Objective To explore the value of cardiac troponin-I (cTnI), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and blood lactic acid (Lac) on evaluation of severity and prognosis in patients with septic myocardial dysfunction (SMD). Methods According to retrospective analysis of clinical data,161 cases with sepsis were divided in to SMD group and non-SMD group. And the SMD group was further divided in to death group and survival group. Blood cTnI, BNP and Lac value in each group were detected respectively. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the forecast value of cTnI, BNP and Lac on prognosis for patients. Results The value of cTnI, BNP and Lac in SMD group were significantly higher than those in non-SMD group(P<0.05);The value of cTnI, BNP and Lac in death group among the SMD patients were significantly higher than those in survival group(P<0.05);cTnI, BNP and Lac contribute to predict the 28 day mortality rate of SMD. Conclusions Blood cTnI, BNP and Lac contributes to the assessment of the severity and the prognosis of septic patients with myocardial dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the syndrome types of traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM) in senile hypertension patients by cluster analysis. Methods Case report sheet for senile hypertension was formed, and then the general data and TCM syndrome information of 495 cases of senile hypertension were recorded. The frequency of syndrome information of the enrolled cases was analyzed, and then the syndrome types were classified by cluster analysis. Results The symptoms with high frequency in senile hypertension patients were dizziness ( 75.9%) , insomnia ( 33.1%) , chest distress ( 29.9%) , poor appetite ( 23.2%) , headache (22.4%), slippery pulse (54.9%), greasy fur (51.7%), stringy pulse (49.7%), and white fur (47.8%) . The main syndrome patterns of 495 cases of senile hypertension were upward hyperactivity of liver yang (23.8%), Qi deficiency and phlegm turbidity (21%), kidney qi deficiency (19.8%), phlegm blended with blood stasis (18.4%), and phlegm heat (17.0%) . Conclusion Senile hypertension patients are dominated with the syndrome types of upward hyperactivity of liver yang, Qi deficiency and kidney deficiency, and are usually complicated with phlegm turbidity, phlegm heat and blood stasis. The complicated syndromes of phlegm turbidity and blood stasis are commonly-seen. The results of cluster analysis are expected to supply evidence for the syndrome differentiation of senile hypertension.

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-29a (miR-29a) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in human monocytes THP-1 cells in order to understand the molecular mechanisms.Methods Human monocytes THP-1 cell line were exposed to LPS after transfected with miR-29a inhibitors (100 nmol/L) or just transfected with miR-29a mimic (100 nmol/L) by lipofectamine RNAiMAX.Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the cell apoptosis.Real-time RT-PCR was employed to measure expressive levels of the gene Bcl-2 and Mcl-1.The luciferase assay was performed in HEK293T cells,which were co-transfected with plasmid DNA and miRNA by using Lipofectamine 2000.Statistical analysis carried out by using SPSS 13.0 software for One-way ANOVA and Student' s t test.Results Transfection with miR-29a mimics for 48 h increased apoptosis rate and significantly reduced the expressions of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 in THP-1 cells in comparsion with the control group.The apoptosis rate also raised in THP-1 cell stimulated by LPS for 24 h followed by LPS stimulation for 24 h,the apoptosis rate was decreased in comparison with the LPS group.In addition,our luciferase assay data showed that HEK293T cells cotransfected with miR-29a mimics and Bcl-2 3 ' UTR-Wt or Mcl-1 3' UTR-Wt plasmid significantly reduced the luciferase activity compared with the control group.Conclusions The miR-29a may regulate apoptosis by targeting the genes Bcl-2 and Mcl-1,and miR-29a may play a pivotal role in the process of apoptosis in immune cells.

Endothelial dysfunction was closely related with AS , NO bioavailability ( production and utilization of endothelial NO ) was decreased by oxidative stress , lipid infiltration , inflammatory factor expression , vascular tone alteration and so on , which play an important role in endothelial dysfunction .Enhanced arginine , activityand asym-metric dimethylarginine together with increased hyperhomocysteinemia all promote AS by intervening NO bioavail -ability.Diabetes mellitus, obesity, chronic kidney disease , smoking and so on also involved in AS via influencing NO bioavailability and NO level .

Here we tell a 20-year long story. It began with an easily overlooked DNA degradation (Dnd) phenomenon during electrophoresis and eventually led to the discovery of an unprecedented DNA sulfur modification governed by five dnd genes. This unusual DNA modification, called phosphorothioation, is the first physiological modification identified on the DNA backbone, in which the nonbridging oxygen is replaced by sulfur in a sequence selective and stereo-specific manner. Homologous dnd gene clusters have been identified in diverse and distantly related bacteria and thus have drawn immediate attention of the entire microbial scientific community. Here, we summarize the progress in chemical, genetic, enzymatic, bioinformatical and analytical aspects of this novel postreplicative DNA modification. We also discuss perspectives on the physiological functions of the DNA phosphorothioate modification in bacteria and their implications.
Bacteria ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA, Bacterial ; chemistry ; history ; metabolism ; Genes, Bacterial ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Multigene Family ; Streptomyces lividans ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sulfur ; chemistry ; history ; metabolism

Objective:To compare the post-operative outcomes between extended lateral approach and L-shaped lateral approach in surgical treatment of Sanders type III intra-articular calcaneal fractures.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was made on clinical data of 34 patients with fresh Sanders type III intra-articular calcaneal fractures hospitalized in Langfang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2014 to October 2017. There were 33 males and 1 female, with the age of 18-56 years [(42.5±9.4)years]. All fractures were fresh. Seventeen patients were fixed by the extended lateral approach (extended approach group) and seventeen patients by L-shaped lateral approach (L-shaped approach group). Operation duration, intraoperative bleeding volume, length of hospital stay, one-stage wound healing rate and complication rate were observed. B?hler and Gissane angle were measured before operation, one week after operation and 12 months after operation. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale was applied to evaluate function recovery.Results:There were no significant differences between groups in operative time and intraoperative bleeding volume ( P>0.05). There were significant differences between extended approach group and L-shaped approach group in length of hospital stay [(15.7±4.0)days vs.(22.4±9.6)days], one-stage wound healing rate [88%(15/17) vs. 47%(8/12)] and postoperative complication rate [12%(2/17) vs. 47%(8/17)] ( P<0.05). The B?hler and Gissane angles did not differ significantly between groups before operation and one week and 12 months after operation ( P>0.05). At postoperative 12 months, the B?hler and Gissane angles were improved from preoperative (8.2±6.0)°, (85.3±10.5)° to (23.9±6.1)° and (119.3±6.2)° respectively in extended approach group, and those from preoperative (9.4±3.9)°, (85.5±7.1)° to (25.8±3.7)° and (122.2±5.6)° respectively in L-shaped approach group (all P>0.05). At 12 months after operation, the AOFAS score was (86.9±7.5)points in extended approach group, with the excellent and good rate of 88%; and was (83.3±12.5)points in L-shaped approach group, with the excellent and good rate of 76% ( P>0.05). While the score of hindfoot joint activity in extended approach group was (5.8±0.7)points, significantly higher than (3.4±1.0)points in L-shaped approach group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:For Sanders III intraarticular calcaneal fractures, compared with L-shaped approach group, plate fixation via extended approach can promote fracture healing, shorten hospital stay, reduce incidence of complications and facilitate function recovery of subtalar joint.

Tunicamycin, a potent reversible translocase I inhibitor, is produced by several Actinomycetes species. The tunicamycin structure is highly unusual, and contains an 11-carbon dialdose sugar and an α, β-1″,11'-glycosidic linkage. Here we report the identification of a gene cluster essential for tunicamycin biosynthesis by high-throughput heterologous expression (HHE) strategy combined with a bioassay. Introduction of the genes into heterologous non-producing Streptomyces hosts results in production of tunicamycin by these strains, demonstrating the role of the genes for the biosynthesis of tunicamycins. Gene disruption experiments coupled with bioinformatic analysis revealed that the tunicamycin gene cluster is minimally composed of 12 genes (tunA-tunL). Amongst these is a putative radical SAM enzyme (Tun B) with a potentially unique role in biosynthetic carbon-carbon bond formation. Hence, a seven-step novel pathway is proposed for tunicamycin biosynthesis. Moreover, two gene clusters for the potential biosynthesis of tunicamycin-like antibiotics were also identified in Streptomyces clavuligerus ATCC 27064 and Actinosynnema mirums DSM 43827. These data provide clarification of the novel mechanisms for tunicamycin biosynthesis, and for the generation of new-designer tunicamycin analogs with selective/enhanced bioactivity via combinatorial biosynthesis strategies.
Actinobacteria ; enzymology ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Biological Assay ; Carbohydrate Sequence ; Carbohydrates ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Deletion ; Gene Library ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Multigene Family ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Streptomyces ; enzymology ; genetics ; Tunicamycin ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; genetics

Objective:To systematically review the risk prediction models for cognitive impairment in stroke patients, aiming to provide references for clinical healthcare professionals in selecting or constructing high-quality risk assessment tools.Methods:A computerized search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, OVID, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang Database, and VIP to identify studies related to risk prediction models for cognitive impairment in stroke patients. The search was limited to articles published up to August 1, 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and applicability of the included studies using PROBAST.Results:A total of 26 articles were included. The applicability of the studies was generally good, but all studies had some degree of bias risk, mainly arising from unreasonable study designs, inappropriate time intervals between predictor assessment and outcome determination, insufficient sample sizes, unreasonable handling of continuous variables, omission of missing data, lack of reporting of calibration, and overfitting of the models. Meta-analysis results showed that age ( OR=0.05, 95% CI: 0.033-0.057), education level ( OR=-0.13, 95% CI: -0.171 - -0.082), history of diabetes ( OR=2.32, 95% CI: 1.867-2.881), history of hypertension ( OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.420-0.918), and NIHSS score ( OR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.331-0.469) were factors for cognitive impairment in stroke patients. Conclusions:While various risk prediction models for cognitive impairment in stroke patients exist, they suffer from methodological flaws and high bias risks, with some commonalities and controversies in predictors. Future research should adhere to the principles of transparent reporting of individual prognosis or diagnosis of multivariate prediction models, develop localized prediction models with low bias risk and good applicability, and conduct internal and external validations to demonstrate their applicability and feasibility in clinical practice.

Objective:To analyze the impact of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis on the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells.Methods:① Animal experiment: sixteen male C57BL/6 mice were divided into sham operation group (Sham group) and CLP-induced sepsis model group (CLP group) by random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. After 5 days of operation, the jejunal tissues were taken for determination of leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) and intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The translation of LGR5 was detected by Western blotting. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki67) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. IAP level was detected by modified calcium cobalt staining and colorimetry. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of Paneth cell marker molecule lysozyme 1 (LYZ1) and goblet cell marker molecule mucin 2 (MUC2). ② Cell experiment: IEC6 cells in logarithmic growth stage were divided into blank control group and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (LPS 5 μg/mL). Twenty-four hours after treatment, PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the transcription and translation of LGR5. The proliferation of IEC6 cells were detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining. The transcription and translation of IAP were detected by PCR and colorimetric method respectively.Results:① Animal experiment: the immunohistochemical results showed that the positive rate of Ki67 staining in the jejunal tissue of CLP group was lower than that of Sham group [(41.7±2.5)% vs. (48.7±1.4)%, P = 0.01]. PCR and Western blotting results showed that there were no statistical differences in the mRNA and protein expressions of LGR5 in the jejunal tissue between the CLP group and Sham group (Lgr5 mRNA: 0.7±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.2, P = 0.11; LGR5/β-actin: 0.83±0.17 vs. 0.68±0.19, P = 0.24). The mRNA (0.4±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.1, P < 0.01) and protein (U/g: 47.3±6.0 vs. 73.1±15.3, P < 0.01) levels of IAP in the jejunal tissue were lower in CLP group. Immunofluorescence saining analysis showed that the expressions of LYZ1 and MUC2 in the CLP group were lower than those in the Sham group. ②Cell experiment: PCR and Western blotting results showed that there was no significant difference in the expression of LGR5 between the LPS group and the blank control group (Lgr5 mRNA: 0.9±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.2, P = 0.33; LGR5/β-actin: 0.71±0.18 vs. 0.69±0.04, P = 0.81). The proliferation rate of IEC6 cells in the LPS group was lower than that in the blank control group, but there was no significant difference [positivity rate of EdU: (40.5±3.8)% vs. (46.5±3.6)%, P = 0.11]. The mRNA (0.5±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.2, P < 0.01) and protein (U/g: 15.0±4.0 vs. 41.2±10.4, P < 0.01) of IAP in the LPS group were lower than those in the blank control group. Conclusion:CLP-induced sepsis inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells, impairing the self-renewal ability of intestinal epithelium.

Objective:To investigate the cognition and willingness of nursing staff to Internet plus nursing service, and analyze the related factors that affect their participation in Internet plus nursing service.Methods:From April to May 2019, 150 nurses from three hospitals in Weifang were investigated by questionnaire and key person interview. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the intention of nursing staff to participate in Internet plus nursing service. The interview mode was used to analyze the appropriate mode of Internet plus nursing service from the perspective of nursing staff.Results:142 valid questionnaires were obtained, of which 137(96.5%)indicated willingness to provide Internet plus nursing services, and 135(95.1%) realized the necessity of the service. Education, marriage, nurses′judgment on the necessity of the service and their own subjective judgment of their competence were the factors affecting nurses′ participation in the Internet plus nursing service.Conclusions:Multiple factors affect the choice of nursing staff′s behavior in Internet plus nursing service.From the perspective of nursing staff, the Internet plus nursing service mode needs joint efforts from many aspects.