The role of apolipoproteins in cardiovascular disease has been well investigated, but their participation in cancer has only been explored in a few published studies which showed a close link with certain kinds of cancer. In this review, we focused on the function of different kinds of apolipoproteins in cancers, autophagy, oxidative stress, and drug resistance. The potential application of apolipoproteins as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis was highlighted, together with an investigation of their potential as drug targets for cancer treatment. Many important roles of apolipoproteins and their mechanisms in cancers were reviewed in detail and future perspectives of apolipoprotein research were discussed.

China experienced severe epidemics of multiple respiratory pathogens in 2023 after lifting “Zero‐COVID” policy. The present study aims to investigate the changing circulation and infection patterns of respiratory pathogens in 2023. The 160 436 laboratory results of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from February 2020 to December 2023, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) from June 2020 to December 2023, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, adenovirus, and human rhinovirus from January 2023 to December 2023 were analyzed. We observed the alternating epidemics of SARS‐CoV‐2 and influenza A virus (IAV), as well as the out‐of‐season epidemic of RSV during the spring and summer of 2023. Cocirculation of multiple respiratory pathogens was observed during the autumn and winter of 2023. The susceptible age range of RSV in this winter epidemic (10.5, interquartile range [IQR]: 5–30) was significantly higher than previously (4, IQR: 3–34). The coinfection rate of IAV and RSV in this winter epidemic (0.695%) was significantly higher than that of the last cocirculation period (0.027%) (p < 0.001). Similar trend was also found in the coinfection of IAV and SARS‐CoV‐2. The present study observed the cocirculation of multiple respiratory pathogens, changing age range of susceptible population, and increasing coinfection rates during the autumn and winter of 2023, in Beijing, China.

Solobacterium moorei, the only species in the genus Solobacterium, is a Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, strict anaerobic, short to long bacillus. It has rarely been documented to cause blood stream infections. Here we report the first case of bacteremia caused by S.moorei in China. A 61-year-old male presented to Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Beijing) with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and several other underlying diseases. He also had persistent coma accompanied by intermittent convulsions, halitosis, and intermittent fever. Blood cultures taken when the patient had a high fever were positive, with the anaerobic bottle yielding an organism identified as S.moorei by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, whilst the aerobic bottle grew Streptococcus mitis. After replacement of venous pipeline, and empirical use of vancomycin and meropenem, the patient’s body temperature and white blood cell count returned to normal. Unfortunately, the patient died of severe TTP. This is the first case report of S. moorei isolation from blood stream in China. 16S rRNA gene sequencing is the only method that can identify S. moorei. Blood cultures must be taken before administration of antibiotics, and anaerobic culture should be considered for such rare pathogens in patients with oral diseases and immune deficiency.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections nationwide. The COVID‐19 pandemic has greatly influenced on the HPV prevention project. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of the pandemic on HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in Beijing, China. A total of 44 401 genital swabs were obtained from outpatients at Peking Union Medical College Hospital during two distinct periods: the prepandemic stage from January 2017 to December 2019 and the pandemic stage from January 2020 to December 2022. During the prepandemic and pandemic stages, a total of 33 531 and 10 870 swabs were respectively collected. Fifteen high‐risk HPV (HR‐HPV) DNA type and a combination of two low‐risk (LR‐HPV) types (6/11) of genital swabs were detected to compare the HPV infection rates and genotype distributions in two stages. The results showed that the pandemic period witnessed a decrease in the overall HPV infection rate from 33.43% (11 245/33 531) to 29.43% (5527/18 780) compared to the prepandemic. There were statistically significant differences in infection rates between females and males (p < 0.05). Single infection was the predominant type while multiple infection was more prevalent in males than females in both prepandemic and pandemic periods. HR‐HPV infection constituted the majority of infections and cannot be disregarded. The distribution of HR‐HPV genotypes exhibited little variation before and after the outbreak, but there were some differences between females and males. HPV 16, 52, 58, 56, and 66 were the most commonly detected genotypes in females, whereas HPV 16, 52, 51, 58, and 18 were frequently detected in males. Additionally, HPV 6/11 exhibited a higher prevalence in males than in females. Notably, the age group of 31−40 years old exhibited the highest prevalence of HPV and the lowest infection rate was detected among individuals aged ≤20 years (p < 0.05), which remained relatively consistent before and during the pandemic. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring the trend of HPV epidemic and offer valuable insights for the prevention, treatment, and scientific investigation of HPV in the post‐COVID‐19 era.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA screening was a crucial element in the fight against cervical cancer and had been adopted in many countries, including China. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 disrupted this program significantly. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and distribution of HPV genotypes among the population undergoing cervical cancer screening during the pandemic period. From January 2017 to December 2022, Peking Union Medical College Hospital gathered 45,496 cervical swabs from individuals undergoing cervical cancer screening. These samples were analyzed to detect fifteen high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) DNA types and a combination of two low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) types. The study revealed an overall infection rate of 11.24% (5,114/45,496), with 11.06% (5,032/45,496) of individuals infected with HR-HPV. The number of HPV screening patients and the infection rates of HPV, HR-HPV, LR-HPV, multiple genotype HPV (M-HPV), and single genotype HPV (S-HPV) during the pandemic were lower than those observed before the pandemic. Moreover, the age group with the highest percentage of infected individuals was under 45–49 years, with HPV52, HPV58, HPV16, and HPV51 being the most prevalent genotypes. Notably, HPV66 emerged as the fifth most commonly detected genotype during the pandemic. Additionally, among the eleven age groups examined, women under 25 exhibited the highest detection rate, with HPV52 and HPV16 infection rates exceeding those observed in the pre-pandemic period. The findings of this study offer significant insights for shaping HPV prevention strategies and enhancing cervical cancer screening initiatives in China following the epidemic.

During the 2023 autumn–winter period in China, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infections have increased. To address this, rapid and accurate MP DNA detection methods are crucial. Three nucleic acid detection assays (Ustar, Coyote Flash10, Coyote Flash 20) that are widely used in China are currently being evaluated for their effectiveness in detecting MP DNA in nasopharyngeal specimens. Reference standard materials for MP and a total of 35 NPS collected from Peking Union Medical College Hospital were tested using the Ustar, Coyote Flash10 and Coyote Flash 20 assays to assess analytical sensitivity, analytical specificity, diagnostic performance and workflow. The assays showed differing limits of detection (LOD) based on the absolute quantification of reference standards, with LODs of 500 copies/mL for the Ustar assays and 200 copies/mL for both Coyote Flash10 and Coyote Flash 20 assays. Additionally, all three assays displayed excellently analytical specificity in detecting MP DNA.The clinical correlation analysis demonstrated that the Ustar assay exhibited a sensitivity of 90.00%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 100%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 62.50%. In contrast, both the Coyote Flash10 and Coyote Flash 20 assays displayed perfect diagnostic accuracy with 100% sensitivities, specificities, PPVs, and NPVs. Despite variations in detection principles, sample volume, and pre-preparation among the three assays, they all had a turnaround time of less than 30 min with low-throughput processing. Overall, all three rapid nucleic acid detection assays displayed excellent clinical performance in detecting MP DNA, offering a solid foundation for the quick clinical diagnosis of MP infection.