Objective To analyze the bloodstream infections caused by vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus (VRE)in West China Hospital and examine the risk factors of such infections for best control of VRE infections .Methods Case‐control method was used to compare the bloodstream infections due to VRE with those caused by vancomycin‐susceptible Enterococcus(VSE)from August 2010 to August 2014 in West China Hospital .The data were compared by T‐test ,Chi‐square test (univariate analysis) and logistic regression analysis (multivariate analysis) using SPSS 19 .0 software .Results A total of 31 VRE strains were isolated from bloodstream infections in the study period ,including 5 (16 .1 % ) strains of vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecalis and 26 (83 .9 % )strains of vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecium .In the past four years ,the prevalence of vancomycin‐resistant E . f aecalis in bloodstream infections was 1 .5% ,1 .6% ,1 .8% ,and 1 .2% ;while the prevalence of vancomycin‐resistant E . f aecium in bloodstream infections was 3 .8% ,4 .4% ,5 .8% ,and 7 .1% .Such VRE bloodstream infection was mainly found in Intensive Care Unit (ICU)(13 ,41 .9% )and Department of Neurosurgery (4 ,12 .9% ) .More than 90% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin and erythromycin .But less than 20% of the strains were resistant to quinupristin‐dalfopristin and linezolid . Univariate analysis indicated that prolonged hospital stay , ICU admission , venous catheter ,prior carbapenem exposure , prior vancomycin/norvancomycin exposure were associated with VRE bloodstream infections .Logistic regression analysis confirmed that venous catheter was an independent risk factor of VRE bloodstream infections .Conclusions Venous catheter is an independent risk factor for VRE bloodstream infections . Infection control measures should be strengthened to prevent the outbreak of VRE‐related bloodstream infections .

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could be differentiated into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with notable advantages over iPSCs per se. In order to promote the application of iPSC-MSCs for osteoregenerative medicine, the present study aimed to assess the ability of murine iPSC-MSCs to differentiate into osteoblast phenotype. METHODS: Osteogenic differentiation medium, blending mouse osteoblast-conditioned medium (CM) with basic medium (BM) at ratio 3:7, 5:5 and 7:3, were administered to iPSC-MSCs, respectively. After 14 days, differentiation was evaluated by lineage-specific morphology, histological stain, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining. RESULTS: The osteogenesis-related genes, alp, runx2, col1 and ocn expressions suggest that culture medium consisting of CM:BM at the ratio of 3:7 enhanced the osteogenic differentiation more than other concentrations that were tested. In addition, the alkaline phosphatase activity and osteogenic marker Runx2 expression demonstrate that the combination of CM and BM significantly enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of iPSC-MSCs. CONCLUSION: In summary, this study has shown that osteoblast-derived CM can dramatically enhance osteogenic differentiation of iPSC-MSCs toward osteoblasts. Results from this work will contribute to optimize the osteogenic induction conditions of iPSC-MSCs and will assist in the potential application of iPSC-MSCs for bone tissue engineering.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; Phenotype

Objective:To analyze the online learning behaviors and learning results of students under different teaching modes with different learning motivations, and to provide a reference for optimizing the development of online teaching.Methods:Samples of students taking the physiology small private online course (SPOC) in 2019 and 2020, and students taking the massive open online courses (MOOC) in the same year were selected in the study to discuss the differences in learning behaviors of students under different teaching modes and learning effects on students with different learning motivations. The online learning behaviors of students were analyzed based on their learning engagement, interactive behavior and learning motivation. SPSS 25.0 was used to analyze the data with statistical methods such as function calculation, frequency statistics, regression analysis, rank sum test, correlation test and chi-square test.Results:The learning participation level ( z=14.36, P<0.001), and the human-machine and interpersonal learning interaction level ( z=-11.70, -16.18, both P<0.001) of SPOC learners in 2020 were higher than those in 2019. The overall interactive level was moderately correlated with performances of students ( r=0.42, 0.52, both P<0.001), and the correlation between interpersonal behavior and grades was much more stronger ( r=0.60, 0.55, both P<0.001). The performance composition of SPOC and MOOC learners in 2019 was completely different ( χ2=857.45, P<0.001). The learning effect of externally motivated students was significantly better than that of internally motivated students ( z=-28.42, P<0.001). Conclusion:The teaching mode adopted by the school can affect the learning effect by influencing the students' online learning engagement and interactive behavior. Besides, students' own learning motivation also plays a key role in their academic performance.

Objective:To determine a relationship between ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) and pathological lessions of renal tissues in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods:It was a cross-sectional observational study, involving children admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January to December 2021 with definite pathological diagnosis through kidney biopsy. The SWE was used to determine the Young's modulus (elastic modulus) of the cortex and medulla of the upper, middle, and lower poles of the kidney. The renal histopathology was classified or graded. The statistical method was used to analyze the relationship between Young's modulus of the inferior polar cortex (YM cor) and medulla (YM med) of the right kidney and renal pathology. Results:The study included 110 children with definite pathological diagnosis through renal biopsy, aged (10.1±3.4) years old (2-17 years old), with 55 males (50.0%). The body mass index was (20.6±2.4) kg/m 2, and mean arterial pressure was (95±24) mmHg. There were 94 patients (85.4%) with CKD stage 1, 8 patients (7.3%) with CKD stage 2, and 8 patients (7.3%) with CKD stage 3. There was no significant difference of YM cor and YM med in the upper and middle poles of the right kidneys, and YM med in the lower poles of right kidneys in CKD patients with different stages (all P>0.05). Both YM cor [(15.75±3.36) kPa] and YM med [(13.50±2.43) kPa] of CKD stage 3 patients were significantly higher than those of CKD stage 1 patients [(12.94±2.45) kPa, (11.88±2.23) kPa](both P<0.05). There was no significant difference of YM cor and YM med in the lower poles of right kidneys between stage 1 and stage 2 CKD patients (both P>0.05). YM cor[(17.93±3.23) kPa] and YM med [(15.50±1.48) kPa] in patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis were higher than those in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis [(12.71±2.42) kPa, (11.57±2.63) kPa] and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis [(12.73±2.04) kPa, (11.48±2.10) kPa](all P<0.05). There was no significant difference of YM cor and YM med between focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (both P>0.05). YM cor [(16.30±2.63) kPa] and YM med [(15.54±1.59) kPa] of Lee's Ⅳ grade of IgA nephropathy were higher than those of Lee's Ⅲ grade [(13.32±2.70) kPa, (12.57±2.50) kPa](both P<0.05), while the International Study of Kidney Disease in Children grade of purpura nephritis had no significant correlation with YM cor and YM med (both P>0.05). YM cor [(15.41±2.37) kPa] and YM med [(13.82±2.59) kPa] of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (T1/T2) group of IgA nephropathy mixed with purpura nephritis were significantly higher than those of T0 group's [(12.99±2.40) kPa, (11.79±2.05) kPa] (both P<0.05). Moreover, crescent formation (C1) group had a higher YM cor [(14.21±2.77) kPa] and YM med [(12.80±2.47) kPa] than those in C0 group [(12.73±2.15) kPa, (11.59±1.97) kPa] (both P<0.05), while YM cor and YM med were unrelated to the mesangial hypercellularity (M), endocapillary cellularity (E), segmental sclerosis or adhesion (S) indicators (all P>0.05). In lupus nephritis patients, YM cor ( r=0.744, P=0.035) and YM med ( r=0.728, P=0.009) were favorably linked with the chronic index, but not with the activity index (both P>0.05). Conclusions:Renal interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy and crescentic development are connected with YM cor and YM med at the lower pole of the kidney as measured by SWE. SWE can be used to assess the chronic renal lesions in children with CKD in the early and middle stages. It may develop into a new noninvasive way to assess renal pathology.

Objective:To observe any effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horns of diabetics experiencing neuropathic pain.Methods:Eight rats were randomly selected from 30 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats as the normal group (N), and the remaining twenty-two rats were treated with a single high-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a neuropathic pain model. The rats modeled successfully were randomly divided into a model group (M, n=8) and an EA group ( n=8). In the EA group, electroacupuncture was applied at the bilateral Hou san li and Kunlun acupoints starting on the 15th day after the STZ injection. The daily sessions lasted 30 minutes for 1 week. Body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were observed before the STZ injection and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days afterward. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the rats′ spinal cords was detected using western blotting. The count of p-CREB-positive cells in the dorsal horns and their co-localization with neurons was detected using immunofluorescence. Results:In comparison with the N group, the average BW of the M group on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after the STZ injection was significantly lower, while the average FBG was significantly higher. There was no significant difference between the M and N groups in the average PWL on the 7th day after the STZ injection, but it had decreased significantly in the M group on the 14th and 21st days. Compared with the M group, the average PWL of the EA group was significantly longer on the 21st day after the injection. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB protein in the spines of the M group was significantly higher than in the N group. p-CREB positive cells were more numerous in the M group compared with the N group, while in the EA group they were fewer. P-CREB was co-located with neurons in the spinal dorsal horn.Conclusion:EA can alleviate neuropathic pain effectively, perhaps by inhibiting the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord.

Objective:To analyze and summarize the clinical, genotypic and pathological characteristics of children with PAX2 gene mutation in China, and to provide information for the monitoring, treatment and prognosis of the disease. Methods:It was a case series analysis study. The clinical data of children with PAX2 gene mutation in Pediatric Nephrology Department, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2014 to December 2022 were collected, and peripheral blood gene DNA was extracted and sequenced for whole exome sequencing. The clinical, pathological and genotypic characteristics of PAX2 gene variation of children in China were summarized by searching PubMed, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang database and compared with the cases in this single center. Results:Among the 13 children with PAX2 gene mutation, there were 9 males and 4 females, 12 patients with abnormal urine tests, 7 patients with small kidney volume by imaging examination, and 5 patients with renal cysts. The clinical phenotypes were congenital renal and urinary tract malformations in 8 cases, renal coloboma syndrome in 1 case, and hematuria or proteinuria in 3 cases. Five patients underwent renal biopsies, showing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and C3 glomerulopathy in 1 case, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 1 case, thin basement membrane lesion in 1 case, and IgA nephropathy in 2 cases. The genetic testing in 13 children showed 9 de novo mutations and 4 new mutations of c.321G>A, c.213-8C>G, c.63C>A and c.449C>T. There were 2 cases of 76dupG (p.V26Gfs*28) mutant. A total of 51 Chinese children with PAX2 gene mutation were found in the literature search. There were 32 males and 19 females, 8 cases with small kidney volume and 12 cases with renal cysts. The clinical phenotypes were congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract in 28 cases, renal coloboma syndrome in 17 cases, and hematuria or proteinuria in 6 cases. Seven patients underwent renal biopsies, including 2 cases with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, 1 case with minimal lesion, 1 case with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, 1 case with IgA nephropathy, 1 case with membranous nephropathy and a case with focal proliferative sclerosing purpura nephritis combined with glomerular hypertrophy. Thirty-four cases were de novo mutations, and 12 mutations were from the father or mother. The father or mother of 5 children had no clinical manifestations, with normal renal function. There were 11 cases of 76dupG (p.V26Gfs*28) mutant. Conclusions:The clinical phenotypes and genotypes of PAX2 gene variation in Chinese children are diverse. The most common clinical phenotype of PAX2 gene variation is congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract. c.76dupG (p.V26Gfs*28) is the most common of PAX2 gene variant.

Objective To investigate high risk human papillomavirus(HR-HPV)prevalence among married women in Beijing and to study the high risk flactors.nethods During March 2007 to September 2008.a total of 6185 married women sampled from 137 communities in 12 districts were screened bv HR-HPV DNA test and cytogical test.The interview was carried out with unified questionnaires.The databage was set up and twice entered in EpiDam 3.0.After checked up,the data were analyzed in SPSS 15.0.Results (1) The HR-HPV infection rate was 9.89%.The HR-HPV infection rate of the city zone,the suburb and the exurb were 9.34%,10.51% and 9.51% (P>0.05).The HR-HPV infection rate of the native and the oudander were 9.53%,11.30% (P<0.05).(2) The age distribution of HR-HPV infection was that the rate was around 10% among 25 to 44 age groups,which was the highest(11.21%) in 30 to 34 age group;then the rate was descended as the age raising,the rate of 50 to 54 age group was the lowest(7.78%).(3) Multiple logistic regression showed that the related risk factors of HR-HPV infection mainly included 1000 RMB and above of family income per person per month.possessing more than 1 sexual partner of her husband,outlander and hish levels of education.(4) The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN)in HR-HPV positive group wag significantly higher than that in HR-HPV negative group(29.76% vs 3.32%,P<0.01).Conclusions(1)The HR-HPV infection rate among aged 25 to 54 years was 9.9% and there was no significant difference in area distribution.(2)The hish risk population which should strengthen screening was the married bearing-age women with high level of family income,outlander,high levels of education and her husband possessing more than 1 sexual partner.(3)HR-HPV infection is the main risk factor for CIN and cervical cancer.while does not provide a causal relationship with them.The high risk population should be checked regularly to understand the development of HR-HPV infection and CIN incidence.

Objective: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of circDLGAP4 from peripheral blood in coronary heart disease (CAD). Methods: The relative expression level of circDLGAP4 in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) from 142 CAD patients and 169 healthy controls were detected by real-time PCR. Logistic regression, Spearman correlation and multivariate regression analysis were used to investigate the correlation of circDLGAP4 with CAD. THP-1 macrophages were treated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to construct an atherosclerotic foam cell model. The levels of circDLGAP4 mRNA were detected at different time points. Results: The mRNA expression of circDLGAP4 in PBLs of CAD patients was significantly decreased compared with controls (P=0.019). With increased unit (2 -ΔCt ) of circDLGAP4 expression, the risk of CAD occurrence reduced by 41.6% (adjusted OR=0.584, 95% CI: 0.394-0.866, P=0.007). The expression of circDLGAP4 was negatively correlated with T2DM history (β=-0.182，P=0.030). The level of circDLGAP4 in ox-LDL-treated THP-1 macrophages was decreased in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion The expression of circDLGAP4 was significantly decreased in PBLs of CAD patients and THP-1 macrophages-derived foam cells, and might be a protective factor in the pathophysiology of CAD.

Objective: To explore the relationship between HCM pathogenic gene mutations and clinical phenotypes by analyzing the prenatal diagnosis and genetic characteristics of a pregnant woman from a family with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods: The clinical data of the proband and her family members was collected. The DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood, amniotic fluid cells and cultured amniotic fluid cells of proband. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was utilized for screening pathogenetic loci of the proband. The suspected mutation sequences of HCM pathogenic candidate genes MYH7 and MYBPC3 were directly sequenced after PCR. Pathogenicity prediction of amniotic fluid cells was performed by using genetic data and bioinformatics software, such as Mutation taster, PolyPhen-2 and ANTHEPROT. Results: The sequencing results showed that heterozygous mutations of MYH7 c.1988G＞A (p.Arg663His) and MYBPC3 c.151G＞A (p.Ala51Thr) were found in the proband. The phenotype of her father was normal, and no abnormal mutations were detectable. Her mother also showed normal phenotype but carried MYBPC3 c.151G＞A heterozygous mutation. Only MYH7 c.1988G＞A heterozygous mutation was found in the fetus and no abnormal variation of MYBPC3 was showed. The prediction of mutation effect and analysis of protein structure and function revealed that the two missense mutations could affect the hydrophobicity and antigenicity of the protein. The genetic data demonstrated MYH7 c.1988G＞A was defined as a pathogenic mutation. Conclusion MYH7 c.1988G＞A should be a newly generated pathogenic mutation in the proband, or caused by reproductive chimerism of her parents. MYBPC3 c.151G＞A mutation may promote the occurrence of HCM. Although the fetus only carries MYH7 c.1988G＞A, her phenotype may still display as HCM.

Objective: To explore the genetic basis for a pedigree affected with Marfan syndrome (MFS). Methods: Clinical data of the patients was collected.With genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples, potential mutation was detected by targeted exome sequencing.Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Results: Targeted exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing revealed a missense c. 649T>C(p.Trp217Arg) variant in the exon 7 of FBN1 gene, which was unreported previously.Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the variant can cause amino acid replacement and affect the structure and function of fibrillin-1. Conclusion A novel missense variant of the FBN1 gene was identified, which probably underlies the autosomal dominant MFS in this pedigree.