Objective:To investigate the effect of Liangxue Huoxue decoction on intestinal flora, intestinal barrier and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pyroptosis signaling pathway in mice model of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods:The model of AKI was established by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), sepsis group (CLP group) and sepsis+Liangxue Huoxue decoction (CLP+LXHX group), with 10 mice in each group. Mice in Sham group only underwent laparotomy. Two hours before model establishment, mice in CLP+LXHX group were treated with Liangxue Huoxue decoction (6 g/kg) by gavage; mice in Sham group and CLP group were given equal volume of normal saline by gavages. After 24 hours of modeling, all mice were sacrificed under anesthesia, and the colon and kidney tissues and fresh feces in the colon were taken. The pathological changes of kidney and colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining under light microscope. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect inflammatory factors (interleukins, IL-1β and IL-18) in renal tissue. The expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected by Western blotting. The changes of intestinal flora in mice were detected by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing.Results:Compared with the Sham group, the inflammatory cell infiltration of the kidney tissue was increased and the kidney became vacuolated in CLP group, the mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-18, and the protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were significantly increased in CLP group, the species richness of intestinal microflora decreased significantly, the relative abundance of Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella increased significantly, and the relative abundance of Ileibacterium, Alloprevotella, Lachnospiraceae, Klebsiella and Parasutterella increased significantly in CLP group. Compared with CLP group, Liangxue Huoxue decoction can significantly reduce the pathological changes of kidney and colon tissue, reduce the pathological score (1.75±0.43 vs. 3.50±0.50 for kidney tissue, 1.25±0.43 vs. 4.50±0.50 for colon tissue, both P < 0.05), improve the composition of intestinal flora, reduce the relative abundance of Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella, and significantly increase the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. In addition, Liangxue Huoxue decoction can significantly reduce mRNA expressions of IL-1β and IL-18 in kidney tissue [IL-1β mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 1.59±0.05 vs. 4.61±0.88, IL-18 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 1.69±0.17 vs. 2.86±0.63, both P < 0.05] and the protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD (NLRP3/GAPDH: 0.71±0.04 vs. 0.89±0.01, caspase-1/GAPDH: 1.04±0.04 vs. 1.48±0.04, GSDMD/GAPDH: 0.90±0.01 vs. 1.41±0.02, all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Liangxue Huoxue decoction has obvious protective effect on AKI induced by sepsis. It can improve intestinal barrier by regulating intestinal flora, thereby inhibiting the activation of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway in kidney tissue and reducing the expression of proptosis-related inflammatory factors.

BackgroundPsychological problems such as depression and anxiety are common in pregnant women， and many studies have found that body image disturbance is closely related to depression and anxiety symptoms. Still， there is large variability in previous findings. ObjectiveTo review the researches on the relation of body image disturbance to depression and anxiety in pregnant women， and to provide a reference for interventions targeting maternal body image disturbance and depression and anxiety symptoms. MethodsOn January 10， 2023， well qualified literature focusing on the relationship between body image disturbance and depression and anxiety symptoms in pregnant women were searched in PubMed， Embase， CINAHL， Web of Science， China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， VIP databases， Wanfang Data Database and China Biology Medicine disc （CBMdisc） from inception to January 1， 2023. The research content， factors influencing body image disturbance and relevant findings were extracted and summarized for analysis. ResultsA total of 14 articles were included in this review. The body image disturbance in pregnant women was manifested predominantly by an excessive concern about body weight and shape， and was affected by demographic characteristics， sociocultural factors， obstetric factors and other factors. Furthermore， body image disturbance significantly predicted the occurrence of depression， and proved a close relationship with anxiety symptoms. ConclusionBody image disturbance seriously affects the physical functioning and psychological status of pregnant women and may further exacerbate the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the composition and metabolites of gut microbiota in septic rats by fecal 16s rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics, and to preliminarily explore the effect and potential mechanism of gut microbiota and its metabolites on inflammatory response and multiple organ damage in sepsis. METHODS: Ten males healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham operated group (Sham group) and sepsis model group (CLP group) using a random number table method, with 5 rats in each group. A rat sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) method. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after modeling, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung and kidney tissues, and the pathological scores were evaluated. Fecal samples were collected, and 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics were used to screen microbiota, metabolites and potential signal pathways that may play an important role in disease outcomes. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to jointly analyze the gut microbiota and non-targeted metabolism. RESULTS: Compared with the Sham group, the degree of pathological damage to lung and kidney tissues in the CLP group was significantly increased (lung tissue score: 3.60±0.80 vs. 0.00±0.00, kidney tissue score: 2.40±0.80 vs. 0.00±0.00, both P < 0.01), the level of IL-6 and TNF-α in peripheral blood significantly increased [TNF-α (ng/L): 248.12±55.98 vs. 143.28±36.57, IL-6 (ng/L): 260.26±39.47 vs. 116.01±26.43, both P < 0.05], the species diversity of intestinal flora of rats in the CLP group was significantly reduced, the relative abundance of Morganella, Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella were significantly increased, and the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136, Ruminococcus, Romboutsia and Roseburia were significantly reduced. In addition, the biosynthesis and bile secretion of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan in the gut microbiota of the CLP group were significantly increased, while the biosynthesis of secondary bile acids was significantly reduced. There was a significant correlation between differential metabolites and differential microbiota. CONCLUSIONS Sepsis can cause significant changes in the characteristics of gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in rats, which provides a basis for translational research to seek new targets for the treatment of sepsis.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Interleukin-6 ; Rats, Wistar ; Sepsis

Objective To investigate the etiology and epidemic characteristics of infectious diarrhea in children in Suzhou, and to provide a basis for accurate prevention and control. Methods Active surveillance of infectious diarrhea pathogens was carried out in a national sentinel surveillance hospital in Suzhou from 2018 to 2020. Epidemiological investigation was completed and stool samples were collected. All samples were detected and classified for 5 viruses and 6 types of bacteria. Results A total of 999 cases of infectious diarrhea were included, the detection rate of pathogen was 36.34%, virus was 31.41%, bacteria was 6.31%, and multi-pathogen mixed infection was 4.8%. The top three pathogens were rotavirus (17.92%), norovirus (12.51%) and Salmonella (3.4%). Both rotavirus diarrhea and norovirus diarrhea occurred most frequently in children aged 7-24 months, with peak incidence in winter and early spring. There was no obvious seasonal and age distribution of bacterial diarrhea. The multi-pathogen mixed infection was mainly virus-virus. G9[P]8 was the dominant genotype of rotavirus, while type 2 was the dominant type of norovirus in the cases of infectious diarrhea. Conclusion Infectious diarrhea in children under 5 years old in Suzhou area from 2018 to 2020 is mainly caused by viruses, among which rotavirus and norovirus are the dominant pathogens. Viral diarrhea has obvious population distribution and seasonal characteristics. The dominant pathogens of bacterial diarrhea are Salmonella and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli.

ObjectiveTo determine the pathogenic cause in a foodborne diseases outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis in a company in Suzhou City， and provide evidence for epidemiological investigation and guidance for clinical treatment. MethodsRelevant specimens were examined for Salmonella， Shigella， Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Furthermore， for the isolated Salmonella enteritidis， a micro broth dilution method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing， and pulsed field gel electrophoresis （PFGE） was used for molecular typing. ResultsA total of 44 strains of Salmonella enteritidis were detected from 43 anal swabs of the patients in the outbreak， 7 anal swabs of canteen employees， 31 retained food specimens and 6 environmental specimens. A total of 15 antimicrobial susceptibility testings showed that the 44 strains had the same antimicrobial resistance spectrum， which was 100% resistant to cefazolin， ampicillin， ampicillin/sulbactam， polymyxin E and nalidixic acid， suggesting a multi-drug resistance to more than three antibiotics. PFGE cluster analysis showed that the 44 strains had a 100% of genetic similarity. ConclusionThe outbreak is caused by the consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis. The isolated strains have multi-drug resistance， which could guide appropriate antimicrobial treatment based on the antimicrobial susceptibility testing.