Epidemiological characteristics and strategies for prevention and elimination of malaria in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China from 1949 to 2021.

Malaria is an insect-borne disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes or the importation of Plasmodium-infected blood, posing a serious threat to human health and life safety. This study aims to analyze the incidence of malaria in Qingdao at various stages from 1949 to 2021, to collate the control measures taken at different epidemic stages to assess the effectiveness of malaria control, and to identify a set of malaria control strategies suitable for Qingdao, while providing Chinese experience for other countries or cities in their malaria elimination efforts. A retrospective survey was used to collect information on malaria cases, control measures and prevention and control effects in Qingdao from 1949 to 2021, and to evaluate malaria control strategies and measures in Qingdao. 704 155 cases have been reported from 1949 to 2021, with three epidemic peaks: the incidence rate was 1715.9/100 000 in 1961, 1409.7/100 000 in 1965, and the most severe case occurred in 1972, with an incidence rate of 1635.6/100 000 and a case count exceeding 90 000. Throughout the various stages of malaria epidemics, Qingdao has effectively eliminated indigenous malaria by implementing diverse preventive and control measures. Since the last indigenous case of Plasmodium vivax was reported in 2002, all locally reported cases have been imported, mainly by returning migrant workers from Africa. This study examines a range of malaria prevention and control strategies and interventions that are appropriate for Qingdao. These measures have enabled Qingdao to successfully eliminate malaria and maintain malaria-free status for more than 20 years. These measures can also serve as a reference for similarly situated cities in Africa and Southeast Asia.

[Euonymus alatus delays progression of diabetic kidney disease in mice by regulating EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Euonymus alatus for diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODS: TCMSP, PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction databases were used to obtain the active ingredients in Euonymus alatus and their targets. GEO database and R language were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes in DKD. The therapeutic targets of DKD were obtained using GeneCards, DisGeNet, OMIM and TTD databases. The protein-protein interaction network and the "drug-component-target-disease" network were constructed for analyzing the topological properties of the core targets, which were functionally annotated using GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking was performed for the core targets and the main pharmacologically active components, and the results were verified in db/db mice. RESULTS: Analysis of GSE96804, GSE30528 and GSE30529 datasets (including 60 DKD patients and 45 normal samples) identified 111 differentially expressed genes in DKD. Network pharmacology analysis obtained 161 intersecting genes between the target genes of Euonymus alatus and DKD, including the key core target genes SRC, EGFR, and AKT1. The core active ingredients of Euonymus alatus were quercetin, kaempferol, diosmetin, and naringenin, which were associated with responses to xenobiotic stimulionus and protein phosphorylation and regulated EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathways. Molecular docking suggested good binding activities of the core active components of Euonymus alatus with the core targets. In db/db mouse models of DKD, treatment with Euonymus alatus obviously ameliorated kidney pathologies, significantly inhibited renal expressions of SRC, EGFR and AKT1, and delayed the progression of DKD. CONCLUSION: Euonymus alatus contains multiple active ingredients such as quercetin, kakaferol, diosmetin, naringenin, which regulate the expressions of SRC, EGFR, and AKT1 to affect the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway to delay the progression of DKD.

[Auxiliary diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis with metagenomic next-generation sequencing: a case report].

This case report summarizes the experience from diagnosis and treatment of a patient with repeated high fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. Following exclusion of bacterial, viral, fungal infections and hematological diseases, metagenomic next-generation sequencing of the patient's peripheral blood revealed Leishmania infantum infection, and rK39 rapid diagnostic test showed positive for anti-Leishmania antibody, while microscopic examination of bone marrow smears identified Leishmania amastigotes. Therefore, the case was definitively diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis, and given anti-infective treatment with sodium antimony gluconate and hormone, hepatoprotection, elevation of white blood cell counts and personalized nursing. Then, the case was cured and discharged from hospital. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing is of great value in etiological detection of fever patients with unknown causes, which deserves widespread clinical applications.

[Therapeutic strategies, practice, and prospect of a clinical cure for chronic hepatitis B in China].

Clinical cure (herein referred to as functional cure) is currently recognized as the ideal therapeutic goal by the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) at home and abroad. China has achieved significant results in research and exploration based on pegylated interferon alpha therapeutic strategies to promote the effectiveness of CHB clinical cure rates in clinical practice. The summary and optimization of clinical cure strategies in different clinical type classifications, as well as the exploration of clinical cure continuity and long-term outcomes, are of great significance for solving the current bottleneck problem and our future efforts in the developmental directions of clinical cure in CHB populations.

[Strategies for hepatitis B virus-infected patients in the immune-tolerant phase: complete therapy at the last mile].

Hepatitis B is mostly a chronic, progressive disease that, if not treated promptly and effectively, can slowly progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, antiviral therapy, i.e., a "complete therapy" strategy, should be started as long as the virus is positive. Immediate antiviral treatment is not recommended for infected patients who are only in the immune-tolerant phase, mainly because of the milder conditions and poor antiviral therapy efficacy, according to antiviral indications in China's Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (2022 Version). The relevant issues of why hepatitis B virus infection in the immune-tolerant phase is the last mile of "complete therapy," with an emphasis on the disease's characteristics and antiviral treatment strategies, are discussed here.

[Analysis of clinical manifestations and prognosis of primary systemic light chain amyloidosis with liver involvement].

Objective: To summarize the clinical manifestations and prognostic factors of patients with hepatic amyloidosis in a single center. Methods: The clinical data of 28 primary systemic light chain amyloidosis cases with liver involvement in our center from October 2012 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The main clinical manifestations and prognostic factors were studied. Statistical analysis were performed using the χ(2) test, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank test, or Kaplan-Meier survival curve log-rank test according to the different data. Results: The main clinical manifestations of patients with liver involvement were abdominal distension, hepatomegaly, and edema. CD56 and chemokine receptor 4 protein expression accounted for 52% (13/25) and 56% (14/25). 64.3% (9/14) patients were combined with t (11,14), and 21.4% (3/14) patients were positive for 1q21 (+), and no patients were detected with del(17p). Univariate analysis showed that Mayo 2004 and 2012 stages and total bilirubin (TBil) ≥34.2 µmol/L were associated with progression-free survival and overall survival. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly inferior in patients with TBil≥34.2µmol/L group (0.178 years, 0.195 years) than with the TBil<34.2µmol/L group (0.750 years, 3.586 years) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Mayo stage and hyperbilirubinemia are inferior prognostic factors for patients with primary systemic light chain amyloidosis accompanied with liver involvement.

[Research progress in the regulation of pathogenesis and the transformation of chronic liver disease by short-chain fatty acids].

Short-chain fatty acids are metabolites of the intestinal flora and serve as the main energy source for intestinal epithelial cells. At the same time, as important signaling molecules, it regulate a variety of cellular inflammatory responses and homeostatic proliferation through receptor-dependent and independent pathways. Short-chain fatty acids regulate the gut-liver axis and thereby directly act on the liver, participating in the pathogenesis and transformation of various liver diseases, including alcoholic liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-related liver disease, autoimmune liver disease, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, short-chain fatty acids can inhibit HBV DNA replication. This article reviews the research progress on the role of short-chain fatty acids in aspects of the pathogenesis and transformation of chronic liver diseases.

[Efficacy and safety of first-line treatment with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody-based regimen for primary plasma cell leukemia].

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of first-line treatment with an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody regimen for primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL). Methods: Patients diagnosed with pPCL from December 1st, 2018 to July 26th, 2023, receiving first-line treatment of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody-based regimens across multiple centers including Peking University People's Hospital, Fuxing Hospital of Capital Medical University, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Handan Central Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University and General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University were consecutively included. A total of 24 pPCL patients were included with thirteen being male and eleven being female. The median age [M(Q1, Q3)] was 60 (57, 70) years. Patients were grouped according to peripheral blood plasma cell (PBPC) percentage [5%-19% (n=14) vs ≥20% (n=10)]. Last follow-up date was September 26th, 2023. The median follow-up period was 9.1 (4.2, 15.5) months. Patients' data related with clinical baseline characteristics, efficacy, survival and safety were retrospectively collected. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze risk factors associated with survival. Results: Among 24 pPCL patients, 16 (66.7%) patients had anemia at diagnosis, 13(54.2%) patients had thrombocytopenia, 8 (33.3%) patients had a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<40 ml·min-1·(1.73m2)-1, 13 (54.2%) patients had elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. The median PBPC percentage was 16% (8%, 26%) . Fluorescence in situ hybridization testing indicated that patients harboring 17p deletion, t(4;14) or t(14;16) were 6 (25.0%), 4 (16.7%) and 4 (16.7%), respectively. The overall response rate was 83.3% (20/24). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 20.5 (95%CI: 15.8-25.2) months, and the median overall survival (OS) was not reached. Estimated 1-year and 2-year PFS and OS rates were 75.0% and 89.1%, 37.5% and 53.4%, respectively. The median PFS and OS for patients with PBPC percentages 5%-19% and≥20% were not reached and 20.5 (95%CI:15.7-25.3) months, 17.8 months and not reached, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference of PFS and OS between two groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that 1p32 deletion was the risk factor associated with PFS (HR=7.7, 95%CI: 1.1-54.9, P=0.043). Seventeen patients (70.8%) developed grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities. Twelve patients (50.0%) developed grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia. Sixteen patients (66.7%) developed infection. All hematologic toxicities and infections were improved after supportive treatment. Conclusion: First-line treatment with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody-based therapy for pPCL is effective and safe.

[Efficacy and safety analysis of a combination regimen with BCL-2 inhibitor in relapsed/refractory primary systemic light chain amyloidosis with t(11;14) from a single center].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of BCL-2 inhibitor-based treatment in patients with relapsed/refractory t (11; 14) primary systemic light chain amyloidosis. Methods: This was a retrospective case series study. Ten patients with relapsed/refractory t(11;14) primary systemic light chain amyloidosis who had all received treatment with a combination regimen including the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax from January 2018 to November 2022 at the Hematology Department of Peking University People's Hospital were included. Adverse events, and hematological and organ responses were evaluated. Results: The median age of the ten enrolled patients was 59 (range 41-78) years, and the male to female ratio was 8∶2. Except for one patient, a very good partial or better response was achieved in 8/9 patients and one patient obtained a partial response. The overall response rate was 100%. The median time to achieve a hematological response was 60 (range 24-236) days. At least one organ response was observed in 7/9 patients. With a median follow-up of 18 months, one patient experienced hematological progression and one patient died. Grade 3 adverse events included lymphocytopenia (3 cases), anemia (1 case), diarrhea (1 case), and appendicitis (1 case). One patient died of pulmonary fungal infection two months after completion of treatment, which was not excluded as being treatment related. Conclusion: A combination regimen including BCL-2 inhibitors in patients with relapsed/refractory t(11;14) primary systemic light chain amyloidosis is a potentially safe and effective treatment option that warrants further investigation.

[Prospective study on the influence of dobutamine on blood perfusion in free flap repair of diabetic foot wounds].

Objective: To investigate the influence of clinical administration of dobutamine on blood perfusion in free flap repair of diabetic foot wounds. Methods: A prospective self-controlled study was conducted. From January to November 2022, 20 patients with diabetic foot who met the inclusion criteria were hospitalized in the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, including 9 males and 11 females, aged from 44 to 75 years, with the foot wounds area ranging from 5 cm×4 cm to 20 cm×10 cm, which were repaired by free anterolateral thigh flaps. Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded before anesthesia induction, 10 minutes after vascular recanalization, when the target blood pressure (i.e., MAP being 6-10 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) higher than that before anesthesia induction) was reached after infusion of dobutamine, and 10 minutes after tracheal catheter removal. Additionally, indocyanine green, a contrast agent, was injected intravenously at 10 minutes after vascular recanalization and when the target blood pressure was reached after infusion of dobutamine to assess flap blood perfusion using infrared imager, and the area ratio of flaps with hyperperfusion and hypoperfusion was calculated. Other recorded variables included flap harvesting area, surgical duration, total fluid infusion amount, infusion dose and total usage of dobutamine, intraoperative adverse events, postoperative flap complications, and follow-up outcomes. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, Bonferroni method, and generalized estimating equation. Results: Compared with those before anesthesia induction, HR and MAP of patients were significantly decreased at 10 minutes after vascular recanalization (P<0.05), while HR and MAP of patients were significantly increased when the target blood pressure was reached after infusion of dobutamine (P<0.05). Compared with those at 10 minutes after vascular recanalization, HR and MAP of patients were significantly increased when the target blood pressure was reached after infusion of dobutamine and at 10 minutes after tracheal catheter removal (P<0.05). Compared with those when the target blood pressure was reached after infusion of dobutamine, HR and MAP of patients were significantly decreased at 10 minutes after tracheal catheter removal (P<0.05). The area ratio of flaps with hyperperfusion of patients was 0.63±0.11 when the target blood pressure was reached after infusion of dobutamine, which was significantly higher than 0.31±0.09 at 10 minutes after vascular recanalization (t=-9.92, P<0.05). The area ratio of flaps with hypoperfusion of patients was 0.12±0.05 when the target blood pressure was reached after infusion of dobutamine, which was significantly lower than 0.45±0.10 at 10 minutes after vascular recanalization (t=17.05, P<0.05). The flap harvesting area of patients was (174±35) cm², the surgical duration was (372±52) min, the total fluid infusion amount was (2 485±361) mL, the infusion dose of dobutamine was 3-13 µg·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, and the total usage of dobutamine was 5.7 (2.1, 9.7) mg. Two patients showed a significant increase in MAP during the infusion of dobutamine compared with that at 10 minutes after vascular recanalization, but before reaching 6 mmHg higher than that before anesthesia induction, their HR had reached the maximum (over 130 beats/min). The HR gradually returned to around 90 beats/min after the infusion of dobutamine was stopped. On post operation day 2, one patient had partial necrosis at the distal part of the flap, which was repaired by transplantation of thin split-thickness skin graft from the opposite thigh. During the follow-up of 3 to 6 months after operation, all the flaps survived well, with soft texture and well-formed shape, and no adverse cardiovascular events of patients were reported. Conclusions: The administration of dobutamine in free flap repair of diabetic foot wounds can significantly improve the MAP of patients, expand the area of hyperperfusion, reduce the area of hypoperfusion, and enhance the flap viability, with promising short-term follow-up results, which is suitable for promotion in clinical applications.

[Antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B: the imperative to move from scaling-up treatment to full treatment].

Timely and effective antiviral therapy can prevent or delay the progression of the disease to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Antiviral therapy indications are constantly expanding, and eventually it will be manageable to treat viral positives based on the new understanding of the disease progression and the changes in the definition of abnormal values in liver function tests.

[Clinical efficacy analysis of TMF for the treatment of hyperviremia HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with incomplete response to first-line oral antiviral nucleos(t)ide analogues].

Objective: To prospectively explore the treatment strategies for clinical difficulties in patients with hyperviremia HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B with incomplete response to first-line nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). Methods: Patients with hyperviremia HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B were treated with first-line NAs, including entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) for 48 weeks or more. Tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or TAF therapy was changed when HBV DNA remained positive and then divided into a TMF group and a TAF group. Clinical efficacy of treatment was evaluated at 24 and 48 weeks, including HBV DNA undetectable rates and virological and serological responses in both patient groups. Results: In the TMF group and the TAF groups, 30 and 26 cases completed 24-week follow-up, while 18 and 12 cases completed 48-week follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg levels between the two groups before switching to TMF/TAF therapy (P > 0.05). At 24 weeks of treatment, 19 (19/30, 63.33%) cases in the TMF group had HBV DNA negative conversion, while 14 (14/26, 53.85%) cases in the TAF group had HBV DNA negative conversion (P > 0.05). Among the patients who completed 48 weeks of follow-up, 15 (15/18, 83.33%) cases in the TMF group and 7 (7/12, 58.33%) cases in the TAF group had negative HBV DNA tests (P > 0.05). The changes in HBsAg and HBeAg levels between the two groups of patients at 24 and 48 weeks of treatment were not statistically significant compared to baseline (P > 0.05). Conclusion: TMF is effective in treating patients with hyperviremia HBeAg-positive CHB with an incomplete response to first-line NAs treatment, but there is no significant difference compared to TAF.

[Persistence follow-up of immune memory to hepatitis B vaccine among infants with non- and low-response to primary vaccination after revaccination with three doses].

This study followed up the immune memory after 3-dose revaccination among infants with non-and low-response following primary hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination. About 120 children without self-booster doses were finally included who had anti-HBs<10 mIU/ml (anti-HBs negative) at the time of follow-up, of whom 86 children completed blood sampling and anti-HBs testing. Before the challenge dose, all 86 children were negative for anti-HBs, and the GMC of anti-HBs was<10 mIU/ml. The seropositive conversion rate of anti-HBs was 100% and the GMC of anti-HBs was 886.11 (95%CI: 678.15-1 157.84) mIU/ml after the challenge dose. Compared with those with GMC<7 mIU/ml before the challenge dose, infants with GMC>7 mIU/ml had a higher anti-HBs level after the challenge dose. The ß value (95%CI) was 0.82 (0.18-1.46) (P=0.012). Compared with those with GMC<1 000 mIU/ml at primary vaccination, infants with GMC≥1 000 mIU/ml had a higher anti-HBs level after the challenge dose. The ß value (95%CI) was 0.78 (0.18-1.38)(P=0.012). The results showed a stronger immune memory was found at 9 years after revaccination among infants with non-and low-response to HepB.

Brain structural and functional MRI alterations and their predictive value for the visual outcome at 3 years in clinically isolated optic neuritis.

AIM: To investigate the structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alterations and their clinical significance for predicting visual outcomes at 3 years in clinically isolated optic neuritis (CION). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three CION patients and 44 matched healthy controls (HC) underwent a three dimensional (3D) T1-weighted and resting-state functional MRI using a 3 T MRI system. Grey-matter volume (GMV) and functional MRI measures were compared among HC and CION patients with good and poor outcomes. The correlations between MRI measures and visual outcomes were investigated, and a binary logistic regression model was performed to predict the visual outcome. RESULTS: CION patients with good and poor outcomes showed similar patterns of decreased GMV and increased functional MRI activities compared to HC. Compared to patients with good visual recovery, CION patients with poor visual recovery showed significantly reduced GMV in the insula and superior temporal gyrus (STG), decreased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and increased functional activities in the middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and middle temporal gyrus (MTG). Binary logistic regression analysis predicted poor visual recovery, including decreased GMV in the bilateral insula (right insula: odds ratio [OR] = 17.46, p<0.001; left insula: OR=10.538, p=0.001; respectively) and STG (OR=16.551, p<0.001) and increased ALFF (OR=17.148, p<0.001) and regional homogeneity (OR=10.068, p=0.002) in the left MTG. CONCLUSION: CION patients showed decreased GMV and increased functional activities predominantly located in visual- and cognition-related areas. Decreased GMV and increased ALFF or regional homogeneity in the high-order visual regions (insula, STG, and MTG) are promising imaging markers predicting poor visual outcomes at the 3-year follow-up.

[Analysis on infection sources and transmission chains of three outbreaks caused by 2019-nCoV Omicron variant in Beijing, China].

Objective: To investigate the infection sources and the transmission chains of three outbreaks caused by 2019-nCoV Omicron variant possibly spread through cross-border logistics in Beijing. Methods: Epidemiological investigation and big data were used to identify the exposure points of the cases. Close contacts were traced from the exposure points, and the cases' and environmental samples were collected for nucleic acid tests. Positive samples were analyzed by gene sequencing. Results: The Omicron variant causing 3 outbreaks in Beijing from January to April, 2022 belonged to BA.1, BA.1.1 and BA.2. The outbreaks lasted for 8, 12 and 8 days respectively, and 6, 42 and 32 cases infected with 2019-nCoV were reported respectively. International mail might be the infection source for 1 outbreak, and imported clothes might be the infection sources for another 2 outbreaks. The interval between the shipment start time of the imported goods and the infection time of the index case was 3-4 days. The mean incubation period (Q1, Q3) was 3 (2,4) days and the mean serial interval (Q1, Q3) was 3 (2,4)days. Conclusions: The 3 outbreaks highlighted the risk of infection by Omicron variant from international logistics-related imported goods at normal temperature. Omicron variant has stronger transmissibility, indicating that rapid epidemiological investigation and strict management are needed.

Propofol protects rats against intra-cerebroventricular streptozotocin-induced cognitive dysfunction and neuronal damage.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction is a severe issue of Alzheimer's disease. Thus, the present study was conducted to enumerate the protective effect of propofol (PPL) in rats against intra-cerebroventricular streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cognitive dysfunction and neuronal damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of PPL was investigated to evaluate behavioural changes in STZ-induced cognitive dysfunction in Wistar rats using Object Recognition Task (ORT) for nonspatial, Morris Water Maze (MWM) for spatial and locomotor activity. The effect of PPL was also investigated on acetylcholine (ACh) esterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress markers, e.g., nitrite, malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH). The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6, was also studied in the PPL-treated group. The effect of PPL on the level of neurotransmitters, e.g., dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE) and their metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels were also estimated in frozen hippocampal tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography. Histopathology analysis of neurons in the hippocampus of rats was performed using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. RESULTS: Propofol showed significant improvement in the spatial and nonspatial memory deficit of rats in the MWM test and ORT in rats. It also causes improvement in locomotor activity of rats by preserving ACh via inhibition of AChE. It also potentiates the expression of DA, 5-HT, and NE with a simultaneous reduction in the level of metabolites (DOPAC, HVA, and 5-HIAA). PPL showed a reduction of oxidative stress in rats by restoring the level of nitrite, SOD, MDA, and GSH near to normal. In the PPL-treated group, the level of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 was found reduced in a dose-dependent manner. In histopathology analysis of neurons in the hippocampus of the STZ rats, PPL causes dose-dependent reduction of pyknosis in the nucleus, which confirmed the protective effect of PPL. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that PPL could significantly attenuate cognitive dysfunction and neuronal damage in STZ-induced rats.

[Epidemiological characteristics of an epidemic of 2019-nCoV Omicron variant infection in Beijing].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and transmission chain of an epidemic of COVID-19 in Haidian district, Beijing. Methods: Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the epidemic, and field investigation and big data technology were used to analyze the transmission chain of the epidemic. Results: From April 27 to May 13, 2022, an epidemic of COVID-19 occurred in Haidian district. The strains isolated from the cases were identified by whole genome sequencing as Omicron variant (BA.2.2 evolutionary branch). A total of 38 infection cases were detected, including 34 confirmed cases and 4 asymptomatic cases. Most cases were mild ones (88.2%), no severe, critical or death cases occurred. The early clinical symptoms were mainly sore throat (50.0%) and cough (29.4%). The epidemic lasted for 17 days, resulting in 7 generations of the cases and involving 3 community transmissions, 2 working place transmissions and 8 family transmissions; the main infection routes were co-residence (47.6%) and co-space exposure (31.6%). The intergenerational interval M(Q1, Q3)was 3 (1, 6) days. The overall secondary attack rate was 1.5% (37/2 482), and the family secondary attack rate was 36.7% (18/49). Conclusions: The cases in this COVID-19 epidemic caused by Omicron variant had mild clinical symptoms, but the case clustering in families and communities was obvious, the transmission was rapid, and the risk for co-space exposure was high. It is necessary to use information technology to identify close contacts in the local population for the rapid and effective blocking of the epidemic spread.

The role of dexmedetomidine in immune tissue and inflammatory diseases: a narrative review.

OBJECTIVE: Adrenergic receptors belong to the G protein-coupled receptor family and are one of the important targets of modern drug therapy. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective agonist of alpha2 receptor, a member of the adrenergic receptor family, which are widely found in immune tissues and which mediate the biological behaviour of the inflammatory immune system. This review mainly summarizes the role of DEX in immune tissue and inflammation-related diseases, to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane libraries separately to obtain published literature on DEX related to immune tissue and inflammatory diseases. The mesh (dexmedetomidine replaces DEX, microglia, astrocytes, spleen, marrow, lymph nodes) and their corresponding keywords used for the searches, and no time limit for retrieval. The latest search was conducted on July 1, 2022. RESULTS: By reading a lot of relevant literature, we found that DEX reduces the inflammatory response of brain tissue by interfering with microglia and astrocytes. DEX can regulate the expression of CD40 and CD86 markers on the surface of splenocytes and reduce the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by splenocytes. In addition, we found that DEX reduced inflammation-related diseases such as neuroinflammation, myocarditis, liver cirrhosis, osteoarthritis, upper respiratory tract infection, pancreatitis, spinal tuberculosis, pulpitis, colon inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis, and improved prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: DEX has anti-inflammatory and improved prognosis in many inflammatory related diseases and is expected to become a targeted drug for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.