Objective To investigate the effect of matrix metalloproteinas-9 (MMP-9) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combined with coronary heart disease(CHD). Methods Thirty-one patients with T2DM combined with CHD(T2DM combined with CHD group) ,50 patients with CHD (CHD group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) were studied. Serum MMP-9 was measured by ELISA, and serum hs-CRP was measured by scattering immunoturbidimetric assay. Results The level of MMP-9 in T2DM combined with CHD group (409.62 μg/L) was significantly higher than that in CHD group (263.40 μg/L) and control group [(196.15 ±44.89) μg/L] (P < 0.05).The level of hs-CRP in T2DM combined with CHD group (17.20 mg/L) was significantly higher than that in CHD group (4.57 mg/L) and control group [(1.52±0.78) mg/L] (P <0.01). MMP-9 wa significantly related with hs-CRP in T2DM combined with C HD group (r = 0.482,P < 0.01). Conclusion The serum M MP-9 and hs-CRP levels are closely associated with the occurrence and development of diabetes related coronary atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the mRNA expression of liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1) gene in patients with cholesterol gallstone disease so that to elucidate the biomolecular pathogenesis of gallstone for- mation.Methods Twenty-seven patients with cholesterol gallstone (CGS) and 14 controls were included in this study.Biliary composition was assayed and mRNA expression of hepatic LRH 1 gene was determined by real time polymorphism chain reaction.Results In CGS patients,expression of LRH-1 was significantly higher than that in controls (14.18?9.37 vs 7.86?6.19,P＜0.05),and cholesterol of bile was oversaturated (1.17?0.27).Conclusion The formation of CGS may be related to increased expression of hepatic LRH-1 gene.

Objective To investigate the effect of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domaincontaining protein 1 (NOD1) on pyroptosis in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods An animal model of ischemia-reperfusion injury was established.Thirty healthy,male,and clean C57 BL mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (sham group) and ischemia-reperfusion group (IR,including 2 h,6 h,12 h,24 h subgroups),6 per group.Serum ALT and AST levels in each group were measured by blood biochemistry.HE staining and TUNEL were used to observe the pathological changes of liver and hepatocyte apoptosis.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and distribution of NOD1 in each group.Western blotting was used to detect NOD1,MM2,pro-Caspase-1 and active-Caspase-1 expression.NOD1 siRNA and empty control siRNA were transfected into AML12 cells,then the hypoxia/reoxygenation model was established and cells were collected to detect the expression of NOD1,AIM2 and active-Caspase-1.Results The ALT and AST levels in IR group were significantly higher than those in sham group,and peaked at IR 12-h subgroup (P＜0.05).HE staining showed that hepatic injury was the most severe at 12 h after reperfusion.TUNEL results showed that the number of apoptotic cells was the greated at 12 h after reperfusion.Western blotting showed that NOD1 protein expression was highest at 12 h after reperfusion.With the prolongation of reperfusion time,the expression of AIM2 and active-Caspase-1 gradually increased,and that of pro-Caspase-1 gradually decreased.The expression of NOD1,AIM2 and activeCaspase-1 decreased after transfection of NOD1 siRNA into AML12 cells.Conclusions NOD1 promotes liver ischemia-reperfusion injury,which may be related to NOD1 promoting liver injury by activating pyroptosis.

As an important zoonotic pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus has led to serious mastitis and endometritis in infected dairy cows. In this study, a total of 164 strains of S. aureus were isolated from dairy cows in Xinjiang Province, China, and subjected to assays to determine drug susceptibility and biofilm (BF) formation ability. Enterotoxin-related genes were detected, and the transcription levels of genes related to BF formation were determined by using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the pathogenicity of isolates with different BF formation abilities was determined by measuring their hemolysis activity, half lethal dose (LD₅₀) and organ bacterial load. The results showed that 86.0% of S. aureus isolates could form BF. Among them, 42.1% of the strains had weak BF formation ability, and most strains with a strong BF formation ability were ica gene carriers. The S. aureus isolates displayed multidrug resistance and their drug resistance was positively correlated with their BF formation ability. Moreover, 96.3% of the S. aureus isolates carried enterotoxin genes. Among them, the detection rates of the novel enterotoxin genes were higher than those of conventional enterotoxin genes. Furthermore, isolates with a strong BF formation ability had higher LD50 but lower hemolysis ability and organ bacterial load than those of the isolates with weak or no BF ability. However, isolates without BF ability produced more severe pathological changes than those of isolates with strong BF formation ability. These findings suggest that higher BF ability and presence of novel enterotoxin genes are important characteristics of S. aureus isolates from dairy cows in Xinjiang Province, China, and such isolates may pose potential threats to food safety.
Bacterial Load ; Biofilms ; China ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Endometritis ; Enterotoxins ; Female ; Food Safety ; Hemolysis ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Mastitis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus ; Virulence

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) in sheep is a hazardous zoonotic parasitic disease that is caused by Echinococcus granulosus (Eg). At present, serological test is an important diagnostic method for Eg infection in domestic animals. Here, a fusion protein Eg mefAg-1 harboring 8 dominant B-cell epitopes of Eg such as antigen B, tetraspanin 1, tetraspanin 6, reticulon and Eg95 was produced in E. coli and evaluated for CE in sheep by indirect ELISA. Eg mefAg-1 showed in ELISA a high sensitivity (93.41%) and specificity (99.31%), with a coincidence rate of 97.02%. Overall, it is suggested that the Eg mefAg-1 could be a potential antigen candidate for CE serodiagnosis in sheep.
Animals, Domestic ; Echinococcosis ; Echinococcus granulosus ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte ; Methods ; Parasitic Diseases ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serologic Tests ; Sheep

Objective:To study the regulatory effects of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) on microglia pyroptosis in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Methods:Primary microglia cells were isolated from fetal mice and randomly assigned into 4 groups: the control group, 5z-7-oxozeaneol (5z-7) group, oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) group and OGD+5z-7 group. OGD models of microglia cells were established for the OGD groups and 5z-7 groups received a small molecule TAK1 inhibitor 5z-7. Expression of phosphorylated TAK1(P-TAK1), pyroptosis related proteins including NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP-3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) oligomers, N terminal of Gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were examined using Western blot at 0 h, 6 h and 24 h after intervention. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test and transmission electron microscope were used for pyroptosis evaluation.Results:(1) Compared with the control group, expressions of all proteins including P-TAK1, NLRP-3, ASC oligomers, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and LDH level showed no significant differences in the OGD group at 0 h ( P>0.05). P-TAK1 levels in OGD group at 6 h and 24 h were lower than the control group and the levels of NLRP-3, ASC oligomers, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and LDH were significantly higher ( P<0.05). Microglia pyroptosis (characterized by disruption of cell membrane, extravasation of cytoplasm and chromatin margin aggregation) was observed under electron microscope. (2) 5z-7 group and OGD+5z-7 group had lower P-TAK1 levels and higher NLRP-3, ASC oligomers, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and LDH levels than the control group and OGD group at 6 h and 24 h. Conclusions:The down-regulation of TAK1 phosphorylation level may promote microglia pyroptosis in HIBD. This regulatory effects is related to the up-regulation of NLRP-3 expression and the oligomerization of ASC.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of neonatal late-onset sepsis (LOS) caused by Leclercia adecarboxylata, and provide evidence for its diagnosis and treatment. Methods:We report a case of Leclercia adecarboxylata induced LOS in a male preterm neonate diagnosed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Relavant literature was retrieved from Wanfang, VIP, CNKI, and PubMed databases up to April 2021, using terms including "neonate" "sepsis" and " Leclercia adecarboxylata". Results:The patient presented with dyspnea immediately after birth with gestational age of 34 +3 weeks and birth weight of 2 050 g. After admission at 14 min after birth, he was incubated at temperature of 33-35 ℃ and humidity of 50%-60% and received active treatment, consisting of nasal continuous positive airway pressure, tracheal intubation, intratracheal injection of pulmonary surfactant, invasive mechanical ventilation, and anti-infective treatment with piperacillin, cefoperazone/sulbactam, and meropenem. However, the patient developed LOS on day 11 of life and eventually died of disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organs failure despite volume expansion, anti-infective therapy, and respiratory support. The blood culture was positive for Gram-negative rod and confirmed as a multi-drug resistant strain of Leclercia adecarboxylata. Two cases of LOS caused by sensitive strain of Leclercia adecarboxylata in premature female infants were retrieved in the literature with atypical symptoms, of whom one was successfully treated and one died after active treatment. Conclusions:Leclercia adecarboxylata infection alone can lead to LOS in preterm infants without typical manifestations. MALDI-TOF MS is helpful for the diagnosis and rational application of antibiotics.

Background::Hypothermia therapy has been suggested to attenuate myocardial necrosis; however, the clinical implementation as a valid therapeutic strategy has failed, and new approaches are needed to translate into clinical applications. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel selective intracoronary hypothermia (SICH) device in mitigating myocardial reperfusion injury.Methods::This study comprised two phases. The first phase of the SICH was performed in a normal porcine model for 30 minutes ( n = 5) to evaluate its feasibility. The second phase was conducted in a porcine myocardial infarction (MI) model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion which was performed by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 60 minutes and maintained for 42 days. Pigs in the hypothermia group ( n = 8) received hypothermia intervention onset reperfusion for 30 minutes and controls ( n = 8) received no intervention. All animals were followed for 42 days. Cardiac magnetic resonance analysis (five and 42 days post-MI) and a series of biomarkers/histological studies were performed. Results::The average time to lower temperatures to a steady state was 4.8 ± 0.8 s. SICH had no impact on blood pressure or heart rate and was safely performed without complications by using a 3.9 F catheter. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein (CRP), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were lower at 60 min post perfusion in pigs that underwent SICH as compared with the control group. On day 5 post MI/R, edema, intramyocardial hemorrhage, and microvascular obstruction were reduced in the hypothermia group. On day 42 post MI/R, the infarct size, IL-6, CRP, BNP, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 were reduced, and the ejection fraction was improved in pigs that underwent SICH.Conclusions::The SICH device safely and effectively reduced the infarct size and improved heart function in a pig model of MI/R. These beneficial effects indicate the clinical potential of SICH for treatment of myocardial reperfusion injury.

Objective:To describe the prevalence of food allergy among children aged 0-5 years in China and to explore related influencing factors.Methods:Multistage stratified random sampling method was used to collect data from 275 surveillance sites of the China National Nutrition and Health Survey of Chinese children and lactating mothers programs in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) of China in 2016-2017. A total of 70 107 participants aged 0-5 years were included in this study. The study collected information of participants' demographic characteristics and food allergies by face-to-face questionnaire. The prevalence of food allergy was analyzed, using the complex data weighting method. The logistic regression models were used to analyze the influencing factors related to food allergy.Results:The overall prevalence of self-reported food allergy among children aged 0-5 years was 4.81%. Prevalence rates in infants aged 0-5 months, and 6-23 months and preschool children aged 2-5 years were 0.81%, 4.68% and 5.26%, respectively. The results of logistic analysis showed that there was a significantly positive correlation between factors including children from 6 months to 5 years old, urban area, southwest area, first-born, mothers with college education or above, and the prevalence of food allergy in children. Shrimp, poultry eggs, crab shellfish, fruit, milk and fish appeared the common allergic foods in children aged 0-5 years, with prevalence rates of self-reported food allergy as 1.55%, 1.25%, 0.99%, 0.97%, 0.87% and 0.86%, respectively. The proportion of single food allergy in children with allergies was 69.85%.Conclusions:Among children aged 0-5 years, the prevalence of self-reported food allergy increases with age, in China. Foods that is prone to allergies include fish, shrimp, crab, shellfish, poultry eggs, milk and fruits, etc. Most allergies were only caused by single food in children, under observation.

Objective In comparison with Xpert C.difficile/Epi through detection of Clostridium difficile toxin genes from clinical stool , the performance of a laboratory-developed ( LD) assay was evaluated in detail.Methods A total of 176 stool specimens collected from patients with diarrhea in the First People′s Hospital of Yuhang District and the People′s Hospital of Yingzhou , Ningbo from August 1 to December 30 were detected by the two assays in parallel , and meanwhile the C.difficile strains will be isolated and identified for C.difficile toxin genes by a conventional PCR assay .The Cross-tabs Analysis was used for the results by using SPSS20.0 software.Results In comparison with the results of Xpert C.difficile/Epi as the standard, the LD assay had a sensitivity of 91.7％(22/24), a specificity of 100％(152/152), a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100％(22/22), and negative predictive value (NPV) 98.7％(152/154).The results of two assays were statistically coherent (Kappa=0.950, P<0.001).In comparison with culture and detection of toxin genes results , the LD assay had a sensitivity of 90.0％ ( 18/20 ) , a specificity of 97.0％(152/156), a PPV of 81.8％ (18/22), and NPV of 98.7％ (152/154)(Kappa=0.838, P<0.001), and the Xpert C.difficile/Epi assay had a sensitivity of 90.0％ (18/20), a specificity of 96.0％(150/156), a PPV of 75.0％(18/24), and NPV of 98.7％ (150/152)(Kappa=0.792, P<0.001). Conclusions The performance of the LD assay was similar to that of the Xpert C .difficile/Epi kit in detection of toxigenic C.difficile.The LD assay could be directly applied to detection of toxigenic C.difficile from clinical stool samples .The clinical application of this LD assay will also provide a domestic and promising diagnostic assay for diagnosis of C.difficile infection in China.