Excess multi-cause mortality linked to influenza virus infection in China, 2012-2021: a population-based study.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to estimate the excess mortality burden of influenza virus infection in China from 2012 to 2021, with a concurrent analysis of its associated disease manifestations. Methods: Laboratory surveillance data on influenza, relevant population demographics, and mortality records, including cause of death data in China, spanning the years 2012 to 2021, were incorporated into a comprehensive analysis. A negative binomial regression model was utilized to calculate the excess mortality rate associated with influenza, taking into consideration factors such as year, subtype, and cause of death. Results: There was no evidence to indicate a correlation between malignant neoplasms and any subtype of influenza, despite the examination of the effect of influenza on the mortality burden of eight diseases. A total of 327,520 samples testing positive for influenza virus were isolated between 2012 and 2021, with a significant decrease in the positivity rate observed during the periods of 2012-2013 and 2019-2020. China experienced an average annual influenza-associated excess deaths of 201721.78 and an average annual excess mortality rate of 14.53 per 100,000 people during the research period. Among the causes of mortality that were examined, respiratory and circulatory diseases (R&C) accounted for the most significant proportion (58.50%). Fatalities attributed to respiratory and circulatory diseases exhibited discernible temporal patterns, whereas deaths attributable to other causes were dispersed over the course of the year. Conclusion: Theoretically, the contribution of these disease types to excess influenza-related fatalities can serve as a foundation for early warning and targeted influenza surveillance. Additionally, it is possible to assess the costs of prevention and control measures and the public health repercussions of epidemics with greater precision.

Assessment of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP levels in triple-negative breast cancer patients: clinical and pathological correlations.

OBJECTIVE: The primary goal of this study was to investigate the expressions of TUFT1 (Tuftelin) and Rac1-GTP in the cancerous tissues of individuals with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Additionally, we aimed to explore the correlation between TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions and examine the associations of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions with the clinical and pathological indicators of the patients. METHODS: Ninety-six patients diagnosed with TNBC, scheduled for surgery between May 2022 and November 2022, were enrolled in this study. Cancerous tissue specimens were collected from these patients, and immunohistochemistry was employed to evaluate the levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions in the cancerous tissues. Subsequent to data collection, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions. Furthermore, we sought to assess the associations of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions with the clinical and pathological indicators of the patients. RESULTS: The TUFT1 protein was expressed in both the membrane and cytoplasm of TNBC cancer cells, with notably higher expression observed in the cytoplasm. Rac1-GTP was primarily expressed in the cytoplasm. There was a positive correlation between the levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions (χ2 = 9.816, P < 0.05). The levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP protein expressions showed no correlation with patient age (χ2 = 2.590, 2.565, P > 0.05); however, they demonstrated a positive correlation with tumor size (χ2 = 5.592,5.118), histological grading (χ2 = 6.730, 5.443), and lymph node metastasis (χ2 = 8.221, 5.180) (all with a significance level of P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A significant correlation was identified between the levels of TUFT1 and Rac1-GTP expressions in the cancerous tissues of patients with TNBC, suggesting a close association with the progression of TNBC. The two molecules play significant roles in facilitating an early diagnosis and treatment of TNBC.

Effects of bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on prospective memory in patients with schizophrenia: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIMS: To investigate effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the prospective memory (PM) in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). METHODS: Fifty of 71 patients completed this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial and compared with 18 healthy controls' (HCs) PM outcomes. Bilateral 20 Hz rTMS to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 90% RMT administered 5 weekdays for 4 weeks for a total of 20 treatments. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and PM test were assessed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Both Event-based PM (EBPM) and Time-based PM (TBPM) scores at baseline were significantly lower in patients with SCZ than that in HCs. After rTMS treatments, the scores of EBPM in patients with SCZ was significantly improved and had no differences from that in HCs, while the scores of TBPM did not improved. The negative symptom scores on PANSS and the scores of almost all subscales and total scores of SANS were significantly improved in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that bilateral high-frequency rTMS treatment can alleviate EBPM but not TBPM in patients with SCZ, as well as improve the negative symptoms. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results provide one therapeutic option for PM in patients with SCZ.