Microbial communities such as those residing in the human gut are highly diverse and complex, and many with important implications for health and diseases. The effects and functions of these microbial communities are determined not only by their species compositions and diversities but also by the dynamic intra- and inter-cellular states at the transcriptional level. Powerful and scalable technologies capable of acquiring single-microbe-resolution RNA sequencing information in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of complex microbial communities together with their hosts are therefore utterly needed. Here we report the development and utilization of a droplet-based smRNA-seq (single-microbe RNA sequencing) method capable of identifying large species varieties in human samples, which we name smRandom-seq2. Together with a triple-module computational pipeline designed for the bacteria and bacteriophage sequencing data by smRandom-seq2 in four human gut samples, we established a single-cell level bacterial transcriptional landscape of human gut microbiome, which included 29,742 single microbes and 329 unique species. Distinct adaptive response states among species in Prevotella and Roseburia genera and intrinsic adaptive strategy heterogeneity in Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens were uncovered. Additionally, we identified hundreds of novel host-phage transcriptional activity associations in the human gut microbiome. Our results indicated that smRandom-seq2 is a high-throughput and high-resolution smRNA-seq technique that is highly adaptable to complex microbial communities in real-world situations and promises new perspectives in the understanding of human microbiomes.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Bacteriophages/physiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods* ; Bacteria/virology*

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important sugar crop. Biotic and abiotic stresses such as diseases, cold, and drought are major factors limiting sugarcane production. β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39), a member of the pathogenesis-related protein family, plays an essential role not only in the plant defenses against pathogens but also in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. To systematically investigate the sugarcane β-1,3-glucanase gene family, 132 glycoside hydrolase (GH) 17 family members were identified in the genomes of the sugarcane wild species Saccharum spontaneum 'Np-X', the tropical species S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', and the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570'. The results of the phylogenetic analysis categorized them into four subfamilies, of which subfamily Ⅳ had the largest proportion of members (102). The members of the sugarcane GH17 gene family contained five conserved motifs and 0-16 introns. The majority of the GH17 genes exhibited a genome-wide replication pattern, with 89.50% originating from S. spontaneum 'Np-X' and S. officinarum 'LA-Purple', while 58.10% of them in the Saccharum spp. hybrid cultivar 'R570' belonged to the discrete replication type. Four major classes of cis-acting elements were identified in the promoters, including the elements related to plant growth, development, and tissue-specific expression (14.21%), light-responsive elements (38.24%), biotic or abiotic stress-responsive elements (9.18%), and hormone-responsive elements (38.37%), which suggested that this gene family was involved in plant growth, development, hormone responses, and stress responses. Transcriptome and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses showed that the sugarcane GH17 genes exhibited tissue-specific expression and were differentially expressed under low temperature, drought, and hormone treatments, as well as during the interactions between different sugarcane genotypes and Sporisorium scitamineum, suggesting their potential roles in plant defenses. In addition, some SsGlu genes (SsGlu5, SsGlu20, SsGlu21, SsGlu25, SsGlu28, and SsGlu39) were expected to serve as candidate stress-related genes. This study lays a foundation for further revealing the molecular mechanisms of the stress resistance of sugarcane via β-1,3-glucanase genes.
Saccharum/physiology* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase/metabolism* ; Multigene Family ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE To establish a comprehensive platform for regional pharmaceutical care among Jiangxi provincial pediatric alliance to realize the management of pediatric hierarchical diagnosis and treatment, and improve the quality of pharmaceutical care. METHODS A unified diagnosis and treatment information standard and a knowledge base of children's rational drug use rules were established among the medical institutions of Jiangxi provincial pediatric alliance. On this basis, the medical records and drug use information of patients in various medical institutions in the region were uploaded to the chain in a structured manner in real time, and a comprehensive platform for regional pharmaceutical care was built. RESULTS The comprehensive platform for regional pharmaceutical care built based on blockchain technology could share medical resources and information among medical institutions, realize rational drug use management, remote prescription review, individualized drug use guidance, popular science education, government supervision, etc., and improve the quality of pharmaceutical care. CONCLUSION The comprehensive platform for regional pharmaceutical care among Jiangxi provincial pediatric alliance can help allocate high-quality medical resources (drug safety knowledge base and pediatric pharmacists) for primary medical institutions. Further more, it lays the foundation for government supervision at the same time ensuring children’s medication safety, which has great practical significance.

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), a transmembrane protein of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is involved in mediating cell adhesion, tissue metastasis, control of immune response, and metabolic homeostasis. Studies have shown that CEACAM1 protects the liver by promoting insulin clearance and preventing fat deposition. The down-regulation of the CEACAM1 expression level leads to a vicious cycle of insulin resistance and aggravates metabolic disorders. As CEACAM1 is critical in controlling metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), stimulating its pathway or regulating its expression level might be a potential new therapeutic approach for MASLD. In this paper, therefore, we summarize the research progress of CEACAM1 in MASLD.

Objective:To explore the challenges in the implementation of drug centralized volume-based procurement policies in hospitals and propose corresponding optimization suggestions.Methods:From August to December 2023, a purposive sampling was conducted to select 11 pharmaceutical experts from tertiary hospitals in China for Delphi method. The survey content included " policy recommendations for promoting the acceleration and expansion of national drug centralized procurement and retaining surplus medical insurance funds for centralized procurement" .Results:Survey participants gave feedback on a set of existing problems found in the implementation of drug centralized procurement policies and proposed corresponding optimization methods. Kendall′s W coefficient of the specialist consultation was 0.332( P<0.05), demonstrating good consistency and concentration of the expert opinions. Among the problems, the score of drug supply guarantee was the highest(mean value of importance was 4.45). At the same time, the recommendation of strengthening monitoring and early warning, coordination and dispatch, and effectively ensuring the supply of centralized drug procurement had the highest score and concentration(mean value of importance was 4.91, coefficient of variation was 0.06). Conclusions:Through Delphi method, this study revealed issues and optimization methods in the implementation of drug centralized procurement policies in hospitals. The findings could provide valuable insights for improvements in the pharmaceutical sector and future policy adjustments.

Objective:To develop an Arteriovenous Fistula Physical Examination Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Scale for Hemodialysis Nurses and test its reliability and validity.Methods:Based on the theory of knowledge, attitude, and practice, a preliminary scale draft was formed through a literature review, three rounds of Delphi expert consultation, and a pre-survey. Using convenience sampling, 311 hemodialysis nurses were selected for a survey from December 2022 to February 2023 for item analysis, exploratory factor analysis and reliability testing. Another survey was conducted on 260 hemodialysis nurses from February to June 2023 for confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, and discriminant validity testing.Results:The Arteriovenous Fistula Physical Examination Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Scale for Hemodialysis Nurses included three subscales and five dimensions, with a total of 33 items. The content validity index at the item level was 0.867 to 1.000, and the content validity index at the scale level was 0.992. After exploratory factor analysis, two, one, and two common factors were extracted from the knowledge, attitude, and practice subscales, with cumulative variance contribution rates of 70.114%, 75.192%, and 67.467%, respectively.Confirmatory:factor analysis showed that the model fitted well. The Cronbach's α coefficients of the three subscales were 0.929 to 0.943, the half reliability coefficients were 0.861 to 0.903, and the retest reliability coefficients were 0.824 to 0.874. Conclusions The Arteriovenous Fistula Physical Examination Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Scale for Hemodialysis Nurses has good reliability and validity and can be used to evaluate the physical examination ability of hemodialysis nurses for arteriovenous fistula.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of deep learning reconstruction(DLR)for flow sensitive black blood(FSBB)sequence in MRI of lenticulostriate artery(LSA).Methods Thirty robust volunteers were prospectively selected,performed scans with conventional FSBB sequences,and divided into DLR-FSBB group and conventional FSBB group according to whether DLR method was used.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)and number of branches of the two groups of images for bilateral LSA were compared,and the overall image quality was evaluated subjectively using Likert score(5-point scale).A paired t-test was used to compare quantitative indicators,SNR and CNR of image quality between the two groups.The Kappa coefficient was applied to eval-uate the consistency of subjective scores between the two observers.Results The SNR and CNR of DLR-FSBB images of cranial bilateral LSA were considerably higher than those of conventional FSBB images(left SNR 34.45±8.21 vs 16.91±4.67,P＜0.001,and right SNR 31.24±6.35 vs 16.02±3.00,P＜0.001;corresponding CNR 19.38±6.37 vs 9.27±3.12,15.82±4.29 vs 8.01±2.27,P＜0.001).The number of branches of LSA was slightly higher in the DLR-FSBB images[4.00(4.00,5.00)vs 3.00(3.00,4.00)on the left side,P＜0.001;3.00(3.00,4.00)vs 3.00(2.00,3.00)on the right side,P=0.003].The subjective score of overall image quality was higher in DLR-FSBB than that in conventional FSBB[reader 1:4.00(4.00,4.00)points vs 3.00(3.00,3.00)points;reader 2:4.00(4.00,4.00)points vs 3.00(3.00,3.00)points,P＜0.001].Conclusion Compared with conventional FSBB sequences,DLR-FSBB sequences of LSA have lower image noise,and vessel branches are displayed more plainly and slightly more numerous.DLR can improve the overall image quality of LSA in conventional FSBB sequences.

Objective To investigate the values of nucleoprotein transformation in sperm for predicting recurrent abortion.Methods A total of 521 infertile couples with complete test indicators on fertility were selected from the reproductive medical clinic of our hospital from 2019 to 2022,among which the ages of the male were from 23 to 56 years old.The following factors causing recurrent abortion were excluded,including the age of woman,body mass index,metabolic disease,antiphospholipid syndrome,uterine and accessory abnormalities,history of caesarean section and intrauterine myoma/cervical conectomy,peripheral blood chromosome abnormalities of both the couple,and adverse life history,such as smoking/alcohol abuse.According to the abortion situation,they were divided into the recurrent abortion group(≥two spontaneous abortions),one spontaneous abortion group and no abortion group.Tukey's multiple comparison was performed to compare the differences of nucleoprotein transformation of sperm in each group by using GraphPad6.0 sta-tistical software.The Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between nucleoprotein transformation and recurrent abortion.The predictive values of nucleoprotein transformation in recurrent abortion were analyzed by the parameters of sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,Youden index and odd ratio.Results The percentages of abnormal nucleoprotein transformation in recurrent abortion group[(33.31±13.83)％]were significantly higher than those in non-abortion group[(26.85± 15.38)％]and the one abortion group[(28.20±12.50)％,P＜0.05].Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between abnormal nucleoprotein transformation and recurrent abortion.The sensitivity and specificity of nucleoprote-in transformation for predicting recurrent abortion were 45.24％and 73.64％,respectively.All of the data of positive predictive value(15.70％),negative predictive value(92.53％),Youden index(18.88％)and odd ratio(2.31)of nucleoprotein transformation in predicting recurrent abortion were higher than those of high DNA stainability(10.64％,90.31％,1.05％and 1.11).Conclusion In the spouses of patients with recurrent abortion,the immaturity of sperm nuclear protein is significantly increased and significantly posi-tively correlated with recurrent abortion.The abnormal nucleoprotein transformation of sperm may be the important factor of recurrent a-bortion in males,and it has high predictive value for recurrent spontaneous abortion in clinical practice.

Objective: To compare and investigate the physicochemical characteristics and antibacterial effect of ZnO nanofilms prepared by atomic layer deposition(ALD) at different deposition cycles. Methods: According to different ALD cycles, four groups were set up (control group, 300, 600 and 1 200 cycles group). Using DEZn and water as precursors, ZnO nanofilms were prepared by ALD on the surface of pure titanium specimens. Surface morphology of the films was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM); the element composition and crystal type of the films were observed by energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD); the hydrophilicity and thickness of the films were detected by water contact angle detector and ellipsometer. The cytotoxicity of the films was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The antibacterial effect against S. aureus in vitro of the films was evaluated by optical density method. Results: The surface morphology of the films was uniform and compact as shown through SEM. The grain size increased with the increase of the number of ALD cycles. EDS results showed that the films were mainly composed of Zn and O elements. XRD results confirmed that the composition of the films was ZnO. Results of water contact angle showed that the films were hydrophobic. The thickness of the films was nanoscale and there was a linear relationship between the thickness and ALD cycles. All experimental groups showed no cytotoxicity. The 1 200 cycles group showed the highest antibacterial rate of 65.9% and 52.3% at 24 and 48 hours respectively, which was the best among all experimental groups. Conclusion The ZnO nanofilms prepared by ALD at different cycles on pure titanium surface are uniform and compact. Thickness of the films increases with the increase of ALD cycles. The films have good biocompatibility and anti-S. aureus effect in vitro. The 1 200 cycles group has the best antibacterial effect.

Objective: To investigate the effects of fiber surface deposited with silicon dioxide films by atomic layer deposition on properties of dental fiber-reinforced composites. Methods : SiO2 films were deposited on the surface of quartz fiber by atomic layer deposition(ALD). Then the quartz fiber was used to manufacture fiber resin composites, which were divided into four groups: A(no soaking agent removal), B(soaking agent removed), C(soaking agent removed and silanization), and D(soaking agent removed, 600 ALD cycles performed and then silanization). Scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle test, hygroscopicity test, CCK8 test and three-point bending test were used to investigate the properties of fiber resin composites. Results: The surface morphology of the quartz fiber treated by ALD was smooth and had no obvious change compared with that before treatment. Moreover, the quartz fiber showed hydrophobicity after silanization. The results of three-point bending test revealed that the mechanical properties of fiber-resin composites modified by ALD were significantly improved(P<0.05). When viewed by scanning electron microscopy, a good interfacial bonding could be seen between quartz fibers and the resin matrix in Group D. In addition, it was found that Group D had low absorbability, low solubility and good biocompatibility. Conclusion It is shown that deposition of SiO2 films on the quartz fiber by ALD can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites.