Objective:To confirm the potential of growth-related gene productβ(GROβ) as a biomarker for colorectal cancer. Methods:Serum GROβlevels in 123 subjects with colorectal cancer, 88 healthy controls, and 125 subjects with other diseases were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) in all subjects were measured using immunoluminometric assay. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the associa-tions between serum GROβlevels and clinical parameters for colorectal cancer. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of GROβ, CEA, and CA19-9 were analyzed. Results:The serum GROβlevels were higher in patients with colorectal cancer (median=96.15 pg/mL) than in the healthy controls (median=43.28 pg/mL, P<0.01) and in patients with other diseases (median=57.30 pg/mL, P<0.01). The serum GROβlevels in patients with colorectal cancer were positively correlated with the tumor-node-metastasis staging (P<0.01) and depth of infiltration (P<0.05), but not with the histological grade, tumor embolus, lymph node metastasis, gross pathologic tu-mor type, or gender of the patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay for serum GROβwere 56.1%(69/123) and 95.31%(203/213), respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity was 22.2%(4/18) for stage I and 66.7%(26/39) for stage II when the data of GROβwere combined with the data of CEA and CA19-9. The ROC curve constructed with the data of GROβ(0.834) was larger than that construct-ed with the data of CEA (0.739) or CA19-9 (0.676) for discriminating colorectal cancer from the matched controls. Conclusion:These preliminary results indicated that the serum GROβlevel could be a useful biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnoses.

SUMOylation is a post‐translational modification involved in various cellular processes .SUMO‐specific protease (SENP) regulates SUMOylation by removing SUMO from conjugated substrates (deSUMOylation) and promoting maturation of SUMO precursor .In order to express Giardia lambia (C2 strain) SENP catalytic domain in E .coli ,the full‐length open reading frame of SENP was amplified by PCR from Giardia lamblia genome DNA .The PCR product about 1 620 bp was cloned into cloning vector pGM‐T .Sequencing result showed the sequence of SENP in C2 strain was identical with that in Gi‐ardia WB strain .Bioinformatics analysis showed that SENP protein possessed a 372 aa discontinuous ULP catalytic domain at C‐terminal .The catalytic domain of SENP was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET‐28a(+ ) .The recombinant vector pET‐28a(+ )‐SENPc was transformed into E .coli Rosetta(DE3) ,then the recombinant SENPc protein was expressed by IPTG induction .SDS‐PAGE and Western blot using anti‐His Tag antibody showed that the expression product of SENPc was a fusion protein with a molecular weight of 43 kD .The successful prokaryotic expression and bioinformatics analysis of Giardia lamblia SENP protein provide basis for further functional study of SENP .

Objective·To explore the predictive capability of retinal vascular features in preeclampsia(PE)based on artificial intelligence(AI)models.Methods·This retrospective study enrolled 789 pregnant women who registered from June 2020 to January 2021 at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital of Tongji University in the first 16 weeks of gestation.These women underwent regular prenatal examinations,had retinal fundus images captured,and delivered singleton live births at the hospital.According to whether they developed hypertensive disorders of pregnancy(HDP),they were divided into unaffected group(n=685)and HDP group(n=104).Within the HDP group,pregnancies were further categorized into gestational hypertension(GH)group(n=36)and PE group(n=68)based on the occurrence of PE.Based on the gestational age at onset,the PE group was further divided into early-onset PE group(gestational age<34 weeks)and late-onset PE group(gestational age≥34 weeks).Fundus images of the pregnant women were obtained,and an AI algorithm was utilized to diagnose retinal lesions and quantify retinal vascular features.Comparative analyses were conducted on fundus features and retinal vascular features.Univariate Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the influencing factors of PE occurrence,and multivariate Logistic regression model was further utilized to assess the correlation between retinal vascular features and the occurrence of PE.The predictive capability of retinal vascular features for PE(both early-and late-onset PE)was analyzed by using area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC curve).Results·The comparative analysis of fundus features and retinal vascular features demonstrated statistically significant differences between the unaffected group and PE group in terms of central retinal artery equivalent(CRAE),central retinal vein equivalent(CRVE),arteriole-to-venular ratio(AVR),retinal artery tortuosity and retinal artery fractal dimension(all P<0.05).Univariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that second-trimester mean arterial pressure(MAP),second-trimester estimated fetal weight(EFW),CRAE,CRVE,AVR,retinal artery tortuosity and retinal artery fractal dimension were the influencing factors for PE occurrence(all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that second-trimester EFW,CRAE,CRVE,AVR,retinal artery tortuosity and retinal artery fractal dimension were the protective factors for the occurrence of PE,while second-trimester MAP was the risk factor for PE(all P<0.05).The analysis of ROC curves revealed that maternal risk factors along with second-trimester prenatal examination data(including MAP and EFW)and retinal vascular features model had good predictive ability for PE[AUC(95%CI)=0.784(0.725-0.843),and this model exhibited better predictive capability for early-onset PE,with an AUC(95%CI)of 0.840(0.756-0.924).Conclusion·The integration of quantified retinal vascular features based on AI models with maternal risk factors and second-trimester prenatal examination data(including MAP and EFW)enables a more effective prediction of PE occurrence,particularly early-onset PE.

Objective:To verify the clinical efficacy and safety of Qufeng Tongxuan method in treating low- and moderate-volume intracerebral hemorrhage at acute stage.Methods:A prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed; patients with low- and moderate-volume intracerebral hemorrhage at the basal ganglia and/or thalamus accepted treatment in 16 hospitals from September 2019 to April 2022 were enrolled. These patients were divided into experimental and control groups with a block randomized method by SAS software. Patients in control group were given conventional western medicine treatment; those in experimental group accepted Qufeng Tongxuan method (sequential therapy of Shexiang Huayu Xingnao granules and Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu granules) besides conventional western medicine treatment. NIHSS was used to assess neurological function before treatment and on 7 th, 14 th, 30 th, and 90 th d of treatment. Prognoses of these patients were assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS) before treatment and on 180 th d of treatment. Brain CT was performed before treatment and on 7 th and 14 th d of treatment to calculate the hematoma volume. Before treatment and on 14 th d of treatment, changes of coagulation function, liver and kidney functions of the 2 groups were compared. Adverse reactions during treatment in the 2 groups were recorded. Results:No significant differences in NIHSS scores were noted between the 2 groups before treatment, on 7 th, 14 th, and 30 th d of treatment ( P>0.05); NIHSS scores in experimental group on 90 th d of treatment were signficantly lower than those in control group ( P<0.05); NIHSS scores in experimental group decreased gradually before treatment and on 7 th, 14 th, 30 th and 90 th d of treatment, with statistical significances ( P<0.05). No significant differences in mRS scores were noted between the 2 groups before treatment ( P>0.05); mRS scores in experimental group on 180 th d of treatment were signfciantly lower than those in control group ( P<0.05). No significant difference in hematoma volume was noted between the 2 groups before treatment and on 7 th and 14 th d of treatment ( P>0.05); both groups had gradually decreased hematoma volumes before treatment and on 7 th and 14 th d of treatment, respectively, with significant differences ( P<0.05); the volume difference of hematoma between 14 th d of treatment and before treatment in experimental group (6.42[4.10, 11.73]) was significantly higher than that in control group (4.00[1.25, 10.58], P<0.05). No significant differences in liver and kidney function indexes or coagulation function indexes were noted between the 2 groups before treatment and on 14 th d of treatment ( P>0.05). Adverse reaction incidence was 9.52% ( n=12) in experimental group and 10.34% ( n=12) in control group, without statistical difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Under premise of conventional western medicine treatment, Qufeng Tongxuan method can promote hematoma absorption and improve neurological deficit symptoms in low- and moderate-volume intracerebral hemorrhage at acute stage, without obvious adverse reactions.

Objective:To investigate the effect of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) on the progression of retinal arteriosclerosis by using a deep learning model.Methods:A cohort study was performed.Data of 1 928 individuals who underwent the medical examination at Beijing Yijiandian Clinic between January 2016 and August 2023 were reviewed, including baseline demographics, physical examination, serological test and fundus photography.Retinal arteriosclerosis was identified using a deep learning model.Five groups were divided according to LDL-C levels, including 389 subjects in group 1 (0.64-1.90 mmol/L), 387 subjects in group 2 (1.91-2.26 mmol/L), 384 subjects in group 3 (2.27-2.57 mmol/L), 385 subjects in group 4 (2.58-2.95 mmol/L), and 383 subjects in group 5 (2.96-6.06 mmol/L).The association between LDL-C levels and progression of retinal arteriosclerosis and the dose-response relationship were analyzed by logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression model.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University People's Hospital (No.2021PHB058-001).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:The incidence of retinal arteriosclerosis progression was 22.10% (426/1 928) during the mean follow-up (66.84±6.58) months.The proportions of fundus progression in groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 15.68%(61/389), 21.71%(84/387), 21.35%(82/384), 25.71%(99/385), and 26.11%(100/383), respectively, with statistical significant differences among them ( χ2=15.97, P=0.003).Using group 1 as a reference, LDL-C 2.58-2.95 mmol/L was an independent risk factor for progression of retinal arteriosclerosis ( OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.04-2.22), and RCS analysis showed an " L" shaped association.The effect of LDL-C on retinal arteriosclerosis showed a threshold effect, with the risk of retinal arteriosclerosis progression increasing with increasing LDL-C when LDL-C was <2.34 mmol/L ( OR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.10-3.62), and stabilizing when LDL-C was ≥2.34 mmol/L. Conclusions:LDL-C has a threshold effect on the impact of retinal arteriosclerosis progression, and the threshold is 2.34 mmol/L.

Objective:To investigate the bacterial composition and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical isolates from bloodstream infections in China.Methods:The clinical bacterial strains isolated from blood culture were collected during January 2020 to December 2020 in member hospitals of Blood Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System (BRICS). Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI, USA). WHONET 5.6 was used to analyze data.Results:During the study period, 10 043 bacterial strains were collected from 54 hospitals, of which 2 664 (26.5%) were Gram-positive bacteria and 7 379 (73.5%) were Gram-negative bacteria. The top 10 bacterial species were Escherichia coli (38.6%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.9%), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (7.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.9%), Enterococcus faecium (3.3%), Enterobacter cloacae (2.8%), Enterococcus faecalis (2.6%), Acinetobacter baumannii (2.4%) and Klebsiella spp (1.8%). The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus aureus were 27.6% and 74.4%, respectively. No glycopeptide- and daptomycin-resistant Staphylococci were detected. More than 95% of Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to rifampicin and SMZco. No vancomycin-resistant Enterococci strains were detected. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis were 48.4%, 23.6% and 36.1%, respectively. The prevalence rates of carbapenem-resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were 2.3% and 16.1%, respectively; 9.6% of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam combination. The prevalence rate of carbapenem-resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii was 60.0%, while polymyxin and tigecycline showed good activity against Acinetobacter baumannii. The prevalence rate of carbapenem-resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 23.2%. Conclusions:The surveillance results in 2020 showed that the main pathogens of bloodstream infection in China were gram-negative bacteria, while Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen, and ESBL-producing strains declined while carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae kept on high level. The proportion and the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa were on the rise slowly. On the other side, the MRSA incidence got lower in China, while the overall prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci was low.

Objective:To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical bacteria isolated from blood culture in China.Methods:The clinical bacterial strains isolated from blood culture from member hospitals of Blood Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System (BRICS) were collected during January 2018 to December 2019. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted with agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by US Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). WHONET 5.6 was used to analyze data.Results:During the study period, 14 778 bacterial strains were collected from 50 hospitals, of which 4 117 (27.9%) were Gram-positive bacteria and 10 661(72.1%) were Gram-negative bacteria. The top 10 bacterial species were Escherichia coli (37.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.7%), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (8.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.7%), Enterococcus faecium (3.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii(3.4%), Enterobacter cloacae (2.9%), Streptococci(2.8%) and Enterococcus faecalis (2.3%). The the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus were 27.4% (394/1 438) and 70.4% (905/1 285), respectively. No glycopeptide-resistant Staphylococcus was detected. More than 95% of S. aureus were sensitive to amikacin, rifampicin and SMZco. The resistance rate of E. faecium to vancomycin was 0.4% (2/504), and no vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis was detected. The ESBLs-producing rates in no carbapenem-resistance E. coli, carbapenem sensitive K. pneumoniae and Proteus were 50.4% (2 731/5 415), 24.6% (493/2001) and 35.2% (31/88), respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistance in E. coli and K. pneumoniae were 1.5% (85/5 500), 20.6% (518/2 519), respectively. 8.3% (27/325) of carbapenem-resistance K. pneumoniae was resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam combination. The resistance rates of A. baumannii to polymyxin and tigecycline were 2.8% (14/501) and 3.4% (17/501) respectively, and that of P. aeruginosa to carbapenem were 18.9% (103/546). Conclusions:The surveillance results from 2018 to 2019 showed that the main pathogens of bloodstream infection in China were gram-negative bacteria, while E. coli was the most common pathogen, and ESBLs-producing strains were in majority; the MRSA incidence is getting lower in China; carbapenem-resistant E. coli keeps at a low level, while carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae is on the rise obviously.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of national bloodstream infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:During the study period，9 035 strains of Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 51 hospitals，of which 7 895（87.4%）were Enterobacteriaceae and 1 140（12.6%）were non-fermenting bacteria. The top 5 bacterial species were Escherichia coli（ n=4 510，49.9%）， Klebsiella pneumoniae（ n=2 340，25.9%）， Pseudomonas aeruginosa（ n=534，5.9%）， Acinetobacter baumannii complex（ n=405，4.5%）and Enterobacter cloacae（ n=327，3.6%）. The ESBLs-producing rates in Escherichia coli， Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus spp. were 47.1%（2 095/4 452），21.0%（427/2 033）and 41.1%（58/141），respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli（CREC）and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae（CRKP）were 1.3%（58/4 510）and 13.1%（307/2 340）；62.1%（36/58）and 9.8%（30/307）of CREC and CRKP were resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam combination，respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii（CRAB）complex was 59.5%（241/405），while less than 5% of Acinetobacter baumannii complex was resistant to tigecycline and polymyxin B. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa（CRPA）was 18.4%（98/534）. There were differences in the composition ratio of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections and the prevalence of main Gram-negative bacteria resistance among different regions，with statistically significant differences in the prevalence of CRKP and CRPA（ χ2=20.489 and 20.252， P<0.001）. The prevalence of CREC，CRKP，CRPA，CRAB，ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were higher in provinicial hospitals than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=11.953，81.183，10.404，5.915，12.415 and 6.459， P<0.01 or <0.05），while the prevalence of CRPA was higher in economically developed regions（per capita GDP ≥ 92 059 Yuan）than that in economically less-developed regions（per capita GDP <92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=6.240， P=0.012）. Conclusions:The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections shows an increasing trend，and Escherichia coli is ranked in the top，while the trend of CRKP decreases continuously with time. Decreasing trends are noted in ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Low prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli and high prevalence in CRAB complex have been observed. The composition ratio and antibacterial spectrum of bloodstream infections in different regions of China are slightly different，and the proportion of main drug resistant bacteria in provincial hospitals is higher than those in municipal hospitals.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-positive bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:A total of 3 163 strains of Gram-positive pathogens were collected from 51 member units，and the top five bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus（ n=1 147，36.3%），coagulase-negative Staphylococci（ n=928，29.3%）， Enterococcus faecalis（ n=369，11.7%）， Enterococcus faecium（ n=296，9.4%）and alpha-hemolyticus Streptococci（ n=192，6.1%）. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci（MRCNS）were 26.4%（303/1 147）and 66.7%（619/928），respectively. No glycopeptide and daptomycin-resistant Staphylococci were detected. The sensitivity rates of Staphylococcus aureus to cefpirome，rifampin，compound sulfamethoxazole，linezolid，minocycline and tigecycline were all >95.0%. Enterococcus faecium was more prevalent than Enterococcus faecalis. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin and teicoplanin were both 0.5%（2/369），and no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium was detected. The detection rate of MRSA in southern China was significantly lower than that in other regions（ χ2=14.578， P=0.002），while the detection rate of MRCNS in northern China was significantly higher than that in other regions（ χ2=15.195， P=0.002）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in provincial hospitals were higher than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=13.519 and 12.136， P<0.001）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in economically more advanced regions（per capita GDP≥92 059 Yuan in 2022）were higher than those in economically less advanced regions（per capita GDP<92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=9.969 and 7.606， P=0.002和0.006）. Conclusions:Among the Gram-positive pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China， Staphylococci is the most common while the MRSA incidence decreases continuously with time；the detection rate of Enterococcus faecium exceeds that of Enterococcus faecalis. The overall prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci is still at a low level. The composition ratio of Gram-positive pathogens and resistant profiles varies slightly across regions of China，with the prevalence of MRSA and MRCNS being more pronounced in provincial hospitals and areas with a per capita GDP≥92 059 yuan.