mRNA expression of the pyroptosis marker caspase-1(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis play critical roles in the pathogenesis of DR, and circRNA_0076631 may regulate pyroptosis by modulating miR-214, which in turn influences the expression of caspase-1 in the pyroptosis signaling pathway, thereby contributing to DR progression. The circRNA_0076631 may serve as a novel therapeutic target, providing new insights for the prevention and treatment of DR.

AIM: To investigate the role of pyroptosis in the development of diabetic retinopathy(DR)and to explore the regulatory mechanism by which circular RNA(circRNA)and its targeted microRNA(miRNA)mediate pyroptosis in DR, providing new therapeutic targets and strategies for the prevention and treatment of DR.METHODS: A streptozotocin(STZ)-induced model of type 1 diabetes in SD rats was established. The expression of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related factors were measured in retinal tissues. CCK-8 and tube formation assays were used to detect the effect of different concentration of glucose on cell proliferation and angiogenic abilities of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs). The expression levels of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related markers were evaluated through qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, with additional experiments conducted following circRNA_0076631 knockdown to assess its effect on pyroptosis markers. Previous bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays identified a shared binding site among circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and caspase-1. To clarify the interaction between these molecules, co-transfection experiments using circRNA_0076631 inhibitors(ASO-circRNA_0076631), miR-214 overexpression transfection reagent, and miR-214 inhibitors(AMO-miR-214)were conducted to elucidate the regulatory pathway involved in DR.RESULTS: Both the diabetic rat model and D-glucose-treated HRMECs showed significantly elevated expression of circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis-related factors(NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β), while miR-214 expression was reduced(all P<0.05). The mRNA expression of pyroptosis-related factors caspase-1 was reduced after the overexpression of miR-214, and it was upregulated after the inhibition of miR-214(all P<0.05). Knockdown of circRNA_0076631 reduced the mRNA expression of pyroptosis markers caspase-1(P<0.05). Co-transfection experiments revealed that the inhibition circRNA_0076631 suppressed pyroptosis(all P<0.05), but this suppression was reversed upon co-transfection with miR-214 inhibitors, leading to increased mRNA expression of the pyroptosis marker caspase-1(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis play critical roles in the pathogenesis of DR, and circRNA_0076631 may regulate pyroptosis by modulating miR-214, which in turn influences the expression of caspase-1 in the pyroptosis signaling pathway, thereby contributing to DR progression. The circRNA_0076631 may serve as a novel therapeutic target, providing new insights for the prevention and treatment of DR.

Objective: To investigate the intentions of mothers of ageappropriate girls in Qingdao to vaccinate their daughters against human papillomavirus (HPV), so as to provide theoretical guidance for targeted health education in the future. Methods: A multistage random sampling method was adopted to conduct a crosssectional study among 2 244 mothers of girls aged 12-14 years in Qingdao from March to December 2023. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for group comparisons, and Logistic regression was performed to analyze the factors that influenced maternal intention to vaccinate their ageappropriate daughters against HPV. Results: Among the surveyed mothers, 89.22% (n=2 002) intended to vaccinate their daughters against HPV, and 68.58% (n=1 539) had fully vaccinated or had plans to complete it for themselves. The knowledge score of mothers intended to vaccinate their daughters was 10 (8, 11). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that mothers aged >45 years (OR=0.19), those with an annual family income of 60 000-<150 000 yuan (OR=0.65), 150 000-<300 000 yuan (OR=0.58), 300 000-500 000 yuan (OR=0.22), and those with higher knowledge scores (OR=0.90) were more likely to vaccinate their daughters (P<0.05). Mothers with a junior college or undergraduate degree (OR=1.66), those who never or occasionally screened for HPV (OR=1.58), those who were intended to be vaccinated, not planning to complete the fullcourse vaccination, or overaged and unvaccinated (OR=7.13), those who were not concerned about their daughters HPV infection (OR=2.54), and those whose daughters were not in adolescence (OR=1.93) were less intended to vaccinate their daughters (P<0.05). The primary reasons for vaccine hesitancy were vaccine safety concerns (65.06%), followed by the belief of mothers that "the children is to young, and can be vaccinated when they are older" (13.25%). Conclusions Mothers of eligible girls in Qingdao have relatively higher intentions to vaccinate their daughters against HPV, and willingness is influenced by factors such as the mothers vaccination status, knowledge level, and daughters development stage. It is recommended to strengthen targeted health education, improve the cognitive level and acceptance of mother, and increase the vaccination rate of HPV vaccines.

This article reports a patient with typical Cushing syndrome′s manifestations and extremely low plasma cortisol level, indicating glucocorticoid hypersensitivity syndrome. After treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone, the patient′s Cushing symptoms were significantly relieved, and cortisol levels returned to normal. The aim of this report is to enhance clinical awareness among physicians regarding glucocorticoid hypersensitivity syndrome.

Objective To investigate the imaging manifestations and pathological basis of hepatic angiosarcoma(HAS).Methods The CT and MRI findings of 12 patients with HAS confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively and compared with pathological findings.Results Based on morphological classification,the 12 cases of HAS were categorized into three types:massive patterns(n=3),mixed patterns of mass with nodules(n=2),and diffuse infiltration patterns(n=7).Hemorrhage was observed in 9 cases,and necrosis was present in all 12 cases.The massive patterns exhibited peripheral or nodular,patchy,annular,and cord-like enhancement patterns during the arterial phase,with increasing enhancement during the portal and delayed phases.The mixed patterns of mass with nodules demonstrated mild enhancement around the margin or in patchy and spotty structures during the arterial phase,progressing to expansive enhancement during the portal and delayed phases.Four of the seven diffuse infiltration patterns presented with mesh enhancement during the arterial phase,which expanded and became diffuse during the portal phase,accompanied by progressively enlarged enhancing nodules.In the delayed phase,the lesions were fused.The other three cases showed diffuse nodular enhancement during the arterial phase followed by increased enhancement during both portal phase and delayed phase.Regardless of subtype,focal fusion occurred during the delayed phase when multiple intrahepatic lesions were present,and the hemorrhagic and necrotic parts did not enhance.Conclusion The imaging characteristics of HAS include heterogeneous and progressive enhancement,often accompanied by hemorrhage,cystic change,and necrosis.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.

OBJECTIVE To screen the potential drug targets and signaling pathways of Acanthopanax senticosus for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease(AD) by bioinformatics and network pharmacology-based approach, and to preliminarily validate its efficacy. METHODS The ingredients of Acanthopanax senticosus were obtained through literature, the ingredients were screened by Swiss ADME, and potential targets were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. AD’s differentially expressed genes were screened from the GSE28146 dataset. The target of Acanthopanax senticosus and AD target were mapped to construct a “drug-ingredients-potential target-disease” network and protein-protein interaction network. The DAVID database was used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Autodock software was used to verify the molecular docking between key active ingredients and core targets. AD mice model was induced by D-galactose combined with aluminum chloride. Morris water maze test was performed to examine the learning memory ability of each group of mice and to observe the pathological changes in the hippocampus of mice. RESULTS Screened to obtain 24 active components and 74 potential targets of Acanthopanax senticosus for the treatment of AD. “Drug-ingredients-potential target-disease” network indicated that quercetin and kaempferol were the main components of Acanthopanax senticosus for the treatment of AD, and the protein-protein interaction network indicated that STAT3, MAPK1 and PIK3CA were the key targets. Obtained 366 GO enrichment entries(P<0.01) and 109 KEGG enrichment pathways(P<0.01). It mainly involved PI3K-AKT, AGE-RAGE, TNF and other pathways. The molecular docking results showed that the main active ingredients of Acanthopanax senticosus were able to bind well to the main targets. The in vivo pharmacological results showed that Acanthopanax senticosus could significantly improve the learning and memory ability of mice, reduce hippocampal tissue damage, and decrease the content of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in hippocampal tissue. CONCLUSION Acanthopanax senticosus may exert anti-AD effects by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors and reducing inflammatory damage.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Fufang-Xuanju capsule combined with levofloxacin mesylate tablets in the treatment of chronic epididymitis. Methods: A total of 76 patients in the Urology Department of Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences who met the inclusion criteria from December 2016 to February 2019, were divided into treatment group (43 cases) and control group (33 cases). The control group was given levofloxacin mesylate tablets orally. The treatment group was given Fufang-Xuanju capsule based on the control group. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Chronic epididymitis symptom index (CESI) was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy by pain score and quality of life score. Results: The total effective rate was 83.7% (36/43) in the treatment group and 63.6% (26/33) in the control group. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ²=4.020, P=0.045). Compared with baseline, the pain scores, quality of life scores and total scores of both groups at 2, 4 weeks after treatment were significantly lower (P<0.01). Two weeks after the treatment, the pain scores, quality of life scores and total scores in the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group (F value were 16.132, 9.134 and 23.681, respectively, all Ps<0.01). And 4 weeks after the treatment, the pain scores, quality of life scores and total scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than that of the control group (F value were 28.741, 74.049, 72.483, respectively, all Ps<0.01). Conclusions Fufang-Xuanju capsule combined with levofloxacin mesylate tablets can alleviate the pain of patients with chronic epididymitis, improve the quality of life and improve the clinical efficacy.

Objective:To identify 49 Aeromonas caviae strains isolated form foodborne and environmental samples and analyze their virulence and antibiotic resistance. Methods:All strains were identified by VITEK and API 20NE. Two housekeeping genes, gryB and rpoD, were amplified by PCR for phylogenetic analysis. Virulence genes including act, alt, ast, lip, ahp, aerA, hlyA, ompA1 and fla were detected by PCR. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of these strains was tested with AST-GN16 kit. Results:Fifty-four Aeromonas caviae/ Aeromonas hydrophila strains were identified by biochemical tests. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that there were 49 Aeromonas caviae strains, four Aeromonas hydrophila strains and one Aeromonas taiwanensis strain. The positive rates of alt, lip, ompA1, fla, act, aerA and hlyA genes were 100.00%, 100.00%, 79.59%, 14.29%, 2.04%, 2.04% and 2.04%, respectively. None of the isolates carried ast or ahp gene. A total of four virulence gene combination patterns were detected, and the predominant pattern was alt/ lip/ ompA1 (32/49). Antibiotic resistance rates of the Aeromonas caviae strains to ampicillin, cefazolin, cefoxitin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, trimethoprim/sulfamet hoxoazole and aztreonam were 79.59%, 14.29%, 10.20%, 6.12%, 4.08%, 4.08% and 2.04%, respectively. All strains were susceptible to piparacillin/tazobactam, imipenem, amikacin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, tigacycline and nitrofurantoin. Two multidrug-resistant strains were detected. Conclusions:Aeromonas caviae/ Aeromonas hydrophila can be effectively identified by the housekeeping genes gyrB and rpoD, and the closely related Aeromonas caviae and Aeromonas taiwanensis strains can be identified by rpoD. All Aeromonas caviae strains carried two or more virulence genes and one strain isolated from environment was positive for seven virulence genes. Aeromonas caviae strains were generally resistant to penicillin, which was mainly relate to the production of β-lactamase. No strain was resistant to carbapenems, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines or furans. Multidrug-resistant strains were observed in food and drinking water.

Objective:To screen risk factors for delirium and its duration in intensive care unit (ICU)patients.Methods:1 200 patients admitted to ICU of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from May 2017 to May 2019 were enrolled. The gender, age, anesthesia mode, duration of mechanical ventilation and hypoxia, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, sedative drug use, and length of ICU stay were recorded. The occurrence and duration of ICU delirium were recorded. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the factors with statistical significance differences between the groups for screening the risk factors for delirium and its duration in ICU patients.Results:397 of 1 200 patients developed delirium, the incidence of ICU delirium was 33.1%. The duration of delirium in 189 patients (47.6%) was 1.0 day, and the duration of delirium in 397 delirium patients was 2.0 (1.5, 2.5) days. ① Analysis of risk factors for delirium: univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of ICU delirium among patients with different genders or ages. The incidence of ICU delirium in patients with duration of mechanical ventilation or hypoxia 4-9 days and ≥ 10 days was higher than that in patients with ≤ 3 days. The incidence of ICU delirium of general anesthesia and internal medicine patients was higher than that of patients with lumbar anesthesia. The incidence of ICU delirium in patients with APACHEⅡ score ≥ 20 was higher than that in patients with ≤ 10 and 11-19. The patients with length of ICU stay > 9 days had a higher ICU delirium incidence than those ≤ 8 days. Increased incidence of ICU delirium in sedative patients was found as compared with those who did not use sedatives. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that APACHEⅡ score [odds ratio ( OR) = 5.491, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 4.361-6.913, P < 0.001], the length of ICU stay ( OR = 2.679, 95% CI was 1.822-3.941, P < 0.001) and the use of sedatives ( OR = 2.479, 95% CI was 1.821-3.374, P < 0.001) were risk factors for ICU delirium. ② Analysis of risk factors of ICU delirium duration: univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in ICU delirium duration in patients with different genders or ages. The duration of ICU delirium in patients with duration of mechanical ventilation or hypoxia ≥ 10 days was longer than that in patients with ≤ 3 days and 4-9 days. The duration of ICU delirium in general anesthesia and non-surgical patients was higher than that in patients with spinal anesthesia. The ICU delirium duration in patients with APACHEⅡ score ≥ 20 was longer than that in patients with ≤ 10 and 11-19. The duration of ICU delirium in patients with the length of ICU stay > 9 days was longer than that in patients with ≤ 8 days. The duration of ICU delirium in patients on sedatives was longer than those not taking sedatives. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the duration of ICU delirium increased by an average of 0.061 days (β = 0.061, 95% CI was 0.032-0.090, P < 0.001) for each additional day of hypoxia (hypoxia duration was divided into three grades of ≤ 3, 4-9 and ≥ 10 days). For every one increase in APACHE Ⅱ score (APACHE Ⅱ score was divided into three grades of ≤ 10, 11-19 and ≥ 20), duration of ICU delirium extended an average of 0.058 days (β = 0.058, 95% CI was 0.048-0.068, P < 0.001). ICU delirium duration increased by an average of 0.065 days in patients with length of ICU stay > 9 days as compared with those ≤ 8 days (β = 0.065, 95% CI was 0.056-0.075, P < 0.001). On average, the duration of ICU delirium was prolonged by 0.362 days in patients on sedatives as compared with those who did not use sedatives (β = 0.362, 95% CI was 0.234-0.490, P < 0.001). Conclusions:APACHEⅡ score, the length of ICU stay and the use of sedatives were common risk factors for ICU delirium and its duration. The hypoxic duration was risk factors for ICU delirium duration.