Evaluation of the effectiveness of the human-baited double net traps and BG traps compared with the human landing catches for collecting outdoor Aedes albopictus in China.

Dengue fever is one of the biggest threats to public health in China, causing huge disease burden and economic loss. Aedes-mosquito surveillance could be a cornerstone for predicting the risk of Aedes-borne diseases and evaluating the effect of vector management during diseases outbreaks. The human landing catch (HLC) method is regarded as the "gold standard" for catching Aedes mosquitoes, but it potentially exposes field professionals to vectors of known or unknown pathogens. Human-baited double net (HDN) was recommended to replace HLC for emergency monitoring in China when Aedes-borne diseases break out, but it had been reported with low efficiency for capturing Aedes mosquitoes. In this study, we compared HLC with HDN and BG traps for field Aedes albopictus monitoring, with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of HDN replacing HLC and finding an effective and safe alternative to the HLC for monitoring Aedes albopictus. Six sites in Hangzhou, Shaoxing, and Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China, were chosen to conduct outdoor HLC, HDN, and BG trap catches from June to October 2021. The tests were performed 3 h apart: 8:30-9:30 AM, 16:30-17:30 PM, and 17:30-18:30 PM. A total of 2330 adult mosquitoes were collected, and Aedes albopictus was the most abundant species in all three catches with 848(98.95%), 559(97.39%) and 867 (96.44%) caught in HLC, HDN and BG traps respectively. Compared to HLC, HDN collected significantly less Ae. albopictus and Ae. albopictus females per trapping period (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), whereas no statistical differences were found between the HLC and BG trap (P = 0.970, P > 0.05). Statistically significant positive spatial correlations for Ae. albopictus sampling was found between HLC and HDN traps (r = 0.543, P < 0.001) and HLC and BG traps (r = 0.658, P < 0.001). In conclusion, both the BG trap and HDN have a significant positive spatial correlation with HLC, making them safer alternatives to HLC for Ae. albopictus monitoring in China. However, with better a sampling efficiency, being less labor intensive, and no human-baited attraction bias, the BG trap could be a better choice than the HDN trap.

Intra-Articular Lactate Dehydrogenase A Inhibitor Oxamate Reduces Experimental Osteoarthritis and Nociception in Rats via Possible Alteration of Glycolysis-Related Protein Expression in Cartilage Tissue.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and joint disorder worldwide. Metabolic reprogramming of osteoarthritic chondrocytes from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis results in the accumulation of lactate from glycolytic metabolite pyruvate by lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), leading to cartilage degeneration. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of the intra-articular administration of oxamate (LDHA inhibitor) against OA development and glycolysis-related protein expression in experimental OA rats. The animals were randomly allocated into four groups: Sham, anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT), ACLT + oxamate (0.25 and 2.5 mg/kg). Oxamate-treated groups received an intra-articular injection of oxamate once a week for 5 weeks. Intra-articular oxamate significantly reduced the weight-bearing defects and knee width in ACLT rats. Histopathological analyses showed that oxamate caused significantly less cartilage degeneration in the ACLT rats. Oxamate exerts hypertrophic effects in articular cartilage chondrocytes by inhibiting glucose transporter 1, glucose transporter 3, hexokinase II, pyruvate kinase M2, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases 1 and 2, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2, and LHDA. Further analysis revealed that oxamate significantly reduced chondrocyte apoptosis in articular cartilage. Oxamate attenuates nociception, inflammation, cartilage degradation, and chondrocyte apoptosis and possibly attenuates glycolysis-related protein expression in ACLT-induced OA rats. The present findings will facilitate future research on LDHA inhibitors in prevention strategies for OA progression.

A perspective on the diagnosis of cracked tooth: imaging modalities evolve to AI-based analysis.

Despite numerous clinical trials and pre-clinical developments, the diagnosis of cracked tooth, especially in the early stages, remains a challenge. Cracked tooth syndrome is often accompanied by dramatic painful responses from occlusion and temperature stimulation, which has become one of the leading causes for tooth loss in adults. Current clinical diagnostical approaches for cracked tooth have been widely investigated based on X-rays, optical light, ultrasound wave, etc. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) development have unlocked the possibility of detecting the crack in a more intellectual and automotive way. This may lead to the possibility of further enhancement of the diagnostic accuracy for cracked tooth disease. In this review, various medical imaging technologies for diagnosing cracked tooth are overviewed. In particular, the imaging modality, effect and the advantages of each diagnostic technique are discussed. What's more, AI-based crack detection and classification methods, especially the convolutional neural network (CNN)-based algorithms, including image classification (AlexNet), object detection (YOLO, Faster-RCNN), semantic segmentation (U-Net, Segnet) are comprehensively reviewed. Finally, the future perspectives and challenges in the diagnosis of the cracked tooth are lighted.

Altered neural responses to missed chance contribute to the risk-taking behaviour in individuals with Internet gaming disorder.

Missed chance is a powerful factor in shaping risk-taking behaviour. The abnormal risk-taking behaviour is an obvious feature of individuals with Internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, the relationship between the neural responses to missed chance and risk-taking behaviour in IGD individuals remains unclear. In the current fMRI study, 28 IGD subjects (12 female, 23.04 ± 2.43 years old) and 26 healthy control (HC) subjects (13 female, 23.58 ± 2.67 years old) participated in fMRI scanning during performance of a sequential risk-taking task. The general linear model and the psycho-physiological interaction analyses were conducted to explore the difference in neural responses between the two groups. The results showed that IGD subjects reported more regret for the large missed chance and took more risk than HC subjects. Moreover, compared with HC subjects, IGD subjects exhibited greater activations in brain regions like ventral striatum (VS) and superior frontal gyrus (SFG), and stronger VS-thalamus functional connectivity for the large missed chance. Additionally, among IGD subjects, the SFG activation for the large missed chance was positively correlated with the risk-taking behaviour. Together, the results revealed the altered neural responses to missed chance contributed to the risk-taking behaviour in IGD individuals. The findings could help to clearly understand why IGD individuals continue playing online games despite the risks of widely known and could provide a new perspective for the intervention of IGD.

Vectors, Hosts, and the Possible Risk Factors Associated with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a disease caused by infection with the SFTS virus (SFTSV). SFTS has become a crucial public health concern because of the heavy burden, lack of vaccines, effective therapies, and high-fatality rate. Evidence suggests that SFTSV circulates between ticks and animals in nature and is transmitted to humans by tick bites. In particular, ticks have been implicated as vectors of SFTSV, where domestic or wild animals may play as the amplifying hosts. Many studies have identified antigens and antibodies against SFTSV in various animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, and rodents. Besides, person-to-person transmission through contact with blood or mucous of an infected person has also been reported. In this study, we reviewed the literature and summarized the vectors and hosts associated with SFTS and the possible risk factors.

A new ECG sign for sudden death: Transient prolonged QT interval following premature contraction. / 一种新的猝死预警心电图：期前收缩后短暂QT间期延长.

Early recognition and treatment for early warning electrocardiogram (ECG) of sudden death are very important to prevent and treat malignant arrhythmia and sudden death. Previous studies have found that R-on-T and T wave alternation, and QT interval prolongation are closely related to malignant arrhythmia or sudden death, which are included in the critical value of ECG.By analyzing the ECG characteristics of 4 patients with sudden death, we found that although the causes of the patients were different, there were transient prolongation of QT interval after premature contraction in 12 lead ECG, followed by malignant arrhythmia or sudden death. Thus, we thought that the transient prolongation of QT interval after premature contraction had a high value for warning malignant arrhythmia or sudden death. This phenomenon should be paid enough attention to reduce the risk of sudden death.

Analysis of situation of acute coronary syndrome based on the date of the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome (CCC-ACS) project: single-centre observational study.

BACKGROUND: We are currently faced with an increasing burden of cardiovascular disease in China and the inadequacy of the application of guidelines in clinical practice. In the past decade, China has been strengthening the healthcare system, but it still lacked a national performance measurement system and an appropriate quality improvement strategy. Therefore, in order to improve the implementation of guideline recommendations in clinical practice, China has learnt from the successful experience of Get With The Guidelines project in 2014. Under the guidance of the Medical and Health Hospital of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the Chinese Society of Cardiology and the American Heart Association jointly launched the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China (CCC) project. The project team provided an analysis report on the completion of key medical quality evaluation indicators of each hospital every month, supplied guidance through education, training, experience exchange and on-site investigation for problems, and certified hospitals with outstanding performance and obvious progress. The circle pattern, including evaluation, training, improvement and re-evaluation, will boost the guidelines compliance on clinical practice in China and improve the quality of medical services. METHODS: This study was conducted in a centre of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. It included patients with ACS from December 2009 to December 2011 (n=225), patients with ACS in the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome project coming from the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (n=665), 12 hospitals in Hunan Province (n=4333) and 150 hospitals in China (n=63 641) from November 2014 to April 2017. It assessed the situation of drug therapy, hospitalisation day, mortality during hospitalisation, median of door-to-needle (D-to-N) time and median of door-to-balloon (D-to-B) time of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the proportion of D-to-N within 30 min and D-to-B within 90 min, and the proportion of reperfusion therapy. Patients with ACS from the centre from November 2014 to April 2017 were divided into five groups (every 6 months as a group according to time). The study observed change trends in all the above-mentioned indexes. RESULTS: Compared with before participating in the CCC project, there were increases after participating in the CCC project in the drug usage rates of aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel or ticagrelor), ß-blocker, statin and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB). Hospitalisation day and mortality during hospitalisation were shortened. D-to-N and D-to-B times of patients with STEMI were shorter. Compared with Hunan Province and China, the drug usage rates were higher; hospitalisation day and D-to-N time were shorter; D-to-B time was longer; and the proportion of reperfusion therapy was higher. The trend of drug usage rates was on the rise. There was no significant change in the hospitalisation day and D-to-N and D-to-B times. The mortality during hospitalisation showed a downward trend. The proportion of D-to-N within 90 min and reperfusion therapy showed upward trends. CONCLUSION: Quality of care for patients with ACS improved over time in the CCC project, including taking medicine following the guidelines, increased use of reperfusion therapy and faster time to treatment. Although overall mortality has improved, we also should attach importance to high-risk patients. The influence of the CCC project, which is based on guidelines on prognosis of ACS in the centre, presents an important clinical implication that it is necessary to enhance adherence to the guidelines in the treatment of ACS.

Gene regulation analysis of the effects of evodiamine on tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To use gene chip technology to study the effects of evodiamine (EVO) on the gene expression profile of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) CAL-27 cell line, for the purpose of analyzing the mechanisms underlying the effects of EVO on gene expression and functional regulation of TSCC cells at the gene level. METHOD: Differentially expressed genes in CAL-27 cells treated with EVO were detected using gene chip technology and analyzed using ingenuity pathway analysis. RESULTS: Microarray results showed that there were 1243 differentially expressed genes following treatment with CAL-27 cells; 684 genes were upregulated and 559 were downregulated. Classical pathway analysis revealed a total of 89 signal transduction pathways with upregulated gene set enrichment, including lipopolysaccharide/interleukin (IL)-1-mediated inhibition of retinoid X receptor (RXR) function, agrin interactions at neuromuscular junctions, cholecystokinin/gastrin-mediated signaling, toll-like receptor signaling, and IL-6 signaling. A total of 39 signal transduction pathways were enriched for the downregulated genes, including interferon signals, liver X receptor/RXR activation signals, and RhoGDI signals. In the disease and function analysis, the upregulated genes were enriched in viral infection, RNA virus replication, viral replication, cancer cell invasion, cell invasion, and other related functions, while downregulated genes were enriched in neuromuscular diseases, and leukocyte differentiation, antiviral response, connective tissue cell death and other functions. CONCLUSIONS: Gene chip analysis offers an effective means of screening differential gene expression between EVO-treated TSCCs and controls, thus providing a sound basis for further research.

Sex differences in antihypertensive drug use and blood pressure control.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Epidemiological studies have shown the benefits of lowering blood pressure (BP), but BP control is a major challenge. Furthermore, there are significant sex differences in antihypertensive drug use and BP control. This study examined sex differences in antihypertensive drug use and BP control, with the aim of reducing the complications of hypertension and improving quality of life. METHODS: The study was performed in our outpatient hypertension clinic, and included 1529 patients without secondary hypertension or comorbidities. The study, investigated BP control rates and patterns of antihypertensive drug use in male and female. All data were collected using structured questionnaires and patient measurements. RESULTS: The study included 713 males and 816 females in this study. Fewer females had hypertension in the younger age group (16.2% vs 11.6%; p>0.05), but this difference disappeared in middle-aged (47.8% vs 49.9 %; p<0.05) and elderly age groups (36.0% vs 38.5%; p<0.05). BP control rates differed between males and females (35.6% in male, 31.9% in female, p<0.01). There was an overall difference in BP control rates between males and females (35.6% in males, 31.9% in females, p<0.01). In this aged 18-44 years, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) showed the best control rate in males, while calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were least effective (61.5% with ACEIs, 28.6% with CCBs; p<0.05). In this aged 45-64 years, diuretics (DUs) showed the best control rate in females, while CCBs were least effective (47.5% with DUs, 28.3% with CCBs; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sex plays an important role in BP control. In those aged 18-44 years, males using ACEIs showed best control rates. In those aged 45-64 years, females using DUs showed best control rates. Our study provides a basis with the selection of antihypertensive drugs according to sex and age.

A molecular survey of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Bartonella and Theileria in ticks collected from southeastern China.

To investigate the prevalence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Bartonella and Theileria, we collected ticks from small mammals in six counties of Zhejiang Province in southeastern China. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed to test Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Bartonella and Theileria in tick samples. Positive PCR products were sequenced and then compared with previously published sequences deposited in GenBank using BLAST. About 292 adult ticks were captured and the dominant tick species were Ixodes sinensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis. Overall, 34 ticks (11.6%) were tested positive for at least one pathogen of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Bartonella and Theileria. Rates of PCR-positivity to Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Bartonella and Theileria were 5.5, 1.7, 2.4 and 2.4%, respectively. Positive rates of Anaplasma, Bartonella and Theileria were significantly different among ticks of different species. Prevalence of Anaplasma and Theileria varied significantly among ticks of different counties. Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Bartonella and Theileria were widely prevalent in ticks in Zhejiang Province suggesting other tick-borne pathogens should also be suspected if patients had history of tick bites.

Resistance of House Fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), to Five Insecticides in Zhejiang Province, China: The Situation in 2017.

OBJECTIVES: High dependency on pesticides could cause selection pressure leading to the development of resistance. This study was conducted to assess the resistance of the house fly, Musca domestica, to five insecticides, namely, permethrin, deltamethrin, beta-cypermethrin, propoxur, and dichlorvos, in Zhejiang Province. METHODS: Field strains of house flies were collected from the 12 administrative districts in Zhejiang Province in 2011, 2014, and 2017, respectively. Topical application method was adopted for the bioassays. The probit analysis was used to determine the median lethal doses with the 95% confidence interval, and then the resistance ratio (RR) was calculated. The insecticides resistance in different years and the correlations of the resistance between different insecticides were also analyzed. RESULTS: The resistance of field strains house flies to insecticides in Zhejiang Province was relatively common, especially for permethrin, deltamethrin, and beta-cypermethrin. The reversion of the resistance to dichlorvos was found, and most of the field strains in Zhejiang Province became sensitive to dichlorvos in 2017. Propoxur was much easier to cause very high level of resistance; the Hangzhou strain had the highest RR value more than 1000 in 2014, and five field strains had the RR value more than 100 in 2017. Compared to 2011 and 2014, the resistance of the house flies to propoxur and deltamethrin increased significantly in 2017. The resistance of permethrin, deltamethrin, beta-cypermethrin, and propoxur was significantly correlated with each other, and the resistance of dichlorvos was significantly correlated with beta-cypermethrin. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that resistance was existed in permethrin, deltamethrin, beta-cypermethrin, and propoxur in the house flies of Zhejiang Province, while the resistance reversion to dichlorvos was found.

Strategies of Bladder Reconstruction after Partial or Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer.

The standard strategy is to reconstruct bladder by use of bowel segments as material in bladder cancer with radical cystectomy clinically. Both natural derived and non natural derived materials are investigated in bladder reconstruction. Studies on mechanical bladder, bladder transplantation and bladder xenotransplantation are currently limited although heart and kidney transplantation or xenotransplantation are successful to a certain extent, and bone prostheses are applied in clinical contexts. Earlier limited number of studies associated with bladder xenograft from animals to humans were not particular promising in results. Although there have been investigations on pig to human cardiac xenotransplantation with CRISPR Cas9 gene editing, the CRISPR Cas technique is not yet widely researched in porcine bladder related gene editing for the potential of human bladder replacement for bladder cancer. The advancement of technologies such as gene editing, bioprinting and induced pluripotent stem cells allow further research into partial or whole bladder replacement strategies. Porcine bladder is suggested as a potential source material for bladder reconstruction due to its alikeness to human bladder. Challenges that exist with all these approaches need to be overcome. This paper aims to review gene editing technology such as the CRISPR Cas systems as tools in bladder reconstruction, bladder xenotransplantation and hybrid bladder with technologies of induced pluripotent stem cells and genome editing, bioprinting for bladder replacement for bladder reconstruction and to restore normal bladder control function after cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Construction and application of a home exercise rehabilitation management program for elderly stroke patients based on the Functional Independence Measure score.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop a home exercise rehabilitation management program for elderly stroke patients based on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score and assess its effectiveness through practical application. METHODS: A prospective asynchronous controlled trial was conducted involving 290 elderly stroke patients, with 145 assigned to the control group and 145 to the intervention group. The control group received standard home rehabilitation instructions, while the intervention group followed a home exercise rehabilitation program guided by FIM scores. The program was developed through research group discussions, evidence-based literature review, and expert input. The efficacy of the program was evaluated by comparing self-care ability and exercise function between the two patient groups. RESULTS: After 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, the motor assessment scale (MAS), Barthel Index scores and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group, and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) was lower than this of the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The home exercise rehabilitation management program for elderly stroke patients based on FIM scores was developed in a scientifically sound manner. This program holds significant theoretical implications for enhancing the home exercise regimen of elderly stroke patients and facilitating the rehabilitation of their limb functions.

Targeting the ZMIZ1-Notch1 signaling axis for the treatment of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Zinc finger MIZ-type containing 1 (ZMIZ1) is a transcriptional coactivator related to the protein inhibitors of activated STATs (PIAS) family. Mounting evidence suggests that ZMIZ1 plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of cancers. The function of ZMIZ1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and the mechanisms underpinning its role in this disease have not been fully clarified. We performed qualitative ZMIZ1 protein expression analyses using immunohistochemistry in 20 patient-derived, paraffin-embedded TSCC tissue sections. We used RNAi to knock down ZMIZ1 expression in the CAL-27 TSCC cell line and quantified the impact of ZMIZ1 knock down on proliferation, migration and apoptosis via CCK-8, scratch assay and flow cytometry, respectively. We used qRT-PCR and western blotting to investigate the role of ZMIZ1 in this cell line. Finally, we established a model of lung metastasis in nude mice to replicate the in vitro results. ZMIZ1 protein was significantly more abundant in TSCC case tissue samples. ZMIZ1 knockdown reduced the invasion and metastases of TSCC tumor cells and promoted apoptosis. ZMIZ1 knockdown was associated with the down-regulation of Notch signaling pathway related factors Jagged1 and Notch1, and invasion and metastasis related factors MKP-1, SSBP2 and MMP7 in vitro and in vivo, at the mRNA level. In vitro and in vivo data suggest that knock down of ZMIZ1 may inhibit TSCC invasion and metastasis by modulating Notch signaling. ZMIZ1 inhibition may therefore represent a new therapeutic target for TSCC.

Development and field evaluation of a novel sugar bait device for controlling residential vector mosquitoes in Zhejiang Province, China.

Background: Mosquito-borne diseases pose serious public health threats in Zhejiang Province, China, and vector control is believed to be the primary method for reducing transmission. Due to severe resistance problems, effective and sustainable methods without chemical insecticides are urgently required to control mosquito vectors. Attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) are newly developed methods to control mosquitoes in recent decades with the core element sugar bait, which was invented according to the sugar-feeding behavior of mosquitoes. In this study, we developed a Novel Sugar Bait Device (NSBD) trap by combining sugar bait and physical adhesive capture technology. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the NSBD trap on controlling mosquitoes in residential environments and to identify the optimal sugar solution concentration in the sugar bait of the NSBD for real use. Methods: Four residential villages in Ningbo City with similar geographic environments and mosquito densities were selected for field trials in 2022. One village (site 1) was designated as the control group, and three villages (sites 2-4) served as the test groups to assess the effectiveness of NSBD traps with different sugar solution concentrations (6, 8, and 10%) in the sugar bait. Larval and adult mosquito densities were monitored monthly before and semi-monthly after the trials using the CDC light trap and larval pipette method. Results: Before the trials, we monitored mosquito density for 3 months to confirm the baseline mosquito density among the four sites, and no statistical differences in adult and larval mosquitoes were found (adult, F = 3.047, p > 0.05; larvae, F = 0.436, p > 0.05). After the trials, all NCBD traps effectively controlled larval and adult mosquito densities, with the highest standard decrease rates of larval and adult mosquito densities at 57.80 and 86.31%, respectively, observed in site 4. The most suitable sugar solution concentration in the sugar bait was 10%. Conclusion: NSBD traps effectively controlled mosquitoes in residential environments during field trials. Without the use of insecticides, this may be a promising choice for mosquito vector control to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

KLK2 single-nucleotide polymorphism rs198977 is associated with increased susceptibility and hyperleukocytosis in AML.

Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous myeloid malignancy with abnormal molecular diversity. Tissue kallikrein 2 (KLK2) is a kind of serine protease, and has a close relationship with the occurrence and development of malignant tumors. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of various genes are associated with susceptibility, treatment and survival of AML. Methods: We investigated the association of KLK2 SNPs rs198977 and rs2664155 with AML. We recruited 284 AML patients and 280 healthy controls from the Han population and genotyping KLK2 SNPs rs198977 and rs2664155 by MassARRAY system. Results: Using clinical data from AML patients and controls, including AML susceptibility, blood count, risk stratification, response to induced chemotherapy and survival, our results showed an increased risk of AML susceptibility with KLK2 rs198977 TT genotype in the recessive model. Regarding white blood cell counts in AML patients, the results showed an increased risk of hyperleukocytosis with the TT genotype of KLK2 rs198977 in a codominant model. Moreover, in the recessive model, AML with KLK2 SNPs rs198977 TT genotype had an increased risk of hyperleukocytosis. No significant correlation was found between KLK2 rs2664155 and AML. Discussion: This study suggests that KLK2 rs198977 may be an important genetic factor in the occurrence of AML and hyperleukocytosis in AML, providing a new perspective for disease progression and new therapeutic targets.

Pulmonary embolism after diagnostic curettage in patient with adenomyosis and hysteromyoma: A case report and brief review of literature.

RATIONALE: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common cause of cardiovascular death whose major acquired risk factors include postoperative states, pregnancy, malignancy, and age. We report a case of PE that occurred after diagnostic curettage for abnormal uterine bleeding, with a medical history of adenomyosis and hysteromyoma. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSES: A 31-year-old Han Chinese female was referred to our hospital with menstrual disorders, increased menstrual flow, and severe anemia. After admission, the patient was treated with a blood transfusion, iron supplementation, and erythropoietin, and diagnostic curettage was performed the following day. On the first postoperative day, the patient developed pulmonary embolism with dyspnea and fever diagnosed by CT pulmonary angiography and significantly elevated D-dimer. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: Molecular weight heparin was administered for PE for 2 weeks, dyspnea was relieved significantly after 2 days of treatment and the uterine bleeding did not increase; and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists were administered for adenomyosis after 1 week of anticoagulant therapy to reduce bleeding. We followed up for 6 months, and the patient had no recurrence of thrombosis and uterine bleeding had improved. CONCLUSION: We speculate that the occurrence of pulmonary embolism was closely related to adenomyosis, hysteromyoma, and curettage in this patient. Treating the presence of both menstrual bleeding and thromboembolism is challenging, and careful management is necessary to avoid therapeutic contradictions.

Learning from in-group and out-group models induces separative effects on human mate copying.

Mate copying is a social learning process in which individuals gather public information about potential mates by observing models' choices. Previous studies have reported that individual attributes of female models affect mate copying, yet little is known about whether and how the group attributes of models influence mate copying. In the current behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, female participants were asked to rate their willingness to choose the depicted males as potential romantic partners before and after observing in-group or out-group female models accepting, rejecting or being undecided (baseline) about the males. Results showed that participants changed their ratings to align with the models' acceptance or rejection choices. Compared to rejection copying, the effect of acceptance copying was stronger and regulated by in- and out-group models, manifesting a discounting copying effect when learning from out-group models. At the neural level, for acceptance copying, stronger temporoparietal junction (TPJ) activity and connectivity between TPJ and anterior medial prefrontal cortex (amPFC) were observed when female models belonged to out-group members; meanwhile, the functional connection of TPJ and amPFC positively predicted the rating changes when learning from out-group models. The results indicated that participants might need more resources to infer out-group members' intentions to overcome the in-group bias during acceptance copying.

Are men dominant? Evidence of differences between physical activity and quality of life among older adults in China.

At present, the aging population is one of China's basic national concerns, and physical exercise offers endless potential to cope with it. However, the life expectancy of men in China is generally lower than that of women, and the health status of older men is more worrying. Could it be that differences in physical exercise cause the difference in life expectancy between older men and women? This study analyzes the exercise regimen of older men and women and its influence on their quality of life. Approximately 200 respondents aged over 60 were investigated using the SF-36 and exercise questionnaires. Our findings revealed the following: (1) The scores of seven dimensions of life quality of older men were significantly lower than those of older women (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference only in physiological function (p > 0.05); (2) The exercise frequency and persistence of older men were significantly lower than those of older women (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in exercise time (p > 0.05); and (3) All eight indices of quality of life of older men were positively correlated with the four indices of exercise (0.250 < R < 0.597). Our study offered the following conclusions: (1) The health of older men who lack physical exercise is poor. From the perspective of healthy aging, older men are a vulnerable group that deserves more attention. (2) Within an appropriate range, the more older men participate in physical activity programs, the more conducive they are to improved health. (3) This study focuses on promoting physical exercise for older adults and suggests organizing them to participate in sports activities as an important measure to promote healthy aging in China.

Immune checkpoint-related gene polymorphisms are associated with acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is still the standard regimen for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its disappointing efficacy requires the urgent need for new therapeutic targets. It is well known that immune response plays an increasingly significant role in the pathogenesis of AML. METHODS: We detected nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune checkpoint-related genes, including PD1, LAG3, TIM3, and TIGIT in 285 AML inpatients and 324 healthy controls. SNP genotyping was performed on the MassARRAY platform. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between the susceptibility and prognosis of AML and the selected SNPs. RESULTS: Our results showed that rs2227982 and rs10204525 in PD1 were significantly associated with susceptibility to AML after false discovery rate correction. PD1 rs10204525 also showed a significant correlation with the response to chemotherapy and risk stratification of AML. Importantly, the AA genotype of PD1 (rs2227982) under the recessive model showed a negative impact on AML prognosis independently. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that PD1 SNPs are important for susceptibility and prognosis in AML, which may provide a new therapeutic target for AML patients.